July SouthPark 2026 by SouthParkMag

FROM THE EDITOR 2

uly is for splashing around in pools and lakes; gorging on fresh watermelon, cucumbers and tomatoes; and, for many of us, getting out of town for a few days. (If you’re ready to hit the road but don’t have plans yet, you might find a few ideas in our summer travel package on page 96.) While you’re enjoying the season, we hope you’ll find this issue worthy of your beach bag or carry-on. In it, we are thrilled to introduce our newest feature, the inaugural Charlotte’s A-List awards. For years, we tossed about the idea of an awards issue spotlighting a few of the best things in Charlotte. This year, we finally took the plunge. I’d like to extend a huge thank you to all of you who nominated and voted for your favorite people, places and things — it’s not easy getting a new project off the ground, and you all really showed up! Let’s keep the momentum going for this soon-to-be annual showcase. While our list highlights readers’ choices and editors’ picks, we all have our personal favorites around Charlotte. Here are a few staff picks: Ben Kinney, publisher Mezzanotte for the best dirty martini. It is filled to the rim and chilled perfectly. Drink carefully as not to spill, and you will be rewarded. 6 | SOUTHPARK

Mercy Clark, marketing manager The Clearing House for home decor. Half my apartment is from here — affordable prices, historic treasures and a simply fantastic inventory. Lynda Kuehni, account executive Sleepy Poet Antique Mall — a place you can get lost in for hours and come out with everything from cowboy boots to lamps to a feather boa! Anne Brundage, sales manager Supperland tops my personal A-List for its perfect blend of unique atmosphere, exceptional cocktails and memorable cuisine, whether it’s a date night, a dinner with friends or an evening spent lingering in one of Charlotte’s most inviting little bars. Sharon Smith, assistant editor Favorite restaurant: DTR SouthPark always delivers — from girls’ nights to special dinners to small gatherings or wine flights. Owners Jaffer and Zoe Kovac put so much heart into each dish. It’s an anchor restaurant in SouthPark to me.

4 IN THIS ISSUE: 1–Me and fellow writer Vanessa Infanzon exploring Tuxedo Falls (page 98) 2–Migis Lodge on Sebago Lake in Maine (page 101) 3–MESDA, a mecca of Southern craft and antiques in Winston-Salem (page 36) 4–Queen City Model A Club (page 90)

Finally, be on the lookout for our special Weddings issue around town, featuring jawdropping celebrations and sweet stories from Queen City couples. It’s available in most of the same places you regularly pick up SouthPark. EDITOR Cheers to summer! SP editor@southparkmagazine.com

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July

BLVD. 18 | interiors Jennifer Lane brings a touch of Key West to a Dilworth dining room.

22 | arts Through Play More Charlotte, Sally Stokes encourages adults to rediscover childlike joy, energy and connection.

30 | food + drink The opening of Grey’s Diner extends Sam Diminich’s tribute to family and three generations of hospitality.

FEATURES

36 | explore

62 | Charlotte’s A-List

Winston-Salem’s Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, a national treasure of Southern craft, highlights six key works from its collection.

by Mercy Clark, Asha Ellison, Cathy Martin and Sharon Smith The Queen City’s best, brightest and buzziest people, places and things.

40 | happenings

90 | Joy rides

DEPARTMENTS 44 | givers Petal to Purpose delivers joy across Charlotte with recycled flower arrangements.

by Hope Yancey photographs by Richard Israel Members of the Queen City Model A Club share a passion for a piece of Charlotte history.

TRAVEL 96 | Where there’s water

July’s new releases

Three places to make a splash — and keep cool this summer.

49 | state of mind

98 | Nature, nurtured

Doing the wave, from Ocracoke to Rockingham

by Cathy Martin A Charlotte couple finds purpose and passion in creating Tuxedo Falls, a luxury glamping community just two hours from the Queen City.

47 | bookshelf

53 | simple life My Miss American Pie, and our slice of heaven together

57 | well + wise What stepping outside of your comfort zone can teach you about yourself

109 | swirl Parties, fundraisers and events around Charlotte

112 | crowning moments The case for taking up space

10 | SOUTHPARK

101 | Maine attraction by Taylor Bowler The coolest summer escape in the Northeast

104 | Grand hotel by Cathy Martin For a classic coastal getaway that’s rooted in tradition, look no further than Sea Island, Georgia.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JARED KAY

July calendar of events

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1230 West Morehead St., Suite 308 Charlotte, NC 28208 704-523-6987 southparkmagazine.com _______________ Ben Kinney Publisher publisher@southparkmagazine.com Cathy Martin Editor cathy@southparkmagazine.com Sharon Smith Assistant Editor sharon@southparkmagazine.com Andie Rose Creative Director Alyssa Kennedy Art Director alyssamagazines@gmail.com Whitley Adkins Style Editor Sarah Fligel Proofreader Contributing Editors David Mildenberg, Michael J. Solender

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Contributing Writers Michelle Boudin, Taylor Bowler, Mercy Clark, Jim Dodson, Asha Ellison, Juliet Lam Kuehnle, Olivia Lee, Tommy Tomlinson, Hope Yancey Contributing Photographers Daniel Coston, Justin Driscoll, Richard Israel, Peter Taylor Contributing Illustrators Gerry O’Neill, Gary Palmer _______________ ADVERTISING Anne Brundage Sales Manager anne@southparkmagazine.com Lynda D. Kuehni Account Executive lynda@southparkmagazine.com Mercy Clark Marketing Manager mercy@southparkmagazine.com Brad Beard Graphic Designer _______________ Letters to the editorial staff: editor@southparkmagazine.com Instagram: southparkmagazine Facebook: southparkmagazine LinkedIn: SouthPark Magazine

Owners Jack Andrews, Frank Daniels III, David Woronoff in memoriam Frank Daniels Jr. David Woronoff President david@thepilot.com Published by Old North State Magazines LLC. ©Copyright 2026. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Volume 30, Issue 7

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a London-born photographer based in Charlotte. “Photographing these meticulously restored cars and the dedicated members of the Queen City Model A Club was an absolute joy,” Richard says. “Seeing generations — fathers, sons, grandfathers and grandsons — bound by a shared passion and an uncompromising devotion to craftsmanship is exactly what makes documenting these stories so rewarding.”

Hope Yancey is a writer in Charlotte. She is a native North Carolinian and grew up in Gastonia. She studied philosophy at Queens College, now Queens University of Charlotte; counseling and development with a concentration in community/agency counseling at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina; and historic preservation at the University of Kentucky. She especially enjoys writing articles with a connection to historic preservation.

Whitley Adkins is a fashion stylist, creative director and producer, and style editor of SouthPark Magazine. She is an Asheville native and graduate of UNC Chapel Hill. From playing dress-up in her grandmother’s closet in Rocky Mount to chasing her dreams in New York City, Whitley has always had a penchant for style, eventually landing in Charlotte and launching The Queen City Style (later rebranded as Whitley Adkins) in 2011. 14 | SOUTHPARK

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people, places, things

GAME TIME

Long, hot summer afternoons call for indoor pastimes. This game table and chairs are part of a new collaboration between Charlotte interior designer Barrie Benson and Highland House Furniture. It marks the 10-year anniversary of Benson’s partnership with the Hickory-based brand. “This collection reflects the design language we have refined over the past decade, balancing American and European midcentury forms, Scandinavian simplicity, and enduring traditional silhouettes with ease,” the designer says. The capsule collection ranges from upholstered items like tufted sofas and skirted swivel chairs to case goods including consoles, chests and dining tables, all reflecting Benson’s distinctive, artful fusion of traditional and modern. View more at highlandhousefurniture.com. SP southparkmagazine.com | 17

blvd. | interiors

ROOM WITH A HUE Jennifer Lane brings a touch of Key West to a Dilworth dining room. by Taylor Bowler | photographs by Christina Hussey

ennifer Lane, founder of Whit Willow Interiors, began transforming her clients’ Dilworth home room by room in 2020. When the homeowners were ready to tackle J the dining room, they knew they wanted large-scale, original artwork to anchor the wall between the windows, which is visible from the entryway. They considered commissioning a custom piece until they stumbled upon a vibrant, island-inspired painting while vacationing in Key West. “The rest of the design took shape around this art,” Lane says. By keeping the furnishings and window treatments neutral, the artwork remains the focal point and gives the room color and energy without overwhelming the space.

18 | SOUTHPARK

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blvd. | interiors

ENDLESS ENTERTAINING

The homeowners, parents of two school-aged boys, have a large extended family that they often host for holidays, so they requested a long, extendable dining table. “They had surfboard artwork from World Market and filled the space with things just to fill it up, but they didn’t really have any style to it,” Lane says. She kept the sideboard but replaced the basic, espresso-colored table with a sleek, natural-wood dining table with a 24-inch leaf from Hooker Furnishings and dining chairs from Four Hands upholstered in sand-hued performance fabric.

COASTAL COLOR

The painting, by Key West-based artist Kelly Lever, features swirling blue and green foliage accented by clusters of sunlit

20 | SOUTHPARK

yellow bananas. “It was the color for me,” Lane says. “When it showed up, it was even prettier than the photos. ... It makes you feel warm to look at it.” She chose a woven blue-gray Safavieh rug to tie in the colors from the painting and classic Roman shades from Horizons to frame the windows.

ACCENTS THAT POP

Lane swapped the builder-grade glass chandelier for a West Elm semi-flush brass fixture with glass globes. Woven floor vases from Lulu & Georgia frame the sideboard; the natural wood facade complements the dining table and chairs. “It’s so spacious in there ... so filling up the corner with these beautiful sculptural baskets make the space feel cozier,” Lane says. “It feels like you’re walking into a New York loft.” SP

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blvd. | arts

THE POWER OF PLAY

Through Play More Charlotte, an adult social club and event producer, Sally Stokes encourages adults to rediscover childlike joy, energy and connection. by Michael J. Solender | photographs by Richard Israel

ally Stokes was so excited about Blume Studios’ inaugural virtual-reality experience, Space Explorers: The Infinite, in late 2024 that she attended wearing a head-to-toe spacesuit. Stokes, a self-described “extrovert’s extrovert,” felt the experience deeply — it even brought her to tears. That emotional response, along with photos of her in costume, caught the attention of Blumenthal Arts’ marketing and communications team. “They reached out to discuss my experience and create a video for their social-media channels,” Stokes recalls. “That conversation led to an opportunity to help activate the space at Blume Studios, including programming accompanying Monopoly Lifesized.” She took on the role of Minister of Play, coordinating interactive pre- and post-Monopoly experiences for guests. She tapped into the community, bringing in partners for nostalgia nights, singalongs, trivia sessions,

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blvd. | arts mahjong, DJ-hosted ’90s dance parties and crafting activities. Through it all, Stokes began to recognize a convergence taking shape: unfiltered joy, an unanticipated opportunity and a health scare that ultimately pushed her to leave her role as an elementary STEM teacher. She launched Play More Charlotte, an adult social club built around playful, nostalgic events where grown-ups can be silly, reconnect with their inner child and rediscover the value of real, face-to-face fun.

NO KIDS ALLOWED

With a mantra of “You deserve to play more,” Stokes’ business is gaining momentum. Play More Charlotte hosts up to a dozen ticketed gatherings each month. Offerings include Sticker Club, a no-pressure craft experience; Kandi for Dinner, a rave-inspired craft night with a DJ and candy bracelet-making; and Nostalgia Night, featuring slumber-party vibes, throwback crafts and vintage Sunday morning cartoons. Events are held at venues across Charlotte, including Divine Barrel Brewing in NoDa, The Long Room in Plaza Midwood and Camp North End’s Thrift Pony. Tickets cost $15 to $35, with all materials provided. Events are designed for adults only and emphasize diversity and inclusivity, attracting a welcoming, allare-invited crowd. Visual artist Glenda Johnson finds a warm, inviting mix of people at Play More events. “There’s a vibe here that attracts people who want to be in this space, learn new things and connect in a unique way,” says Johnson, 37. A frequent attendee, she’s a firm believer in the mission. “I ad-

24 | SOUTHPARK

mire the way Sally creates space for fun while building community.” Plaza Midwood marketing executive Celeste Downing, 56, agrees. “Play More events are a chance for adults to be silly and feel like kids again,” she says. “It’s where I’ve met new friends and connected with a wide variety of fun people in a truly inclusive space.”

FROM BACKYARD PLAY DAYS TO A BUSINESS

Before launching Play More Charlotte in 2024, Stokes, 40, hosted backyard “play days,” where friends dove into a homemade ball pit, chased soap bubbles, played board games and hoisted a colorful parachute in unison, just like the childhood game. “I have this incredibly diverse, multigenerational friend group, and we were all navigating different stressors,” Stokes says. “My background is in play-based learning, and those benefits don’t disappear in adulthood. Empathy, curiosity and creative problemsolving come more naturally when adults make space for joy and play. It’s genuinely good for connection and community health.” At the same time, Stokes was facing a health challenge that threatened her career: She developed neurological symptoms attributed to long Covid. With a compromised immune system and increased sensitivity to stressors, she made the decision to leave her teaching job. “The timing and connections I made through my work at Blume Studios helped me see an opportunity to build Play More,” she says.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

As the business grows, she continues to refine her entrepreneurial skills and tap into local resources to ensure its long-term viability. Stokes was recently accepted into the Creative Entrepreneurs

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blvd. | food + drink “If it’s Saturday morning and you don’t feel like cooking at home, bring the kids. We got you.” – Sam Diminich

Chef Sam Diminich 30 | SOUTHPARK

blvd. | food + drink

COME AS YOU ARE

The opening of Grey’s Diner extends Sam Diminich’s tribute to family and three generations of hospitality. by Olivia Lee

orn in Trieste, Italy, Samuel Diminich immigrated to the United States, coming through Ellis Island and landing in Queens, New York. Lacking a formal education but equipped with a passion for people, he fell in love with hospitality and taking care of others. His grandson, Sam Diminich, remembers his fondness for telling jokes and stories — and of course, making spaghetti. It turns out that hospitality is the family’s love language. Sam has spent his career following that inheritance — from his grandparents’ kitchen to his two Charlotte restaurants, each named after his children. His story begins with his “granddaddy,” whose path to the kitchen started after his arrival in the States.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETER TAYLOR COURTESY GREY’S DINER

THREE GENERATIONS OF HOSPITALITY

Samuel met his future wife, Sarah, at a USO event in Washington, D.C. She was a volunteer; he was serving to earn citizenship. The two married and settled in her hometown of Mount Gilead, where they opened a café. After the town went dry, the couple relocated to Little River, South Carolina, before landing in nearby Myrtle Beach. There, they opened Roma Restaurant, operating out of the first floor of an old white house converted into a quaint bed-and-breakfast. It was among the first of its kind in the area and it helped transform the coastal village into a tourist destination. This is where Sam’s culinary lineage began. In the back of the restaurant stood a small shed where, on Saturdays, Sam’s father and grandfather would break down legs of veal. He remembers the visceral sound of meat fabrication — the thud of a cleaver, the scrape of bone against wood — mixing with the hum of the nearby kitchen. A few steps away, the smell of chicken cacciatore escaped from the back door. Behind it, a large tilt skillet of roasted chickens simmered in broth alongside peppers, onions and oregano. Memories like these remain etched in Sam’s mind. Before becoming a chef and restaurateur, he bussed tables and washed dishes in restaurants owned and operated by his grandparents or parents. southparkmagazine.com | 31

blvd. | food + drink

“I had no idea what I’d be doing for the rest of my life at that point. I just knew what was happening was cool. It smelled really good. And yeah, man, that stuck with me. I think about that all the time.”

