Lake Wylie Today, Fall 2017

LakeWylie Fall TODAY Fall 2017 | Issue 3

Ashore!

Where will the autumn winds carry you?

Lighting the Night Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden will shine with lantern art

Chamber Spotlight Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce news and information

Our View

Fall is in the air …

AND NATURE ABOUNDS A

By Susan Bromfield, President, Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

s warm summer days come to an end, fall and the many treasures of that season are just around the corner. As the leaves change colors and the summer’s extreme heat slowly gives way, there is a sense of peace at the lake as the sounds and sights of nature become more noticeable. Soon we will see the pumpkins on porches and pots with pansies and mums as the days get cooler.

Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons on Lake Wylie. When fall approaches, the lake itself becomes calm, the boats move slower and it becomes quieter and more serene. A walk becomes an experience to soak up the beauty that surrounds us each day. Suddenly the sounds of the squirrels and birds moving about are more noticeable. The hummingbirds and butterflies are hovering by the abundant blossoms and flowers. Occasionally, a deer appears out of nowhere and then streaks by. I feel fortunate to live in a wooded neighborhood that is a bird sanctuary and filled with nature. It is a wonderful place to live and walk.

As kayaking, canoeing and paddle-boarding have become more popular at the lake, it is a frequent sight to see groups floating through the coves and quieter areas of the lake. Seeing the fishermen moving through the coves and at the marina makes me realize how very fortunate we are to live at Lake Wylie, where there is a richness of nature, beauty and recreational 2

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opportunities for all.

Visitors frequently ask, “Do you need to have a boat to enjoy living at the lake?”

Clearly the answer is no. Nature is all around us and recreational opportunities change with each season.

We are fortunate to have McDowell Park with its beautiful nature trails and fishing piers along with picnic shelters and areas to enjoy nature. Pier 88 at River Hills Marina has kayaks, canoes and boats for rent for those who do not have their own. The Fishing and Bait Shop on Highway 49 and Walmart have a full assortment of fishing gear if dropping a line in the water is your cup of tea.

Walking is one of the most popular recreational activities, and there is no end to the opportunities to walk around and near Lake Wylie. Walking and the slower pace allow everyone to savor the beauty we live with each day at the lake. There is a satisfaction and peace that calms the soul when you walk in the midst of all the beauty of nature.

Many times we take where we live for granted as part of our everyday life. We are reminded by some of our visitors who move here from more urban areas of the country that walking surrounded by nature is not the norm, and it is part of the appeal for moving to Lake Wylie. The simple pleasures in life can be gratifying and free when we take the time to soak in the beauty that surrounds us. LW

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Contents Fall 2017

2 Our View The hidden jewels of Lake Wylie 8 Mailbag 18 Shoreline

Riverkeepers protecting the river

24 Food for Thought

Bourbon is on the rise

32 Garden Party

The Shultz family finds a dream online

40 Feature

Local Boy Scout Troup 333 and its many Eagle Scouts

46 Feature

The Carraways’ 41-year camping adventure

50 Feature

Cars & Coffee bring hot cars to Lake Wylie

56 Feature

Chinese lantern art comes to Belmont

62 Fall Calendar 66 Development Update 70 Spotlight

TODAY

www.LakeWylieToday.com Published by SC Biz News Lake Wylie Today Editor - Steve McDaniel smcdaniel@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3123 Associate Publisher - Licia Jackson ljackson@scbiznews.com • 803.726.7546 Creative Director - Ryan Wilcox production1@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3117 Senior Graphic Designer - Jane James production2@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3118 Graphic Designer - Andrew Sprague asprague@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3128 Assistant Graphic Designer - Emily Williams ematasi@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3124 Assistant Graphic Designer - Jessica Stout jstout@scbiznews.com • 843.849.3113 Advertising Sales - Jane DuBois jane@lakewylietoday.com • 704.287.8668 Contributing Editors Susan Bromfield President, Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce susan@lakewyliesc.com • 803.831.2827 Jane DuBois jane@lakewylietoday.com • 704.287.8668 Contributing Writers Beth Bargar Susan Bromfield Jane DuBois Steve McDaniel Matthew Mugavero Jan Todd Contributing Photographers Beth Bargar Susan Bromfield Jane DuBois Jan Todd Deep Creek Photography Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce The entire contents of this publication are copyrighted by SC Business Publications LLC with all rights reserved. Any reproduction or use of the content within this publication without permission is prohibited.

The magazine of the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce’s marketing and promotional efforts are supported by York County’s Hospitality Tax.

Cover and Table of Contents photos by Jan Todd 4

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1439 Stuart Engals Blvd., Suite 200 Mount Pleasant, SC 29464 843.849.3100 • Fax: 843.849.3122 www.scbiznews.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 what’s happening through stories and photos. We want to celebrate with you, laugh with you and build memories with you. Please email photos and stories to smcdaniel@scbiznews.com.

L 2017 UCI BMX World Championships

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ock Hill recently hosted the 2017 UCI BMX World Championships at the Novant Health BMX Supercross track. Americans Corben Sharrah and Alise Post won the men’s and women’s elite divisions. Cedric Butti of Switzerland and Bethany Schriever of Great Britain were men’s and women’s junior division champions.

An estimated crowd of 19,400 attended the

ake Wylie Today is thrilled to announce our new website! It has current and past issues of the magazine in a format that’s easy to use plus a free Community Calendar.

Register on the website and add your upcoming events. “The community calendar is a wonderful and much needed tool for our area,” said Susan Bromfield, president of the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce. Visit LakeWylieToday.com today!

July 25-29 event that drew 3,700 riders from 48 countries. The economic impact was estimated at more than $19 million.

Rock Hill Mayor Doug Echols said in a release, “We’re thrilled that the Men and Women Elite World Champions, U.S. riders Alise Post and Corben Sharrah, could capture the title on home soil.”

Complete results are available online at uci.ch.

Pictured (from left) are Denise Bono, Pam Lee, Madeline Bono and Peggy Upchurch.

Madeline Bono wins Fay Bergman Scholarship

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adeline Bono has been awarded the Fay Bergman Scholarship, sponsored by the Clover-Lake Wylie Republican Women. The $4,000 scholarship is awarded to a student with a 3.0 or higher GPA, along with other qualifying considerations, in the Clover School District attendance area.

Madeline will attend the University of South Carolina and major in nursing.

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Mailbag

Senior Expo Andrea Meglii (from left) of the Clover Chamber, Marc Graveline of CareFree Boat Club and Susan Bromfield of the Lake Wylie Chamber enjoy the Senior Expo.

Bells ring in change

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edeeming Grace PCA, established in 1884, has undergone a few changes in the past couple years. The first was the selection of a new name. Formerly Scherer Memorial Presbyterian Church in America since 1959, the name was changed to reflect the church’s desire to reach the Lake Wylie community and give a name that would mark their goal of proclaiming redemptive grace. Additionally, in 2015, Redeeming Grace purchased four-plus acres adjacent to the church campus to accommodate growth in the congregation and added an 8:30 a.m. Sunday service. The change that seems to be getting the most attention in the community is the installation of church bells. The church’s desire is to call people to worship on Sundays and a few chimes during the week at various times throughout the day.

Senior Pastor Aaron Morgan says, “The one goal that we are pleased to hear resonating with the community is the sound of church bells bring fond memories of times past. It’s a tradition that has slowly disappeared in America, and we hope that it will ring of encouragement and joy to our neighbors.”

Redeeming Grace PCA welcomes and encourages anyone to join them on Sundays for worship and other times when they gather for fellowship. The church is located at 4800 Charlotte Highway, Lake Wylie.

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Mailbag

Lake Wylie Children’s Charity Benefit Concert Oct. 1

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benefit concert to support the Lake Wylie Children’s Charity will be held from noon-6 p.m. Oct. 1 at T-Bones on the Lake at Lake Wylie. Local retailers are encouraged to support the silent auction with goods and services for bid. In previous events, bid items have included helicopter rides, wing parties, catering events, winery tours, works of art and much more. Donations are tax deductible and can be dropped off at T-Bones at the Lake during business hours.

Monetary donations can be made payable to LWCC, and mailed to P.O. Box 5188, Lake Wylie, SC, 29710. For more information, go to the charity’s website at www.lkwchildrenscharity.org.

Race 4 Chase T

he Clover School District Community YMCA hosted the second annual Race 4 Chase on July 29. Race 4 Chase was organized by the CMAK Foundation, created in memory of Chase Kowalski, a student who was among the shooting victims at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. The program, which runs six weeks, teaches kids about triathlons and gives them the opportunity to participate in a triathlon of their own. Throughout the program, coaches teach the kids basic swimming, biking, running, goal-setting and how to achieve healthy lifestyles.

Participation grew from 30 athletes in 2016 to 120 athletes in 2017 and ranged in ages from 5-12 years old.

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Mailbag

Wylie LakeFest

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he sixth annual Wylie LakeFest will be held from 6-9:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at the Red Fez Club Pavilion at Lake Wylie. The Rotary Club of Lake Wylie has raised more than $45,000 over the past five events to benefit area charities. Go online to www. wylielakefest.org for tickets and more information.

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Mailbag

Daniel Stowe Garden names Beasley director of horticulture

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odd Beasley, who has worked in various roles in the field of public horticulture, has been selected as the director of horticulture and facilities for Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont.

Most recently, the South Carolina native served as interim director of programs and vice president for San Antonio Botanical Garden in Texas, and he also spent five years at Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, where he was nursery and greenhouse production manager.

Beasley holds a doctorate of education from the University of South Carolina as well as a master’s degree in earth and environmental resource management. His resume also includes a long list of accomplishments, including teaching at Midlands Technical College and Heathwood Hall Episcopal School. Beasley is largely credited with attracting the 2016 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium of the American Horticultural Society to Columbia.

“I am thrilled to be returning to the region, as my love for plants is founded in Southern gardening traditions,” said Beasley. “To blend plants, education and events together with a progressive team approach that is evident at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is pushing the boundaries of how gardens are serving their communities, and I’m excited to get to be a part of it.”

Beasley will be responsible for the garden’s formal displays, including more than 12 acres of perennial gardens, seasonal displays, the Orchid Conservatory and natural areas, including more than three miles of walking trails the garden maintains in conjunction with the Carolina Thread Trail.

