Lake Wylie Today Winter 2011

LakeWylie today Winter 2011 | Issue 4

Be your own guest Secret to easy parties: Let the pros do it

Garden gala Enjoy a vintage holiday at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Chamber Spotlight Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce reports on a year well spent

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Our View

The

‘Season of Giving’

at Lake Wylie lasts all year long

By Susan Bromfield, President, Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

I

t is time to count our blessings and give generously this holiday season, as well as make plans to give throughout the year.

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the “Season of Giving.” And at Lake Wylie, the “Season of Giving” goes on all year long. It seems that each week, you will hear about various charity projects, fundraisers, volunteer activities and efforts to help others. Ours is a giving community every day of the year. Newcomers quickly find that there are endless opportunities to volunteer, give and participate.

This year, the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce and Lake Wylie Pilot have launched a Holiday Charity Drive from Nov. 1 to Dec. 20 to collect canned goods, new and unwrapped

toys for Santa’s Closet, as well as new hats, gloves, scarves and coats to contribute to the Clover Area Assistance Center. The drop off/collection locations are during regular business hours at Bank of America-Lake Wylie, as well as the various locations of Clover Community Bank and Kodiak Mini-Storage. If everyone in our community contributes to this effort, collectively we can make a difference in the lives of many children and families this holiday season.

River Hills Country Club is constantly home to a variety of annual fundraising and charity events. There are golfing events to benefit cancer research, Clover Schools’ Clover LEAF Foundation, the Catholic church, the Lion’s Club charities, River Hills Community Church Preschool and the Clover Area Assistance Center. The calendar is always full with benefit auctions, Lion’s Club annual charity event, luncheons and more.

The Sweet Repeat Foundation operates one of the most successful “recycling” charity projects

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www.LakeWylieToday.com | Winter 2011

in the area with its Sweet Repeat resale store located in Lake Wylie Plaza. The volunteers work all year long to operate this store for charity. Items are contributed to Sweet Repeat and are then sold.

The money they raise is contributed to charity.

This year, Sweet Repeat raised more than $50,000 to contribute to area charities. Through its budget committee and input from its members, the foundation selects a few nonprofit projects or charities to receive a $5,000 contribution. They have contributed to the Wayne Patrick Hospice House in Rock Hill, Habitat for Humanity, York Place, Pilgrim’s Inn and the River Hills Emergency Squad.

Some of the other beneficiaries are God’s Kitchen in Clover, Clover Area Assistance Center, PATH in York, Camp Thunderbird Scholarship Fund, Kenya Orphanage Project and other local charities that benefit the deaf and blind. Many smaller contributions are made, as well.

The River Hills-Lake Wylie Lion’s Club raises money for charity throughout the year with several events, including their annual golf tournament, Christmas tree sale, production of the River Hills Telephone Directory and the annual fall charity silent auction. The Lion’s Club is a major contributor to the Lake Wylie-River Hills Emergency Squad, which offers free service to the entire Lake Wylie area.

The Kenya Orphanage Project, founded by Monique Boekout, has become a daily effort to raise money and help orphans in Kenya. It has become an ongoing a labor of love to help these children survive, feel cared about, have a safe home, access to health care and have educational opportunities. People in the community have “adopted” each child by sending an annual contribution to support basic needs and education. They communicate with the children and travel to Kenya to mentor them. They also work throughout the year to help these children.

Lowe’s-Lake Wylie has also made the commitment to support area charities and projects.

Lowe’s employees get involved by helping at Riversweep and they have “adopted” the cove near Mill Creek Commons to keep it clean and

litter-free throughout the year. The new Lowe’s contributed more than 40 gallons of paint and building materials to the Clover High School shop program. In addition, Lowe’s employees also worked with CAAC to collect and contribute new hats, gloves and scarves to area children and adults during the holiday season.

Walmart-Lake Wylie opened its store last year and made several major contributions to area charities and organizations, including the Lake Wylie Library, Clover Area Assistance Center, Clover Schools, Lake Wylie River Hills Emergency Squad and York County Recycling. In addition, Walmart and its employees have adopted Highway 274 and regularly pick up litter. Through the Walmart Foundation, grants continue to be given to many local charities.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time. We feast, watch football and spend time with friends and family. We remember that we have so much to be thankful for.

It’s also a time to give to area charities and projects that benefit so many people throughout the year.

Area banks and churches will offer various opportunities for you to give generously to those less fortunate during the holidays, including: Angel Trees, Toys for Tots, CAAC Santa’s Closet Toy drive, Second Harvest Food Bank in Charlotte and CAAC adopt a family.

Your time is a priceless gift, as well. In addition to giving a warm coat, a new unwrapped toy, canned goods or a check, you can also give your time to the many organizations that need a helping hand.

As Thanksgiving and the holidays are upon us, it is time to count our blessings, give thanks and reach out to help others. It is a time to share special moments with family and friends, give to area charities and offer assistance to the many projects that benefit so many all year long.

The holidays are a time to celebrate the season, give and care for those around us. And in Lake Wylie, that season of giving lasts all year long. LW

Contents

LakeWylie today

www.LakeWylieToday.com Published by SC Biz News

Winter 2011

Director of Business Development - Mark Wright mwright@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3143

2 Our View

Andy Owens - Managing Editor aowens@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3141

6 Mailbag

Senior Copy Editor - Beverly Morgan bmorgan@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3115

14 Shoreline

Creative Director - Ryan Wilcox production1@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3117

Tips for winterizing your boat and home What’s biting this season on the lake

Art Director - Kevin Greene kgreene@scbiznews.com • 864.235.5677 Senior Graphic Designer - Jane Mattingly production2@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3118

18 Roving Palate

Advertising Sales - Jane DuBois McCarthy jane@lakewylietoday.com • 704.287.8668

The secret to easy holiday parties is to hold them at a local restaurant

Circulation and Event Manager - Kathy Allen kallen@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3113

26 Garden Party

Circulation, Event and Business Coordinator Kim McManus kmcmanus@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3116

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden presents: A Vintage Christmas

CEO and Group Publisher - Grady Johnson gjohnson@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3103

32 Faces: Art’s Desire Framing and Gifts

Vice President of Sales - Steve Fields sfields@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3110 Contributing Editors Susan Bromfield President, Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce susan@lakewyliesc.com • 803.831.2827

Happenstance led Connie White Jones from ‘first customer’ to ‘owner’

36 Holiday Boat Parade

Jane DuBois McCarthy jane@lakewylietoday.com • 704.287.8668

It’s a parade. It’s a party … It’s Lights on the Lake

Project Manager Allison Cooke Oliverius

40 Good friends, good food, good times

46 Holiday Guide

Contributing Writers Susan Bromfield, Dianne Kehler, Jane DuBois McCarthy, Arthur Murray, Rodger Taylor, Jan Todd

You are cordially invited to supper club

Suggestions for local holiday shopping, kicking off your New Year’s resolution and planning a holiday party

Spotligh t The mag

azine of

the Lake

Wylie Cha

mber of

Commer ce

The entire contents of this publication are copyright by SC Biz News with all rights reserved. Any reproduction or use of the content within this publication without permission is prohibited.

53 Spotlight

The magazine of the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

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Corporate & Consumer Publishing Division

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Cover and Table of Contents photos by Jan Todd 4

www.LakeWylieToday.com | Winter 2011

Contributing Photographers Susan Bromfield, Larry Bunch, Diana Grubenhoff, Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce, Jane DuBois McCarthy, Richard Rudisill, Jim Stadnyck, Rodger Taylor, Jan Todd

com

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Mailbag Did you just catch a fish? Celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary? Are you participating in a charity event or community fundraiser? Where did you go on your last family outing? Whether you just celebrated a major milestone or are gearing up to give back, part of our goal with Lake Wylie Today is to provide a platform for our community to share whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening in the community through stories and photos. We want to celebrate with you, laugh with you and build memories with you. See page 12 for information on how to submit photos and stories.

2011 Local Christmas parades Rock Hill Parade Friday, Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m.

Begins on Oakland Avenue at Winthrop University and ends on Main Street downtown. www.rockhillrocks.com

Fort Mill Parade Saturday, Dec. 3 at 11 a.m.

Begins on Leroy Street and continues to the Union Cemetery. www.fortmillsc.org

Gaston Day School iGem Team wins silver medal The international Genetically Engineered Machines team at Gaston Day School recently competed in the iGEM competition and won a silver medal and the Safety Commendation for the Americas division. This is the third year that GDS has competed. It is the only high school in this division. The iGEM team competed against 63 of the best colleges and universities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and South America. The team built and characterized a biological nitrate detector. The bacteria they engineered turns bright pink in response to high levels of nitrate pollution. Nitrates in water can cause methemoglobinemia, or Blue Baby Syndrome. The iGEM competition is the premier undergraduate synthetic biology competition.

Kenya Orphanage Project The Kenya Orphanage Project held a fundraising cruise, dinner and silent auction in October at the River Hills Marina and Picnic Pavilion. KOP was started to help fund and provide basic needs for children at an orphanage in Kenya. KOPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission has evolved and it now focuses on providing for the education of orphaned children. Founder Monique Boekhout (right) has traveled to Kenya many times to mentor the children sponsored by KOP. Diana Grubenhoff (left) also has traveled to Kenya.

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Clover Parade Sunday, Dec. 4 at 3 p.m.

Begins on Old North Main Street and travels through downtown Clover. http://www.cloversc.info/portal/news.htm

York Parade Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 4:30 p.m.

Begins at S. Congress Street. www.greateryorkchamber.com

Lake Wylie Lights on the Lake Holiday Boat Parade Saturday, Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Best viewing is from the deck at T-Bones and the boat landing. www.lakewyliesc.com

Allen Tate is growing. The company added five realtors this fall. They are: Cathey and Wayne Frye, Francine Freeman, Jonathan Alosi and Janet Sweeney.