DEEPENING CULINARY ROOTS

32 | SOUTHPARK

CASUAL APPROACH TO SERIOUS FOOD

“I believe if you do the next right thing, then the right thing will come to you. And that’s been the story of the business,” says Sam, who has been sober for more than a decade. Since reuniting with his children, he now considers them his best friends. “They allow me to do this,” he says. “This is what I love to do, which is cooking and being a restaurateur. And that requires a lot of sacrifice, but nevertheless, they support me with their whole hearts and that means something.” In May, he opened Grey’s Diner, named after his son, Allan Grey, in the former Mattie’s Diner space on The Plaza. The old diner car sits beside a repurposed gas station-turned-dining space, complete with a bar and large outdoor patio. It’s a casual approach to serious food: diner favorites, elevated classics, coffee and mixed drinks. Grey’s was inspired by the roadside diners that caught his eye on road trips together with his son. Diminich hopes to bring guests on a similar adventure through food and the comfort of enjoying a meal with family. “He loves to eat and enjoys a good hamburger,” says Sam of his son, a student at Appalachian State University. At Grey’s, guests will find a burger made with Shipley Farms ground beef on a Duke’s

Big Sam’s Lasagna

Sam Diminich with son Allan Grey

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETER TAYLOR COURTESY GREY’S DINER

While food and cooking have always been a safe harbor for Sam, alcohol and addiction nearly took that from him. He recalls leaving his children, Constance and Allan Grey, for two and a half years. But he found that by putting his sobriety first, anything and everything could be on the table. “[As sobriety has taught me], when you get out of self and into service and you are authentically engaged in someone else’s concerns, your own concerns can be rightsized. And that really cracked the code of life for me in so many ways,” he says. That instinct for service that guided his sobriety also steered his cooking — and deepened his culinary roots. While out of work during the pandemic, Sam began spending time with local farmers during a period he describes as a kind of spiritual awakening. “Any restaurant, as I’ve ever known, has always been about the chef. It’s always been about the chef’s story, how he came up, all this stuff. And I thought that was a disservice to the people who grow our food,” he says. He started Your Farms Your Table, a meal delivery service out of his apartment to support farmers and share their stories. Today, Your Farms Your Table offers catering and event services while also providing community meals to vulnerable populations. In 2023, Sam opened Restaurant Constance, named after his now 22-year-old daughter. Instead of building dishes around protein, he started with vegetables first: freshly picked bundles of carrots or radish, peas and tomatoes pulled from the vine. “I was engaged with the human experience behind the food that Charlotte and the local community provides for us. And so I was armed with all these stories and I wanted to tell them.”

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blvd. | food + drink bun — some may even be made by Allan Grey himself, who plans to work the flat top while on summer break. The rest of the menu is a love letter to Sam’s family. An egg platter honors his mother, using the same egg and milk mixture she used when making his childhood favorite, breakfast for dinner. The lasagna follows his father’s recipe: sausage and ground beef, garlic and oregano, three cheeses and a secret ingredient for its signature messy integrity. And a Salisbury steak, prepared in a cast-iron skillet with sweet potatoes, pays tribute to his grandmother. Beignets round out the dessert menu, inspired by his fiancé and her home state of Louisiana — served fresh from the fryer, dusted in powdered sugar and rolled out on a dim sum cart.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE “Come as you are,” says Sam, even with shirts untucked. “If it’s Saturday morning and you don’t feel like cooking at home, bring the kids. We got you. If you’re a ladder on the truck kind of guy and you need a solid breakfast, we have an egg plate just for you. If you want to come in and watch the game on Sundays, pull up a stool and sit at the bar, we got you.” His goal: a seven-day restaurant with something for everyone, at any time of day. “We’re just humbly opening up these doors with the intent on pleasing people through food and hospitality.” On the way out, guests can grab a vintage matchbox and pause at the wall of photos, including those of his parents. For Sam, it’s a gentle reminder of where it all began — with family. SP

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THE SOUL

OF THE EARLY AMERICAN SOUTH Winston-Salem’s Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, a national treasure of Southern craft, highlights six key works from its collection. by Michael J. Solender

s our nation marks its 250th anniversary, reflections on America’s origins feel newly urgent and freshly intimate. In Winston-Salem’s Old Salem historic district, history isn’t all frozen behind glass; it unfolds through streets, workshops and sanctuaries that reveal how Americans once lived, labored and worshiped at the birth of a young nation. Along the northeastern edge of the 18th-century Moravian town of Salem, the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) draws visitors into a rare world of artistry and ambition, where master crafters transformed wood, clay, fiber and metal into objects of remarkable beauty and complete utility. Here, furniture, textiles, ceramics, jewelry, rare books and fine art elevate regional craftsmanship to its highest expression. Opened in 1965, MESDA is home to one of the most comprehensive collections of Southern decorative arts and related resources in the country. The museum houses more than 3,600 objects made in the American South prior to 1860. The collection spans 33 galleries in the Frank L. Horton Museum Center, named after the museum’s founder and former director of restoration for Old Salem. MESDA curator Lea Lane shares six cultural touchstones to

36 | SOUTHPARK

provide a sense of the collection’s depth, geographic scope and significance. “These objects can be powerful windows into the lives of our ancestors, preserving stories that written records often miss,” Lane says. “They reveal the experiences of ordinary people, especially women whose lives may have gone undocumented. In some cases, a single handmade object is the only surviving evidence of a life lived. Together, these works allow us to remember people not celebrated in history books or political movements, but those who quietly lived the American experience, shaping it in everyday, enduring ways.”

COURT CUPBOARD

James or York County, Virginia, 1650-1670 Made from oak, walnut and yellow pine, this storage piece similar to a sideboard is one of the earliest surviving examples of Southern furniture. This piece was one of the first objects pursued by a young Frank L. Horton, who gifted it to MESDA.

CERAMIC JAR

David Drake, Edgefield County, South Carolina, November 3, 1858 This massive ceramic jar was a product of renowned enslaved potter David Drake. According to Lane, thousands of enslaved

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAN ROUTH COURTESY MUSEUM OF EARLY SOUTHERN DECORATIVE ARTS

William C. & Susan S. Mariner Southern Ceramics Gallery, Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts

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craftspeople worked at industrial-scale potteries in Edgefield, located just north of Augusta, Georgia. Drake is the most prominent among them, but many other hands are represented in the output of these kiln sites. “He wasn’t hiding his literacy,” says Lane, “as the monumental jar is inscribed with a poem he wrote.”

OIL ON CANVAS PAINTING: A VIEW OF CHARLESTON

Thomas Leech (alt. Leitch), Charleston, South Carolina, 1774 A rare depiction of Charleston on the verge of the American Revolution, this painting documents a range of structures that no longer survive. It’s on view in MESDA’s exhibition, “Lately From: Immigrant Craftspeople and the Making of the American South,” through Dec. 31.

NEEDLEWORK SAMPLER

Louisa Hanson Rogers, Asheville, North Carolina and Athens, Georgia, 1824 This silk on linen needlework design includes examples of Rogers’ own poetry. “Samplers such as this represent moments where we have the chance to remember the lives of people who were decidedly ordinary; not the people who are at the front of the room necessarily leading the charge in a political sense, but the people that are living out the American experience,” Lane says.

COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL FOR GENERAL LAFAYETTE

Charles Pryce, goldsmith, John Sands, engraver, Baltimore, 1824 This gold medal was presented by the young men of Baltimore to Revolutionary hero Gen. Marquis de Lafayette during his tour 38 | SOUTHPARK

Left: Portrait of Elizabeth, Guilford Limner, Guilford County, NC, 1827, watercolor on paper, Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, Gift of Alice Fitzgibbon (5642)

of the city in 1824. Lafayette brought the medal back with him to France, where it stayed in his family until the mid-20th century.

PORTRAITS OF ELIZABETH AND ANNY J. GIBSON

Guilford Limner, Guilford County, North Carolina, 1827 These portraits were painted by an unidentified artist known as the “Guilford Limner,” named for the county where many of the sitters lived. More than 90 works dated between 1818-1832 have been attributed to the artist. WANT TO GO? Admission to MESDA’s three self-guided galleries is included with a ticket to Old Salem Museum & Gardens ($30 for adults); MESDA-only admission is $15. For serious enthusiasts, twohour guided Connoisseur Tours ($75) of additional galleries are held Wed.-Sat. at 1:30 p.m. (reservations required). mesda.org SP

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY MUSEUM OF EARLY SOUTHERN DECORATIVE ARTS

Court cupboard, James or York County, Virginia, 1650-1670, oak, walnut, yellow pine, Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, gift of Frank L. Horton (2024.6)

Jar, David Drake, Edgefield County, South Carolina, November 3, 1858, alkaline-glazed stoneware, Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, Gift of Frank L. Horton (3033)

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| calendar

July HAPPENINGS SUMMER CONCERTS: J. Cole, July 11 at Spectrum Center; Train, July 14 at Truliant Amphitheater; Rick Springfield, July 22 at The Amp; John Mellencamp, July 30 at Truliant Amphitheater

Counterweight by Kimberly English through July 16 This solo exhibition at Arcadia Gallery in Dilworth features weavings by North Carolina textile artist Kimberly English, who draws from historic Southern Appalachian textile patterns.

Jiha Moon, Peach Mask 4 (Love), 2014, Ink, acrylic, and tie-dye fabric on Hanji, 40 ½ x 38 ½ in.

Charlotte’s Stars & Stripes Spectacular & WBT SkyShow July 4 Celebrate July 4 at Truist Field with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. You’ll hear music that celebrates the spirit of America — from John Williams to Gershwin and Sousa — followed by fireworks. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with fireworks scheduled for 9:15 p.m.

screenings. Tickets are $5. The lineup includes: Titanic, Men in Black, Clueless and Independence Day.

Fourth of July Celebration at the Whitewater Center July 3 – 4 Festivities span two days with paddleboard yoga, a 5K trail race, live music and other outdoor programs. Free, but there’s a $13 parking fee.

Music on the Patio at Reid’s Wed. – Sat. evenings Grab a seat and order some summer refreshments as local musicians set up on the SouthPark patio.

Charlotte Knights Head uptown to cheer on the team and see Homer at Truist Field. Watch Friday Fireworks (July 10 & 24) or get tickets to Bark in the Ballpark (July 8 & 22).

First Friday Dilworth Station Gallery Crawl July 10 Thanks to the holiday, the arts hub switches it up by hosting the gallery crawl a week later this month. Take in some art and meet the artists while enjoying drinks and bites.

Crossroads Cinema at Camp North End Thursdays This free outdoor movie series features iconic films all summer. In July, see Hamilton, Iron Man, The Lion King and more. Bring a chair and some friends, and buy sips and bites from on-site vendors.

Collection, Reframed: Jiha Moon through Nov. 9 Artist Jiha Moon engages with The Bechtler’s permanent holdings alongside selected contemporary artworks, as she explores the juxtaposition of how women are represented across time.

Queen’s Feast Summer Edition July 24 – Aug. 2 Restaurants across the city offer special three-course, prix-fixe menu deals. Try a new place or an old favorite during the summer edition of this culinary tradition.

Rhino Market Trivia Tuesday evenings Rally your team, test your knowledge and enjoy a brew and food at the SouthPark location. SP

SUMMER FUN ON REPEAT

4 on the Fourth July 4 Start your Fourth of July with a run in SouthPark. There’s a 4-miler for adults and a 1-miler for kids. Registration costs vary.

The Lost Years Vol. 2 Movie Series June, July, August Carolina Theatre brings back this movie series with Thursday and some Saturday

Scan the QR code on your mobile device to stay updated on events at southparkmagazine.com.

40 | SOUTHPARK

PHOTOGRAPHS BY LAURA WOLFF PHOTOGRAPHY; COURTESY JIHA MOON AND THE BECHTLER

CSO at Truist Field

Star Spangled

SUMMER Happy 250th America Virtual Battle of Kings Mountain 1776 GOES INTERACTIVE

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY HISTOVERY

Charlotte Museum of History brings video-game technology to an exhibit commemorating America’s 250th. Charlotte is home to the East Coast debut of American Revolution: The Augmented Exhibition, an immersive journey that brings defining moments of the American Revolution vividly to life. The exhibit invites visitors to use handheld tablets that create a time-travel experience. More than 20 Revolutionary-era scenes come to life, including the Boston Tea Party, the Battle of Yorktown, the signing of the Declaration of Independence and a Carolinas-focused gallery highlighting regional Revolutionary War history.