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Mailbag

Splash Dash

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he 2017 Splash Dash 5K and 10K road races were held June 10 in Lake Wylie. Runners and walkers of all ages and conditioning took part in the 23rd annual event, which is organized by the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce. See more on the event on page 76.

Scottish Games

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he 21st annual Feis Chlobhair | Clover Highland Games, Céilí & Scots-Irish Festival will be held Nov. 10 and 11 in Clover. The event is a celebration of the ancestral ties of Clover to the British Isles. More information on this year’s event is on page 63.

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Mailbag

Brockington receives Edward Jones award

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dward Jones financial adviser Ryan Brockington of Lake Wylie recently received the firm’s Eagle Award for his “clear vision of both client and business goals” over the past year. The award was given to 2,078 of the firm’s more than 15,000 financial advisers.

Little Free Libraries Sprouting Up

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ittle Free Libraries are sprouting up around Lake Wylie. The Rotary Club of Lake Wylie has installed four libraries with the goal of promoting early childhood literacy. The libraries were painted and installed

by Rotarians in areas where low-income children would have easy access. Individuals are welcome to take, read and then return the books. Rotary Club members will conduct book drives to keep the libraries stocked. The Little Free Libraries in the Lake Wylie area are expected to impact more than 500 individuals annually.

Briana takes selfie at Eiffel Tower.

Clover High exchange student in Paris 14

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Mailbag

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ast year the Clover School District provided more than 600 students with donated supplies through the generosity of the community. Clover Community Bank proudly supported the annual Back to School supply drive again in 2017. Clover and Lake Wylie branches served as dropoff locations all summer for much-needed school supplies.

Clover Community Bank employee Holly Beck said, “The school supply drive is supported so well in our community, and we are glad to help make sure every child goes to school with the tools they need on their first day.”

Exchange students Lena Richards and Briana Rinkes tour France.

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lover High School senior Briana Rinkes spent 39 days of her summer vacation in Paris as part of the Rotary International Youth Exchange Program. Briana participated in a family-to-family exchange where the French host family’s daughter, Lena Richards, traveled to Clover with Briana to experience life in the U.S. The Rotary International Youth Exchange Program sends 8,000 students annually to live with host families around the world.

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Shoreline

The first Catawba Riverkeeper, Donna Lisenby.

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Shoreline

Riverkeepers: Protecting the Life of the River

By Beth Bargar

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t’s an old saw that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

That is true of the Catawba-Wateree watershed as well. Erosion, pollution and trash were problems two decade ago. They still are.

But since 1997 Lake Wylie and the other lakes, streams and communities that rely on clean water from the rivers have had a determined, able advocate: The Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation.

CRF has just celebrated its 20th birthday, coming of age in a time when both old and new threats imperil the water and new

tools assist its defenders.

The Catawba-Wateree River Basin stretches from the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina to central South Carolina. With 11 reservoirs and 14 dams, it supplies drinking water for nearly 2 million people. The basin winds 225 miles through 24 counties in both Carolinas and contains 5,000 miles of waterways.

So how can one nonprofit hope to protect such a huge area? They do it with volunteers, donors and a small and dedicated staff. And CRF is part of the global Waterkeeper Alliance, which licenses local groups like CRF and supports their initiatives. The shared re-

sources help protect water quality in many parts of the world.

Cleaning Cycle In the mid-1990s, residents like Karl Froelich could watch smeary, multihued dyes tint the South Fork of the Catawba River near Belmont, N.C., the result of discharge from textile and other industrial plants.

There was no organized water quality advocacy group yet, he recalls. “A lot of us got energized. We knew there was so much to do.”

Froelich became a charter member of the Catawba River Foundation, which in 1997 – Fall 2017 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Shoreline

armed with funding from the Lake Wylie and Lake Norman Marine commissions and a license from the global Waterkeeper Alliance – became the Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation.

Donna Lisenby was hired as the first Catawba Riverkeeper, tasked with patrolling the watershed, training staff, volunteers and the public. She was charged with developing organized water, sediment and fish tissue testing programs, persuading policy makers and educating everyone. “Donna was our first line of defense,” Froelich recalled. “She got the organization going strong.”

Twenty years ago he and the others started dealing with trash, dumping and other issues “before we could even begin to see what we had. (Now) I think the river is holding its own,” he said after CRF’s annual meeting and birthday party Aug. 5. “Even with the influx of people and developments and growth, it’s still safe to swim in.”

He credits the leaders of today’s CRF with bringing modern technology and communications methods to the group’s mission.

Emilee Syrewicze is executive director of CRF, with has offices centrally located in uptown Charlotte. Charlotte native Sam Perkins is Riverkeeper. Over the years CRF has instituted programs for volunteers of all ages, from 20

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Shoreline

Riverkeeper Sam Perkins collects a water sample.

(Photo courtesy of CRF)

Riversweep trash cleanups to Water Watcher and Covekeeper programs. Advocacy efforts extend from public information programs to joining litigation when necessary.

Whether their histories date back 20 years or just a few, today’s Riverkeeper staff, volunteers, donors and the general public comprise an advocacy group that cares deeply about the region’s waterways. “Whether the water is for drinking, recreation or providing power, our job is to keep the water as healthy as possible,” Perkins said.

During the annual meeting he pointed to four ongoing areas of concern among many challenges to the watershed: • Coal ash produced by power plants and its storage • The “Energy-Water Nexus,” or how much water electricity generation withdraws for cooling • Stormwater runoff with its debris, oil, sediment and other pollutants • Runoff from industrial animal farms and the amount of water consumed.

Ron Pfeffer, CRF board chair, has a unique background. He ran a Riverkeeper group in the Northeast, then went to work for an electric utility. He earned teaching credentials

and taught high school biology, then created online training courses. Always an outdoor person, he brought his mix of skills to CRF as a volunteer and leader.

“I am amazed at what this group has done in 20 years,” Pfeffer said. “It’s more active and relevant today than ever before. I think we’re on a roll and poised to have significant impact in the future.”

CRF has rolled out a new website, catawbariverkeeper.org, full of information and ways to get involved. A new tool is a sophisticated map section with overlays allowing users to check water levels, see where stormwater problems occur, note where boat launches are located and more.

An app for Android and Apple phones was due to be released by the end of August. “It’s really cool,” Perkins said. If boaters or hikers spot a sewage spill, for example, they can snap a photo, upload its location and details, and report it to CRF all at one time, Perkins said.

He stressed that vigilance and persistence “by all kinds of people” are required to keep water safe, abundant and affordable for the two million people who rely on CatawbaWateree water.

“The work is never permanently done.” LW

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Food for Thought

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Food for Thought

Bourbon Blows Up

by Matthew W. Mugavero

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icture this – a fictitious tale that illustrates truly a new phenomenon among bourbon aficionados. In 2009, my very best friend was about to celebrate a monumental milestone in his personal life, the kind that deserves a memorable and meaningful toast, paired with the very best of his favorite juice. His favorite drink was and still is bourbon. So it is to be my highest honor and responsibility to source this special drink as well as present it (to each of us).

I made my way over to the local liquor store, not knowing all that much about this type of alcohol, and I asked the clerk, “Do you have any special or top-shelf bourbon avail-

able worthy of a good man’s celebration?” He responded, “Yes, as a matter of fact, we just received a couple of bottles this week of rare and very old bourbon from Kentucky. What is your budget?”

I replied, “This is a very important celebration, so I don’t mind spending a few bucks.”

The clerk hands me an old-looking bottle with an even older-looking man on the label smoking a cigar and he said, “This is 23-yearold bourbon and they don’t get much better than this.” I paid the $175 asking price and went on my way. Perfect!

Fast-forward eight years to present day. Another big moment in life comes along, but this

time it’s for me. I call my same best friend and say, “Hey buddy, how about we get together and celebrate me this time over that same awesome bottle of bourbon we had back in the day?”

He agrees, but somehow, I end up getting stuck with the bill as I make my way back to that same liquor store expecting to find that same bottle. As a ‘seasoned’ bourbon shopper now, I make my way over to the special glass cabinet that contains all the good stuff and look for the old man on the bottle. However, this time I find nothing but empty shelves and dust where a handful of interesting bottles once stood in their glory.

Of course, I ask the clerk for some help

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Food for Thought

High public praise, newfound fascination from millennials and dwindling supply are just a few of the reasons for scarcity in quality bourbons.

and if there was any way to order that 23-yearold bourbon I once had in 2009. He sort of chuckles and says, “No sir, we don’t get to see too many of those anymore since they are allocated and there is an enormous demand and ... blah blah blah. I tune him out at the word “no” and start thinking internet – it’s as easy as click, click, enter and send. Boom, there it shall be, the perfect bottle delivered to my door by the UPS man.

Later in the day, I start searching the online retail sites and all I see is, ‘out of stock’, ‘backordered’, ‘call for availability’ and so on and so on. Now, totally determined and frankly a bit peeved, I press on. I change my searching strategy and start to hit the auction sites from the secondary market.

In a matter of minutes, there he is, the old man on the bottle smoking his cigar from days long ago for a mere $300. I am thinking that this is a completely acceptable asking price considering eight years of inflation.

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I make the call, we make a deal and better yet, I get the bottle for $285 cash. However, just before hanging up, the seller says with a tone that is a bit questioning, “You do know that this bottle is an empty, right?” “What do you mean, empty?” I said. The seller responds, “Empty, as in no alcohol in the bottle.”

What on earth is going on, you ask? Either there is a massive underground market for custom-made bourbon bottle lamps or something very strange has occurred in the liquor business.

As it turns out in this fictitious tale, back in 2009 my good friend and I were sipping on the now famed Pappy Van Winkle 23-year-old bourbon from the equally acclaimed Buffalo Trace Distillery in Franklin County, Kentucky.

That same bottle today will retail for about $500, that is, of course, if you can find one.

Here is the amazing thing. If you are fortunate enough to purchase a Pappy 23, the very second you leave the store that bottle is worth an astounding $3,000 or more to collectors.

While the above story of my friend and me didn’t actually happen, the scenario is all too real for most new bourbon buyers. There are multiple listings all over the internet of empty bottles and potential fakes. The fakes are outstanding and look just like the real deal. Your local store will never have fakes but the internet most likely will.

Not only is the Pappy 23 extremely valuable, so is the entire line of bourbons from the Buffalo Trace Distillery. It’s a trickledown effect. If you can’t find a 23-year, then you will want a 20-year. If you can’t get a 20-year, then you will settle for the 15-year. If there is no 15-year out there, then you will just have to accept the 10-year. If there is no 10, then you will want the other flavors, such as Elmer T Lee, George T Stagg, Eagle Rare, Blantons and a few other notables. Check out the Buffalo Trace website for all the information and would-be trophies for your man cave.