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Mailbag Tree fundraiser

ChristmasVille ChristmasVille in Old Town Rock Hill was selected as South Carolina’s Event of the Year for 2010. This is the fourth year in a row ChristmasVille has won this distinction.

This year, ChristmasVille will be held Dec. 1-4 in Old Town.

During ChristmasVille, Rock Hill signals the beginning of the Christmas season by celebrating the art of its favorite adopted son, Vernon Grant, with hundreds of his images of Santa and the holidays. This year’s sixth annual festival includes traditional favorites, including an ice skating rink, a snow village, Santa’s workshop, historic trolley tours, a gingerbread house contest and display, horse drawn carriage rides and Santa’s Great Gnome Awakening & Jingle Bell Parade. This year’s festival is packed with more than 60 different activities for all ages. They also added The Dickens Ball, a miniature dollhouse display, a guardian angel tree, pony rides and Johnny Peers & the Muttville Comix featuring the world’s only skateboarding Bassett hound!

Kids will delight in 20 tons of real snow, a lighted parade, Grant the Gnome, Freddy the Polar Bear, the Grinch and yes ... Santa! You won’t be able to resist the aroma of ChristmasVille’s tempting holiday treats, tasty food and hearty meals.

Enjoy arts, crafts, Christmas music and three stages of entertainment.

Help raise funds for the band at Gaston Day School. The school’s fourth annual Band Christmas Tree Sale is underway. With this year’s proceeds, the school will repair school instruments and continue to bring in expert instructors for sectional work during class.

They also hope to purchase a piccolo, a vibraphone and maybe a baritone saxophone.

The school is selling high quality, fresh cut Frasier fir trees grown in the mountains of North Carolina. They are cut the day before delivery to assure freshness through the holiday season.

Purchase your tree at the Gaston Day School Christmas Tree Forest, which is located at the school. The Tree Forest will be open Nov. 22, 25, 25 and 27, as well as Dec. 2, 3 and 4.

Picking up your tree is festive and wonderful. They even serve cider and hot chocolate!

Also, don’t miss the school’s Holiday Band Concert at Pamela Kimbrell Warlick Theater.

It will be held Thursday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is free.

Schieleville Come visit with Santa at the Shiele Museum as he stops in the CAVES exhibit Dec. 12 from 5-8 p.m. Enjoy cookies and milk, holiday story time, games, movies, ornament making and more. Call 704-866-6908 for more information.

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Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

9

Mailbag

Penland Tree Farm

A Lake Wylie tradition for 40 years Photography by Jan Todd

Penland Tree Farm celebrates 40 years of providing warm Christmas memories to families in the Lake Wylie area.

This “choose and cut” tree farm, located on Campbell Road in York, has become an event that kicks off the Christmas season for generations. People who grew up coming to the farm as kids now bring their own children to continue the tradition.

Kids look forward to the hot chocolate, marshmallow roasts and hayrides. “Mulch Mountain” has been added as another activity for the kids, Alex Violante of Lake Wylie giving parents a little time to checks out the “baby tree.” browse through the Christmas Craft Shack.

The farm is pet-friendly, and with acres and acres of trees, it’s the perfect place for a game of hide and seek! Cypress, red cedars, Virginia and white pines are offered for sale in the “cut your own” section. Fraser firs, which do not grow well in this area, are trucked in from the mountains and for sale in the pre-cut section.

The farm is run by Steve and Judy Penland, with the help of their children and grandchildren.

Just a few years ago, Steve’s parents also worked on the farm, with a total of four generations serving various roles when the farm was open for business.

The farm opens the Friday after Thanksgiving and is open during daylight hours (9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.) Monday-Saturday, and 1-5:30 p.m. on Sundays.

—Jan Todd

A Lake Wylie family carries their chosen tree from the field.

Riders bundle up and enjoy a hayride through the fields.

The Penlands’ grandson Michael Moses hands out tree tags to customers.

Small trees are available for children to choose and cut.

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11

Mailbag Open house Palisades Episcopal School invites you to attend an Admissions Open House Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m. Contact Monique Gilbert in the Admissions Office at mgilbert@pescharlotte.org or 704-5831825 to register.

ML Ford & Sons, Inc. Furniture Since 1890

215 N. Main St Clover, SC 29710 803-222-9171 Monday - Friday 9-6, Saturday 9-4

Clover High School Choralier Holiday Show A favorite Lake Wylie holiday tradition is the annual Clover High School Choralier Holiday show. With three near sell-out performances at the 1,500-seat Clover School District Auditorium, the Choralier show is an anticipated event that you won’t want to miss. This year’s sacred portion of the concert will include the complete rendition of Antonio Vivaldi’s “Gloria.”

The Choraliers are an award-winning concert choir that practices about 8 hours a week.

In addition, each student has the benefit of private vocal lessons, funded by a very supportive Booster Club. The work pays off, not only in vocal excellence, but also in character development. These students learn tremendous discipline, self-confidence, teamwork and respect for one another. Several state choral championships and other honors have been awarded to the group, and many students are recruited to colleges with music scholarships.

The holiday performance will also contain a lively variety show with festive music, dancing and dazzling choreography. Concert dates are Dec. 8, 10 and 11. Visit www.cloverchoraliers.com for ticket information.

Submissions for the Mailbag section are on a first come, first served basis. Lake Wylie Today welcomes all events, stories and photos about your family, neighborhood and businesses. Please e-mail high-resolution photos along with a 75-word description to info@lakewylietoday.com.

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Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

13

Shoreline Now’s the time to get your home ready for winter

Taking the time to inspect your home now will save you time, effort and money later

Story and photos by Dianne Kehler

BEFORE

AFTER

I

t’s fall and that means you should begin preparing your home for winter.

It’s recommended to begin with a visual exterior inspection to see what might need fixing before the cold sets in.

Water is the most destructive force in nature and we need to control it. Install gutters and downspouts to ensure a controlled flow of water away from your home. Clean your gutters and downspouts. Caulk gutter joints that have pulled apart due to summer expansion and contraction.

Make sure the grade around your foundation falls away from the house. Foundation cracks and mortar joint deterioration can be directly attributed to water intrusion.

Ensure that all caulking around windows and doors is in good condition. Air leakage can seriously affect your heating and cooling costs.

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A leaking faucet can cause a lot of trouble. Here, you can see the damage and the cleanup.

Perform a crawl space inspection. Is the insulation properly placed between the floor joists?

Ensure your vapor barrier covers the entire ground surface to reduce ground moisture that will adversely affect your insulation and floor joists.

Check for plumbing leaks from the floor above. Many major floods begin with a minor leak. Check all supply lines to toilets, sinks, dish washer and ice maker for leaks. Replace supply hoses for hot and cold water lines to washer.

Shoreline

Protecting your boat during winter is key to summer fun on Lake Wylie

A service technician winterizes a boat at Lake Wylie Marina. (Photo/Larry Bunch)

Keeping craft under wraps and basic maintenance will pay off

W

ith the trees around the shores of Lake Wylie turning beautiful colors, it’s a good time for boat owners to think about getting their craft ready for the winter.

A to-do list, posted by online used car dealership One Stop Motors, offers an assortment of tips on how owners can prepare for winter and protect their investment. Here are some thoughts: ∙ Fill the gas tank and make sure that a fuel stabilizer is added, and make sure to Flush out the hot water tank. Attach garden hose and open the valve for 5 minutes.

Inspect your furnace. If you have an attic system, make sure that condensation pan is not clogged.

Replace all furnace filters.

Cover all exterior taps with foam covers to prevent freezing.

Turn water off to the house if you are going on vacation.

We hope these tips will help keep you and your home healthy, happy and warm during the colder months. LW

change the oil before storing the boat for the winter. Remove any electronic devices and disconnect the battery if the boat will be stored outside. o If the boat is going to be outdoors, cover it with a tarp or a suitable covering that will protect it from the elements. Even if the boat is stored indoors in a controlled environment, a covering will guard against any dirt and dust. o Repair any damage to the exterior before putting the boat in storage. Cold weather can cause cracks to widen. o Before storing, the boat should be power-washed to clean off dirt and grime left

over from a summer of use. After cleaning the surface, apply an anti-corrosion spray over the surface. This will prevent moisture from being absorbed and accumulation of any odors while in storage. Then cover the boat. o While the boat is in storage, it’s important to provide support for the hull. If you don’t, you could be facing major repairs next spring that may cost thousands. o Drain coolant from the motor and fill it with propylene glycol. This antifreeze is nontoxic, and better for the motor. It’s also more environmentally friendly. o Remove any sails, fenders, anchors or lines. Also, gather up the seat cushions, flares and fire extinguishers and remove them from the boat. o Make sure all openings are ajar to help air flow and prevent the buildup of mildew. Also be sure that there isn’t any food in the refrigerator. o Empty the holding tank and flush it with clean water two to three times. Make sure the intake seacock is closed and the hose removed.

Pour a 50-50 mix of water and antifreeze into this. Pump all of the head hoses out of water and replace it with anti-freeze. Replace the seacock hose now and leave it closed.

The next step is to dream about getting the boat out of storage to cruise around Lake Wylie when the warm weather returns. LW

It’s also important to check your water supply lines so you don’t end up having to replace a wall.

Dianne Kehler is the president of Remedics Restoration Carolinas, located at 3348 Highway 51 North in Fort Mill.

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

15

Shoreline

Bill Nichols of Rock Hill holds a white perch he caught on a recent day out on Lake Wylie.

(Photo/Rodger Taylor)

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Shoreline

Transitional patterns for Lake Wylie fishing: Fall to winter

By Rodger Taylor

F

all weather and cooling water temperatures provide great fishing opportunities here on Lake Wylie. White perch and the big three species of catfish: blue, channel and flathead, increase their feeding activity in the fall. Classic patterns for fishing for catfish traditionally were associated with summertime. We know now that some catfish are actually easier to catch through the fall season into the dead of winter when catfish once were thought to be dormant.