Local history buffs will enjoy the details surrounding the depiction of the 1780 Battle of Kings Mountain, where Patriot forces encircled and defeated Loyalist Major Patrick Ferguson. Their victory shifted the momentum of the war in the South and compelled British General Cornwallis to retreat. More than five hours of content are available, though most visitors are expected to spend 30 to 90 minutes engaging with the exhibit. “We’re excited to bring this experience to Charlotte,” says museum president and CEO Terri White. “It’s like nothing we’ve ever done before.” — Michael J. Solender

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|givers

BLOSSOMS OF HOPE

Petal to Purpose delivers joy across Charlotte with recycled flower arrangements.

n a drizzly Monday morning in May, a group of women are smiling, despite the dreary start to the workweek. They are surrounded by massive floral centerpieces, preparing to dismantle the bouquets — for good reason. The volunteers are working with Petal to Purpose, a nonprofit that repurposes flowers from fancy events and turns them into personal deliveries for people in need of a little pick-me-up. Petal to Purpose founder Blair Goldsmith says the inspiration for the organization came about organically. “Making flower arrangements was my therapy, and I started making them for small family events and bringing them as hostess gifts or for holidays. It brought people so much joy — and me as well. I thought there might be a way to do that on a bigger scale.” 44 | SOUTHPARK

The Charlotte native launched Petal to Purpose in February 2025 after hearing about floral-recycling organizations in other communities. When she realized there wasn’t anything similar in Charlotte, she began making some phone calls. “I started connecting with local event planners, and the party planners told me the saddest thing is when they have to throw all of the flowers out to clear the space for the next event. Over the last year, I’ve built relationships with venues and party planners. Now they’ll reach out to me a few weeks in advance and say, ‘We have a wedding that wants to donate their flowers,’ and then we arrange to pick everything up.” When they arrive at a venue, volunteers often find huge arrangements of flowers stuffed in foam, which can be overwhelming, Goldsmith says. On Monday mornings, she and

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY BLAIR GOLDSMITH

by Michelle Boudin

|givers

“Even though it’s not a huge gesture or gift, it can help somebody feel a little bit happier during a hard time.”

her team of volunteers dismantle the arrangements and put the flowers in new, smaller vases. “I do a quick demonstration to help make the flowers look presentable, and then everyone gets creative!” In recent months, Petal to Purpose’s newly reimagined arrangements have been delivered to Hopeway, The Ronald McDonald House, Levine Children’s Hospital, Hospitality House, The Relatives and a handful of senior and assisted-living facilities across the area. The work is an extension of Goldsmith’s previous occupation as a licensed clinical social worker. She cites research showing that having fresh flowers around can be a mood booster. “It’s nice to have something living around in your

environment. Even though it’s not a huge gesture or gift, it can help somebody feel a little bit happier during a hard time. That is very fulfilling for me, especially with my background as a mental therapist.” Petal to Purpose has become a family affair. “My kids come along sometimes for the pickups or the deliveries — they get so excited when it’s flower day! It’s been really nice. I feel like they understand that it’s a good deed that we’re doing.” Goldsmith hopes to grow more consistent with pickups and deliveries and formalize the process a bit more. Until now, she’s enlisted friends, family and neighbors as volunteers. “I’m just so happy and proud this has been well-received.” SP southparkmagazine.com | 45

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|bookshelf

JULY BOOKS Notable new releases

compiled by Sally Brewster

Country People by Daniel Mason Miles Krzelewski is a devoted husband, a doting father beloved for his outlandish bedtime stories and the proud owner of a truffle-hunting dog in a land with no truffles. He is also a bit lost, 12 years late with his Ph.D. on Russian folktales and increasingly haunted by a sense that he’s become a disappointment to his family. So when his wife, Kate, accepts a visiting professorship at a prestigious college in the faraway forests of Vermont, he decides that this will be the year to finally move forward with his life. But Miles is a man of many enthusiasms, one who possesses, in Kate’s words, a great capacity “to fall in with anyone, anywhere.” No sooner does he arrive than he finds himself entangled with a cast of characters as colorful as those of any of his folktales. It’s all good fun, until Miles stumbles upon a bizarre — perhaps ridiculous — local legend, which, he soon suspects, might not be just a legend after all. All That’s Unseen: An Appalachian Memoir by Emilee Hackney Born and raised deep in the hollers of the Appalachian Mountains, Emilee Hackney knew little beyond the ridgelines and coalfields of southwest Virginia. As an eighth-generation Appalachian, her childhood was steeped in the stories of her grandparents — tales of the coal mines’ brutal grip and the way the land, both beautiful and unforgiving, never quite let anyone go. At 14, Emilee meets Sam, a senior at her high school, and they begin attending services at Deliverance Christian Church. Emilee is thrust into the radical realm of Pentecostalism, becomes engaged and embraces the religion’s extremist doctrines. But, the man she plans to marry is not who he claims to be. Years later, Emilee finds herself isolated and on the verge of spiraling out of control. Against all odds, she applies and is accepted to Harvard. All That’s Unseen is Emilee’s fiercely honest memoir about spiritual entrapment, hard-won liberation and the courage to reclaim her voice after she had been taught to stay silent. The Great Wherever by Shannon Sanders At 32, Aubrey Lamb is stumbling through adulthood. An underpaid gig worker in Washington, D.C., she’s grieving the end of a serious relationship and the recent loss of her father. When Aubrey learns she has inherited his stake in a Tennessee farm, she sees an opportunity to get out of the city — and to erase a mounting pile of debt. Watching her arrival with great interest are four

ghosts — Aubrey’s ancestors, who’ve staked their own claims to the farm. As Aubrey reconnects with her living family, another story unfolds in parallel: the history of the land, beginning with its purchase by Thomas, Aubrey’s great-grandfather and one of the first Black landowners in his community. Though Thomas hopes to give his children a homestead on which they could flourish, the land proves to be a burdensome inheritance, turning the Lambs against one another. Now, the ghosts fear expulsion from the home they’ve made, and Aubrey must weigh the hopes and burdens of her forebears with the very real needs of her future. Biological War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen A lab accident, a bio-attack, a global pandemic and the collapse of human society. In this essential new book, based on dozens of interviews with experts with high-level political, governmental, medical and military responsibility, Annie Jacobsen examines this very scenario. It would be only a matter of days from such a global infection before the infrastructure built to handle this gravest of situations would be in a battle for human existence. The fallout: mass death, total societal breakdown, widespread insurrection, anarchy and a plague-ravaged wasteland that no longer resembles modern civilization. In other words: dystopia. The scenario that could end the world as we know it begins with something so small, and something so malicious, that when used for evil, only evil can result. Ungodly Rich by Katharine McGee When Julia Dodds meets Harry Adams, love hits her like a lightning bolt. He’s adventurous, charismatic and impossibly handsome. Little does Julia know that her boyfriend has left out a few key details. His name isn’t Harry: It’s Ares, as in the ancient god of war. His mother is Hera, and his father is Zeus. Soon, Julia is caught up in a world of wealth and privilege as she joins Harry at a lavish family reunion. Except these billionaires don’t just have wealth — they have divine powers. And the moment she steps onto their private island, Julia becomes their latest target. Set against a globe-trotting backdrop, from New York’s exclusive private clubs to the wilds of New Zealand to the gated estates of the British aristocracy, Ungodly Rich is a story of love, revenge, secrets, sex and the most ancient motivator of all: family. SP Sally Brewster is the proprietor of Park Road Books, 4139 Park Road, parkroadbooks.com. southparkmagazine.com | 47

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A Z A L E A

|state of mind

DOING THE WAVE From Ocracoke to Rockingham by Tommy Tomlinson

ILLUSTRATION BY GARY PALMER

ummer comes in waves. Many years ago, I went through a rough stretch, mostly of my own making, and ended up needing to clear my head for a while. I drove to the Outer Banks, traveling alone. I took the ferry from Swan Quarter to Ocracoke, piddled around in the village for a couple of hours, then aimed the car for Hatteras. Ocracoke tapers to a thin strand that can be secluded even in high season. I found a spot to pull over and stepped between dunes onto an empty beach. Not a soul in either direction. The only sounds were the wind and the waves. Those waves: calm and steady, a wet metronome. I got in and rolled in the warm ocean like an otter. Every so often a wave would give me a gentle slap. Snap out of it, son. Everything’s going to be fine. The waves are even milder on rivers and lakes, at least usually. When you see whitecaps on fresh water you know a storm is coming. That’s when you pull up anchor and gun the outboard and hope you get back to the landing before the sky breaks open. Waves can be a warning, too. A Z can A also L Ebe A They a mirage. When I was a kid, I was mesmer-

ized every summer by the shining puddles that always appeared up ahead on the road, only to disappear when we got close. Much later, I found out it’s called heat shimmer, and it happens when a surface like asphalt gets much hotter than the air just above it, refracting the light in between. The same thing on sand creates a false oasis — the thing that drives desert wanderers crazy in the movies. That heat shimmer was my introduction to the idea that some things in life are always dancing just out of your reach, and that maybe they were never really there in the first place. It takes time to learn some lessons. For example, when waves of heat are rising from a car, it’s not a good time to sit on the hood wearing shorts. The backs of my thighs learned that one the hard way. It also took time to learn that people in other places don’t wave the way we do in the South. This especially applies to what I think of as the two-lane wave — the wave you give somebody when you’re slowly passing them in a car. To me, there are a couple of times when that wave is mandatory. One, if you’re out in the country and drive by somebody on the side of the road. Two, if you’re on a narrow street or at a four-way stop and somebody lets you southparkmagazine.com | 49

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|state of mind through. I live in a neighborhood with a lot of narrow streets, and my experience is that you get the wave about half the time. Every time I don’t get the wave, I always wonder where up North the driver came from. This is not fair. But barring any proper research I’m gonna roll with it. You might know about the debate over exactly what Bruce Springsteen sings in the first line of “Thunder Road.” The screen door slams / Mary’s dress ... What’s the next word? On the record it’s hard to tell. I have always heard it as Mary’s dress sways. Springsteen’s manager has said that it’s definitely “sways.” It feels to me like the most poetic word, the most evocative. But many other Springsteen fans — including my dear friend Joe Posnanski, a fellow Charlottean — swear that the line is, or at least should be, Mary’s dress waves. Joe has written thousands of words about this over the years. It is one of those debates that means everything and nothing, much the same way that it means everything and nothing to argue about the greatest baseball player of all time. (Joe, who wrote an entire book called The Baseball 100, says Willie Mays; the correct answer is Henry Aaron.) Joe has not convinced me on “waves” and probably never will. But when I play “Thunder Road,” I always listen close to that first line. I kind of want to hear “waves,” at least one time. Not because I want Joe to be right, but because you should try, when you can, to feel what someone else feels.

I had a neighbor one time who loved to listen to NASCAR on the radio. Every Sunday afternoon in the summer he would take his old AM/FM portable out to the patio behind his trailer and turn on the race from Rockingham or Martinsville or wherever. This was back in the ’70s, when Richard Petty won most of the time, Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison occasionally gave him hell, and David Pearson lingered at the back of the pack, waiting to strike. I wasn’t much of a fan of racing, but I was a fan of my neighbor. So sometimes I’d go over there and we’d drink cold Cokes and listen to the howling engines, those sound waves traveling from the track through the radio to our ears in ways that I still do not fully understand. The one thing waves have in common is that they carry energy. Something desires to get from one place to another, and a wave is the vehicle. That can be a pulse from somewhere deep in the ocean or the attraction from someone who caught your eye across the room. We are out more this time of year, exposed to the energies of the universe, and open to the waves that life brings our way. Sometimes they are so powerful they can knock you sideways. But most of the time they’re just a pleasant ride, carrying us through the shimmer of a summer day and the promise of a summer night. SP

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|simple life

MY MISS AMERICAN PIE And our slice of heaven together by Jim Dodson

presidential. It’s a story I’ve told only once in a book many years ago. This is as good a moment to share it again as any. On the heels of a wearying, monthlong book tour, I was invited to give the keynote speech during the American Lung Association of New York’s golf event and fundraiser in Syracuse. I’d been amicably divorced for a couple of years and shared custody of our two goslings with my former wife. The last thing I wanted to do, however, was trek to Syracuse for yet another golf event and rubber-chicken speech. But my host was relentless. He not only talked me into coming but set me up with dinner “companions” for the three nights of the event. I don’t know why I said yes. But I’m glad I did. The first night’s blind date met me, my host and his wife at a stately country club. My date was a local poet who showed up late and said nothing until I was asked by my host’s sunny wife if it was true that I received (and replied to) hundreds of letters from fans of my new book. I confirmed that I did. “That’s nothing,” piped up the poet. “I get pictures from prisoners. They send me photos of their [use your imagination].” The formal dining room around us was full of elderly diners. Audible gasps and crashing crystal sounded throughout the room. As I walked her to her car, the poet laughed merrily and declared, “I love making rich Republicans uncomfortable!” “Everybody needs a hobby,” I told her. The next night’s match was worse. She was the town’s historian. I borrowed my host’s car to take her to a lovely

ILLUSTRATION BY GERRY O�NEILL

he has a birthday this month. It’s one of the biggies. It’s not every day you reach an age when you’re permitted — even expected — to kick back and reflect on a long journey that has shaped so many lives for the better. Her kindness is exemplary, guided by a heart that is as compassionate as it is brave. Over the years, I’ve seen her take on tasks that seemed almost hopeless, inspiring significant change in others around her. That’s just her nature. No wonder her birthday is a national holiday — at least in France. It’s hard to believe that my wife, Wendy, born on Bastille Day, is 65. She’s never looked more youthful and beautiful. Yes, I know. America also has a big birthday this month. So, roll out the bunting, strike up the band, hand out the confetti poppers and light the fireworks. Even in times that try men’s souls, it’s good to pause and reflect on how our beloved nation got here — and where it may be headed, for better or worse. My birthday gal, Wendy, is as all-American as apple pie, an infectious optimist and embodiment of what it means to be a fully engaged citizen, a wise counselor and the most capable human being I’ve ever known. Because she’s also a gifted baker, I call her my Miss American Pie. I’ve said for years that she’d make a great president. But please don’t spread that notion around. I’d hate to give up her enlightened leadership skills to a struggling nation and lose her famous roasted apple-crumb pie in the deal. Meeting her almost 30 years ago was the luckiest day of my life — an encounter in retrospect that seems providential, if not