Not too long ago, there was a perfect storm

Food for Thought

Eagle Rare

Bulleit Bourbon 10 Year

of multiple influences that caused this incredible trend in the rabid demand for premium and rare bourbons.

Storm No. 1: A couple of renowned chefs and critics have offered very positive reviews on the many brands offered by the Buffalo Trace Distillery. For instance, Fred Minnick, author of “Bourbon Curious” and a judge at the 2015 San Francisco Spirits Competition, elected Pappy Van Winkle 15 as the overall best bourbon and named it the Ultimate Spirit at the entire event. The San Francisco event is the “Super Bowl” of spirit competitions and a win there brings instant worldwide fame.

Storm No. 2: The generation of millennials is now gravitating to small-craft bourbon as well as limited micro-brews, looking for less volume and more taste in their drink. This generation is known for consuming things that are unique, interesting and generally have more craftsmanship put into the product. This is exactly what premium bourbon is,

and the millennials are driving the demand.

Storm No. 3: Supplying the current-day demand is nearly impossible since bourbon is a carefully aged product that rests in barrels for years and years. Buffalo Trace, and every other distillery for that matter, could never have predicted the current enormous demand 10 to 23 years ago. In the case of Pappy 23, the distillery produces a mere 8,000 bottles a year (not cases). Two decades ago, the bourbon market was relatively flat and 8,000 bottles was just enough to serve the forecasted sales. Therefore, the distiller did not barrel much more juice than need be, making it very rare today.

What does this mean for the everyday consumer who wants a special bottle of bourbon right now in today’s market? It is buyer beware out there. Like all valuable and unique items on the consumer marketplace, there is a secondary black-market ready to sell you a fake. Yes, even alcohol can be faked.

Case in point: The infamous Rudy Kurnio-

Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year

wan, an Indonesian native, is now serving 10 years in a California prison for faking close to $35 million in precious wine during the early 2000s. He figured out a way to take advantage of unassuming wealthy collectors and sold his fakes for hundreds and millions of dollars for nearly a decade. He was able to reproduce fake bottle labels, refill real, empty bottles and was so brazen that he would attend auctions all over the world promoting his fake wares.

Truth be told, the buyers and sellers of empty bottles of Pappy Van Winkle are really not actually in the lamp-making business.

With a little ingenuity, wax and some cheap amber-colored whiskey, a handful of criminals are working the internet exchange sites by swindling would-be collectors into spending thousands of dollars on fake bourbon.

Assuming you don’t trust criminals and still want a bottle of rare bourbon, the best advice I can give you is to shop at your local liquor store, and ask them how the store’s Fall 2017 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Food for Thought

Old Forester Bourbon, Whiskey Row Series. waitlist process works for Pappy and other fine bourbons. Find out how they distribute their allocated bottles, whether it’s a wait-list system or if a raffle is used.

Don’t get your hopes up too high, since South Carolina ranks lower in population and therefore gets a small amount of the allocated bourbons from all the distilleries. More populous states with big cities (think New York, Los Angeles, Miami) and a robust restaurant/bar scene will get a larger distribution.

What can you do if you still want some great bourbon that is readily available and at a reasonable price? There are close to 50 fantastic choices of premium bourbons out there right now and hundreds more that are very good daily sippers perfect for cocktail making.

Old Forester Bourbon is the longest-running product in America, dating back to 1870.

They have just released the Whiskey Row Series, which commemorates the company’s milestones and the work of founder George Garvin Brown. In the series, you have a choice of 90, 100, and 115 proof levels, all derived from the same recipe. However, each level of proof is aged in a different warehouse environment in order to create an alternative taste profile.

Another very nice choice is the 10-yearold Bulleit Bourbon. This bourbon produces a wonderfully smooth, rich and deep tasting experience perfect for any special occasion. Bulleit 10-year-old can be found in most stores for less than $50 for a 750-milliliter bottle.

In a few short years, we can expect to have many wonderful choices of deeply aged, crafted bourbons as distillers have adjusted production to meet current demand. Now, they may not be as valuable as the Pappy Van Winkle 23, but they certainly will be just as enjoyable. After all, it’s your taste and preference that matters, not what the market tells you is supposed to be good.

Matthew Mugavero is the manager of Lake Wylie Discount Liquors. LW 28

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Food for Thought

And don’t forget a snack!

Farm Fresh Cold Pizza

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hile bourbon and football are more frequently associated with the cool weather of fall, you can’t live on those (although some have likely given that a shot). Fresh produce isn’t generally part of that equation, but with a little creativity and imagination, you can blend those ideas to round out your tailgating or game-watching at home. Our area features numerous wellstocked farm and produce stands, making it easy to enjoy fresh vegetables and fruit even as Clemson, Carolina or your other favorite team gets into the heart of their conference schedule. One delicious example of a gameday appetizer is farm-fresh cold pizza. It’s easy to make, pretty and tasty.

Ingredients • 2 pkgs. Pillsbury Crescent rolls • 2 pkgs. 8 oz cream cheese • 1 tbsp. dill weed – fresh or dry • 1 garlic clove (optional)

• Salt and pepper to taste • 2-3 cups assorted seasonal fresh vegetables (squash, bell peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, roma tomatoes, green onions, yellow onions, cucumbers) • ½ cup grated cheddar cheese 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees 2. Place Pillsbury Crescent rolls opened and lay flat on a cake roll pan, pat together to make a crust 3. Bake crescent roll crust for 8-11 minutes until golden brown 4. Cool crust 5. Cream softened whipped cream cheese and add seasoning 6. Spread cream cheese mixture over crust when cooled 7. Cut vegetables into small pieces or slices and scatter over the cream cheese mixture 8. Chill and serve. LW

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Garden Party

Online Romance When Dianne Shultz discovered this property online, she knew she had found her dream house.

Photos and story by Jan Todd

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Garden Party

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ianne Shultz fell in love with her house, sight unseen. Like many buyers these days, she used the internet to preview potential homes, prior to visiting in person. Unlike most buyers, however, Dianne didn’t have a city, or even a general area in mind for her home search.

Dianne and her husband, Mike, had recently retired from the New York City Police Department, and were looking for a place to relocate. Mike had spent his entire life in New York, born in Brooklyn and living most of his life in Staten Island. Dianne was born in Trinidad, in the Caribbean Islands, and immigrated to the U.S. when she was a child.

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“We flew to New York on the day before my 12th birthday,” said Dianne. “My dad was so excited, because I still qualified for the child ticket rate!”

Dianne and Mike met while working for the NYPD, and were friends for many years before they got married. Upon retiring from the force, they were ready for a change of scenery.

“We wanted to move to a warmer climate. I had looked at a lot of places on the internet. We made a couple of trips to Texas, and thought about buying a house there, but weren’t really satisfied with that area. The homes were very nice. They were huge! But

the lots were tiny. The homes were practically touching one another. We wanted some seclusion, and maybe a view of the water.”

Then, in the spring of 2007, Dianne stumbled upon a listing on LuxuryPortfolio.com.

The waterfront home, located on the Allison Creek peninsula, was nestled on almost three acres, surrounded by woods and overlooking a wide channel of Lake Wylie. Dianne recalled, “I loved the outside setting. I flew down from New York, and met our realtor. As soon as we drove into the driveway, I called my husband and said, ‘You’ve got to come down. I have found our house.’”

Her first impression of the home was

Clockwise from top left: An assortment of potted flowers, a fountain and flowered wreath on the front door add color and interest to the entrance; there is always room for a little whimsy like this butterfly wind chime; Dianne and Mike Shultz enjoy entertaining and relaxing quietly on their screened porch overlooking the lake; an eight-foot fountain with complementary bench provides an elegant centerpiece to the front yard.

memorable. Stone entrance walls frame the mouth of the long driveway which curves around gracefully toward the house. The brick home is beautifully accented with stone, and an iron-gated, second-floor balcony overlooks the front landscape. An eight-foot, two-tiered fountain and complementary bench provide a formal garden centerpiece in the front yard.

“As we drove into the driveway,” Dianne remembered, “Music was playing, birds were singing, I saw the view of water, I saw the landscaping, and I said, “That’s it.”

Dianne’s trip to see the house was her first time in South Carolina. “I knew nothing about the area. I didn’t know anything about the Fall 2017 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Garden Party

people or the neighborhood, or how we’d fit in. I just knew that I loved this house!” Luckily, Mike loved the property as well. And even more luckily, they discovered a neighborhood that was warm and welcoming.

Dianne described, “We have such lovely, lovely neighbors. The people are very friendly and welcomed us with open arms. Allison Creek has been a blessing. We’ve met beautiful people and formed friendships. I’ve found my spiritual self here, connecting with several ladies who have become close friends.

“Where else would you find something like this?” Dianne asked. “We have the seclusion, 36

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but neighbors are close enough that we aren’t isolated. We’re close enough to Charlotte, and to the airport, but we’re out here where it is quiet and quaint.”

The Shultzs go out on the lake frequently with friends. “Seeing the area from the lake is so different!” exclaimed Dianne. “You feel like you’re on vacation, always on vacation. It’s beautiful, riding around on the water.”

Mike spends a lot of time in their yard. “He likes to mulch,” laughed Dianne. “After the lawn is mowed, Mike goes around and makes sure every piece of mulch is back in its place.”

In the natural areas, there are miniature

ceramic lighthouses that serve as landscape lighting. The yard has a lot of shade, and various flowering plants that bloom at different times. Dianne has added potted arrangements throughout the yard.

The home is set up for entertaining. They have a large kitchen that spills out onto a screened porch overlooking the lake. Every month, the Allison Creek neighborhood has a “First Friday” gathering, and Mike and Dianne take their turn in hosting the event.

“We also have a group of ladies that get together to play Bunco, and I like to host that as well.”

Originally, a large fireplace dominated the lakeside wall of the Shultz’s living room. They renovated, expanding the room and adding large windows so that they could enjoy views of the water (far left). Mike and Dianne relocated the fireplace to the side wall of the living room (left inset). Dianne found a picture that she liked in a magazine, and the contractor used it to design the fireplace area. The formal dining room overlooks the front gardens, a beautiful setting (right inset).