White perch were initially looked upon as unwanted invaders in Lake Wylie. It is true that they impact â&#x20AC;&#x153;nativeâ&#x20AC;? species, but many anglers have found that the white perch is a willing biter and very fine table fare. They have rapidly become a favorite for young anglers as well as some old veterans of fishing.

In the fall, white perch may become very predictable and will mass in large schools. Great fishing is the result, as these little fish, which weigh an average of about a half pound, readily take small minnows fished on or near the bottom. Once located, white perch are often caught in great numbers and offer a terrific battle on ultra light tackle.

Flathead catfish are in Lake Wylie and they are growing in number and size. The flathead is another invasive species that has found a home in the hearts of avid catfish anglers, as well as trophy hunters. These fish are of great size and many catfish anglers say they are the strongest and meanest of all. Flathead catfish will bite very well in the summer, but they bite excellent in the fall. The flathead catfish is not a fish that is caught in great numbers on Lake Wylie. By comparison, it requires more skill to catch a flathead than a channel or blue catfish. If an angler manages two or three fish, it is a good day. In the fall, however one can expect to catch several flatheads and some are very large with top end fish on the Lake Wylie pushing 40 pounds.

Above: Mike and Barb Kapp show off their catch of the day. (Photo/Rodger Taylor) Ironically, white perch qualify as a delicacy to flathead catfish making them prized bait.

Channel catfish have called Lake Wylie home for many years. Channel cats really turn on in the fall. Drift fishing for channel catfish may yield 30-50 fish on a great day with 25 fish per day as an average. They are very scrappy fish with a top end size of 7 to 10 pounds. Channel catfish will take a variety of baits and are considered by some to be the most popular catfish of the big three.

They are easy to catch compared to the flathead and are found over the widest range of depths.

Blue catfish are spreading rapidly throughout Lake Wylie. This catfish is highly prized because of its size, violent strikes and fighting ability. Like the flathead catfish, the blue is native to the Mississippi basin and became popularized when it was stocked in the Santee-Cooper Lakes in the 1960s. The blue catfish, above all catfish mentioned, will increase its feeding habits even into the coldest

of winter. Stressed bait fish schools are often betrayed by diving gulls and cormorants. In fact, when water temperatures start to kill bait fish like threadfin shad, the blue catfish becomes easier to catch here on Lake Wylie, as they feed heavily on the dying bait fish.

Fall fishing provides cooler temperatures and increased fishing activity. Some of the most pleasant fishing sights and sounds around the lake are evident. As the water cools even more, fish like the blue catfish will distinguish itself as a cold water predator and become easier to catch until early spring starts a new transition and movement of fish northward and laterally up creeks. LW Capt. Rodger Taylor is a USCG licensed fishing guide on Lake Wylie. He can be reached at rodon@ comporium.net or visit his website at www. catfishon.com.

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

17

Vance Lin chats with patrons while tending bar at Lotus Bar & Eatery.

(Photo courtesy of Lotus Bar & Eatery)

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Roving Palate

Sit back,

relax ENJOY and the

party

The secret to an easy holiday party is to hold it at a local restaurant. Let the pros take care of the party â&#x20AC;Ś and the clean up!

Story and photography by Jan Todd

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

19

Roving Palate Lotus Eatery’s balcony can be partitioned off from the rest of the restaurant for private parties.

(Photo courtesy of Lotus Bar & Eatery)

T

he holiday season brings on the party season, and many friends and business associates prefer the ease of celebrating at a local restaurant. After all, our schedules are busy enough. So, why not let the pros handle the party and the clean up?

Whether it’s a spontaneous gathering for a group of friends for some festive cocktails or a planned dinner for the entire office, many of our area restaurants are set up to make your special celebration memorable.

Lotus Bar & Eatery

Just a short drive away in Gastonia, Lotus Bar & Eatery will “Wow” you with its beautiful and tasty presentations in the bar and on the table. Using locally grown produce, as well as exotic imported ingredients, the bartenders and chefs prepare artistic fare that is pleasing to the palate and the eye.

Vance Lin manages Lotus and often can be found behind the bar mixing signature cock-

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tails made from scratch. Muddling mint leaves with fresh fruit, hand-squeezed juice and premium spirits, Lin and the other bartenders present libations that will delight the senses.

Lotus Bar also has an extensive selection of beer and wine. With more than 60 beers available, selections range from various craft ales to rare brews that will delight the true connoisseur. Prices range from $3.50 to $25 a mug, depending on the beer, and the wait staff is trained to help you pair your beverage with your meal.

For wine aficionados, Lotus offers 50 wines by the glass. They also offer bottles of wine ranging from those well-suited for casual meals to exceptional offerings for special occasions.

When it comes to party planning and private functions, Lotus has options to handle groups of up to 100. Upstairs is a lounge set aside for special events. It has a fully stocked bar, professional audio and video, and a plasma television. There is a food and beverage minimum to reserve the room, but there isn’t a room

Lotus Bar & Eatery in Gastonia serves sushi, classic American comfort food and inspiring chef creations that delight the palate.

Roving Palate dishes. Seafood, pastas and daily chef specials are also popular. Homemade desserts are prepared daily.

With three intimate dining rooms, Concord Cove can seat parties of up to 40. A gas fireplace was added in one of the dining areas this year offering a romantic touch for special occasions with loved ones. Open for lunch, dinner and Saturday brunch, Concord Cove is an elegant choice for office dinner parties or for entertaining holiday house guests.

Concord Cove’s main dining room can seat parties of up to 40 people. rental fee. The Upstairs Balcony can be set up for groups of 30 to 100 guests and offers pre-set menu selections or a buffet. If desired, the balcony can be partitioned off from the rest of the restaurant with sound-reducing theater curtains.

Lin will be happy to work with your group to customize the menu to fit your budget and your occasion.

To ring in the New Year, Lotus will host a live band for music and dancing.

Lotus Bar & Eatery is located at 1941 Hoffman Road, Gastonia. Lotus is open for lunch daily 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., dinner daily 4:30-10 p.m. and Sunday brunch. The bar is open extended hours. For more information, visit www.EatAtLotus.com.

Concord Cove

Concord Cove is a hidden gem. It’s located just off the beaten path on Concord Road off of Highway 274. Concord Cove has found its place in the hearts of local patrons looking for outstanding cuisine, excellent service and an atmosphere that accommodates both casual and special occasions.

Unassuming on the outside, the restaurant surprises and delights diners with its European decor and extraordinary menu. Chateaubriand, osso buco and a New York steak au poivre with tri-colored pepper brandied cream sauce are some of the chef ’s signature

Concord Cove has a nice selection of wines, as well as a full bar for cocktails and after dinner drinks. Daily drink specials often include martinis, including the Concord Cove Holiday Martini available during November and December.

Concocted with Midori, Malibu rum, pineapple juice and grenadine, this green and red layered martini, garnished with a candy cane, will certainly get you into the Christmas spirit!

Owner Johnny Funderburk looks forward to holidays at The Cove. “We have a very

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Top: The Black Swan, one of Lotus Bar’s signature cocktails, is made with gin, fresh blackberries, ginger, lime, mint nd pomegranate.

Bottom: Midori, Malibu rum, pineapple juice and grenadine give Concord Cove’s Holiday martini a festive flair. loyal group of customers and it is fun to see them in the holiday spirit. They bring their company in from out of town and everyone has a great time.” For New Year’s, a steak and lobster special will be featured.

Concord Cove is located at 5303 Concord Road, York. Open for lunch Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., and dinner from 5-10 p.m.

Saturday brunch begins at 9 a.m. Daily specials are posted on www.TheConcordCove.com.

Roving Palate

The Hearth Room at Concord Cove provides a warm atmosphere for romantic dinners or cozy company gatherings.

T-Bonesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; balcony can be reserved for private parties and celebrations.

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Roving Palate Wendy Walters, one of the bartenders at T-Bones, serves up a Cosmo with a smile.

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www.LakeWylieToday.com | Winter 2011

Roving Palate year’s theme is ‘Come as you are ... or as you’re not!’” Mathein said. “People can dress however they want to. It’ll be fun to see what they come up with.” The Masquerade Ball is scheduled for Dec. 17. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

New Year’s Eve will be celebrated at TBones with a “Band and Breakfast,” a night of dancing to the tunes of Vanilla Cornbread, followed by a champagne toast at midnight and a huge breakfast buffet.

One of the few places in Lake Wylie with a dance floor, T-Bones is the place for holiday celebrations when you want to go beyond quiet dinner conversations. Located at 3990 Highway 49 in Lake Wylie, T-Bones is open for dinner Monday-Thursday from 4-10 p.m.; for lunch and dinner Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; and for lunch and dinner Sunday from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. For music schedules and more information, visit www.tbonesonthelake.com. LW

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The deck at T-Bones, open through midDecember (weather permitting), is the perfect vantage point for the Holiday Boat Parade.

T-Bones on the Lake

For fun and lively lakeside celebrations, TBones on the Lake is still the go-to place on Lake Wylie. Known for its live music, party deck and Parrot Bar, it is the perfect place to meet friends for cocktails and a casual bite to eat. Burgers, steaks and seafood choices grace the menu for lunch and dinner.

Holidays are always special at T-Bones, with lots of festive lights and decorations. “In the summer, we have a very transient crowd, people from all over,” said David Mathein, owner of T-Bones. “But in the winter time, it’s mostly locals and it’s good to see all of the regulars and meet new families coming to Lake Wylie.”