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|simple life restaurant in the Finger Lakes. She wasn’t planted on the seat beside me for two full seconds before she exclaimed, “I hear you wrote some beloved book about golf. I hate golf. It’s a fascist sport. Golfers are fascist doughboys.” “So, I guess hitting a bucket of balls before dinner is out of the question,” I remarked. “You’re &%$#@! right,” she declared. Please use your imagination again. Every other word was a charming expletive. I guess she hated history as well. I got her home in record time. I asked my host for Number Three’s phone number to cancel the final date. He refused. I demanded her phone number. He wouldn’t budge. “Her name is Wendy. She’s an incredible baker and mother of two young boys. Everyone in the neighborhood adores her. If you break this date, I’ll be as lonely as you are and sleeping on the couch for a month.” The final dinner was held at the home of our hosts with two additional couples. At the appointed hour, I forgot to walk down the block to meet Wendy Ann Buynak at her house. She walked up by herself bearing a plate of homemade chocolatechip shortbread cookies in the shape of acorns. They looked too good to eat and tasted even better. The minute I saw her standing in the open doorway with

that plate of cookies, I realized there was a God after all. Third time was the charm. We sat at the end of the table talking only to each other for three solid hours. Then I walked her home. The next afternoon, we went for a drive and wound up at a local golf course, where I kissed her. She smiled and kissed me back. Two weeks later, I drove seven hours for our first date. She put me to work helping box up 75 beautifully made miniature wedding cakes for a Syracuse bride. I got to eat the 76th cake. It was love at first bite. She also made me a roasted apple-crumb pie to take home to my kids. Is this an all-American love story or what? Three months later, I introduced Wendy Ann to my two little ones, who instantly fell in love with her, and her Key lime pie. Two summers later, she and her two young boys joined our family, doubling our size in a lovely backyard marriage ceremony in Maine. I saw the spectacular cake she made but never got a taste. It vanished without a trace before I could get a piece. This summer marks our 25th wedding anniversary. Miss American Pie and I plan to slip away to our favorite inn for a few days of golf, relaxation and — use your imagination again. Later this summer, we plan to renew our vows. I’m reliably informed there will be pie. SP

southparkmagazine.com | 55

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|well + wise

SAYING YES BEFORE YOU’RE READY What stepping outside of your comfort zone can teach you about yourself by Juliet Lam Kuehnle

PHOTOGRAPH BY CORRIE HUGGINS

’m writing this in the days following my “dancing debut.” Like, what do you mean, I have to go back to my full-time job as a therapist/speaker when I’m a dancer now?! Totally kidding. In May, I participated in our local Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte to benefit the Katie Blessing Center, The Go Jen Go Foundation and the Agnes Binder Weisiger Breast Health Center. The event raised $525,000, and I had the time of my life. I knew I wanted to write an article about it because of the thoughtfulness that went into my saying “yes” to this six-month commitment that was majorly outside my comfort zone. Our brains are wired for efficiency and survival. Often, when we encounter something unfamiliar or uncertain, it can feel like a threat. Our nervous system can’t distinguish between, “I might embarrass myself on the dance floor” and “I might get eaten by a predator.” This discomfort and fear can lead us to stay in our comfort zone, where it’s safe. But our discomfort over a safe risk is just a signal. If we can learn to tolerate that sensation long enough to stay curious and move through it, we can actually experience significant growth. As we get older, so much creativity and curiosity gets conditioned out of us. Limiting beliefs such as “I’m not creative” or “I’m not athletic” are often formed early, in childhood or adolescence, and we can carry them around as truths for years. We can so easily talk ourselves out of things that perhaps just “don’t make sense.” My limiting beliefs about myself as a “dancer on a stage” didn’t go away on their own. I had to take a risk for them to be challenged. I discovered a new way to explore my love of music, physical and emotional healing through embodied movement, and that I could learn something brand new at this stage of life. I often teach clients a three-tiered system for considering if something is a “yes.”

1. Is it a “hell yes”? If your gut lights up with excitement (even alongside fear), go for it. That combination of nervousness and excitement is exhilarating and shows up physically the same in our bodies. Trust yourself with it. 2. Is it aligned with your personal values? If it connects to something you care about and that truly matters to you, then it’s worth strongly considering (even if it scares you). 3. Is it driven by self-abandoning behaviors, like people-pleasing, or fear of someone else’s reaction? If your “yes” is really about avoiding discomfort or keeping someone else happy at your own expense, that should probably be a “no.” The green light for my dancing was that it was aligned with my values around showing up fully and modeling vulnerability.

“SAFE RISKS TEACH US THINGS ABOUT OURSELVES THAT COMFORTABLE LIVING SIMPLY CANNOT. WE LEARN WHAT WE’RE MADE OF AND TO BELIEVE IN OUR OWN CAPACITY TO HANDLE HARD THINGS.” southparkmagazine.com | 57

Inspiration from every

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|well + wise

It was not about pleasing anyone else. It was about raising money for causes I truly believe in and that personally and professionally matter to me. Research on behavior change suggests that when we do something new and unfamiliar, especially when we do it repeatedly, we begin to incorporate it into our sense of self. We don’t just learn a new skill, but we expand who we believe ourselves to be. Safe risks teach us things about ourselves that comfortable living simply cannot. We learn what we’re made of and to believe in our own capacity to handle hard things. Every time we do something scary and survive it (and maybe even enjoy it), we’re literally rewiring our brain’s understanding of what is possible for us. What a gift. Here are some practical ways to stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone: • Name the beliefs first. Before you talk yourself out of something, get curious: “What story am I telling myself right now, and where did it come from?” • Use the three-tier check. Is this a “hell yes”? Aligned with my values? Or driven by fear/people-pleasing?

We simplify the process of transitioning to a new home.

• Distinguish nervousness from danger. Your heart racing does not mean you’re in trouble. It means you’re alive and trying something that matters. Take a breath and ask: “Am I actually safe right now?” and “What are the actual risks?” • Start smaller than you think you need to. (You don’t have to sign up for Dancing with the Stars!) Speak up in a meeting, try the class you’ve been eyeing, introduce yourself to a new person. • Debrief afterward: What did you learn? What surprised you? What do you now know about yourself that you didn’t before? This is how we integrate growth. You are allowed to be a person who is still becoming. New chapters, new versions of yourself, and new capacities you didn’t know you had are all available to you right now, at whatever age and stage you’re in. Say yes before you’re ready, and you might just find out who you actually are. SP Juliet Kuehnle is the owner and a therapist at Sun Counseling and Wellness and author of Who You Callin’ Crazy?! The Journey From Stigma To Therapy.

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define them. As a parent of a son with ADHD, I understand the challenges families face. I emphasize intentional parenting, resilience, healthy attachment and connection over performance. Therapy isn’t about “fixing” ADHD — it’s about helping individuals and families flourish. You also help clients with social skills.

Social challenges are more common than people realize and can affect friendships, school, work and daily interactions. Many of my clients are on the autism spectrum. I enjoy helping them build confidence while recognizing and celebrating their unique perspectives and strengths. Tell me about your psychological assessments.

Assessments should reveal strengths, not just identify weaknesses. I describe, not just diagnose. My goal is to help clients better understand themselves and their potential. I often describe the process as getting a “user’s manual” for your mind. Even children benefit from self-insight. What makes your reports unique?

Clear communication is essential. I use graphics, color-coding,

metaphors, embedded links and other tools to make information meaningful and easy to understand. Every report is personalized and holistic. A lot of your clients are experiencing “failure to launch.”

I help them figure out what life path to take. Because “failure” is negative I’ve been thinking about alternatives like “launch preparation.” Motivation is always there, it just needs to be brought out. So therapy is about finding that empowerment and expanding it. It’s like blowing on embers to make them warmer and brighter. What excites you most about mental health these days?

We have more effective tools than ever to improve emotional well-being and nervous-system regulation. Many techniques are now supported by neuroscience. People of all ages can benefit from understanding how their minds work. 704-499-9700 craig@psychcharlotte.com psychcharlotte.com or drcraigpohlman.com

INAUGURAL EDITION

EDITORS’ PICKS The Queen City’s best, brightest and buzziest people, places and things. by Mercy Clark, Asha Ellison, Cathy Martin and Sharon Smith

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BUSINESS BREAK Rhino Market, SouthPark We’ve been a fan of the chicken torta for years — a staple at every Rhino location, but we’re partial to the tree-lined SouthPark patio. It’s roomy with bright (and happy) orange banners providing cover from the elements. A perfect place, in our opinion, for the office crowd to unwind over lunch or have a casual business meeting.

CHEF TO WATCH

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY RHINO MARKET, COURTESY HAI HOSPITALITY, COURTESY SNEAK CLT

Mitchel Rhyne of The Bohemian Wine Bar

BUZZ-WORTHY Uchi + Uchiba

Native Gastonian Mitchel Rhyne is a man who loves to cook for folks. Put simply, he’s been doing it a long time — and he happens to be really good at it. In fact, enjoying a glass of wine at the The Bohemian in Plaza Midwood while devouring Chef Rhyne’s legendary flatbreads, creole crab deviled eggs (served with Old Bay hot sauce, btw), seasonal burrata or his secret-weapon pecan pie, is sure to evoke a holy experience. Or at least warrant a second visit.

Loudly anticipated for months, sister concepts, Uchi + Uchiba finally opened in March in Plaza Midwood. The early consensus: It was worth the wait. Enjoy an intimate, soft vibe downstairs over shared omakase, sip on a beautiful drink upstairs in their rooftop bar — or try both. Soft suggestion: The lychee martini and hamachi nigiri are a match made in heaven.

CLASSIC HANG Rosie’s Wine Garden Charlotte’s very own “secret garden,” Rosie’s Wine Garden is the answer to your coffee-date locale, wine Wednesday or lazy Sunday mimosa. Grab your friends, pick your drink of choice and mosey about the garden searching for the Adirondack chairs or picnic table that calls to your group. Bonus points for bringing your book club or favorite deck of cards.

THE COMFORT ZONE Spaghett Located in the historic Young-Morrison House, Spaghett blends seamlessly into its Fourth Ward surroundings: It’s charming, quaint and comfortable, but not too swanky. While the seasonal tasting menu is a sophisticated blend of Italian and Carolinian ingredients and preparations, the relaxed atmosphere makes Spaghett feel like a well-loved, cozy neighborhood haunt.

COCKTAIL TREND: THE “TEENY-TINI” Sneak CLT This charming Elizabeth sneakeasy is effortlessly elegant and approachable, and so are their $10 mini cocktails. Whether you visit on a laid-back R&B night, join the singalong that is Tiny Desk Wednesday or catch a movie to end a long week, the vibes — plus their specialty and nonalcoholic cocktails — meet you right where you are. At Sneak, a little goes a long way.

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DESSERT FOR DINNER Corn creme brulee at Steak 48

DINKS AND DRINKS Henrietta’s A pickleball venue might seem like an unlikely place for a cozy cocktail bar dishing up small plates like scallop crudo, crispy gnocchi and burrata with strawberry-rhubarb jam. But Henrietta’s, adjacent to Rally Pickleball, is worth more than a passing glance. A cocktail bar was always part of the original concept from Rally founders Barrett Worthington and Meg Charity. But when the duo tapped Chef Andres Kaifer (Customshop, Emmy Lou’s) to design the menu for Henrietta’s, the LoSo venue became more than just a pickleball place. Add this under-the-radar restaurant to the rotation for date night, girls’ night or a casual celebration among friends.

THE HIGH-LOW HERO Teal Turnip Husband-and-wife duo Taylor Kastl and Steve McGinley have turned their casual fine-dining restaurant into a neighborhood staple in just three short years. The laid-back Oakhurst eatery serves seasonally luxe delicacies such as a bougie burger, pate, braised beef cheeks and other inventive yet approachable dishes. And you can enjoy it all while wearing a T-shirt.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT Bev Proseccheria Charlotte doesn’t have a lot of American “firsts,” but it does claim to have America’s first proseccheria, and it’s the cutest destination for a girls night out. Specializing in authentic Italian prosecco, “Bev” is a gal you’ll want at your table. Come for the bubbles and stay for the superb playlist, Italian chips and elegant vibe. Owned by Michelle Castelloe and parked behind her local boutique, Moxie Mercantile, Bev Proseccheria is a worthy addition to any day out in Plaza Midwood. Who said camping was the only use for an Airstream?

HAPPY HOUR Patio at Laurel Park Perched above Barclay Downs Drive and across from Symphony Park, the patio at Laurel Park feels like its own little world. Picture a slight breeze rustling through the trees, a beautifully shaken martini and a beet hummus or firecracker shrimp appetizer to share. Laurel Park is the patio we want to be on all summer. 64 | SOUTHPARK

HIGH-OCTANE AWARD Night Swim Coffee Night Swim Coffee is the perfect choice to fill the craft coffee-lover’s mug. Being a barista here means spending time in the classroom first, learning the science behind milk foam, the art of the dial-in, and the secret to a creamy caramel sauce or a rich mocha. With every sip, we can tell this coffee is just different. Fresh off the opening of their seventh location at Queensbridge Collective, we’re already watching for what’s next.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY STEAK 48, COURTESY THE TEAL TURNIP, BY BLAKE POPE COURTESY NIGHT SWIM COFFEE

If you often find yourself too full after dinner to order dessert, Steak 48 has the solution. Their corn creme brulee — a decadent blend of sweet corn, cream and turbinado — is technically a side dish but luscious enough to fill in for dessert (should you choose to forgo the SouthPark restaurant’s triple chocolate bombe, warm vanilla caramel cake or cookies-and-cream gelato cake). Because, after all, dinner here is all about the splurge.

THE “IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW” Biscoff Matcha at Gotcha Matcha Uptown

THE LOVE-LETTER AWARD

Easily one of the best-kept secrets (and treats) in Charlotte is the Biscoff latte at Gotcha Matcha Uptown. As one of owner Eric Hicklen Jr.’s original bestsellers, he makes sure to keep enough of his signature Biscoff syrup on hand for those who know to ask about it. And now that you do — thank us later!

The Story of Mi Cariño You’ll feel like the main character in una historia de amor (a love story) at South End’s romantic gastro-cantina and mezcalería, The Story of Mi Cariño. From the moment you walk in, the staff’s desire to make your dining experience exemplary is tangible — and the small touches feel personal and intentional. Each flip of the menu, sip of a cocktail and bite of chef Hector González-Mora’s expressive Mexican and Latin-inspired menu feels like a love letter to the soul.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY BLINDERS SPORTS LOUNGE, BY PETER TAYLOR (MI CARIÑO), BY JOEL TRACEY JTC MARKETING (SOUL GASTROLOUNGE)

Blinders Sports Lounge South End’s Blinders Sports Lounge easily locks down the MVP award with league-leading stats in food, vibe and service. Pair all of that with what’s believed to be the East Coast’s largest 60-foot screen and the team’s infectious, fun energy, and game days are transformed into a giant party. With creative programming like movie nights and a gourmet menu, Blinders is going for a championship ring.

NEIGHBORHOOD HOT SPOT Oshen The corner restaurant at Colony Place shopping center off Rea Road housed two Mexican restaurants and a Famous Toastery before Oshen debuted in October. The Japaneseinspired eatery clearly struck the right note, bringing a casual-but-current vibe to this restaurant-starved part of south Charlotte. The airy dining room is a neighborhood go-to, with a popular bento plate lunch special ($12.95) plus sushi, hibachi, crudo and more on the menu.