Mike and Dianne did a significant renovation on the home after purchasing. “The living room had a giant fireplace on the lake side of the home, with two skinny windows on either side. We wanted more light and a lake view.

So we expanded the living room, moving the fireplace to the side wall, and added huge windows looking out.”

They also converted the deck to a screened porch, where they spend a lot of time relaxing, enjoying a cool beverage and visiting with friends.

Dianne smiled. “We’ve found our dream home.” LW Fall 2017 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Eagle Scouts Mattingly Nord, 15; Thomas Key, 18; Luke Trowbridge, 18; Steven Tallmadge, 19; and John Mark Trainer, 18.

(Photo/Cruz Cong)

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WhereEagles Dare Local troop produces plenty of Eagle Scouts

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oy Scouts of America Troop 333 is adept at nurturing Eagle Scouts. The troop, sponsored by River Hills Community Church, has produced 76 Eagle Scouts since 1996. Here are snapshots of the seven most recent winners of Scouting’s highest honor.

Carter Purvis and Eldon Graham became the area’s 75th and 76th Eagle Scouts in February. They joined 2016’s new Eagle Scouts John Mark Trainer, Luke Trowbridge, Mattingly Nord and Thomas Key. Purvis, whose father, Mike, is Troop 333’s Scoutmaster, said it is the Scouting tradition, coupled with his troop’s history of producing Eagle Scouts, that encourages Scouts to pursue Eagle rank.

“We have all of those who went before us” as Eagles, he said. “We’ve been encouraged to see things through to the end and to really give it your all.”

By Beth Bargar Earning Eagle Scout rank carries with it a lot of responsibility, he added. “We’re held to a higher standard,” he said. “I hold myself to a higher standard.”

Scouts must meet rigorous requirements to earn Eagle rank. In addition to earning 21 merit badges – no small achievement in itself – Eagle Scouts must advance through Boy Scout levels and demonstrate leadership within their troop and community. They also must plan, manage and complete an Eagle Service Project, all before their 18th birthdays.

The young men say similar things about their achievement – that the skills and growth they’ve developed through Scouting made it possible, and that working with others is key – but earning Eagle Scout rank is nevertheless attained by only four percent of Scouts.

Assistant Scoutmaster Stephan Nishimuta said all of Troop 333 is proud of the new

Eagles, as is the Lake Wylie area community.

“The boys lead each other,” he said. As adult leaders, “We’re just facilitators. They do the hard part.”

For the new Eagle Scouts, developing the skills to motivate and lead others is challenging and rewarding. For example, prospective Eagles need help to complete their Eagle projects. That means recruiting friends, family and other Scouts for projects that are often physical and always demanding.

“Being responsible for a lot of other guys – some of them younger – teaches you that you have to be invested in the success of others,” Carter said. “It’s humbling.”

Each of the new Eagle Scouts completed a service project with the help of others.

Steven Talmadge, 19, is now studying to be a civil engineer at the University of South Carolina. His project was to design and construct Fall 2017 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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an outdoor sand volleyball court for Gastonia Christian Church. It involved building a 60foot by 40-foot enclosure, spreading 40 tons of sand, and installing permanent net posts.

He says the skills and temperament he gained through Scouting continues to help him. “You have a lot expected of you,” he said.

“It definitely pays off in the long run.”

John Mark Trainer, 19, now at North Greenville University, landscaped and built a Little Free Library at Bethel Elementary School. These small, weatherproof libraries allow residents to take or leave books and other reading materials, promoting reading especially among children and families.

As a kid he liked Scouting “for the camping and outdoors,” he said. “And the people and kids were good. Scouting builds relationships, and that builds leadership.”

Eldon Graham, 18, also designed and built a Little Free Library, placing his at Kinard Elementary School in nearby Clover. His project includes a “buddy bench” where students can meet and make new friends. Along with promoting literacy, his project promotes sharing of oneself as well as the books, he said.

Luke Trowbridge, 18, worked with Bethel Elementary School to create a sensory garden.

He made four planter boxes and two benches, and then he and his Scout partners installed the items and placed a steppingstone walkway leading to a large trellis. They also hauled many wheelbarrows of mulch to dress up the garden.

Mattingly Nord, 15, a rising junior at Westminster Catawba Christian School in Rock Hill, organized helpers to clear invasive plants from an acre at the Anne Springs Close Greenway. The physically demanding work helps eradicate non-native plants that crowd out local flora. With his father and other family members also Eagle Scouts, Mattingly was motivated early on to gain the rank himself.

“It’s such a prestigious honor,” he said. “It’s also hard work!” Mattingly is not daunted by high expectations, however. He plans to apply to the U.S. Naval Academy, hoping to become a Navy SEAL. Thomas Key, 18, designed and built permanent trash caddies for Camp Cherokee, a YMCA property at Kings Mountain State Park.

The caddies, made of heavy pressure-treated lumber anchored in concrete, are designed to keep animals and storms from knocking over trash cans, ensuring a neater environment at the camp with less pickup work for its staff.

“Scouting has been important to my growth,” he said. “It’s preparing me for the future.” LW

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Eagle Scouts Mattingly Nord and Luke Trowbridge (inset). Troup 333 with the new Eagle Scouts. (Photos/ Shannon Nord)

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Camp Life

by Jan Todd

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ill and Kaye Carraway will tell people that they came to Camp Thunderbird for summer camp, and never left. For 41 years, exactly half the time that the camp has been in existence, the Carraways have worked at the camp.

Camp Director Jill Moore is in awe of the couple. “Think about it,” she said. “Between the two of them, there are 82 years of intellectual capital about how to run Camp Thun46

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derbird. I am trying to soak in all of this information that they have to try to carry the traditions of the camp into the future.”

It all began for the Carraways in the late 1970s. Bill, a seventh-grade science teacher, had been working summers at the YMCA day camp in Clemson for three years. He recalled, “My roommate had worked at Camp Thunderbird, and he introduced me to the director, Bill Climer, who was in town. I talked to Bill Climer

about Camp Thunderbird, and he hired me to be the waterfront director for that summer.”

Kaye was also teaching school in northwest Arkansas. She was looking for a summer job, and one of her friends suggested that she go to work at a summer camp.

“I’d never been to camp in my life, and had no idea what I was getting into. I chose a few places I’d like to visit, and South Carolina was on my list. So I applied to Camp Thunderbird,

Feature Bill and Kaye Carraway have been part of the Camp Thunderbird staff for more than 40 years.

Below, the Carraway family at the camp in 1989.

and was offered a position. The rest is history.”

Bill and Kaye met that summer, and got married a couple of years later. They settled in Clemson, but have spent every summer living at Camp Thunderbird.

From his very first year, Bill was the waterfront manager, and has served in that capacity for all 41 years. Kaye began as a cabin counselor and the tennis activity chief, then became the head of the girls camp. After they

got married and had children, Kaye began working with counselors-in-training and alumni, among other camp activities.

“When Bill and I retired from the classroom, we had the opportunity to come here full-time. So we took the plunge and have been here year-round for the past seven years,” Kaye said. Her current position is the senior director for Summer Camp, working primarily with the resident campers who stay

overnight for one- or two-week sessions.

Camp romances like the Carraways’ are very common, according to Kaye. “We’ll go to several weddings a year of camp couples. We went to five last year. One of the greatest joys we have is watching children grow up, maybe meet their spouse at camp, and then later seeing their children come to camp.”

The Carraways didn’t get married at Camp Thunderbird, but their daughter did. Kaye deFall 2017 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Bill Carraway with his young daughters during their early days at Camp Thunderbird (top left). Camp Thunderbird’s Honor Walk contains a brick in honor of the Carraways’ fourplus decades of service to the camp (above). Andy Belich proposes to Katie Carraway at the camp, where the two originally met (right). scribed, “Katie, our youngest daughter, met her husband, Andy Belich, here, and they got married two years ago on Chapel Point. Bill Climer, who hired us in 1977, is an ordained Methodist minister, and he performed the ceremony, which was pretty special.

“For the Carraway family, camp is not a job. it is a way of life. It’s been that way for us, and it’s been that way for our children, too,” Kaye explained.

During the school year, Katie teaches elementary school in Fort Mill. Their older daughter, Kris, works full-time as a physical therapist, and she and her husband, Micah Shipe, have two children.

The Carraways have seen a lot of changes over the years.

“When we started here, we had about 300 kids a week. Now we have about 430. There are more facilities, a lot more programs and activities,” Bill said. “On the water, we’ve added lots more wake sports. We try to stay relevant, adding new things for the kids to enjoy.”

Kaye added, “We now have 29 land activities. We’ve recently started integrating STEAM into our traditional camp programs. Now we have a Digital Media Class, for example, where the kids can use camp-supplied iPads to make their own movie trailers, learn to mix music, and do all sorts of things with video content.

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We offer a Future Engineers program where the kiddos work with rockets, robots, drones and learn how to program these things.”

Camp used to close after the summer, but now it runs year-round. “We have five major programs at the camp: Summer resident camp, Day Camp, ‘Y Guys,’ which started out as a program for dads and daughters, but expanded to dads and their sons,” Kaye explained. “They go to several YMCA camps, go to sports games, do lots of different activities.

We also have Conference Retreats, for people of all ages, and Environmental Education for school-aged children.”

Even with all the growth at Camp Thunderbird, some things haven’t changed. “One thing that has remained the same is the relationship piece,” Kaye said. “Whether they are staff or first-time campers, they are free to be who they are, who they choose to be, here on-site without the interference of the outside world.

I think a lot of people come to camp because of the activities. But they come back to camp for the relationships, the connections they’ve made with the other campers or the staff.”

Life-changing experiences

Over the years, many stories are unforgettable to the Carraways. “Just today I spoke to a fella who is bringing his two boys,” Kaye said.

“This man grew up in West Charlotte, in a poor neighborhood, and came to Camp Thunderbird on scholarship. He will tell you that camp changed the direction of his life. He is now a practicing attorney, and he will tell you without hesitation that he attributes the man he is to his Camp Thunderbird experiences. He tells me, ‘You’ll never know what camp did for me. It opened my eyes to a world outside of my neighborhood.’

“We have another young man who came to camp when he was about 13. He and his mother were immigrants, came to the U.S. from the Czech Republic with nothing more than the clothes on their backs,” Kaye added.

“His mother was trying to make a better life for the two of them, and found herself working multiple jobs. The young man found himself on the streets, having seen things that no child should even know about.