One of the highlights of December at TBones is the Lights on the Lake Holiday Boat Parade. The lakeside deck dining area is the perfect place to sip T-Bones’ signature holiday drink, the Peppermint Patty, while admiring the multitude of boats. Decorated with tinsel, the Peppermint Patty is hot chocolate spiked with peppermint schnapps, topped with whipped cream and candy. This year’s Holiday Boat Parade is scheduled for Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m.

Another T-Bones tradition is the annual Masquerade Ball. Featuring a pirate theme the past few years, party goers have enjoyed dressing up, dancing, drinks and an all-inclusive Swashbuckler appetizer feast. “This

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Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Garden Party

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden presents d

d

A Vintage Christmas

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www.LakeWylieToday.com | Winter 2011

Poinsettias at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. (Photo/Jan Todd)

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Garden Party

T

he holiday season is upon us and what better way to get into the spirit of the season than to head over to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont for its annual festival of lights.

Beginning Nov. 25 and running through Dec. 31, the garden will stay open in the evening for patrons to enjoy more than a half million lights, as well as a breathtaking Christmas tree created with hundreds of orchids, carriage rides, live entertainment and even a visit from Santa in a room designed

to capture the essence of Christmas morning.

This year’s theme is “A Vintage Christmas” and will feature a display of a miniature train that ran through Stowe Park in Belmont in the 1950s and 1960s.

Visitors will create enduring memories as they experience lighting designs — featuring energy-efficient LED lights — that combine contemporary and traditional displays with accents on nature. Brilliant white lights will sparkle in the White Garden,

while the Canal Garden will feature a wide variety of colorful Christmas splendor. Visitors can warm up in The Orchid Conservatory, where the weather is always perfect and exotic tropical plants from poinsettias to orchids are always in bloom.

The entertainment schedule includes Northside Christian Academy, Perpetual Hope Gospel Choir, Charlotte Youth Bal-

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www.LakeWylieToday.com | Winter 2011 | Winter 2011

More than a half million lights are used to decorate the Garden during the holidays. (Photo/Jan Todd)

let, Charlotte Bronze Hand Bell Ensemble and Bar None (an old-fashioned barbershop quartet).

Southern Breezes will provide carriage rides through a portion of the display Thursday through Sunday for an additional fee.

The Garden Store will offer a selection of vintage dĂŠcor and contemporary gift ideas.

An addition, a special display will be set

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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The Tunnel Fountain is always a highlight of the holiday light display. (Photo/DSBG)

Holiday Lights at the Garden

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Nov. 25 through Dec.31 Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is located at 6500 S. New Hope Road in Belmont.

704-825-4490 Holiday Lights at The Garden is sponsored by CaroMont Health, Lite 102.9 and the Duke Energy Foundation.

Please visit www.DSBG.org for the latest information.

up this year by the Belmont Historical Society.

They will present the original miniature train that shuttled children around Stowe Park in the 1950s. The train has been fully restored but is not operational.

All these features combine to make Holiday Lights at the Garden a classic way to share the spirit of the season with family and friends.

When itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time to warm up or fuel up, head

Garden Party over to the Visitor Pavilion for hot drinks, tasty snacks, a custom designed train display from Metrolina Model Railroaders, and an area where children can leave notes for Santa. Santa will also make appearances on various nights throughout the event.

Holiday Lights extras include Santa’s Workshop on Saturdays, Dec. 3, 10 and 17, as well as a Holiday Tea on Sundays, Dec. 4 and 11. For details and advance registration

information, visit www.DSBG.org.

During Holiday Lights, the garden will be open until 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Admission to Holiday Lights at The Garden is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors 60 and older, and $6 children 4-12.

Members are free on Tuesday evenings and half-price Wednesday through Monday.

Holiday Lights is closed on Christmas Day. You may purchase tickets in advance at www.

DSBG.org. LW

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Feature Connie White Jones is the owner of Artâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Desire in Gastonia.

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www.LakeWylieToday.com | Winter 2011

A

rt’s Desire Framing & Gifts

Happenstance led Connie White Jones from ‘first customer’ to ‘owner’

By Arthur Murray • Photography by Richard Rudisill

W

hen Connie White Jones was growing up, owning a gift shop was never her heart’s desire. It wasn’t when she began working part-time at what was then called The Frame Shack in Gastonia, N.C., or when she began working there full-time. It still wasn’t her heart’s desire when she had the opportunity to buy the shop several years later. Truth be told, she had to be talked into it.

But somewhere along the line during the past 31 years or so, the store, which has been rechristened Art’s Desire Framing and Gifts, has found its way into Jones’ heart.

It’s also become a favorite place for locals in search of the perfect gift.

How did Jones get involved in the business? It started when she was a college student at Wake Forest University in her hometown of Winston-Salem, N.C. “I’ve always been kind of creative,” she says. Her family had moved to Gastonia and while she was home visiting, she stopped by The Frame Shack in Gaston Mall. “We went there to frame something I had done. I was one of the first customers.”

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

33

Feature Jones graduated from Wake the next year, 1981, with a business degree and enrolled in graduate school at Winthrop University in Rock Hill. However, she was still living in Gastonia — that’s where the family was. “I needed a part-time job and the lady who ran the store (Joyce Hudgins) offered me one.”

Jones had no background in retail when she started at the shop and she never dreamed she’d pursue it as a career. “I was thinking of going into medicine or social work,” Jones

says. At Winthrop, she got her master’s degree in family and child development. She even tried her hand at social work after graduation but wasn’t happy. “I tried that and thought, I don’t think this is for me. That wasn’t where my heart was.”

Jones had kept the job at the store, but a crossroads was coming in 1983. That was when Hudgins announced she was moving to Virginia and needed to sell the business. Jones consulted with her father, the Rev. Raymond

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White. Now retired, he lives at Lake Wylie, where he bought a lake house in the late 1970s.

“My dad said, ‘Buy it, run it for a while. Then, if you want to sell it, you can.’”

Hudgins was willing to finance the deal and Jones ultimately said yes. “There wasn’t a whole lot of investment up front,” she says. “Dad said it was good deal and to jump on it.”

One of the first things Jones did once the store was hers was to change the name from The Frame Shack to The Frame Shop. At first, she continued operating it as a framing business, and would suggest other stores when customers asked about accessories. “It finally dawned on us that we should be selling these things we’re sending people out to purchase,” Jones says. She initially added home furnishings.

The Frame Shop was successful, but in 2004, Jones decided she needed a smaller space. She was in a 3,600-square-foot space at the mall.

So, Jones moved to a quaint spot in Hoffman Village about one third of the size. Her shop is located about three miles off Interstate 85 (Exit 22) on Hoffman Road.

The move also led to the new name, Art’s Desire, which reflects the addition of gift items to the store’s inventory.

The shop is chock-full of bags, shoes, martini glasses and jewelry and figurines. “We try to be selective in what we bring in, because we don’t want to see our stuff everywhere else. We stick to items that are new in the market or up and coming,” Jones says.

She expects her holiday sales to follow established patterns, which means big sales of Lilly Pulitzer accessories. Jones explains that the designer’s clothing line, preppy-leaning couture featuring lots of pink and green, is expensive. Art’s Desire, however, sells accessories for it, which are more reasonably priced.

“Our holiday open house is a “Party with Lilly” theme, she says. “There’s nobody in the area that carries (the accessories), and that has been huge for us.” Wine glasses, drink koozies, water bottles, cellphone and tablet covers and umbrellas are among the items stocked by the store.

Jones says other big sellers are the Lindsay Phillips shoe collection, which includes flip flops, pumps and wedges, and the Camille Beckman spa line. “They’re huge, and they’re not in the big box stores,” she notes. A whole section of Art’s Desire is called girlfriend gifts, and she pushes gift cards for those who get stuck and can’t decide what to pick. “They’re quick and easy and provide for at least a second shopping trip.”

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Helping Jones is her husband, David, a website designer and developer at ClickCom in Charlotte. He built the Art’s Desire website (www.artsdesiregifts.com). “He can do the technical stuff that I can’t.”

She also continues to draw inspiration from her dad, the Baptist minister, who has always loved Lake Wylie and decided to move to the lake full-time. “We’ve been going to the lake when it was nothing down there,” Jones says. “It has been something seeing how it has grown over the years. It has blossomed beautifully and we love it. I feel like that is my home now. That’s where my family is.”

Her other home is the store. It’s open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, though she takes off Wednesdays. “I love pretty things and I love to make things pretty,” she says.

Jones is clearly happy with the choice she made to buy the shop. “Through the years, especially when the economy was good, it has been a good investment — a good opportunity. Now the economy is tightening everybody’s belts. We’d all like to loosen them, but not yet.”

But she’s making the best of things as she sees slow signs of improvement. “My husband says I’m always fixing things,” she says, even reflecting back on the career path not taken.

“It’s easier to fix a display than to fix somebody’s problems.” LW

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Pink and green is the theme for this year’s Lilly Pulitzer Christmas items at Art’s Desire.

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Faces

. e d a r a p a s ’ It It’s a party …

s t h g i L s ’ It e k a L e h t n o

ad house, ted his boat as a gingerbre Last year, Sid Smith decora . (Photo/Sid Smith) complete with a snowman

36

www.LakeWylieToday.com | Winter 2011

Faces

By Arthur Murray

Building Strong Minds and Spirits

W

ho doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t love a parade? Especially a holiday parade. Turns out, that enthusiasm is magnified when a procession is on the water. Anyone whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s seen or participated in the holiday boat parade on Lake Wylie can attest to that.

This year, the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 23rd annual Lights on the Lake will be held Dec. 10, with a procession of boats shining their holiday themes for all to see.

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event is sponsored by T-Bones on the Lake, Light-N-Up houseboat charters and the Lake Wylie BI-LO. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. at T-Bones. The route spans both sides of the Buster Boyd Bridge. The best spots for watching are at T-Bones and at the Buster Boyd Public Boat Landing and access area.