THE PHOENIX AWARD Soul Gastrolounge If Plaza Midwood released an album, Soul Gastrolounge would be among its greatest hits. When the family-owned favorite for small plates and cocktails returned to Charlotte in 2025 after a three-year break, the city itself breathed a collective, celebratory sigh of relief. The Kastanas are back, this time in NoDa, with their cocktails, bangin’ beats and famous Asian glazed pork-belly tacos.

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PIZZA WORTH THE DRIVE

PLATED WITH PRECISION

Finale

L’Ostrica

Head south toward Pineville, keep driving down Lancaster Highway till you’re practically in South Carolina; in a small, unassuming strip center you’ll find Finale Pizza, from the team behind Inizio Pizza Napoletano. The thin, 19-inch, New Yorkstyle pies have just the right crispy-chewy crust, are big enough to feed the fam and are made with the same high-quality ingredients Inizio is known for. Besides pizza, this tiny storefront also cranks out salads, wings, meatballs, fried mozzarella and pastas with homemade focaccia. If you can handle the heat, go with the Hornet — spicy Calabrian peppers, pepperoni and basil finished with a sweet drizzle of hot honey.

Eric Ferguson and Cat Carter’s Montford restaurant remains one of Charlotte’s top-tier dining destinations (despite a perplexing Michelin snub). In June, L’Ostrica debuted a more flexible format for diners: Gone is the chef’s choice, 10-course signature tasting; in its place is a six-course tasting plus an a la carte menu, available on weeknights and for weekend add-ons. It boils down to less rigidity and more ways for diners to experience L’Ostrica’s exquisite plates and divine desserts by pastry chef Sam Ward, in addition to the convivial Sunday suppers, pasta popups, collabs and more.

READY FOR ROMANCE Rada

REUSE OF SPACE Dunbar Social at the Ballantyne The Ballantyne may have done away with its 18-hole golf course, but you can still practice your swing here. In October, the south Charlotte hotel debuted Dunbar Social by Topgolf Swing Suite in the former cart barn. Tee off at iconic courses (virtually, of course), or try baseball pitching, hockey shots, even zombie dodgeball in one of five bays (each can host up to 10 guests). Refuel by noshing on pizza and baked crab Rangoon dip and sipping golf-inspired cocktails like the Caddie Cooler and Birdie Mary. A fun, interactive addition for families, friends and the after-work crowd.

SNEAKY SANDWICH The Culture Shop It may be tempting to breeze by this little wine and cheese shop off Hawthorne Lane, but pull over and peruse their daily specials, craft beverages, homemade desserts and ready-made meals and you might find your next forever staple. The sandwiches are hearty, the vibes are good and the sweet demeanor of the staff makes you feel like you’re part of The Culture Shop family.

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THE SOPHISTICATED SNUG Emmy Lou’s From new Vinhos Verdes to classic cab francs, you have options at Emmy Lou’s. The relaxed Dilworth wine bar is a welcoming place for novice and adept wine connoisseurs. You can stick to the classics, try something new and even take a bottle or two home with you from the bottle shop. And, while Emmy Lou’s was established first and foremost as a wine bar, bypassing the snacks, small plates and desserts whipped up by chef de cuisine Adriana “Dre” Cavazos would be an instant regret. PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY L’OSTRICA, COURTESY EMMY LOU’S

Rada’s soft green walls, minimal decor, white-tablecloth dining room and cozy bar create a sophisticated-yet-understated atmosphere for a low-key date night. The Selwyn Avenue spot also boasts superb cocktails, knowledgeable servers and hyper-seasonal fare. Plus, given Rada’s intimate setting and location in the heart of Myers Park, you never know who you might be rubbing elbows with.

THE SOULFUL SUCCESSOR Grey’s Diner A side of nostalgia never hurt anybody — and that’s exactly what chef Sam Diminich returned to Plaza Shamrock when he opened Grey’s Diner in April. Housed in the former diner shell that was once beloved neighborhood favorite Mattie’s Diner, Diminich’s revival plays to memories in ways that just feel and fuel the The Plaza right.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JUSTIN DRISCOLL (OROSOKO), COURTESY PLAID PENGUIN (SALTED MELON)

THE SOUNDSCAPE AWARD Orosoko High-fidelity sound meets high-end flavor at Orosoko Sound Bar, located in the heart of South End. Orosoko is an immersive, acoustically engineered listening lounge serving top-shelf tequilas and showstopping Asian-Latin small plates by chef Jay Pound, providing a late-night wave for all guests to enjoy.

SOUTHPARK THIRD PLACE THE SOCIAL SHOP Gourmand Market The market at Apex SouthPark has built a steady following for its takeaway meals, gourmet grabs and lunch menu. Check out Gourmand’s calendar, too. There’s often something fun going on upstairs, from mahjong lessons to SkillPop classes — a clever move by owner Bo Phillips to host events that build connection and community.

Salted Melon Market & Eatery at Phillips Place The all-day café from the team behind Reid’s Fine Foods brings a bright energy to Phillips Place, with colorful interiors designed by Barrie Benson and a pretty patio to boot. Meet friends for coffee, grab an after-school snack for the kids, or pop in for a post-workout smoothie at this welcome addition to the neighborhood.

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SPICING UP SOUTHPARK Calle Sol Latin Café & Cevicheria, Apex SouthPark It’s hard not to smile as you walk into Calle Sol. The tropical hues combined with a relaxed yet modern aesthetic feel like an instant pick-me-up. You’ll come back for the zesty Latin, Cuban and Peruvian dishes. Go for the ceviche, the Sol Bowl and Mariquitas (fried plantain chips). The $10 weekday lunch special can’t be beat.

THE SPIRIT-FREE SOCIAL Keep your wits about you — but hold the spirits — as you sail through the western Mediterranean. South End’s Chapter 6 takes diners through mezze, tapas and small plates that are perfectly paired with their spirit-free selections. Thoughtfully crafted Seedlip and Lyre’s-based cocktails make sipping sans alcohol easy, and refreshing “ades” keep things light during the warmer months.

THEMED COCKTAIL Humbug Humbug truly lives up to its philosophy of “always delicious, never pretentious.” Equal parts neighborhood hang and cocktail playground, the drinks here are next-level, often built using classic techniques like infusing and washing. Drinks like I Want My House To Be Seen From Space and Miami Dice (garnished with a tiny Yahtzee set) are proof of the team’s inventive brains at work. And for those who love a fully committed theme, Christmas and Halloween at Humbug are can’t-miss affairs.

TEAM DINNER The hosts with the most: Kon Knueppel’s parents When the Hornets played Milwaukee last year, guard Kon Knueppel took his mom up on the invitation to host a few friends for dinner in his hometown. By a few friends, we mean the whole hungry team! Kon told media it was nice to share a home-cooked meal on the road.

THE VETO-KILLER Indigo Tea & Coffee From tea and coffee drinks to cocktails, all customizable with housemade syrups, there is something for everyone at Indigo Tea & Coffee in Fourth Ward. It’s the perfect stop for any group of colleagues or friends or even a weekend family outing. Grab a pastry or warm breakfast nibble and settle in to work, or attend one of the shop’s networking, social or community events. When you’re looking for a place that’s just right, Indigo can handle it. 68 | SOUTHPARK

UNDERRATED LUNCH SPOT Prime Fish Cellar Started as a gourmet market in 2024, this extension of James Beard Award-nominated Chef Robin Anthony’s Prime Fish restaurant group reopened in November with a sushi counter and seating for 20. Start with the chili-garlic edamame, made with Anthony’s own Chubby Bites chili oil (you can also buy a jar to take home). Build-your-own hand roll service is a festive and fun interactive meal (do not miss the black truffle salmon), or go with a jewel box or chef’s choice tasting plate. Add a sake flight or wine from the market’s 200-bottle selection, handpicked for pairing with sushi. Before you leave, pick up a serving of Chef Anthony’s famous ramen, frozen for easy reheating and sold to-go only.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY REMY THURSTON (CALLE SOL), JUSTIN DRISCOLL (HUMBUG), COURTESY CHAPTER 6

Chapter 6

ART FOR ALL The Mint Museum Charlotte has two crown-jewel museums in The Mint, with uptown and Randolph Road locations. Each boasts impressive permanent collections of American art and Craft + Design along with headline-grabbing temporary exhibitions each year. All this wonderful art doesn’t do any good if people can’t see it. That’s why we applaud The Mint’s community-driven mission to make art more accessible. Highlights include free admission for students in grades K-12, free Wednesdays from 5–9 p.m., and even free take-home art kits for kids each month.

CORPORATE ART DISPLAY

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY ARTPOP FASHION, BY JUSTIN DRISCOLL (CHRISTA CSOKA), COURTESY ARTISANS PALATE

Legacy Union Following the 2021 installation of Summer Wheat’s “Waterfalls” at uptown’s Legacy Union, Lincoln Property Group teamed with SOCO Gallery to transform its public spaces with more than 30 pieces of museum-quality art, including over a dozen works at the two-block Legacy Union development, home to Deloitte and Honeywell’s global headquarters. Halsey Hathaway’s kaleidoscopic canvases, colorful fiber art from Charlotte artist Katrina Sánchez, and Anne Lemanski’s ode to the flora and fauna of North Carolina are just a few of the works bringing a little artistic allure to the nine-to-five workday.

THE CREATIVE COALITION TAOH Outdoor Gallery

FASHION EXPERIENCE ArtPop Upcycled Fashion Show Those eye-catching billboards and video displays highlighting works by local artists might be ArtPop’s most recognizable contribution to Charlotte’s cultural canvas. But the nonprofit’s annual fashion show, featuring whimsical, sometimes over-the-top designs made from retired billboard vinyl, is pure joy and fun. If you want to go, plan ahead — the runway show, held in September at Blume Studios, routinely sells out.

The Awakening of Humanity (TAOH) Outdoor Gallery is a 24/7 creative sanctuary. More than an exhibition, TAOH is a powerful collaboration between visionary local artists Osiris Rain, Sydney Duarte, Treazy Treaz and forward-thinking businesses like Proffitt Dixon Partners, ArtWalks CLT and others, working in tandem with the global Piece for Peace Movement. Through workshops, free film screenings and other community events, TAOH provides creators of all backgrounds an accessible platform to create and grow.

THE CULTURAL TAKEOVER FOMO by Charlotte Is Creative/Dammit Wesley For years, the biannual FOMO museum block party at Levine Center for the Arts has stood as Charlotte’s boldest disruption of the status quo. Co-created by visionary artist Dammit Wesley (BLKMRKT) and Charlotte Is Creative, this powerhouse movement commands attention and by shattering the rigid, Eurocentric conventions of traditional gallery culture. By transforming uptown into an electrified, inclusive block party, FOMO flips the script on how public space can be utilized.

THE INTERIOR ICON VIVIAN at Queensbridge Collective Dare we say that Charlotte’s second-tallest apartment building is “dripping in finesse”? Bruno Mars might agree that Shelton Taylor + Associates executed a stunning interior design project at VIVIAN at Queensbridge Collective. Throughout the building, regal accents, nods to Queen Charlotte and pop imagery serve as a masterclass in urban luxury. Using curated textures and subtle nods to Charlotte’s gold district and heritage, this design really pops.

HIDDEN ART GALLERY The Artisan’s Palate When Christa Csoka opened The Artisan’s Palate in 2019, the classically trained chef envisioned a community cafe that not only highlights the culinary arts but also visual artists. Over the years, the NoDa restaurant has shown works by more than 70 local artists in its gallery space. Go for the wine and tapas (and arguably the best grilled-cheese sandwich in town), leave with a new piece to add to your collection. southparkmagazine.com | 69

LOCAL LANDMARK This uptown venue gets our vote as an “Instant Classic.” Since reopening last March, Carolina Theatre keeps wowing us each time we walk in the door. It makes going to the movies or a concert feel extra special with its majestic layers of red velvet drapery and meticulously restored wall murals. Foundation For The Carolinas led the $90-million revival of this 1920s landmark — worth every penny, in our book.

THE PAGE TURNER The Mad Wife by Meagan Church Charlotte author Meagan Church’s suspenseful third novel is set in a typical suburban neighborhood in the 1950s. The book follows Lulu Mayfield, who spends her days shopping, cooking and cleaning — and occasionally playing cards with the other wives — all in the interest of keeping up appearances, and keeping her architect husband happy. After the birth of her second child, Lulu’s story takes a darker turn as she develops an unhealthy fixation on a new neighbor while those around her begin questioning her sanity. While the book touches on themes that could be triggering for some readers, its lively pace and plot twists make it hard to put down.

ROOM TO BLOOM Blume Studios It’s the entertainment space we didn’t know Charlotte needed until we experienced it ourselves. Blume Studios opened in late 2024 in the Iron District as a hub for immersive programming for Blumenthal Arts. Since the first exhibit, Space Explorers: The Infinite, Blume Studios has kept a full calendar of new-to-us events. We’re excited to see how the programming here grows and blooms.

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Horizon of Khufu at Blume Studios

PHOTOGRAPHS BY TOMMY MCCART PHOTOGRAPHY LLC (CAROLINA THEATRE), COURTESY MEAGAN CHURCH, COURTESY EXCURIO (BLUME STUDIOS)

Carolina Theatre

THE SISTERHOOD SELECTION The ladies of Lyon Court (WILOE, Trope Bookshop, Plot Twist)

PHOTOGRAPHS BY AMY KOLO (WILOE), COURTESY NICE DAY (PLOT TWIST). COURTESY KYLE MOSHER

There’s a girl-power revolution at the corner of Central Avenue and Lyon Court in Plaza Midwood, and we’re picking up whatever they’re putting down. The three women-owned businesses making a name for themselves on the 1500 block of Lyon Court have cultivated the ultimate lady lot: an inclusive, safe haven to voraciously consume romance and smut novels; shop artisan gifts, colorful coffee table books, kitchenwares and more; and spill the tea at the neighborhood bar while filling up on coffee and cocktails. Count us in!

THE SOCIAL CANVAS A Hornet’s Nest of Revolution Throughout history, the city of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County has been known for profound bravery and resilience in turbulent times. British General Lord Charles Cornwallis didn’t call us “a hornet’s nest of rebellion” during the American Revolution for nothing. We are not a community that lays down in the face of adversity — we strike back. Charlotte artist Kyle Mosher’s A Hornet’s Nest of Revolution mural on the side of The Mecklen Hotel honors Charlotte’s legacy as “bold, defiant, and unmistakably ours,” according to the artist.