“One of his teachers saw something in him, and arranged for him to come to Camp Thunderbird on scholarship,” Kaye said. “He came to camp and had a great experience, then continued to come, went through the Counselor-in-Training program, worked for us for a few years. He got engaged here at camp, and we went to his wedding and sat

with his family. He will tell you that Camp Thunderbird saved his life, that he would likely not be alive had he continued on the path he had been on. He is now an attorney working in immigration law.

“I have so many stories like that, ways that Camp Thunderbird changed the trajectories of people’s lives,” said Kaye.

One of the many legacies that the Carraways have contributed to Camp Thunderbird is the Game Changers program. Over the course of the year, Camp Thunderbird serves 1,600 children with camp scholarships.

“Taking a kid out of his environment, particularly an ‘at risk’ kid, for a week at camp isn’t always a smooth process,” explained Kaye. “So we started something a few years ago called Game Changers. We start out by taking camp to the school, usually to the third-graders in Title One schools. We take the Future Engineers or our Environmental Ed program, our Star Lab, and our animals into the school.”

Moore has increased fundraising efforts in her four-year tenure as director at Camp Thunderbird, and about half of these funds have been earmarked for the Game Changers program. Jill shared her favorite story about a

Game Changer camper.

“This boy had been at camp for one whole day, and it had been full. He had been in a canoe, had eaten three meals (which for some of these kids is not normal), he had shot archery, and he had played games. That night we were playing laser tag, and this kid had the laser gun cradled in his arms, and he threw back his head and just shouted to the heavens, ‘This is the best day of my life!’”

Last year, Kaye reached out on Facebook and asked former counselors to write letters about camp experiences, to be read to the staff of counselors.

“I received this unbelievable collection of letters. I’d stand up every week and read a letter to encourage the staff. It was phenomenal. It was one of the best gifts I ever gave myself. I did it for the staff, but it was such an amazing gift to me.”

A couple of years ago Camp Thunderbird celebrated the 80th anniversary, and more than 600 alumni staff attended the festivities.

“It was an awesome experience,” Kaye remembered. “I felt like my life was passing in front of me, in 10-year increments. We love those kids, all of them. We worked them hard, but we love them, every one.” LW

An inflated water slide called The Blob is one of the many ways to have fun at Camp Thunderbird.

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Feature Cars & Coffee at Fred Caldwell Chevrolet.

All Revved Up!

By Beth Bargar

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Classic cars new and old lined up at Cars & Coffee.

Car enthusiasts check out a 1967 Birkin 7 buggy.

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ike oddly shaped gemstones, the brightly colored classics drew admiration and envy. Automobiles, trucks, motorbikes and buggies were the stars this summer of Cars & Coffee, a global trend that’s come to the area.

The Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce presented monthly gatherings at Lake Wylie Assisted Living and Fred Caldwell Chevrolet in Clover. On a Saturday morning each month, dozens of classic vehicles were on display for two hours of chat and showmanship with residents and car enthusiasts.

Lake Wylie Assisted Living provided coffee and door prizes for the first event June 24, with Fred Caldwell Chevrolet in Clover hosting the July and August meets. “It’s been very nice,” said Caldwell. “It’s been a real friendly, nice, easy way for people to share their interest in cars and talk with fellow enthusiasts.”

Cars & Coffee, or C&C as many call the events, are free gatherings bringing together owners with the public and each other.

Attendees needn’t be members of a club or meet specific year, model or style criteria.

Any car someone deems special is welcome, as are spectators who just want to admire

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Above, Lisa Jubenville of the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce and Lake Wylie Assisted Living resident Mel Moore enjoying Cars & Coffee. At right, Jim and Kathie Olson of Lake Wylie with their 2005 Corvette. the head-turning vehicles. C&C has spread worldwide from its birthplace in Irvine, Calif., in 1996.

One limitation is space, according to online forums. C&C events are so popular in some areas that finding parking space for both show cars and visitor vehicles is diffi-

cult. In such areas, local groups may impose rules, such as discouraging car clubs from bringing six 1964 Mustangs, for example.

So far that’s not been an issue here, said Fred Caldwell. “We had to rearrange the lot some, but that’s OK,” he said. He added that he enjoys the camaraderie among car buffs.

Himself a classic car owner, Caldwell showed off his 1964 Corvette at his lot. He even got a little extra business, with a Cadillac owner bringing in his car for service after stopping by to see the classics. “We fixed him right up,” Caldwell said. “We were glad he came by for the cars and then for his own car.”

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Sharon and Fred Hill with their 1957 Ford Ranchero, the first year that model was offered (above left). Stan Rabeneau’s 1933 Chevrelot Coupe on display (above).

Jim and Kathie Hill enjoy showing their 2005 cobalt blue Corvette at events, and the Cars & Coffees have been just right, Kathie said. Held from 8-10 a.m. on Saturday mornings, “They’re not too long and not too hot,” Jim added.

Stan Rabineau of Indian Land loves his bright red 1933 Chevrolet Coupe. It’s a showstopper with its voluptuous curves and chrome. But under its jointed hood is a monster engine: a high performance 2016 Corvette engine and all the associated components.

“We drive it almost every day,” Rabineau said. “We go to car shows almost every weekend.”

His Chevy, with its original steel body, doesn’t suffer rain gladly, he added. “It’s never been in the rain.” He met a man with fiberglass replica who teasingly wanted to trade, Rabineau said. “Nope. This car is special.”

He recalled two ladies from Lake Wylie Assisted Living who admired his car. “One of them said, ‘You know what I like about your car? It’s older than I am!’Almost every place you go, people come over and talk to you,” Rabineau said. Whether at a gas station, store or car show, reticence gets left behind when a grand car pulls up.

Rabineau and other Cars & Coffee aficionados clearly share something as they chat over coffee and doughnuts. “It’s a special connection,” he said.

Watch for news of coming Cars & Coffee gatherings in and around Lake Wylie. York, Charlotte and other areas all are adding events and more are sure to be added. Or type “Cars & Coffee” into a search engine to find out about gatherings around the world. LW 54

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Lighting

the Night

by Steve McDaniel

A magical world of unique Chinese art will be in the spotlight at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont.

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tarting Sept. 7, guests can experience the wondrous shapes and sizes of Chinese lantern art at the Chinese Lantern Festival at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, N.C. It features more than 800 handmade lanterns, including life-size and larger illuminated creations such as tigers, panda bears, dragons and peacocks, along with many more. The festi-

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val will be open from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday each week and ends Oct. 29.

Each of the lanterns is made by masters of the craft in Zigong, China’s center of lantern heritage. Chinese lantern art traces its roots back nearly 2,000 years. Lanterns of that time were made of basic materials such as painted paper or silk with bamboo, wheat

straw or metal and lit by candles.

Now, lanterns featuring wildlife and imaginary creatures are created using wire as the foundation with a variety of materials and multicolored lights to bring the shapes to life.

The festival at Daniel Stowe takes that creativity into a fantastical realm that blends nature with imagination. Flying dragons, pranc-

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The artists who create the unique and colorful Chinese lantern pieces draw inspiration from the real world and from their own imaginations. (Photos/ Hanart Culture)

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ing lions and giant butterflies mingle among bright flowers and bamboo forests.

The Daniel Stowe festival will also feature “living� art, including martial arts exhibitions, Asian food and Chinese arts and crafts. The gardens surrounding the lantern exhibit will have an Asian-inspired theme with Japanese maple trees, bamboo, grasses and other traditional Asian landscape elements.

On Oct. 4, the garden will host a MidAutumn Festival, a traditional Asian event to celebrate the moon. Family friendly activities will be held and a moon cake will be served.

Group and student tours and educational programs are also available during the festival.

Call 704-825-4490 for more information. LW

MORE INFO: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Chinese Lantern Festival Where: 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont, N.C. When: 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. every Wednesday through Sunday from Sept. 7-Oct. 29 Tickets: Available online at www.dsbg.org.

Adult tickets $21.95, seniors 60 and older $19.95, children 2-12 $14.95, under 2 free.

Tickets at the gate are $24.95 for adults, $21.95 for seniors and $15.95 for children 2-12. Garden members receive a 30% discount, including up to four guests.

More information: Call 704-825-4490 or go online to www.dsbg.org.

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Calendar

l l a F nts e v E I

f it’s fall, there’s a good chance there is a festival! Check out these fun, fall-inspired, family friendly events in the Lake Wylie area that will help ease you into cooler weather.

Please call ahead to check times and dates as they are subject to change.

September Hard Cider tastings - Every Sat. and Sun. Windy Hill Orchard will hold hard

cider tastings Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout the fall. Live music Saturdays and Sundays from 1-5 p.m. Enjoy an open-air farm stand, pick-your-own apples and a hayride with Johnny Appleseed (hayride times vary). Visit windyhillorchard.com. 1860 Black Hwy, York.

Fiddle ‘n Pig Shindig Annual BBQ & Bluegrass Festival - Sept. 9 The Anne

Springs Close Greenway hosts the annual barbecue and bluegrass festival featuring bluegrass acts from the Carolinas and a variety of barbecue and other food trucks. Music begins at 11 a.m. This year’s festival will include the Palmetto Biergarten Grand Tasting highlighting South Carolina breweries from 2 - 6 p.m. Admission: music-only tickets are $10, and ages 14 and under receive free entry.

Grand Tasting tickets are sold separately; $30 in advance, $40 day of. Limited number

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available. Dairy Barn, 288 Dairy Barn Lane, Fort Mill.

Great Pumpkin Fest at Carowinds - Sept. 16 – Oct. 29 Family friendly

Halloween attractions for the little ghosts and goblins Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.

– 5 p.m. including a costume parade, foam zone, mazes and more. It’s kid-sized frights that every age will love in addition to all the rides. 14523 Carowinds Blvd, Charlotte. Visit www.carowinds.com for ticket information.

‘SCarowinds’ - Weekends Sept. 15 Oct. 29 Carowinds will transform from a

theme park to a scream park at “SCarowinds.”

Experience the thrills and chills of more than 16 different haunted shows and attractions. 7 p.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday from Sept.

15-30; expands to include 7 p.m.-midnight Sunday from Oct. 6-29. Not recommended for children under 13. 14523 Carowinds Blvd., Charlotte. www.carowinds.com.

Clover Jaycees Fall Festival and Car Show - Sept. 16 Family fun, inflatables,

arts and crafts, food, games, face-painting, live music, car show, parking lot party, children’s games and prizes. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Free.