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The parade begins at T-Bones on the Lake, which also is one of the best places to watch the festivities. (Photo/Susan Bromfield) Participants come from all over. Rock Hill, Belmont and Waxhaw are among the hometowns of last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entrants. Seventeen boats participated in 2010, the same number as the previous year. Brad Thomas of Belmont won first place last year with his 32foot Trojan Flybridge dressed up as a Swan.

The boat featured thousands of lights. Two years ago, he set his boat up as Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sleigh and he won second place with that.

Thomas is entering again this year and competitors say heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be hard to beat. He has been doing it for six years now, placing every year and coming in first four times. How does he plan to top the swan? â&#x20AC;&#x153;I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t reveal it. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not going to do that,â&#x20AC;? he says.

Thomas, who owns Creative Solutions Special Events, is being a bit cagey, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another reason heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not saying. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t started working on it yet,â&#x20AC;? Thomas says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We tend to come up with our theme and then go at like

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Faces gangbusters a day or two beforehand and knock it all out. Last year was the most time we’ve ever put into it. We started three days ahead of time with the removable portion of the display.” Then he lets down his guard and gives a tip to potential competitors: “The display seems to look better at night if you stay up all night before doing it.”

Why does he do it? “Really, it’s for our kids,” Thomas says. “They enjoy the fun and the atmosphere. The first year we heard about it, we

didn’t even know it was a competition. We just decided to do it. We gathered all the lights we had, strung them on the boat and ended up winning third place. We thought, ‘We’ve got to put a little more effort into this.’”

But the big payoff is the parade itself. “It’s a lot of fun,” he says. “We have so many people that we know around the lake that come up and support us. We had 15 people on the boat, so it turns into a big party. We’ll cook dinner while we’re going.”

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Other friendly competitors hope to spoil the party.

Sid Smith of Lake Wylie finished second last year, and he hopes to improve upon that.

He has participated eight or nine times in the event, though he has missed a year or two.

Like Thomas, Smith doesn’t want to put all his cards on the table for his theme this year.

In 2010, he decorated his 24-foot pontoon boat, the Lazy Daisy, as a gingerbread house.

The year before, he just had a Christmas light display. This year, Smith says, “We are thinking about Santa’s sleigh as a theme. We still have some time to think about it, though.”

Smith will start decorating about two weeks before the parade, but he says the effort is well worth it. “In years past, once the boat was decorated and used in the parade, we’d bring it back to the house and leave it decorated. (We’d) put the lights on and leave it as our water-level decorations through the holiday season.” Last year, the gingerbread house took 10 days to set up. This year, he says, it could be different. “It just depends on how elaborate we go.” Either way, he says, “Brad will be hard to beat. He has a ton of lights.”

Smith has his own reasons for participating.

“Part of it is community pride,” he says. “We want to support what’s going on in the Lake Wylie community. It’s just fun being out there in the parade, with family and friends on board enjoying it. Lastly, the people along the shore on docks and piers really get a great thrill. They’re so receptive. That feedback is so rewarding.”

Chris Kropac of Lake Wylie is entering for only the third time. He moved from Long Island, N.Y., in 2008 and could only watch that year. “I

Faces

The 2010 winner of the holiday boat parade was Brad Thomas’ Swan. (Photo/Brad Thomas) told my wife, I’m going to be in that next year.

She said, ‘You do realize you don’t have a boat.’”

He got one — a 26-foot deck boat — and he’s finished third both years he has participated. His edge, he says, is his love of lights. “I used to put up 40,000 lights at my house in New York — I was the Clark Griswold of my neighborhood.” He’s still working on a theme for this year: Last year’s was Santa in a hot air balloon, while in 2009 he had Santa fishing from a bass boat. Both years, the display featured a dingy he pulled behind the larger boat. “I haven’t decided whether to do the dingy this year. We might do Santa in flight.”

Once Kropac settles on a theme, it will take him about a week to put the display together.

“I’m the kind of guy where everything has to be a certain way,” he says. “I’ll do it the week before the parade. I don’t like to do it that day because there’s too much pressure.” He has one tip for those entering the parade for the first time: “Use LED lights. If you’re running a generator, incandescent bulbs take too much wattage. LEDs are not only brighter, you can use more lights without taxing the generator.”

Obviously, these guys and other entrants put thought — and sweat — into their efforts. And while winning an award is always great, the payoff is really the event itself. Smith says each parade is fun, but they’re all different. Weather is one factor. “We’ve been out there in 20-degree weather when it was raining, sleeting and snowing. Other times the temperature is in the 40s and very comfortable. If there is good weather, people come out on their docks and balconies and have parties. Many of the houses along the lake are just packed with people to have a party and watch the boat parade.” LW

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

39

Feature

Good friends + Good food = Good times

You are Cordially Invited to Supper Club Story and photos by Jan Todd

40

www.LakeWylieToday.com | Winter 2011

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41

Feature Friends gather to enjoy Spanish paella and luscious side dishes brought to share at supper club.

P

repare a meal and they will come ...

Wasn’t that a line from a movie? Maybe not, but anyway, it’s true.

Maria Derderian of Lake Wylie knows this is a fact. Raised in a large family of German descent, Maria grew up at loud family gatherings with the table laden with rich dishes of meats, potatoes and fresh vegetables. Maria’s husband, Grant, boasts a Sicilian heritage, so pasta and Italian cuisine are staples in their home, as well. Maria’s mother, Inga Blais, is from the “Old Country,” and now lives in River Hills, where she has built a solid reputation as a fabulous cook.

Every November, Maria celebrates her birthday month by hosting an event known as “The Pasta Challenge.” She signs up about 12 to 15 of her friends to serve as competing chefs and judges; some lucky guests simply come and eat.

At 15-minute intervals, the competitors take their place at the stove. Maria boils the cook’s choice of pasta while the competitor puts any finishing touches on the sauce or dish.

42

www.LakeWylieToday.com | Winter 2011

The finished entree is presented to the panel of judges, along with fanfare to enhance the presentation. Candles, music, freshly ground peppercorn or grated parmesan and perhaps a sip of a perfectly paired glass of wine are used to sway the judges’ opinions.

After the judges have had a taste, the dish is brought to the rest of the crowd, who eagerly take a small portion. Over the course of the evening, guests sample the “best of the best,” a multi-course meal consumed over three to four hours.

Birth of a supper club

Over the years, Maria’s Pasta Challenge became such a great culinary event she and her friends decided they needed to get together for supper more than once a year. So many great cooks, so much fun to be had! So last year, the group decided to form a supper club. Each month, a different host picks a theme and a dozen or so couples gather to

Dan Sippel of Lake Wylie chats with Paul Erickson at a supper club held in The Landing.

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At the supper club founded by Maria Derderian, some hosts prepare beautiful serving areas, others use simple paper plates. Among friends, what does it matter?

Guests are encouraged to bring side dishes from the featured region to complement the main dish. For the French meal, the hosts prepared Chateaubriand and guests brought French onion soup, vegetable quiche, rosemary scalloped potatoes and chocolate mousse. “Summer in Spain” produced a fantastic seafood paella, tapas, grilled eggplant, manchego cheese and rioja potatoes.

“German Oktoberfest” was celebrated with grilled marinated pork and bratwurst, kraut, German potato salad, handmade ravioli

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Feature known as “hausgemachte maultaschen” and of course lots of craft beer.

Allison Creek’s first Friday

On the south end of Lake Wylie, neighbors of the Allison Creek Peninsula have their own version of a supper club. Known as the “River Rats’ First Friday,” friends in the community gather the first Friday of each month. Everyone brings their own beverage of choice, plus an appetizer to

share and “dinner” is made of the various dips, chicken wings, cheese and crackers and other fun party food that appears.

The event is quite casual, with guests sometimes arriving by boat in the warmer months. Corn hole tournaments, dancing on the sandy beaches, music on the dock and swatting mosquitoes are incorporated into the summertime fun. Autumn weather is celebrated with gatherings around a bonfire.

The Christmas celebration is tradition-

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ally held at Jane Finch’s home, founder of First Friday. Jane is renowned for her Southern hospitality and loves decorating her beautiful home for every holiday. Her festive party each year was such a hit, that once a year just wasn’t enough … Sound familiar? So, about five years ago, Jane suggested a monthly event to circulate among homes in the neighborhood. Everyone loved the idea.

By everyone bringing a dish to share, it makes it possible for anyone to host by simply providing paper products and a bit of ice. Some of the residents on Allison Creek live in what are lovingly referred to as “river cabins,” weekenders, or summer places that may not accommodate many people indoors, but are usually perfect for a warm weather party. Others live in large luxury homes, and still others somewhere in between. The First Friday crowd ranges in age as well, with the youngest members in their 20s and the oldest in their 80s.

Neighbors of Allison Creek enjoy a crisp evening outdoors at their monthly “First Friday” club.

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www.LakeWylieToday.com | Winter 2011

Over the years, First Friday has enabled neighbors to get to know one another in ways that they probably wouldn’t have. Occasionally an email will go out to the First Friday crowd, alerting the group of a neighbor’s sickness or other need, a lost pet or a new baby in the house. Casseroles are prepared, cards are mailed, help is offered and care is given.

Want to start your own?

The main ingredient for a successful supper club is a great group of people. They don’t need to know one another initially, but it is probably best not to start with a group of complete strangers. Some common interest, whether it is cooking or wine or living in a particular neighborhood, can be helpful in uniting the group. In fact, some supper

Feature Supper club host Jake Elston grills seafood under the supervision of his guests.

clubs may share a common interest in eating out and meet at restaurants instead of homes!

Someone needs to be “in charge” of setting up and maintaining the member list, and the ground rules for things like bringing guests, assisting the host, etc. Depending on the formality of the group, there may be a set number of people (helpful if it is a sit-down dinner format), whereas others may be able to accommodate any sized crowd. The Derderians’ supper club has about 12 couples, with a few alternates to step in for members who can’t attend any given month.