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Emily Sage Avery Gentle gestures, soft notes, the relationship between sound and heart. Multidisciplinary artist Emily Sage Avery just took her CIAF installation, Together, to the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn, and we think this is just the beginning. Avery turns the unspoken threads and messages of words into physical representations of their deeper meanings. A talented musician raised in Portugal, she takes a song, hushed whisper or sound of nature — anything the human ear can pick up — and transforms it into a medium for curiosity and engagement with the world around us.

THE BRAND BUILDERS Jamie Brown & Jeff Tonidandel Haberdish seemed like a clever concept when it opened a decade ago, the restaurant’s design and menu a nod to the region’s Southern mill-town history. Then Supperland, with its upscale, family-style fare and wood-fired cooking, put owners Jamie Brown and Jeff Tonidandel on the national culinary map in 2021. One might think the highly regarded Plaza Midwood church-turned-restaurant would be the culmination of a successful career in hospitality, but it turns out the couple were just getting started. Now with a half-dozen concepts (and another, Wyatt’s Superfine, on the way); a book, Eleven Tables, about how it all came to be; and an award-winning TV show, “Fork & Hammer,” the duo continues to expand their hospitality empire without sacrificing allure, quality or creativity.

THE COMMUNITARIAN Manolo Betancur

THE CO-CREATORS Garrett Tichy and Jess Berresse Husband-and-wife duo Garrett Tichy and Jessica Berresse have turned a pandemic-era passion project into Charlotte’s most vibrant collaborative hub. They treat Seemingly Overzealous, their dairy-, egg- and gluten-free ice-cream brand, as a blank canvas for community-building. By partnering with local artists, nonprofits and small businesses — like spinning tea from The Chai Window into a Seven Seas of Chai ice-cream flavor (bring it back!) and hosting pop-ups with The Accidental Baker — they confidently churn up neighborhood connections — proof that when local creators sweeten the city together, everybody wins.

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He’s a business leader known for championing his slice of community — often for the good of all. His east Charlotte bakery, Manolo’s, became a gathering place for support and information during last year’s Customs and Border Control enforcement. Before his brand of calm wisdom and unflinching determination made national headlines, The Changebaker documentary about his positive impact and nonprofit work was already in production.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PETER TAYLOR (GARRETT & JESS), BY JUSTIN DRISCOLL (JAMIE & JEFF), BY RICHARD ISRAEL (MANOLO)

ARTIST TO WATCH

COMMUNITY CATALYST Adam Rhew

TOAST OF THE TOWN

Since taking the helm of SouthPark Community Partners in 2022, Rhew, a Charlotte native, has worked steadily to build momentum around the bustling retail and business district. Led by Rhew, SCP is giving stakeholders plenty of reasons to get excited, from the upcoming renovation of TowneBank Symphony Park to ongoing construction of the 3-mile SouthPark Loop, all outlined in the ambitious SouthPark Forward 2035 Vision Plan. Neighbors are benefiting too, with activations like SouthPark After 5 and Second Saturdays pop-up markets. In an area best-known for the retail powerhouse that is SouthPark Mall, we especially love the influx and integration of locally owned shops and restaurants, further enhancing SouthPark’s brand as one of Charlotte’s most sought-after neighborhoods.

Kwame Ryan In December, the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra music director made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, where he conducted Porgy and Bess (which just happens to be the same opera that sparked his desire to be a composer at age 6). Then in February, Ryan became the first CSO music director to win a Grammy Award, taking home a trophy for Best Opera Recording for Intelligence, composed by Jake Heggie and recorded with the Houston Grand Opera. Bravo, maestro!

GRACEFUL EXIT Cathy Bessant, Dena Diorio We applaud these women leaders who poured their talents into our community and broke barriers doing so. Cathy Bessant retired from Bank of America to lead Foundation For The Carolinas during a critical phase that included reopening Carolina Theatre. Bessant announced her retirement from FFTC in April (she joined Truist as a director in June). County Manager Dena Diorio retired last July after 11 years at the helm of Mecklenburg County affairs — budgets, growth, revaluations and overseeing nearly 40 departments.

HOMETOWN HERO NFL quarterback Drake Maye That last game didn’t go the way he wanted, but hey, Drake Maye made it to the Super Bowl. His family has deep roots in Charlotte, which makes this Myers Park High School grad feel like one of our own. Never have we seen so many New England Patriots fans in the Queen City.

NEXT GEN TO WATCH Hellen Moffitt

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY KWAME RYAN, BY OLLY YUNG

When it comes to growth in Charlotte, we’ve got our eyes on Hellen Moffitt. As the owner of Thrift Pony, she’s taken what started as a thrifted clothing concept from a mail-only subscription service to a two-location brick-and-mortar store that hosts events, pop-ups, personal-shopping experiences and more. If Moffitt, her employees and the spirit of the stores tell us anything, it’s that style knows no bounds and you don’t have to spend a fortune to find yours.

PERFECT PIVOT Molly Grantham Grantham has been on a roll — or maybe we should say a wave — since her 2024 exit from WBTV after 20 years as an anchor and reporter. Her departure was abrupt and unscripted, but all those years she invested in this community helped Grantham land on her feet. She got to work, on her own terms this time, and launched the Bet On Yourself brand, which includes sold-out summits, public speaking engagements and now, a private networking app with curated content called The Wave.

YOUNG GUN William Byron At just 28, William Byron has already become one of NASCAR’s brightest stars, and the youngest driver ever to win the Daytona 500 in back-to-back years. The Charlotte native combines a calm, understated confidence with blistering speed, making him a favorite among longtime racing fans and new followers alike. Whether he’s rounding the bend or representing the next generation of NASCAR talent, Byron is proof that youth and experience don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

IN MEMORIAM Pioneering civil rights attorney James Ferguson passed away in July of 2025 at the age of 82. Fondly known as “Fergie,” his work brought about lasting change on issues from voting rights and desegregation policies to death penalty reform. On August 22, 2025, Ukrainian immigrant Iryna Zarutska was killed in an unprovoked attack on Charlotte’s light rail. The outrage was immediate and prompted a local and national discussion on mental-health issues, public safety and repeat offenders. LendingTree CEO and founder Doug Lebda, known as a visionary leader and philanthropist, was killed in an ATV accident at his farm in October. Native Charlottean Chris Thomas, a partner at Childress Klein, died following a brief battle with cancer this spring. Thomas was known deeply for his love of community, quiet work helping others and helping craft the SouthPark vision plan as founding board member of SouthPark Community Partners. Star NASCAR driver Kyle Busch is remembered as a fierce competitor on the track and as advocate and supporter for families facing fertility issues. He passed away unexpectedly in May from sepsis, a complication from a recent bout with pneumonia.

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ADULTS IN THE PARK Eastover Park You may think picnics in the park are reserved for romance movies and European greenways, but Eastover Park, situated next to The Mint Museum Randolph, is an underrated green space here in Charlotte that’s the perfect backdrop for birthday parties, pickup soccer, a picnic lunch or a lay in the sun. The 17-acre park is open until 7 p.m. daily. It’s time to ask your mom where her gingham-lined wicker basket is hiding.

AFTER-HOURS ACTIVITY Science on the Rocks at Discovery Place Leave the kids at home, grab a date and Uber uptown to experience the wonder of being a child again. Once a month, Discovery Place Science hosts its adults-only Science on the Rocks night, where the museum stays open after-hours. From science experiments, animal encounters, and getting up close and personal with the exhibits, you can be the star of your very own version of Night at the Museum. (For ages 21+)

EVENT REBRAND Truist Championship

FAMILY NIGHT OUT The Bowl at Ballantyne The Bowl at Ballantyne brings buzz to the ’burbs with a spate of recent openings and more on the way. There’s fast-casual (Harriet’s Hamburgers, PopUp Bagels), sit-down (Rooster’s, Postino), sweet treats (Honeysuckle Gelato, The Salty), coffee (Fly Kid Fly), and a massive OMB taproom. The adjacent Stream Park is a magnet for families with young kids; and The Amp brings live music to a part of town previously known for quiet office parks and strip centers. Whether you love or hate the suburbs, the energy here is undeniable.

THE GREAT ESCAPE Rock Hill

LIMELIGHT MOMENT

Located just 25 miles south of the Queen City, Rock Hill, South Carolina, makes for an easy day trip for Charlotteans. A short jaunt down I-77 opens up a world of delicious food, outdoor adventure and cultural experiences. Grab lunch at The Pump House, kayak on the Catawba River, enjoy a scenic stroll on the Riverwalk and sip craft cocktails at Elsie’s speakeasy. Finish with a sweet treat from Mado, a French bakery, and if there’s time, read a book among the roses at Glencairn Gardens or play classic games with a friend at Player 1UP arcade. Rock Hill is both easy to access and love!

“Top Chef” Carolinas

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While the uptown skyline figures prominently on season 23 of “Top Chef,” we especially loved watching Charlotte and North Carolina chefs and restaurateurs getting their 15 minutes of fame as featured guests and judges on the Bravo reality show. (And how fun was it watching our friends and neighbors making cameos on national TV?) While the cast and crew “packed their knives” and left after filming wrapped last fall, we’ll never forget the collective experience of rooting for our favorite supporting character — the Queen City herself — on the small screen.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY PAUL CHENEY BRAVO, COURTESY NBC UNIVERSAL

Quail Hollow Club was swathed in purple for the Truist Championship, formerly known as the Wells Fargo Championship. The May golf tournament, a PGA Tour Signature Event, has always been a spring highlight for both diehard and casual sports fans in Charlotte. The rebrand takes the focus on community to a new level with interactive fan zones (photo booths, virtual golf bays, kids’ activities and giveaways), more grandstands for public viewing, free water and sunscreen, and continued partnerships with local restaurants and apparel brands.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DANIEL COSTON, COURTESY SOUTHPARK COMMUNITY PARTNERS (THE SKIPPER)

MOST ANTICIPATED OPENING Charlotte Mecklenburg Library - Uptown

NEIGHBORHOOD ASSET

Announced in 2020, the glossy new uptown library is finally nearing completion and is set to debut in 2027. The showstopping design is by Oslo-based Snøhetta, the architecture firm responsible for the sleek James B. Hunt Library on the campus of N.C. State University in Raleigh. The new five-story structure reimagines a traditional library — it will serve as a public commons connected to the historic McGlohon Theatre and Duke Energy Theater with a soaring atrium, courtyard, café and event space with an outdoor terrace.

SouthPark Skipper Who doesn’t love a free Uber — we mean, Skipper. If you haven’t tried the point-to-point ride service yet, add it to your must-do list the next time you’re in SouthPark. The cars arrive in style and are just a click or phone call away. Rides are totally free, courtesy of SouthPark Community Partners. The Skippers run from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. daily and will take you anywhere within the boundaries of the SouthPark business district.

SIGN OF THE TIMES Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, Morehead Street The restaurant known for hearty comfort foods and game-day fare has been a local favorite for 20 years. It gained new fans several years ago with its entertaining signage, lamenting everything from rough Panthers seasons to construction woes. If the neighborhood hangout isn’t on your drive, you can always follow along and read the signs on their Instagram, @dilworthgrille.

SHARED EXPERIENCE Walk for Peace A group of Buddhist monks passed through Charlotte in mid-January as part of a 2,300-mile, 120-day peace walk from Texas to Washington, D.C. They attracted large crowds of people eager to share in their message of compassion, mindfulness and unity. Many of us followed their journey on social media, or met them along their route or at the Marion Diehl Recreation Center, where they rested for the night.

SUBURB Matthews Saturdays mean packed patios in charming downtown Matthews, which has gained momentum in recent years as new shops, restaurants and bars join mainstays like the French-inspired Santé restaurant, Brakeman’s Coffee & Supply, Seaboard Brewing and the old-school Renfrow’s Hardware. Moo & Brew, Moxie Mercantile and Enzo’s Italian Market have satellite locations in Matthews (Hoppin’ and Seemingly Overzealous are coming soon). And on Saturday mornings, the Matthews Farmers Market can’t be beat for fresh produce, baked goods, gourmet goods, live music and a congenial community vibe.

WINTER BLAST The snowstorm A snow drought of more than 20 years finally ended the last weekend of January. Charlotte received a whopping 11 inches of snow, much to the delight of kids (and grown-up kids) everywhere. It was the dry, fluffy kind of snow, perfect for making memories and filling our camera rolls — and yes, canceling school for a few days. SP

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Thank You! for your sponsorship of

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VOTERS’ CHOICE AWARDS The votes are in! Thousands of you shared your favorite people, places and things about Queen City living, from tried-and-true favorites to up-and-coming new spots. *results from online polls (May 1– 22, 2026)

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT ANNUAL FESTIVAL OR EVENT Festival in the Park T Southern Christmas Show – Finalist

ART GALLERY Art House Charlotte T Anne Neilson Fine Art – Finalist

LIVE-MUSIC VENUE Visulite Theatre T Neighborhood Theatre – Finalist

LOCAL ARTIST Liz Haywood T Caroline Simas – Finalist

LOCAL BAND OR MUSICIAN The Bad Daddies T Josh Daniel – Finalist

LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHER Amy Boswell/Amy V. Boswell Photography T Daniel Coston – Finalist

LOCAL PODCAST OR RADIO SHOW Building Connections, ULI Charlotte T Amused Bouche – Finalist

LOCAL SPORTS TEAM Carolina Panthers T Charlotte FC – Finalist

MOVIE THEATER AMC Park Terrace 6 T The Independent Picture House – Finalist

MUSEUM The Mint Museum T Discovery Place – Finalist

NONPROFIT EVENT 24 Hours of Booty T My Breast Friend’s Wedding – Finalist

PERFORMING-ARTS VENUE Belk Theater T Knight Theater – Finalist

PUBLIC ART

LOCAL BEAUTY INSTAGRAM/TIKTOK

ArtPop (Billboards) T Pete the Troll – Finalist

Lindsey Regan Thorne @lindseyreganthorne T Blair Hayes @skinbyblair – Finalist

RECURRING EVENT

LOCAL GYM

River Jam at the Whitewater Center T SouthPark After 5 – Finalist

The Fit Influence T Harris YMCA – Finalist

BEAUTY, HEALTH + WELLNESS

MANICURE + PEDICURE

BLOWOUT BAR

MASSAGE STUDIO

JMY The Salon T Blo Charlotte – Finalist

BOUTIQUE FITNESS OR WELLNESS STUDIO The Fit Influence T West Kept Secret – Finalist

COSMETIC SURGERY PRACTICE Charlotte Plastic Surgery T Graper Harper Cosmetic Surgery – Finalist