Downtown Clover, Highway 321.

Chinese Lantern Festival - Sept.

7-Oct. 29 The Daniel Stowe Botanical

Garden will host its largest exhibition to

date with a display of Chinese lanterns from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday each week through the end of October. More than 800 handmade lanterns that include illuminated panda bears, dragons and flamingos will fill more than 12 acres.

Living arts such as kung fu exhibitions, Asian food and Chinese folk arts and crafts are included. Adult tickets are $21.95, seniors $19.95 and children $14.95. Garden members receive 30% discount. 6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. www.dsbg.org.

Piedmont Pottery and Pickin’ Festival - Sept. 23 Potters from North and

South Carolina, including contemporary Catawba Indian potters, will be on hand at the Piedmont Pottery and Pickin’ Festival.

Demonstrations in 18th-century cooking with pottery on an open hearth, artful presentations, live music, barbecue, tours of a plantation house and booths. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults $8, seniors $7, kids 4-17 $3, Culture and Heritage Museums members and ages 3 and under free. Historic Brattonsville, 1444 Brattonsville Road, McConnells, SC. 803-684-2327.

October Lake Wylie Children’s Charity Inc. Fall Benefit Concert - Oct. 1 The annual fall

benefit concert is the last big event of the year for LWCC. Come join in a fun day of live music, food, a silent auction and kid zone to raise money to help families of children with life-threatening illnesses. In the past, auction items included helicopter rides, wing parties, catering events and winery tours. Noon-6 p.m.

Lake Wylie Children’s Charity Inc. Skeet Shoot fundraiser and Catfishin’ for a Cause- Oct. 14 Skeet competition begins at

10 a.m at 1696 Jim McCarter Dr. in Clover.

Competition entry is $60 by Sept. 30 and $70 after. Spectator admission is $10. Live music, food and beverages after the competition.

Fishing tournament on Lake Wylie sponsored

by Southeastern Catfish Club with raffle for prizes at 4 p.m. following fishing. Call Josh Coggins at 704-202-6655 or Brian Snipes at 803-487-6673 for more information.

Curtin Farms Fest - Oct. 14

Curtin Farms Fest is a community gathering featuring a marketplace for handmade, handcrafted and hand-restored goods at a

working farm. Food and music. 407 Paraham Road, Clover. Adults and children 6 and older $5; kids 3-5, $1; kids 2 and younger, free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Rain or shine.

Lost Hollow Music Festival at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden - Oct. 15

Live music and jam sessions with the Catawba River Bluegrass Association. Food trucks, craft beer for sale, kids’ activities and more.

6500 S. New Hope Road, Belmont. www. dsbg.org.

Apple Harvest Festival - Oct. 21

23rd annual Apple Harvest Festival.

Windy Hill Orchard. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. 1860 Black Hwy, York. 803-684-0690. www. windyhillorchard.com.

Tega Cay Fall Festival - Oct. 28 Features arts and crafts, businesses and food/beverage vendors. Local entertainment and kid zones.

Children’s costume contest and hula hoop contest for all ages. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Glennon Center, 15083 Molokai Drive, Tega Cay.

Hablamos Español!

‘Boo-tanical’ at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden - Oct. 29 Live folk music,

horse-drawn carriage rides, games and not-so-frightening fall activities. Food and drinks will be available. Free with general garden admission. All children wearing costumes will receive free garden admission.

11 a.m.-3 p.m. 6500 South New Hope Road Belmont. www.dsbg.org.

Expires November 15, 2017

November Feis Chlobhair: Scottish Games in Clover - Nov. 10-11 The Town of Clover and

Greater Clover Chamber of Commerce will host its 21st annual Feis Chlobhair | Clover Highland Games, Céilí & Scots-Irish Festival.

Celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. Friday with the traditional Céilí and a new Whiskey Tasting event in Boyd’s Lawn & Garden parking lot at 110 N. Main St. Saturday’s festivities are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. at Blue Eagle Academy’s walking trail at 300 Clinton Ave. This unique cultural event is a celebration of the ancestral ties of Clover to the British Isles.

Feis Chlobhair is an opportunity to encourage the growth of the shared heritage by showcasing individuals who practice Scottish and Scots-Irish arts, crafts, athletics, music and traditions. Vendor application deadline is Oct. 20. www.cloversc.org. LW Fall 2017 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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SPONSORED BY THE LAKE WYLIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND LAKE WYLIE TODAY MAGAZINE

T Mission Statement:

he Lake Wylie Wellness Initiative is a group of wellness professionals in our area that wants to help the people in Lake Wylie achieve and maintain their wellness goals, whether that be a fitness goal, health or weight goal, emotional balance and harmony goal, financial wellness goal, or any other goal that pertains to overall wellness.

To empower the people in the Lake Wylie community to pursue wellness for a vibrant life.

Wellness Initiative Members Lake Wylie Pediatric Dentistry

LakeWyliePediatricDentistry.com

Glaza Chiropractic Center DrGlaza.com

AMP Chiropractic & Integrative Wellness AMPIntegrativeWellness.com

Revel Salon and Color Studio

RevelSalonandColorStudio.com

Anytime Fitness Lake Wylie, SC

Pure Bliss Yoga

Facebook @PureBlissYogaLKW

Doc Marcia

May Wellness Event

W

e had a wonderful time at the School Challenge Fun & Fitness Day! Four area elementary schools, Oakridge, Crowders Creek, Griggs and Bethel participated. We enjoyed all the fitness games with the kids and speaking

DocMarcia.info

with parents about tips and providing them with information of better wellness for the next generations to come. We proudly presented Bethel Elementary with a $500 check for the most participation by their student body....Way to GO!

Transcendent Touch

Facebook @TranscendentTouch

Lake Wylie Pharmacy LakeWylieRX.com

Elite Salon & Spa

anelitesalonandspa.com

One Decision Wellness

OneDecisionWellness.com

9Round Lake Wylie

Trunk or Treat Kick off 2018 October 27th

Mid January

1. Establish a good sleep routine. Insufficient sleep is associated with lower academic achievement as well as higher rates of absenteeism and tardiness. The National Sleep Foundation provides guidelines for the amount of sleep children should get at different ages. They suggest kids between the ages of 3 and 5 get 10 to 13

by Melissa Taylor, One Decision Wellness hours of sleep a night; ages 6 to 13 need 9 etting your kids ready to start the to 11 hours of sleep; and teens 14 and oldschool year involves more than finding er should get 8 to 10 hours of sleep a night. the perfect backpack, buying school supplies, and shopping for new clothes. It means 2. Protect your child’s developing body with the safeguarding their health so they’ll be physical- right backpack. Choose a backpack with wide, ly ready for the challenges of heading back to padded shoulder straps and a padded back. Alschool. Consider these tips for a healthy start for ways use both shoulder straps. Slinging a backpack over one shoulder can strain muscles. your child’s new school year.

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Facebook @9roundlakewyliesc

Lake Wylie Wellness and Chiropractic lakewyliechiropractic.com

3. Studies show that children who eat a nutritious breakfast function better. They do better in school, and have better concentration and more energy.

So power them up with good nutrition by providing healthy options for your kids.

4. And lastly, create an environment that is conducive to doing homework starting at a young age. Children need a consistent work space in the home that is quiet, without distractions, and promotes study. Take steps to help alleviate eye fatigue, neck fatigue and brain fatigue while studying. It may be helpful to close the books for a few minutes, stretch, and take a break periodically when it will not be too disruptive.

Feature

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Development Update This custom-built home at 1824 Martha’s Vineyard sits on 2.5 acres off the lake on the Allison Creek peninsula and offers many luxurious features. It is listed for $598,000.

With a pool and amazing main channel views, this waterfront home at 5310 Blue Bird on the Concord Road peninsula has been updated and lists for $825,000.

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Development Update

Finding your Southern Haven A

by Drew Choate

s the heat of summer begins to subside and we settle into our fall routines, the real estate market generally begins to slow down a little. This year, however, the bullish market is still blazing!

Lake Wylie waterfront home listing inventory is at record low levels, particularly in the mid- and lower-priced ranges. This is having a profound impact on the market. Waterfront homes are selling at a much faster rate, with an average of 128 days on market, compared to 188 in 2016. Sellers are seeing offers closer to

their asking price, and the average waterfront home sale price is about $687,000, up 14% from 2014.

Increased demand for quality homes is motivating buyers to stay on top of new listings. Since May, over half of waterfront sales were on the market for less than a month. While most of these quick sales were in the moderate-price waterfront segment ($500,000$800,000), several were in higher priced, “luxury� segments. As has been true in recent years, inventory levels in the million-dollar plus price range is still much

Fall 2017 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Development Update

Located in Somerset at Autumn Cove, this five-bedroom, brick waterfront home at 640 Winter Walk was built in 2010 and is listed for $869,000. higher than demand levels. However, buyers in this category often have specific criteria, and when a new listing meets those criteria, they are ready to buy.

What is selling on the lake?

In reviewing sales from the current year, along with what is currently under contract, we can get an idea of what is driving today’s buyers.

Sales have occurred in all lake areas with 70% of them on the South Carolina side. Almost half of sales (45%) were in the Clover School District.

Waterfront homes in the $500,000 and under price point average about 40 years in age.

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More than half of them went under contract in less than two months. Current inventory is less than 25% of last year’s levels, the most pronounced shortage of any price segment.

In the $500,000 to $1 million category, the median age of sold homes is 24 years and they averaged 126 days on the market. While the current inventory is higher in this price point, it still demonstrates a deficit with 38 available today compared to 78 in 2016.

Homes over $1 million are selling at record levels, with 10 homes sold in this luxury price segment through the end of July.

Waterfront lot sales are outpacing last

year’s by about 30%, quite likely a result of some buyers deciding to build their home after being unable to find an existing property that met their needs.

Market trends off the lake

In general, the market is very strong within the Clover School District. The median home price is $295,000, up a little from a year ago.

Homes in the Clover School District spent an average of 21 days on the market, an improvement from 35 days in 2016. The excellent Clover School District remains a strong selling point, motivating buyers to make strong offers.

Development Update This builder’s personal waterfront home at 5661 Riverfront is loaded with custom features and located in the heart of Lake Wylie. It is listed for $849,900.

In fact, sellers are receiving an average of 98.8% of their asking prices, which is a slight increase from 2016. About a third of home sales off the lake this year have been new construction.