The member couples are expected to host once a year and sign up several months in advance. The Allison Creek group is more casual and Jane often recruits the next month’s host at the current event.

It is helpful to have a set date each month for the gathering, so that members can plan to attend.

Some times of the year can be very busy and clubs may choose to take a break during summer vacation months or around holidays. Regardless of how busy schedules become, though, taking time out for fellowship with friends is food for the soul! LW

Guests gather at the Elston home in The Landing for a Spanish themed dinner.

John Rulevich and Grant Derderian enjoy a glass of wine and lively conversation.

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Come early,

shop often Shop locally for all your gifts and holiday needs

By Susan Bromfield, President, Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

A

s the holidays rapidly approach, you can save time, conserve fuel and support our local businesses by shopping right here in the Lake Wylie area. With just a few weeks left until Christmas, here are a few ideas to consider: Lowe’s-Lake Wylie will have everything for home improvement, holiday décor and gifts for just about everyone in your family. Lowe’s-Lake Wylie will also have a big assortment of poinsettias, live trees and plants.

If you’re looking for a special gift for the women in your family, stop by D David Fine Jewelry located in Lake Wylie Plaza. Owner David Wysor is an internationally known jewelry designer located right here in Lake Wylie. This is a great opportunity to purchase beautiful designer pieces that will be treasured for a lifetime. D David Fine Jewelry is launching a new website — www.ddavidfinejewelry.com — in mid-November. Sign up for the newsletter to get info on events and special sales.

While you’re at D David Fine Jewelry, stop by The Estate Boys, located next door. This treasure trove of recycled furniture and household items has expanded, so take your wish list and head on over to see what they have in stock.

Christmas trees, wreaths and greenery are available at BI-LO and Lowe’s. Also, the River Hills Lion’s Club Charity Tree Lot is located at the entrance of Camp Thunderbird and usually sells out by mid-December.

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Holiday Guide

D David Fine Jewelry offers a wide selection of gift items.

Fred’s has holiday treats, merchandise and assorted practical items that will save you several trips to town.

Harris Teeter and BI-LO will have a full assortment of holiday foods, deli and bakery trays, as well as other party needs. Lake Wylie Liquors offers a variety of competitively priced party and gift items during the holidays and is conveniently located on Highway 49 and Evergreen Road. The Village Cellar located at Lake Wylie Plaza has wine tastings and a full assortment of wines to serve during holiday parties, as well as gift items

for friends and neighbors.

Gift certificates make a great gift and there is no end to the ideas available locally.

Who wouldn’t This medallion is one of love to receive a gift many items available at certificate for lunch D David Fine Jewelry. or dinner at one of our local restaurants? T-Bones on the Lake offers great views, Concord Cove located just off Highway 274 has become another favorite dining experience for Sunday brunch and dinners, Rey Azteca offers Mexican fare for lunch and dinner, and ideas, think about Lake Wylie Pizza and Italian even other gift certifidelivers! Christopher’s Bar and Grill is cates for manicures also a great choice. Q-2-U BBQ and and pedicures from the Catering offers gift certificates and Nail Gallery and Nail catering. For those with less time Palace; or a great to dine, there are gift certificates massage from any at McDonald’s, Subway, Wendy’s, of our local massage Jersey Mike’s and Bojangles’. A therapists, including gift certificate from any of our Lake Jeani Rogers at A CarWylie businesses will make great ing Environment and stocking stuffers.

Zen Garden Massage. A gift If meals don’t appeal to your gift giving certificate with a personal trainer also could make a nice gift. The Sportscenter and Anytime Fitness provide that service. Rich Biggers is a physical therapist and fitness trainer and is available to work with individuals to improve their fitness and specific health needs.

REVEL Salon & Color Studio, located in Lake Wylie Business Centre (near the Chamber), offers both gift certificates and pre-wrapped shampoo and styling gift sets.

Another idea is a gift certificate for a car wash or detail at a local car wash. Or perhaps a new cell phone to ring in the New Year.

Phones and service are available at CompoLake Wylie Liquor rium/Cingular Wireless at Lake Wylie. has an assortment of Butterflies and Bumblebees, located at holiday gift choices. the Wilkerson Building, has a nice variety

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

47

Holiday Guide of gift items that can be monogrammed.

You can also bring in your own items to be monogrammed. Monogramming is popular for the holidays, so try to get by there early!

A gift certificate from Flamingo Digital Studios, Dorsey Patrick Photography or Point of View Photography for a family portrait would make a wonderful gift.

Backyard Greens of Lake Wylie can provide a great “guy gift.” They can create a golf green at your home!

It is just a short drive to Rivergate where shoppers will find a wide variety of stores and gifts. While at Rivergate, pick up a gift certificate from Just Fresh, The Wine Shop or City Tavern. Just Fresh offers organic and fresh foods and a healthier choice while dining out. Next door, City Tavern has be-

come a favorite spot to gather and dine with neighbors. Think gifts and local purchases.

Many new stores have opened in recent years that are just minutes from Lake Wylie and offer a wide variety of choices close to home.

In Clover on Main Street, there is a treasure trove of gift items and furnishings at M.L. Ford and Sons furniture store. The Palmetto House also features many gifts and floral arrangements, as well as South Carolina-themed gifts. Jackson’s Kitchen has homemade breads, salads, pies and cheese balls.

Perhaps a membership at Anytime Fitness, located on Highway 49 and Evergreen Road, will be the gift that lasts all year and makes a difference in a family member’s health.

A membership or a certificate for classes at The Sportscenter are always a favorite.

REVEL Salon & Color Studio offers gift certificates and pre-wrapped shampoo and styling gift sets.

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www.LakeWylieToday.com | Winter 2011

The Lake Wylie Business Centre is home to many new businesses, including REVEL. Let’s not forget the Vitamin Store located next to Anytime Fitness. A gift certificate from the Vitamin Store makes a great stocking stuffer or addition to any fitness or health-related gift.

Walmart is the newest retail addition to Lake Wylie and it is full of decorations, gifts, wrapping, card supplies, toys, sporting goods, clothing and a variety of gift options.

The gift of time and creating memories is always appreciated. How about going for a drive to McAddenville to see the lights?

These are just a few ideas for the holidays.

Visit the chamber’s website at www.lakewyliesc.com and look at the online directory for suggestions on places to shop locally as you complete your holiday list.

Remember to give a gift of an unwrapped toy to the Clover Area Assistance Center Toy Drive known as Santa’s Closet. The unwrapped toy can be dropped off at Bank of America-Lake Wylie located on Highway 557

by Lowe’s-Lake Wylie.

Our local businesses also support charity activities throughout the year, so please remember to shop locally.

Have a merry Christmas and a happy holiday season! LW

Holiday Guide

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Holiday Guide

guide

Winter Party The Essentials

Ansel Couch, Guitarist

Locations for parties and gatherings

120 Captain White Drive Rock Hill, SC 29730 803-329-0640 anselwcouch@yahoo.com

Concord Cove

Joan Johnson, Harpist

5303 Concord Road, York, SC 29745 803-831-1036

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

4002 Windward Drive Tega Cay, SC 29715 803-548-3832

New Hope Road, Belmont, NC 28012 704-825-4490 Garden location for weddings and special event parties. Need caterer.

Christine Robinson, Violinist

River Hills Country Club

Top Hat Entertainment (DJ) – Traditional and personalized

One Country Club Lane Lake Wylie, SC 29710 803-831-2126 Full-service location with food and beverage. Ballroom or terrace.

Red Fez Club 16600 Red Fez Club Road Charlotte, NC 28273 704-588-0574 Full-service less formal lakeside location.

Has picnic shelter and building.

T-Bones on the Lake Highway 49 @ Blucher Circle, Lake Wylie, SC 803-831-0170

Musicians and DJs Carol Chase, Pianist 12 Hummingbird Court Lake Wylie, SC 29710 803-831-5872 CarolChase2002@hotmail.com www.cdbaby.com/CarolChase

The Classics (Band) Jerry Robinson 2191 Lawrence Road, Clover, SC 29710 704-678-9726

50

Your resource for throwing a holiday party or special event

www.LakeWylieToday.com | Winter 2011

25026 Riley Lane Tega Cay, SC 29708 803-802-1930

Tom and Judy Gray 5362 Bluebird Lane, York, SC 29745 704-737-7522 nadines@bellsouth.net

Photographers Flamingo Digital Studios David Tobin 168 Highway 274, PMB 40 Lake Wylie, SC 29710 803-831-9233 flamingodigit@aol.com www.flamingodigitalphoto.com

Dorsey Patrick Photography Dorsey Patrick Timberidge Drive, Lake Wylie, SC 29170 803-831-2180

Point of View Photography Jim and Charlene Stadnyck 2115 Culp Farms Drive, Fort Mill, SC 29715 803-370-1174 jim@povphoto.com www.povphoto.com

Carriage Rides Whippoorwill Ranch Carriage Tours Miriam Barrett 386 Hoot Owl Hollow Lake Wylie, SC 29710 803-831-7301 muledad1@aol.com

Party and Tent Rental Gala Affairs 1368 Constitution Road Rock Hill, SC 29730 803-324-8113

Catering/Party Trays BI-LO – Lake Wylie 803-831-8865

Harris Teeter – Steelecroft 704-587-9970

Walmart – Lake Wylie Mill Creek Commons 803-831-2115

Men’s Formal Wear and Tuxedos – rentals & sales The Men’s Shop of York 49 North Congress St., York, SC 29745 803-684-4121

Florists Magnolia House Florists Plantation Square Lake Wylie, SC 29710 803-831-9155

The Palmetto House 306 North Main St., Clover, SC 29710 803-222-1125, 888-438-9449 Continued on page 52

Holiday Guide

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

51

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Houseboat Charter Light-N-Up Houseboat Charters 704-813-8033

Personalized Printing and Monogramming Sterling Source Lindy Wetherell 803-831-8133 Invitations and printing needs

Monogram Fever Rob DeBoer 4543 Charlotte Highway #8 Lake Wylie, SC 29710 803-831-8199 Personalized monogrammed gifts

Travel â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Winter Getaways Lake Wylie Travel Susan Lukowski 6244 North Road, York, SC 29745 803-831-5494 lakewylietravel@yahoo.com www.lakewylietravel.com

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www.LakeWylieToday.com | Winter 2011

Spotlight The magazine of the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

on the Lake Wylieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual Lights

.