DENTAL PRACTICE Charlotte Center for Cosmetic Dentistry T Pearl Dentistry – Finalist

DERMATOLOGY PRACTICE Metrolina Dermatology T Charlotte Skin & Laser – Finalist

EYE-CARE PRACTICE CEENTA T Providence Eye & Laser Specialists – Finalist

Polished Nail Bar T Anthony Vincé Nail Bar – Finalist Musashi Serenity Studio T Mood House – Finalist

MED SPA Charlotte Plastic Surgery T Carolina Facial Plastics – Finalist

MENTAL-HEALTH PRACTICE Connect Couples Therapy T Sun Counseling & Wellness – Finalist

ORTHODONTICS PRACTICE Webb Goldsmith Orthodontics T Valeriano Orthodontics – Finalist

PERSONAL TRAINER The Fit Influence, Joel McMichael T Fitness Together – Finalist

PILATES Hilliard Studio Method T Club Pilates – Finalist

FACIAL Charlotte Plastic Surgery T Carolina Facial Plastics – Finalist

FACIAL PLASTIC SURGERY PRACTICE Charlotte Plastic Surgery T Carolina Facial Plastics – Finalist

HAIR SALON Meraki Salon T JMY The Salon – Finalist

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VOTERS’ CHOICE

PRIMARY-CARE PRACTICE Tryon Medical Partners - SouthPark T Novant Health SouthPark Family Physicians – Finalist

SPA The Spa at Ballantyne T The Head Spa Sanctuary – Finalist

YOGA STUDIO Y2 Yoga T Charlotte Yoga – Finalist

FOOD + DRINK

BRUNCH

DISTILLERY

Café Monte French Bakery & Bistro T Little Mama’s – Finalist

Oaklore Distilling T Muddy River Distillery – Finalist

BURGER

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

Harriet’s Hamburgers T Ace No. 3 – Finalist

Optimist Hall T Paco’s Tacos & Tequila – Finalist

BUSINESS LUNCH

FARMERS MARKET

131 Main T BrickTop’s – Finalist

Charlotte Regional Farmers Market T King’s Drive Farmers Market – Finalist

CATERER/PERSONAL CHEF

FOOD INSTAGRAM OR TIKTOK

Chef Alyssa’s Kitchen T Crafted Plate – Finalist

Allie Papajohn @eatdrinkclt T Jessica Hodnett @thesweetseoul – Finalist

CHICKEN SANDWICH

FRENCH

The Accidental Baker T Poppy’s Bagels & More – Finalist

Bossy Beulah’s T Milkbread – Finalist

Renaissance Pâtisserie T Café Monte French Bakery & Bistro – Finalist

BARBECUE

BAGEL

CHINESE

GIRLS NIGHT OUT

Midwood Smokehouse T Noble Smoke – Finalist

Baoding T Lam’s Kitchen – Finalist

Dilworth Tasting Room T Foxcroft Food & Wine – Finalist

BREAKFAST

COCKTAIL BAR

GREEK

Café Monte French Bakery & Bistro T Eddie’s Place – Finalist

The Crunkleton T Dot Dot Dot – Finalist

Ilios Crafted Greek T Greco Fresh Grille – Finalist

BREWERY

DATE-NIGHT RESTAURANT

HIDDEN GEM

Steak 48 T Customshop – Finalist

Beef ’n Bottle T Alexander Michael’s – Finalist

Olde Mecklenburg Brewery T Legion Brewing – Finalist

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CHARLOTTE

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Specializing in eco-friendly, sustainable, luxury interior design. claudiajosephinedesign.com|claudia@claudiajosephinedesign.com

VOTERS’ CHOICE

ICE-CREAM SHOP

LOCAL COFFEE SHOP

Two Scoops Creamery T Golden Cow Creamery – Finalist

Summit Coffee T The Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters – Finalist

INDIAN

LOCAL JUICE/SMOOTHIE BAR

Copper Modern Indian Cuisine T Curry Gate – Finalist

Green Brothers Juice T Clean Juice – Finalist

ITALIAN

LUNCH

Little Mama’s T Mama Ricotta’s – Finalist

The Salted Melon T Calle Sol – Finalist (tie) Laurel Market – Finalist (tie)

New Zealand Cafe T Prime Fish – Finalist

MEXICAN/TEX MEX

LATIN

Superica – Finalist

Calle Sol T El Puro – Finalist (tie) Mal Pan – Finalist (tie)

MIXOLOGIST Colleen Hughes T Bob Peters – Finalist

LOCAL BAKERY

NEW RESTAURANT

The Accidental Baker T Villani’s Bakery – Finalist

Laurel Park T La Lima – Finalist

LOCAL CHEF

PATIO

Sam Diminich T Alyssa Wilen – Finalist

Laurel Park T RuRu’s – Finalist

Paco’s Tacos & Tequila T

Little Mama’s PIZZA Inizio T Portofino’s – Finalist

ROOFTOP Fahrenheit Charlotte T The Rooftop Restaurant at RH Charlotte – Finalist

SANDWICH Rhino Market & Deli T Laurel Market – Finalist

Thank You

to all of our customers who helped us achieve this special recognition. You are the reason we have enjoyed serving the men of Charlotte for over 50 years by trusting us with our expertise to build your unique style. Our Paul Simon family promises to offer you the best shopping experience and product for all your future wardrobe needs.

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PHOTOGRAPH BY RICHARD ISRAEL

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VOTERS’ CHOICE

One Size Does Not Fit All When you consider decreasing your dependence on or getting rid of your glasses and contacts, the word LASIK is likely what comes to mind. However, everyone’s eyes are unique and LASIK is not always the answer. Here at Providence Eye & Laser Specialists, we specialize in vision correction surgery, not just LASIK eye surgery.

SEAFOOD Steak 48 T Fin & Fino – Finalist

SOUTHERN Rooster’s Wood-fired Kitchen T Haberdish – Finalist

SPECIALTY MARKET Reid’s Fine Foods T The Butler’s Pantry – Finalist

SPORTS BAR The Lodge T Selwyn Avenue Pub – Finalist

STEAKHOUSE Steak 48 T Beef ‘N Bottle – Finalist

SUSHI Oshen T Fahrenheit Charlotte – Finalist

THAI Thai Taste T Thai Orchid – Finalist

VEGETARIAN/VEGAN Flower Child T Dish – Finalist

VIETNAMESE Lang Van T Doan’s Vietnamese Cuisine – Finalist

WINE BAR/SHOP Foxcroft Food & Wine T Dilworth Tasting Room – Finalist

HOME + GARDEN CHARLOTTE DESIGN INSTAGRAM/TIKTOK Claudia Josephine Design @claudiajosephinedesign T Natalie Papier @home_ec_op – Finalist

FLORIST/FLORAL DESIGN The Blossom Shop T The Flower Diva – Finalist

HOME APPLIANCE STORE Queen City Homestore T Plaza Appliance Mart – Finalist

HOME ORGANIZATION SERVICE Step by Steppe T Closets by Design – Finalist

3025 Springbank Ln #200, Charlotte, NC 28226 704.540.9595 | providenceeye.com @ProvidenceEye |

@Dr.ValerieChen

INTERIOR DESIGNER Claudia Josephine Design T Samantha Rachel Saltzman – Finalist

LANDSCAPE DESIGNER Hugh Crump/Greenline Design T Evergreen Landscape Designs – Finalist

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Myers Park Casual selwynpub.com

VOTERS’ CHOICE

PETS

LOCAL HOME-DECOR SHOP Cotswold Marketplace T WILOE Home & Gift – Finalist

DOG-FRIENDLY BAR OR RESTAURANT Vaulted Oak Brewing T Lucky Dog Bark & Brew – Finalist

PLANT SHOP OR NURSERY Pike Nurseries T Blackhawk Hardware – Finalist

VETERINARY PRACTICE Long Animal Hospital T Matthews Animal Clinic – Finalist

REAL-ESTATE AGENCY Corcoran HM Properties T White Stag Realty – Finalist

STYLE + SHOPPING

REAL-ESTATE AGENT

CUSTOM CLOTHIER/SPECIAL OCCASION

Sarah Rose T Maren Brisson-Kuester – Finalist

RESIDENTIAL HOMEBUILDER

OMJ Clothing T Paul Simon Co. – Finalist

Simonini Homes T

FINE JEWELRY STORE

Westwood – Finalist

RESIDENTIAL REMODELER

Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry T Elizabeth Bruns – Finalist

Simonini Homes T

LOCAL BOOKSTORE

Elkins General Construction – Finalist

Park Road Books T Book Buyers – Finalist

RETIREMENT COMMUNITY The Sharon at SouthPark T Southminster – Finalist

LOCAL CHILDREN’S CLOTHING Fancy Pants T Shower Me With Love – Finalist

VINTAGE OR ANTIQUE SHOP Sleepy Poet Antique Mall T Classic Attic – Finalist (tie) South End Exchange – Finalist (tie)

LOCAL FASHION INSTAGRAM/TIKTOK Whitley Adkins @thequeencitystyle T Vidya Gopalan @queencitytrends – Finalist

THANKS FOR VOTING FOR US! Come see us at our Multiple locations across Charlotte

4300 CONGRESS STREET IN CAPITOL TOWERS 84 | SOUTHPARK

R H I N O M A R K E T. C O M

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY SIMONINI HOMES

Simonini Homes

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VOTERS’ CHOICE

LOCAL GIFT SHOP The Mole Hole T Paper Skyscraper – Finalist

LOCAL JEWELRY BRAND/DESIGNER Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry T Erin McDermott – Finalist

LOCAL MEN’S SHOP Paul Simon Co. T Taylor Richards & Conger – Finalist

LOCAL WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE JT Posh T The Pearl Pagoda – Finalist

POP-UP SHOPPING EVENT Green Jeans Consignment T Edit Sale – Finalist

SouthPark Mall

JT Posh T Thrift Pony – Finalist

SHOPPING CENTER OR DESTINATION SouthPark Mall T Park Road Shopping Center – Finalist

STYLIST OR PERSONAL SHOPPER Dressed by Ann Mason Phillips T Stacee Michelle – Finalist

TAILOR/ALTERATIONS Anna’s Alterations T Myers Park Tailors – Finalist

TRAVEL + EXPLORE BEACH Hilton Head Island, S.C. (tie) T Wrightsville Beach (tie) T Sullivan’s Island, S.C. – Finalist

DAY-TRIP DESTINATION Asheville T Blowing Rock – Finalist 86 | SOUTHPARK

PHOTOGRAPH BY ANDY WEBER COURTESY SOUTHPARK MALL

RESALE/CONSIGNMENT

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VOTERS’ CHOICE

FAMILY ATTRACTION

STAYCATION HOTEL

Whitewater Center T Anne Springs Close Greenway – Finalist

The Ballantyne T Ritz-Carlton Charlotte – Finalist

WEDDINGS + SPECIAL OCCASIONS

TRAVEL AGENCY/AGENT

BRIDAL BOUTIQUE

GIRLS TRIP DESTINATION

Lee Kennelly T Mann Travels – Finalist

Ladies of Lineage T J. Majors Bridal Boutique – Finalist

WALKING/HIKING TRAIL

CAKE/BAKER

Charleston, S.C. T Greenville, S.C. – Finalist

GOLF COURSE Carmel Country Club T Myers Park – Finalist

LAKE Lake Norman T Lake Lure – Finalist

Little Sugar Creek Greenway T Anne Springs Close Greenway – Finalist

Kathy Allen Fine Cakes T Edible Art – Finalist

WEEKEND GETAWAY

CATERER Best Impressions Caterers T Porcupine Provisions – Finalist

Charleston, S.C. T Asheville – Finalist

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHER Rivkah Fine Art Photography T Amy Kolo Photography – Finalist

LOCAL PARK OR GREEN SPACE Freedom Park T Anne Springs Close Greenway – Finalist

FLORIST The Blossom Shop T The Flower Diva – Finalist

MOUNTAIN DESTINATION

FORMALWEAR - MEN’S

Blowing Rock T Asheville – Finalist

OMJ Clothing T Paul Simon Co. – Finalist

PICKLEBALL COURTS OR VENUE Tipsy Pickle T Rally – Finalist

GIFT SHOP FOR REGISTRIES John Dabbs Ltd. T Elizabeth Bruns – Finalist

The Duke Mansion

JEWELER Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry T Donald Haack Diamonds – Finalist

MAKEUP ARTIST Lindsey Regan Thorne, Be Pretty Charlotte T Austin LaForge Makeup – Finalist

RENTALS Curated Events Charlotte T Party Reflections – Finalist

STATIONERY

TRANSPORTATION Silver Fox Limos T Top Hat Rides – Finalist

A CELEBRATION OF THE CINEMA OF 1986

LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES PAIRED WITH CULT FILMS TO THRILL & SHOCK

DEF BY TEMPTATION POSSESSOR KWAIDAN GANJA & HESS

PLATOON TRUE STORIES THE COLOR OF MONEY ALIENS BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA SOMETHING WILD HIGHLANDER AND MUCH MORE...

THE COMPLETE SERIES

THE MOST TALKED ABOUT FESTIVAL FILMS WITHOUT U.S. DISTRIBUTION

FIRE WALK WITH ME THE MISSING PIECES THE RETURN

REMAINING NATIVE SUMMER’S CAMERA F*CKTOYS

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TALES OF DREAD FROM ONE OF CINEMA’S MASTERS: ALFRED HITCHCOCK

REAR WINDOW NOTORIOUS THE BIRDS PSYCHO VERTIGO

...and if you can believe it, there is even more to see online at independentpicturehouse.org visit our site for showtimes & dates

VIDEOGRAPHER Timm Young Films T Moving Mountains Studios – Finalist

WEDDING EVENT VENUE The Duke Mansion T The Casey by Beau Monde – Finalist

WEDDING OR PARTY PLANNER Jackie Fogartie Events T The White Rose Co. – Finalist SP

PHOTOGRAPH BY KRISTIN BYRUM PHOTOGRAPHY

Viri Lovely Designs T Olive Paper – Finalist

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southparkmagazine.com | 89

Members of the Queen City Model A Club share a passion for a piece of Charlotte history. by Hope Yancey photographs by Richard Israel

he windshield wipers don’t work well. There is no air conditioning. No glove boxes. Rust in the gas tanks is common — the location of the tanks means gasoline can leak into the instrument panel. For Queen City Model A Club, which celebrates and preserves the history of the Ford Model A, it’s all part of the experience. Members, who live throughout the Charlotte 90 | SOUTHPARK

area, go to a garage in Rock Hill, South Carolina, to repair and restore their cars. Some own more than one. Ford Motor Company produced Model As between 1927 and 1932. One of its domestic assembly plants was in Charlotte, off Statesville Avenue, at what is now Camp North End. The former Ford property was designated a local historic landmark in 2020.