The little haven of Lake Wylie is an attractive place to live with great schools, low taxes and plenty of Southern charm. Because of this, expect the housing market to remain strong and lead us to another record breaking year.

Drew Choate, “The Lake Wylie Man” specializes in Lake Wylie waterfront homes and lots, and other homes in the Lake Wylie community. He is affiliated with Wilkinson ERA Real Estate and has an office in Lake Wylie. LW Fall 2017 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Spotlight Spotlight

News of the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

Fall 2017

Golfers always have a great time at the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Classic.

Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC

Thursday, September 28, 2017 | 1 p.m. Shotgun Start - Captain’s Choice at River Hills Country Club Play limited to 25 foursomes $125 per golfer - $500 per foursome Hole Sponsorships Available Fabulous day of golf, hospitality, networking and fun | Prizes at almost every hole Featuring our special hospitality on holes | Prizes, box lunch and hospitality included BUSINESS AFTER GOLF Hospitality and Libations 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on the terrace of River Hills Country Club

Contact Lake Wylie Chamber at 803-831-2827 (Email: lakewyliechamber@yahoo.com) for more information or to reserve a spot

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Spotlight Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC REGISTRATION FORM Thursday, September 28, 2017 1:00 pm Shotgun Start– Captain’s Choice River Hills Country Club Contact Name:___________________________________________________________ Company:_______________________________________________________________ Address:________________________________________________________________ City:____________________________________State:___________Zip:_____________ Daytime Telephone: ( )_________________________ Fax: ( )___________________ E-mail:__________________________________________________________________ Golf – Includes box lunch, driving range privileges, cart, hospitality and great networking! All player spots are reserved upon receipt of payment and registration form.

________ Individual Golfer(s) @ $125 per person

Total $_______

________ Golf Team(s) – Four players @ $500 per team Total $_______

Golfer’s Name:________________________________ Handicap:___ E-mail:___________________________ Golfer’s Name:________________________________ Handicap:___ E-mail:___________________________ Golfer’s Name:________________________________ Handicap:___ E-mail:___________________________ Golfer’s Name:________________________________ Handicap:___ E-mail:___________________________

2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Charles Wood - Chairman MORNINGSTAR STORAGE Susan Bromfield, President LAKE WYLIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Donna Bordeaux BORDEAUX & BORDEAUX, CPAs, PA Myron Boloyan, Esq. HALFORD, NIEMIEC & FREEMAN Fred Caldwell FRED CALDWELL CHEVROLET Jane DuBois LAKE WYLIE TODAY / LAKE WYLIE MARKETING Allan Gregory K. A. WEALTH MANAGEMENT Jeff Ledford LOWE’S – LAKE WYLIE Don Long Doug McSpadden MCSPADDEN CUSTOM HOMES Jill Moore YMCA CAMP THUNDERBIRD Haven Presley T-BONES ON THE LAKE Brian Rich Q2U BBQ and CATERING

Optional _____Mulligan (s) – Limit 2 per player $5 each _____Mulligan (s) – For the team $40

Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

Total $_______ Total $_______

Michaelyn Sherrill HOME COMPANIONS

Golfer Gift Bag Donation (for 100 golfers, i.e. pens, tees, hats, balls, etc.)

Don’t miss this great opportunity to showcase your business to participants.

Marc Sosne CLOVER SCHOOL DISTRICT

Please return this registration form with your check to:

Gwen Thompson CLOVER COMMUNITY BANK

Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce P.O. Box 5233, Lake Wylie, SC 29710 Phone: 803-831-2827 Fax: 803-831-2460 Email: lakewyliechamber@yahoo.com Web: www.lakewyliesc.com

264 Latitude Lane, Suite 101, P.O. Box 5233 Lake Wylie, SC 29710 803.831.2827 | Fax: 803.831.2460 lakewyliechamber@yahoo.com www.lakewyliesc.com Fall 2017 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Spotlight

Business After Hours

May 4, 2017 Sponsored by Lake Wylie Rotary Club, Eastwood Homes – Somerset at Autumn Cove Photos by Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

Bebs Chorack, Bobbie Otto and Michaelyn Sherrill at the Eastwood model home.

Sheila Goss and Angel Neelands of Clover Community Bank.

Melanie McClure, Bud Rother and Norma Wood welcome members to the beautiful Eastwood model home.

Amy Strong and Claire Hoffmann of Publix with Derek Lewis of R.P Boggs and Co. and Kay Peters.

Paul and Dolly Scheasley of Comp Pro Business Services.

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Matt Burris, outgoing President of the Rotary Club of Lake Wylie.

Matt Burris and Mary Seick of Rotary of Lake Wylie and Robert Rosenberger of Eastwood Homes.

Spotlight

Business After Hours

May 18, 2017 Sponsored by Anchor Self Storage, Allstate – The Vickers Agency, Edward Jones, Lee’s Hoagie House and Tommy D’s Photos by Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

Ryan Brockington of Edward Jones Investments, Yvette Herverger of Anchor Self Storage with David Vickers of Allstate - The Vickers Agency.

Tom Wirth, Linda Eiler and Kate Meeks at the May Business After Hours at Anchor Self Storage.

Dr. Marc Sosne and Doug McSpadden at Anchor Self Storage at the May BAH.

Kate Meeks of BB&T with Laurie McSpadden at Anchor Self Storage.

Doug McSpadden at the May Business After Hours.

Stephanie Gordon and Sally Hershelman of Lake Wylie Family Dentistry with Bobbie Otto.

Tommy-D’s hotdog cart was a hit.

Andrew Matheson was first in line.

Peggy Stoklas and Andrew Randazzo of The River Rat.

Fall 2017 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Spotlight

Business After Hours

June 15, 2017 River Hills Marina Club, T-Bones on the Lake, AAA of the Carolinas, SunTrust Bank, and Q2U BBQ and Catering Photos by Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

Angel Neelands, Gwen Thompson and Bo Redmond of Clover Community Bank with Susan Bromfield.

Dr. and Mrs. Stall and staff of Lake Wylie Family Dentistry.

Dean White and Patrick Burdick of SunTrust Bank, co-sponsors of the June BAH. 74

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Jerry Bullard (rt.) and Brian Rich (lft.) of Q2U Staff from T-Bones on the Lake, BBQ with Haven Presley of T-Bones on the Lake. co-sponsor of the June BAH.

Allison Love, District 2 Councilwoman, and Charles Wood draw names for door prizes.

Brian Rich and Jerry Bullard of Q2U BBQ & Catering, co-sponsors of the BAH.

Joe Versen of Joe Versen Appraisers at the June BAH.

Charles Wood with new members Eric and Laurie Noble of Noble Training and Learning Center.

Spotlight

GOINGS-ON Senior Expo May 31, 2017

Senior Helpers owner Seth Zamek.

Honors Luncheon May 15, 2017

Rob Pila, Christina Carothers and Mark Patterson of Lake Wylie Assisted Living, hosts of the Cars & Coffee summer series.

Stan Rabineau with his Chevy.

Lake Wylie and Clover Chambers of Commerce co-hosted a luncheon to honor Clover High School’s top 2017 graduates.

A 1957 Chevy for sale for $52,000.

Cars & Coffee June 24, 2017

Susan Bromfield and Jim Olsen at Cars & Coffee launch at Lake Wylie Assisted Living in June.

Fall 2017 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Spotlight

201 SPL 7 ASH DAS H

Thank You!

2017 Splash Dash Sponsors Carolinas HealthCare System Lowe’s River Hills Community Association YMCA Camp Thunderbird

Overall Female 10K Winner, Marquel Clark of Charlotte.

Congressman Ralph Norman runs the 10k.

Carolinas Healthcare System table, gold sponsors of the Splash Dash.

Overall Male 5K Winner, Fred Grondin of Clover.

Overall Female 5K Winner, Carolann Saracco of Charlotte.

LW CofC Suite Available For Rent

T

his fully and beautifully furnished large rental office in the prime location of the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce’s Professional Business Centre (264 Latitude Lane) includes: High-speed internet & WiFi; all utilities except

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Volunteers at the Splash Dash wearing their LKW volunteer shirts.

telephone; reception area; mail service; ample parking; easy access; and hospitality area.

Save fuel and work close to home while having everything a small business needs at reasonable rates!

For information or tour call the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce at (803) 831-2827.

Bank of York Bethel Commons Fred Caldwell Chevrolet CalAtlantic Homes Clover Community Bank Comporium Contagious Graphics Duke Energy Glaza Chiropractic Center Halford, Niemiec & Freeman Harris Teeter Lake Point Ridge by Redwood Lake Wylie Family Chiropractic Lake Wylie Family Dentistry Lake Wylie Pediatric Dentistry Lake Wylie-a Senior Lifestyle Community Lake Wylie Wellness & Chiropractic Lee’s Hoagie House M.L. Ford & Sons Medical Gas Training Center Morningstar Storage Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice Q2U BBQ Pit Queen City Timing Rey Azteca Sake Express The Shoppes @ Five Points York County Natural Gas York Electric Co-Op

Please Patronize our Sponsors!

Spotlight Ribbon-Cuttings and Openings!

The Lake Wylie Chamber welcomes Palmetto Law Associates to Lake Wylie.

Barbara Matheson, Melanie McClure, Charles Bromfield and Tom Moody attend the Palmetto Law Associates ribbon-cutting.

Bud Rother and Tom Garrone of Tommy-D’s at the Morningstar Storage ribbon-cutting.

Morningstar Storage Staff at the grand opening.

Charles Wood with Tisha Petrea and Cindy Broderick.

Lee’s Hoagie House delivers!

Morningstar Storage ribbon-cutting.

The Lake Wylie Chamber welcomes Lake Wylie Sake Express with a ribbon-cutting.

Lee’s Hoagie House owners Rick and Patsy Zioncheck and manager Aimee Risteen.

Ribbon-cutting for Noble Training & Learning Center, BLISS by Jamie Lee and Lake Life Boutique.