Lake holiday boat parade

CMC-Steele Creek Uncompromising Excellence. Commitment to Care.

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Spotlight Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce 2011 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Charles Wood - Chairman KODIAK MINI STORAGE Ed Stewart – Past Chairman M.L. FORD & SONS Don Long Fred Wetherell STERLING SOURCE, INC. Donna Bordeaux BORDEAUX & BORDEAUX, CPAs, PA Michaelyn Sherrill WINGFOOT RESIDENTIAL

Welcome New Board Members

Tom Griffin of Southern Trust Mortgage, formerly of Bank of America Home Loans, has joined the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Tom is a long-time supporter and sponsor of chamber events and is frequently seen at many chamber happenings. Tom’s business and financial background complements the working chamber board of directors.

Susan Bryant is Broker-in-Charge at Rinehart Realty and has her office located next to the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce. Sue has been a long-time chamber supporter and will be an asset to the working board.

The Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce Board is comprised of members that bring experience, knowledge and a common interest of caring for the community, as well as the chamber. It is a diverse group of individuals who help accomplish the various goals defined in the annual Program of Work and provide leadership for the chamber to grow and thrive in its unique community. The chamber addresses issues, presents promotional events and fundraisers, staffs a visitor center and operates a small business center. It is diverse and depends on a working board of leaders to accomplish its goals each year.

Welcome, new board members, Tom Griffin and Susan Bryant, to the chamber’s volunteer Board of Directors.

Myron Boloyan, Esq. HASELDEN, OWEN, BOLOYAN & CORSON, LLC Susan Bryant RINEHART REALTY Fred Caldwell FRED CALDWELL CHEVROLET Tom Griffin SOUTHERN TRUST MORTGAGE Allan Gregory EDWARD JONES Diana Grubenhoff LONG COVE MARINA Leonard Jackson LAKE WYLIE BUSINESS CENTRE Andy Kane CATAWBA LAND CONSERVANCY David Mathein T-BONES ON THE LAKE Paige McCarter CLOVER COMMUNITY BANK Susan Bromfield, President Johan Peers, Visitor Center Specialist P.O. Box 5233 264 Latitude Lane, Suite 101 Lake Wylie, SC 29710 803.831.2827 Fax: 803.831.2460 lakewyliechamber@yahoo.com www.lakewyliesc.com

Tom Griffin

Susan Bryant

Chamber and Lake Wylie Pilot launch Neighbors Helping Neighbors charity drive The Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce and Lake Wylie Pilot launched the Neighbors Helping Neighbors drive Nov. 1 to collect toys, canned goods and warm clothing.

We are asking Lake Wylie neighbors to contribute new unwrapped toys for Santa’s Closet for Clover Area Assistance Center, canned goods and gloves, scarves, hats and coats for children and families in need in our area. Drop-off locations are Bank of America–Lake Wylie Branch, Clover Community Bank and Kodiak Mini Storage. If everyone helps by dropping off canned goods and a toy and/or warm clothing, collectively we can make a difference.

If you are unable to shop for the needed items, checks are welcome, too. Make checks out to Clover Area Assistance Center and mail to CAAC at P.O. Box 251, Clover, SC 29710.

Count your blessings this holiday season and give to our neighbors who may need a helping hand.

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Spotlight

Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce 23rd Annual “Lights on the Lake” Holiday Boat Parade presented by T-Bones on the Lake, Light-N-Up Houseboat and BI-LO - Lake Wylie REGISTRATION FORM When: Parade begins Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

Where: Buster Boyd Bridge at T-Bones – Lake Wylie Captains meeting with give-aways will be held at 6 p.m. on “Light N-Up Houseboat” at T-Bones dock.

Send this form and a check for $20.00 by Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 to: Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 5233 Lake Wylie, SC 29710 (Late and same-day registration is $25)

Name:________________________________________________________________ Address:______________________________________________________________ Cell Phone:__________________________Email:_____________________________ Type of Boat:___________________________________________________________ Describe your holiday decorating theme:______________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Questions: Call 803-831-2827 or email them to lakewyliechamber@yahoo.com.

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Spotlight

Business After Hours Sept. 15, 2011 Sponsored by Allstate Insurance – The Vickers Agency, Anchor Self Storage, Classic Salon, Edward Jones, Hannon Orthodontics – The Businesses of Rivers Edge Pavilion Photos by Diana Grubenhoff

A

B

C

A. Tom O’Regan of Colonial Life, Lynn Sherrill of Lake Wylie Tax Service, Jeff Turnbull of Kodiak Self Storage and Steve Evans.

B. Melanie Montuori and Bill Jupena of Anchor Self Storage enjoy the Business After Hours.

C. Joe Versen of Joe Versen Appraisers visits with Diana Grubenhoff of Long Cove Marina.

D. Ken and Carrie Ann Reiter of Supply Chain Management Software.

D

E. New members Hannon Orthodontics were a sponsor of the BAH, held at the Rivers Edge Pavilion location of their new office at Lake Wylie.

F. Bill Jupena of Anchor Self Storage, pianist Carol Chase and Allan Gregory of Edward Jones with Chamber Chairman Charles Wood of Kodiak Mini Storage during the announcement of door prizes.

G. Sandee and John Wilkerson with their daughter Gretchen at the BAH. H. Jeff Turnbull of Kodiak Mini Storage and Joyce Presley of Joyce Presley Realty at the September Business After Hours.

E

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H

Spotlight

Business After Hours Oct. 20, 2011 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Wilkerson Building

Sponsored by The Wilkerson Building, John and Sandee Wilkerson, ACE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Massage Therapy and Moss Insurance Photos by Susan Bromfield

A

B

A. Mark, Sandee and John Wilkerson at Business After Hours.

B. Angie McCarter of Myers Park Mortgage with her granddaughter Taylor and longtime friend Robin Roberson.

C. Tommy Martin of Moss Insurance co-sponsored the Oct. 20 Business After Hours.

Martin also serves as president of Lake Wylie Rotary.

C

D. N ew board member Tom Griffin prepares to announce door prizes and thank sponsors.

E. Allan Gregory of Edward Jones and Jay Dover of M.L. Ford and Clover Town Council visit with S.C. Rep. Tommy Pope of Elrod Pope Law Firm, his daughter Kaylen and Lynn Sherrill of Lake Wylie Tax Service.

F. Members gather for the announcement of door prizes.

F

E

D Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Spotlight Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Classic at River Hills Country Club Oct. 13, 2011 Premier sponsor: Carolinas Medical Center-Steele Creek Photos by Diana Grubenhoff

A

C

B

D

E

A. David Mathein, chairman of the Golf Classic, and the T-Bones Team.

B. Jim Heckle and the York County Natural Gas Team at the Hula Hole.

C. Chamber board member Paige McCarter of Clover Community Bank and Jeani Rogers of ACE Massage Therapy greet Russell Sinclair and the Walmart Team at the Hula Hole, sponsored by Clover Community Bank and Lake Wylie Liquor.

D. The ever popular Margarita Hole, sponsored by T-Bones on the Lake, seen here with Buddy Thomas and T-Bones staff.

E. Presenting sponsor CMC-Steele Creek Team with Debra and Ken Eident.

F. Ken Pahon of Portable Restroom Trailers, Ron Farley of Budget Roofing and Farley Construction, Tom Smith of May Green Properties and Myron Boloyan of Haselden, Owen, Boloyan and Corson enjoying the day on the course at River Hills Country Club.

F

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Spotlight

Business After Golf Oct. 13, 2011 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; River Hills Country Club

Sponsored by Haselden, Owen, Boloyan and Corson, Watson Insurance, Lake Wylie Business Centre, Wells Fargo, River Hills Country Club, and Q2U BBQ & Catering Photos by Diana Grubenhoff

A

B

D

C

E

A. Florence Kane of Gaston Day School and Chamber board member Andy Kane of the Catawba Land Conservancy.

B. New members Rashawn and Ebony Shivers of Royalty Commercial Cleaning service, the official cleaning service of the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce.

C. Peggy and Myron Boloyan of Haselden, Owen, Boloyan and Corson, one of the sponsors of the Business After Golf.

D. The Lake Wylie Bank of America Team all dressed in red ready for a good time both on the course and after hours.

E. Jennifer Williams of Wells Fargo, one of the sponsors of the Business After Golf.

F. Watson Insurance Team, sponsors of the Business After Golf, enjoyed the event.

F

Winter 2011 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Spotlight

Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

2011 Golf Classic Sponsors!

Event Sponsor

Carolinas Medical Center – Steele Creek Business After Golf Sponsors Haselden, Owen, Boloyan and Corson Lake Wylie Business Centre River Hills Country Club Q2U Catering Wells Fargo Watson Insurance

Lunch Sponsor Jersey Mike’s – Lake Wylie

Hole-in-One Sponsor Fred Caldwell Chevrolet

Hospitality Sponsors BI-LO T-Bones on the Lake

Hole Sponsors BB&T, Bank of America,Tom Griffin-Southern Trust Mortgage, Bank of York, Bethel Commons, Caromont Family Medicine, Clover Community Bank, Comporium, Elrod Pope Law Firm, Friends in Business of Lake Wylie, Home Helpers Senior Care, Lake Wylie Liquors, Lake Wylie Marina, Lake Wylie Plaza, Lake Wylie Retirement and Assisted Living, Lake Wylie Today, M.L. Ford & Sons, Sen. Harvey Peeler, Piedmont Medical Center, River Hills Country Club, The Village at Lake Wylie, York County Natural Gas, Walmart

Please Support Our Sponsors!