Fall 2017 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Spotlight Boutique/Skin Care Services Bliss by Jamie Lee

Welcome New Members

April 21 - July 31, 2017 Dental Dental Care of Lake Wylie

Lori White 209 Latitude Lane Lake Wylie, SC 29710 803-619-4511 dclakewylie@mydentalmail.com www.dentalcareoflakewylie.com

Real Estate Law Palmetto Law Associates, LLC Rhonda Benfield 4371 Charlotte Highway, Suite 10 Lake Wylie, SC 29710 803-802-2780 rhonda@palmetto-law.com www.palmetto-law.com

Residential Apartment Homes Lake Point Ridge by Redwood Tracy Bowser 6625 Montgomery Road Lake Wylie, SC 29710 440-719-9340 tbowser@byredwood.com www.byredwood.com

Commercial Real Estate Coldwell Banker Commercial MECA

Suzanne Hill 2459 Wilkinson Boulevard, Suite 120 Charlotte, NC 28208 704-971-2000 suzanne.hill@cbcmeca.com www.cbcmeca.com

Training and Learning Center Noble Training & Learning Center Laurie Noble 54 Marina Road, Suite 302 Lake Wylie, SC 29710 704-806-8017 nobletraininginc@gmail.com

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Lake Life Boutique Jamie James 54 Marina Road, Suite 302 Lake Wylie, SC 29710 704-499-4525 jamielee@BLISSbyjamielee.com www.BLISSbyjamielee.com

Knife Sales/Service Helacious Blades

Dean Brewster 4341 Charlotte Highway, Suite 206 Lake Wylie, SC 29710 803-900-9640 sales@helaciousblades.com www.helaciousblades.com

Interior Design SEG Designs

Susan Gaynor 1911 Notchwood Court Lake Wylie, SC 29710 407-625-3170 segdesigns@yahoo.com

Veterinarian Dr. M’s Mobile Pet Vet

Dr. Margaret Edwards Meyer-Cuno 587 Bonum Road Lake Wylie, SC 29710 803-831-0034 dr.m@drmpetvet.com www.drmpetvet.com

Restaurants Arby’s/ Brumit Restaurant Group, LLC Travis Hall 511 Nautical Drive Lake Wylie, SC 29710 gm8602@ncarbys.com

Early Childhood Development The Goddard School of Lake Wylie

Freddie Geiger/Katrenia Geiger Hasty 4750 Charlotte Highway Lake Wylie, SC 29710 803-579-4051 LakeWylieSC@goddardschools.com www.goddardschool.com

Renewing Members April 25, 2017- July 31, 2017

Anchor Self Storage Anytime Fitness of Lake Wylie Bank of York Bethel Commons BNA CPA & Advisors Caromont Health Catawba Valley Dental Care Clover Community Bank Clover School District Earl Tindol Ford Elrod Pope Law Firm Good Samaritan United Methodist Church Heather Catts-Mary Kay Consultant Home Companions Keller Williams Realty-Andy Reynolds Keller Williams Realty-Suzanne Smith Lake Wylie Assisted Living Lake Wylie Eye Lake Wylie Family Dentistry Lake Wylie Pet Resort Lake Wylie Realty Law Office of Craig S. Johannesmeyer, PLLC Lee’s Hoagie House M.L. Ford & Sons, Inc. New River Church Palisades Episcopal School Piedmont Regional Association of Realtors, Inc. Pioneer Services Pest Control QuikTrip R. P. Boggs & Company Riordan Orthodontics River Hills Marina South Forty Farms, LLC Stateline Chrysler, Jeep & Dodge Steele Creek Animal Hospital Suntrust Bank T-Bones On The Lake The Vault The Village at Lake Wylie Villas At Marlin Bay York County York County Natural Gas York Technical College

Individuals: Kevin Brackett Jim Lane Don Long William MacIndoe J. Watts Roberson Bud & Ann Rother Nancy Snyder Peggy Upchurch

Spotlight Nominations are now being accepted for

2017 Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

Business Person and Citizen of the Year Candidates should have the following: • A history of long-time involvement in the community.

• A positive impact on the Lake Wylie Community.

• Business person must be a chamber member with a history of being supportive of community and chamber activities.

• Citizen should be a person who makes a positive difference to the community as a whole.

Nominee for Business Person: ____________________________________________ Nominee for Citizen: ___________________________________________________ Please tell us about your nominee and his or her contributions to the community: ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

Deadline for nominees: Oct. 19, 2017 at 5 p.m. email: lakewyliechamber@yahoo.com

Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce

Upcoming Activities Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Classic Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 1 p.m. Shotgun Start, Captain’s Choice Held at River Hills Country Club Business After Golf Thursday, Sept. 28, 2017 5:30-8 p.m.

Held at River Hills Country Club Business After Hours Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017 5:30- 7:30 p.m. sponsored by BB&T and Halford, Niemiec and Freeman Law Offices Held at BB&T, Latitude & Nautical lanes Business After Hours Thursday, Oct. 19, 2017 5:30- 7:30 p.m.

Sponsored by and held at Lakepointe Ridge by Redwood

Business After Hours Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017 5:30- 7:30 p.m.

Sponsored by and held at Shoppes at Five Points 440 Five Points Court

By Highway 49 and Highway 55 Annual Holiday Gala Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017 6:30 p.m. to Midnight Cocktails, Dinner and Music Seating Limited, Festive Attire Held at River Hills Country Club Holiday Business After Hours Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Sponsored by and held at Lake Wylie Assisted Living

2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009

Business Person Tom Smith Kitty Muccigrosso Haven Presley Leonard Jackson Q2U BBQ Doug McSpadden Fred Caldwell Rob Watson and Fred Nason Al Powell Ed Stewart Diana Grubenhoff Mark DeChant Andy Kane Rod Hall Leslie Hall Paige McCarter David Mathein Myron Boloyan Tally Roberts Jong and Po Liu Jack Allen MaMa “C” Mark Erwin John Wilkerson n/a

2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 * Milestone Award

Citizen Melanie Wilson Dick Mann Norma Wood Lisa McCarthy Chad Bordeaux Rep. Ralph Norman Tom Smith Elizabeth Hartley Vince Mugavero Susan Bromfield* Dr. Steve Miszkiewicz Stacy Waddell -Blackmon Fred Wetherell Roberta Spampinato Don Long Charles Wood S.C. Rep. Becky Meacham S.C. Rep. Herb Kirsh Ruth Sheets Diane Roberts Senator Harvey Peeler Nick and Joanne Jones Peggy Upchurch “Duck” Alexander Firechief Bill Johnston

Save the Date Lake Wylie Chamber Annual Holiday Gala Thursday, December 7, 2017 River Hills Country Club Lake Wylie

Holiday Boat Parade and Christmas by the Lake Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017 4 p.m. Festivities - 6:30 p.m. Boat Parade Held at T-Bones on the Lake Fall 2017 | www.LakeWylieToday.com

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Southern Twang

Roamin’ with the Roman

by Jan Todd

I

t can be fun to introduce people from other parts of the country to our Wonderful Southern Ways. I discovered this past summer that it is even MORE fun to introduce someone from another COUNTRY. We were lucky enough to host a student from Rome, Italy, for a few weeks, and I took him on a tour of my favorite places in the Carolinas.

Ulderico, or Udi for short (just like the brand name of the gluten-free bread products!) arrived with a pretty strong grasp of the English language. Still, in communicating, I had to dial my Twang WAY back. Speaking to Udi was kinda like talking to Siri on my Smart Phone: Speak a little slower than normal, annunciate and attempt to use no regional accent.

Udi’s first culture shock was the number of fast-food restaurants. “Sure, sure, I know McDonald’s,” he said. But as we drove along a typical highway with car dealerships, shopping strips and six or seven fast-food chains within eyesight, his eyes grew wide. “Why you have so many all in one place?”

This I could not answer. I mean, trying to explain that one would hold-the-pickles-holdthe-lettuce-special-orders-don’t-upset-us and another had special-sauce-lettuce-cheesepickles-onions-on-a-sesame-seed-bun just didn’t translate well.

Food, even “Authentic Italian Food,” proved to be a bit different than that served in The Eternal City. “Too much cheese!” pronounced Udi when confronted with the Americanized version of pasta or pizza. And, the pizzas that 80

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had two or more types of cheese? “Parmesan and mozzarella? You can’t mix those cheeses! That is so wrong!” Don’t even ask what he thought of the barbecue pizza.

When Udi saw the condiments on the table at the pizza place, he couldn’t resist. Out came the iPhone, to text a picture to his friends in the Old Country. A bottle of Sriracha sauce (“That’s not Italian”), a jar of honey (“Why, Jan, why?”), and still more cheese for the pizza that, according to Udi, already had way too much.

Incidentally, he also took a picture of a squirrel, which evidently qualified as an exotic creature.

Just when I thought he had recovered from the shock of the varieties of pizza offered in a restaurant, I took Udi to a grocery store. Right there in the middle of the luncheon meat section, he spotted the little “pizza” lunch kits with a couple of crackers, sliced cheese squares and pepperoni. I thought the boy was gonna have a dang heart attack.

We introduced Udi to Southern biscuits early on in his visit. In Italy, biscuits are slightly sweet, cookie-like wafers. So our big ol’ fluffy manna from heaven was quite a surprise! We treated him to lunch at a restaurant called Biscuit Head in the Piedmont region of our state, where biscuit sandwiches contained everything from fried green tomatoes to … you guessed it … barbecue! Ain’t nuthin’ wrong about that, y’all!

Probably the biggest culture shock for our young Roman friend was the trip to Walmart.

He walked into the store and his jaw hit the

floor. When he recovered, he took his phone out of his back pocket and proceeded to take a 360-degree video, right there next to the Greeter named Ed. “It’s so BIG!” he declared.

The phone’s video camera came out again when he discovered that Americans can buy guns and grits in the very same store!

Now, even though Udi questioned Americans’ need for and desire for firearms, considering that no one in Italy even touches guns with the exception of the police and military, he leapt at the chance to go to a local shooting range and give ’em a try. That might’ve been the highlight of his trip. Lawsa mercy, I made him promise not to tell his mama about that one.

Down in the Lowcountry, Udi got to experience the sweet smell of pluff mud, heat that could make your mama cry, a glimpse of an alligator and a possible glimpse of a ghost. We took him to historical sites to learn about one of the South’s oldest cities, even though Udi’s Roman family probably has pantry items older than Charleston.

Back in Lake Wylie, Udi learned to waterski while listening to some rockin’ country music, dined on the deck at T-Bones and enjoyed authentic Southern hospitality. Simple pleasures, like riding around in a pickup truck, cooling off in the lake, watching a truly spectacular summer sunset while attending a Friday night ski show, and walking into an air-conditioned house after a hot day on the water need no translation, no explanation. That’s our Southern American life, and it is good. LW