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Spotlight Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

2011 Golf Classic Winners

1st Place 2nd Place Wylie Boat Rentals/Boat Sales of Lake Wylie Chip Traub Ryne Barnes John Tater Mikey Cooke

Fred Caldwell Chevrolet Robin Joyner David Benson Harold Stanley Conor Scullion

3rd Place York County Natural Gas Jim Heckle Steve Moore Larry Bigham Jared Ledermann

Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

2011 All-Star Investors Lake Wylie Business Centre Lake Wylie Today Magazine

Fred Caldwell Chevrolet Don Long

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Spotlight Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce 2011 Year in Review

By Susan Bromfield, President and Charles Wood, Chairman • Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce had a very active and productive year in one of the most economically challenging years.

Here is a recap of the variety of activities and accomplishments and Lake Wylie highlights during the past year: • Held more than 10 Business After Hours networking events with the support of 25 sponsors.

• Held Ribbon Cuttings and Grand Openings with area new and expanding businesses.

• Operated and staffed a beautiful Lake Wylie Visitor Center.

• Operated a Small Business Center in Lake Wylie with six beautifully furnished rental offices with conference room and hospitality area. This has been perfect for small businesses to launch or downsize and remain in Lake Wylie. All offices are rented.

• Hosted Spring Appreciation Luncheon and Fashion Show.

• Presented Annual Splash Dash - showcasing Lake Wylie with a premiere regional running event.

• Successfully presented and promoted Lake Wylie Events and Activities throughout the year by collaborating with Lake Wylie Pilot and Lake Wylie Today magazine.

• Helped to raise money and facilitate Lake Wylie Fourth of July Community Fireworks Display • Supported RiverSweep, the annual cleanup event on Lake Wylie.

• Collaborated with Clover Chamber to present informational and candidate forums.

• Hosted an outstanding Golf Tournament and after-golf event at River Hills Country Club involving more than 200 members, including sponsors, golfers, volunteers and participants. Networking at its best – Lake Wylie style.

• Added more than 30 new members.

• Continued partnership with S.C. Biz News to produce Lake Wylie Today, a premier, quarterly magazine to promote the Lake Wylie lifestyle, business and events. Lake Wylie Today features the chamber’s Spotlight newsletter.

• Published 12 full-color page quarterly newsletter in Lake Wylie Today.

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• Presented the 22nd annual Lights on the Lake – Holiday Boat Parade, an event that uniquely promotes Lake Wylie during the winter.

• Enhanced communication capability by adding chamber “e-communications” and new and modern methods of communicating to the members and public.

• Collaborated with Lake Wylie Pilot to have frequent Chamber News page to feature members and chamber activities and events.

• Hosted many business seminars, meetings and informational opportunities for members.

• Actively supported the many local service organizations, including Lake Wylie Rotary Club.

• Collaborated and organized a coat collection drive, toy drive for Santa’s Closet at CAAC and canned good drive.

• Celebrated chamber’s accomplishments at annual holiday gala and recognized leaders for the accomplishments during 20102011.

• Worked with neighboring chambers of commerce to sponsor York County Day in Columbia.

• Maintained Lake Wylie website and 24/7 online directory for our members.

• Successfully implemented business plan goals and objectives.

• Continued collaborations with educational programs.

• Successfully served as Legislative Liaison.

• Worked with other chambers of commerce on issues and areas of common interest and concern.

• Actively supported Pennies for Progress, which passed in August 2011.

• Supported the efforts of the Lake Wylie Civic Association and its development • Developed and collaborated to publish Lake Wylie materials to support members and tourism.

• Supported and implemented the use of “green” standards for chamber offices.

• Supported “Going Green” efforts at Lake Wylie to include adopt a stream and coves and storm drain marking program at Lake Wylie.

• Worked with a variety of economic development prospects that have now selected Lake Wylie to launch or locate their businesses.

• Worked to support a variety of community projects and charitable efforts and groups.

• Supported members and their efforts to promote economic development and growth and prosperity for the community.

• Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce is looking forward to and planning another active and productive year for 2012.

Renewing Members (Aug. 12- Oct. 26, 2011) Businesses: 10 Managed Services Group Allen Tate Realty Bank of America Bojangles Bordeaux & Bordeaux, CPAs, PA Carolinas Medical Center – Steele Creek Casselman Custom Canvas, LLC Covenant Alternative Health Care, Inc. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Dock Masters Marine Construction Farley Construction / Budget Roofing Great Clips Heron Cove Jackson Orthodontics Kenya Orphanage Project Lake Wylie Liquors Lake Wylie Public Library Lowe’s-Lake Wylie May Green Properties Mercedes Homes Moss Insurance Nail Gallery Nail Palace Piedmont Regional Association of Realtors, Inc. Q2U BBQ and Catering Rinehart Realty Sea Tow Wendy’s YMCA Camp Thunderbird

Spotlight The Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

Annual Holiday Celebration Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 6:30 to Midnight at River Hills Country Club Libations & Hors d’Oeuvres Dinner Music by The Classics for your listening and dancing pleasure

$75.00 per person Corporate or group tables available for eight or 10 R.S.V.P. by Dec. 1, 2011 lakewyliechamber@yahoo.com or 803-831-2827 Seating limited Festive attire Non-smoking event Response Card Please respond on or before Dec. 1, 2011.

Name: _______________________________________________________________ Address: _____________________________________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________________________________ Email: ______________________________________________________________ Amount Enclosed $__________________Number of Persons __________________ Corporate or Group Name_______________________________________________

Return to Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 5233, Lake Wylie, SC 29710

Welcome New Members (Aug. 12 – Oct. 26, 2011) Businesses: Hannon Orthodontics Leeanna London 4937 Charlotte Highway, Suite 120 Lake Wylie, SC 29710 704-865-8521 leeanna@hannonorthodontics.com www.hannonorthodontics.com Orthodontics Keller Williams Realty Andy Reynolds 252 Latitude Lane, Suite 101 Lake Wylie, SC 29710 704-763-7196 andyreynolds414@hotmail.com www.andysells4me.com Realtor Royalty Commercial Cleaning Rashawn Shivers 9739 Kings Parade Blvd., Suite 316 Charlotte, NC 28273 980-225-5303 email@royaltycc.com www.royalty-cleaning.com Cleaning Service, commercial and residential Jersey Mike’s Bill and Nicole Ross 604 Nautical Drive, Suite 101 Lake Wylie, SC 29710 803-831-0912 803-831-0915(f) www.jerseymikes.com Restaurant

Jim and Charlene Stadnyck, chamber New member Rashawn The staff at Carolina Family photographers.

Shivers of Royalty Dentistry at Lake Wylie.

Commercial Cleaning.

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Spotlight Thank You!

Behind the Scenes

Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce and its president serve as area Legislative Liaison In the absence of incorporation of the Lake Wylie area, one of the important roles for the chamber for the past 30-plus years has been to serve as the legislative liaison for the chamber, its members and the community. The Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce prides itself on having and maintaining close communications and relationships with our many elected officials on a local, county, state and federal level. The chamber proudly works with elected officials to help arrange town hall meetings, speaking engagements and informal drop-ins for elected officials and the constituents.

2011 BAH Sponsors Elrod Pope Law Firm AAA-Carolinas Lake Wylie Professional Center Bordeaux & Bordeaux, CPAs Focus Physical Therapy Glaza Chiropractic Center Lake Wylie Eye McSpadden Custom Homes

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Miller Orthodontics Kodiak Mini Storage River Hills Marina A

T-Bones on the Lake

A. Sen. Harvey Peeler and Chamber President Susan Bromfield at Peeler’s Constituent Drop-in, held at the chamber visitor center Oct. 4.

Sea Tow The Kelly Group Pier 88

B. More than a dozen citizens came to the drop-in to discuss a variety of issues. Linda Armfield of the Lake Wylie Republican Women’s Club was in attendance, along with Dwayne and Melanie McClure Jr. and Charlie Bromfield, seen here talking with Peeler.

Q-2-U Catering Whippoorwill Ranch Carriage Tours “Businesses at Rivers Edge Pavilion”

C. Congressman Mick Mulvaney’s Town Hall Meeting was held at Lake Wylie in June.

Anchor Self Storage Classic Salon

D. John and Sandee Wilkerson with S.C. Rep. Tommy Pope, and his daughter Kaylen, at the Oct. 20 Business After Hours at the Wilkerson Building.

Allstate – The Vickers Agency Edward Jones Hannon Orthodontics Lake Wylie Business Centre

Upcoming Activities

River Hills Country Club Wells Fargo The Wilkerson Building John and Sandee Wilkerson ACE-Massage Therapy Moss Insurance Group Fred Caldwell Chevrolet

Business After Hours Annual Holiday Celebrating Chevrolet’s Celebration Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011 100th Anniversary Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 5:30-7:30 p.m.

BBQ, classic cars on display and music by The Classics Sponsored by and held at Fred Caldwell Chevrolet Bethel St. (Highway 55), Clover

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Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

Haselden, Owen, Boloyan & Corson

Watson Insurance

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6:30 p.m. to midnight Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, dinner and music Seating limited, festive attire Held at: River Hills Country Club, Lake Wylie

Lights on the Lake Holiday Boat Parade Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011 6:30 p.m.

Held at: T-Bones on the Lake Sponsored by: Light-N-Up Houseboat Charters, T-Bones on the Lake and BI-LO