HISTORIC PHOTO COURTESY THE ROBINSON-SPANGLER CAROLINA ROOM AT CHARLOTTE MECKLENBURG LIBRARY

The Ford Motor Company Assembly Plant in Charlotte in 1924, several years before it began turning out Model A Fords.

Industrial architect Albert Kahn designed the plant, according to a report prepared for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission. Charlotte’s economy and proximity to rail lines were among the factors in choosing the site, the report says. The club, which formed in 1957, currently has more than 80 members, including Jim Townsend. A member for more than 20 years, he lives in Rock Hill and owns the club’s garage there.

“There’s a community that I’ve become a part of. That may be the most important part,” he says. Troy Dalsing, 63, remembers when he and some other members drove their Model As down to Key West, Florida. Multiple cars suffered mechanical difficulties, but they were always back on the road in about 30 minutes. Members carry spare parts and help each other. The club has a “Golden Wrench” recognition it bestows on a southparkmagazine.com | 91

Garage owner Jim Townsend

Youth member Connor Jackson and his father, club member Greg Jackson 92 | SOUTHPARK

Club President Brad Fisher

Club members Frank Gerosa, left, and Jerry Laquerra, right

member whose car breaks down. That person keeps it until someone else has car trouble, then passes it on, Townsend says. Electrical-system problems aren’t unusual, says Kalei Unea, 79. “That’s because he’s always tampering with it, and he messes it up,” says Townsend with a smile. The three laugh. Like Townsend, Unea, who lives in south Charlotte, says this “camaraderie” is part of what defines the group. They also have their eye on the future, and hope to buy or build a facility — a historic building would be ideal. They plan to create a youth center for Model A enthusiasts. “Part of it is to save the hobby,” says Townsend, 89. Dalsing, a Kannapolis resident, is a past president and current director of fundraising. The new center will teach young people the cars’ history and operation, he says, and offer hands-on experience working on cars. It could attract more students like Connor Jackson, 17, who attends East Gaston High School. Automotive mechanics and history are his favorite subjects. He’s driven his 1931 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan Deluxe to prom and homecoming. Onlookers often want their pictures taken with the car. Jackson won an award for his Model A from the Antique Automobile Club of America in February at a ceremony in Chantilly, Virginia. “Everything rattles,” he says. “So, you know, if you hit a bump, you find three new rattles.” Unea emphasizes the vocabulary used to describe the cars: “Tudor” refers to two-door models, while “Fordor” refers to four-door models.

Marshall McGinnis, grandson of club members Kevin and Donna Heimbaugh

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Troy Dalsing, director of fundraising

Club member Bruce Goodrich

The Ford Model T, which came before the Model A, was a more basic vehicle and could be compared to a “farm implement,” says Townsend. He owns both. The Model A boasts better braking and steering than the Model T, Dalsing says. At approximately $15,000 to $18,000, Model A cars are generally not as expensive as other collector cars and parts are widely available. A favorite vendor is Snyder’s Antique Auto Parts in Ohio, which specializes in parts and restoration supplies. Owners committed to perfecting every aspect of their vehicles 94 | SOUTHPARK

consult a detailed notebook of highly exacting standards and restoration guidelines. But not everyone aspires to that level of specificity. The club maintains ties to two national organizations: The Model A Ford Club of America in California and the Ford Model A Restorers Club in Michigan. In addition to working on cars, members participate in parades, car shows and tours. Several members dress in era fashions appropriate for when the Model A was manufactured and compete in competitions judging the authenticity of their clothing. “My motto is ‘rest and you’ll rust,’” Townsend says. SP

Club member Larry Long and his grandson, youth member Holden Long

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Where there’s

WATER From a luxury camp amid mountain waterfalls to a lakeside retreat and a classic coastal resort, read on for three places to make a splash — and keep cool — this summer.

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Tuxedo Falls, Zirconia, N.C.

PHOTOGRAPH BY JARED KAY

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southparkmagazine.com | 97

Nature, nurtured A Charlotte couple transforms a 50-acre mountain site into Tuxedo Falls, a luxury glamping community just two hours from the Queen City.

hen Lark Elliott talks excitedly about lichens, reishi mushrooms and the cluster of pink lady’s slipper orchids she’s just discovered in the forest at Tuxedo Falls, it’s hard to imagine her background is in banking, not botany. Today, Lark, a former managing director at Bank of America, owns and operates the six-unit luxury camp near Hendersonville, just a two-hour drive from Charlotte. Her husband, Tommy, a former Wall Street exec, helps out. But the couple, who own a home near Tuxedo Falls, didn’t plan on being in the hospitality business. Lark, an avid cyclist, would routinely pedal past the 50-acre property that previously belonged to Glen Arden Camp for Girls. “It sat on the market for at least five years,” she recalls, likely a result of deed restrictions that made the land difficult to sell. “I

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would see the for-sale sign just get dingier and dingier. And finally, I couldn’t stand it — I called.” Struck by the beauty of the land, with its clear mountain streams, waterfalls and old-growth forest, she and her father purchased it in 2022. “I had no vision,” says Lark, an Elkin native who is now sole owner after her father’s passing in 2023. “It was a stunning piece of property, and I was going through that phase that a parent — usually the mom — goes through when your kids grow up and move out, and all of a sudden you go, ‘What’s my purpose in life?’” After a couple of years mulling what to do with the property, the idea of “glamping” came up. Drawing from the couple’s extensive travels and Lark’s previous work as a cycling guide, their vision began taking shape, and Tuxedo Falls opened in summer 2025.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY TUXEDO FALLS

by Cathy Martin

PHOTOGRAPH BY CHIP ROGERS, COURTESY TUXEDO FALLS, BY JOE CIARLANTE

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COMFORT & CRAFTSMANSHIP

At Tuxedo Falls, guests can stay in one of four luxury safari tents, including a double cabin that sleeps four, or two treehouses built by The Treehouse Guys of DIY Network fame. Upon entering my tent — named Mica, for the mineral deposits found throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains — it’s immediately clear that this is no ordinary glamping experience. Tents crafted by Bushtec Safari sit atop raised, wraparound decks and have insulated walls, hardwood floors, heat and AC, hot showers, and outdoor soaking tubs. The comfortable, rustic-chic furnishings are more akin to a cozy mountain cabin than a bare-bones glamping setup. There are plush robes, yoga mats, Dyson blow dryers, binoculars for bird-watching, books and games. With the help of Charlotte interior designer Tiffany Hinson, Elliott handpicked furniture and accessories for each unit. Karen McElveen from Cotswold Marketplace made the custom bedding; bath products are from western North Carolina apothecaries, including Willow Hill Soap Co. (which has a lovely storefront in downtown Hendersonville). Modern kitchenettes with mini-fridges and convection ovens are stocked with pour-over coffee makers, serving platters from Asheville’s East Fork Pottery, and handblown beverage and wine glasses from western N.C. glass artists. Each tent features functional handmade pottery by N.C. artists, from southparkmagazine.com | 99

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HENDERSON HOPPING Downtown Hendersonville is a 20-minute drive from Tuxedo Falls, with shops and restaurants including Postero, serving on-point New American fare in a former bank; Arabella, a family-owned breakfast and brunch spot with a Latin flair; and McFarlan Bake Shop, an old-school bakery with doughnuts to die for. Henderson County has a burgeoning wine industry, from family-owned Burntshirt Vineyards (the Reserve Gruner Veltliner is crisp and delightful) to the newer Stone Ashe Vineyards, with a modern, airy tasting room perched on the side of a mountain. Marked Tree Vineyard, with its clean, contemporary design, impressive Southern art collection, and panoramic mountain views, is simply stunning. (And the only winery in the state to earn five double-gold medals at the 2026 N.C. Fine Wines Competition.) For winery hopping, hail The Regal Ride, a local tour service, to handle the driving in their pristine Lexus SUV, Mercedes Metris or Sprinter van. DuPont State Regional Forest is nearby, with 86 miles of trails plus lakes and waterfalls.

bedside lamps to dinnerware. In my tent, I was awed by the stoneware plates, bowls and mugs — literal works of art crafted by Nick Joerling, a Bakersville ceramic artist. Treehouses are more compact but just as thoughtfully designed. The pet-friendly Tajar has a live tree growing through it, heated bathroom floors and an indoor hammock. The Warbler, with interior walls fashioned of reclaimed wood, has a private outdoor shower, a whimsical indoor swing and bird paintings by Charlotte artist Wendy Bilas. Throughout the property, hand-carved wood chandeliers, towel racks, footstools, cabinet pulls and other design elements were made by a local craftsman.

PASTIMES & PROVISIONS

The camp’s 3 miles of hiking trails include options for a leisurely walk or a vigorous workout, all surrounded by mountain laurel, rhododendrons, towering hemlocks and other local flora. The .75-mile Waterfall Loop parallels two creeks (stocked with rainbow and brown trout) with five on-site waterfalls. Go for a cold plunge at Shower Falls, or enjoy the serenity of the cascading Tuxedo Falls, for which the camp is named. For a more strenuous trek, the Tuxedo Summit Trail will get your heart pumping with 500 feet of elevation change. The camp partners with Hendersonville Outfitters for guided

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fly-fishing excursions; private creekside yoga and yoga-hiking micro-retreats are also available. For kids (ages 10 and up are welcome at Tuxedo Falls), there’s a scavenger hunt and crafts in the lodge tent, a spacious central hub that opened in November. Part camp store, part lobby and living room, the lodge is open morning to night. Guests can help themselves to sweet treats from a local baker, coffee, tea, or s’mores kits to use by the communal fire pit overlooking Rice Mountain. There’s also a full bar, plus more puzzles, books and games. Breakfast baskets, pizza kits or easy-to-prepare steak dinners (from nearby Etowah Meat Depot) can be preordered and picked up at the lodge — all units are equipped with grills and outdoor pizza ovens.

‘SHARE IT AND TAKE CARE OF IT’

While the property is approved for up to 21 units, the Elliotts are taking a steady, mindful approach to growth. In the off-season, they plan to build three more luxury tents. They’re also making plans for additional hiking trails and experiences. During my April visit, Tuxedo Falls was preparing to host its first wedding. The couple still has a home in Charlotte, but Lark says it’s hard to get back often because there’s so much work to do. While it’s far from the corporate and city life she left behind, her passion for the property is palpable. “I get joy in learning a new plant,” she says, while Tommy finds satisfaction in problem-solving when structural or maintenance issues inevitably arise. “I felt like, it needs to be shared,” Lark says, recalling early days pondering the property’s future. “It’s too beautiful, it’s too stunning. ... So how can we share it and take care of it? That became the vision: Share it and take care of it, and develop it in a way that makes sense to the property itself.”

GETTING THERE: Tuxedo Falls is located in Zirconia, about a two-hour drive from Charlotte. Learn more at tuxedofalls.com. SP

PHOTOGRAPH BY CATHY MARTIN

Units are furnished with functional handmade wares by North Carolina ceramic artists, like these stoneware dishes by Nick Joerling.

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Migis Lodge

Maine attraction The coolest summer escape in the Northeast by Taylor Bowler

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY MIGIS LODGE

f you’ve ever spent a summer in southern Maine, you know. And if you haven’t, well ... you’ll want in on this. It’s not just a break from routine and the blazing Southern heat. It’s the kind of unplugged, unhurried summer that takes you back to the best chapter of your childhood. It’s morning dips, whoopie pies and paddling canoes under cloudless skies. It’s like stepping into a Polaroid that never fades. The flight to Portland is an easy two-and-a-half hours from Charlotte. Sebago Lake, the second-largest in Maine, is another 45-minute drive. Its shoreline is dotted with shingled cottages, private docks and summer camps that date back more than 100 years. I was lucky enough to spend my childhood summers here, first as a camper, then as a counselor, where I slept in the same cabins as my ancestors once did. Many of the friends I made came from families woven into the camp’s history, too. We were all part of something passed down, generation after generation. Two decades later — after growing up, building a life, and tucking those camp memories into my back pocket — I returned to

this beloved place, this time with my own child for his first summer at camp. It was like time had just pressed pause. The lake was the same impossible shade of blue, and the cabins had that familiar smell of worn pine, damp towels and bug spray. It was the place that raised me, and now it was his turn. For three and a half weeks, he’d have no screens or schedules — just time and space to be 12 and free. I drove away with a lump in my throat and an ache in my chest. But after I said goodbye to my child, the girl I met 30 years ago as a 12-year-old camper was there with a stiff drink and a highlight reel of “remember when” stories. We got to enjoy Maine like adults, with electricity, cocktails and a proper lobster roll. I paused to appreciate the lake views I once took for granted and savored the deep sleep that only comes when you’re completely unplugged. In many ways, this slice of Maine remains untouched by time, a familiar playground for campers past and present. But for anyone just discovering its gentle magic, it’s a place where new summer traditions begin. southparkmagazine.com | 101

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Photos this page and opposite: Migis Lodge

STAY

EAT

A stay at Migis includes three meals a day. Enjoy evening cocktail hour on the porch of the Main Lodge, followed by a candlelit dinner inside. (Dinner jackets are required.) Friday nights feature a lakeside lobster bake, and the daily menus include fresh Maine lobster, too. If you venture off property, go to Chute’s Family Restaurant, a beloved local diner in nearby Windham with hearty omelets and heaping stacks of pancakes. For fresh sandwiches, salads,

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whoopie pies, coffee, casseroles and bottled wine, visit The Good Life Market in Raymond. If you require “just one more” lobster roll, head to Fisherman’s Catch. Place your order at the walk-up window, grab a cold Allagash from the beverage case, find a picnic table and wait until your name is called. For a sweet after-dinner treat, swing by the Mosquito Ice Cream Shop (simply “The Mosquito” to regulars), a local institution in a weathered barn with a handwritten chalkboard menu. Just be aware it’s cash only, so stop by the ATM beforehand.

PLAY

You could spend your whole trip at Migis and never run out of things

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY MIGIS LODGE

Migis Lodge is an all-inclusive hideaway on the shores of Sebago Lake that’s hosted guests since 1916. It’s not unusual to meet families who’ve been visiting for three or four generations. The property has an eight-room lodge plus 35 cottages, from cozy studios to larger lakeside homes for groups. Cottages have stone fireplaces, cathedral ceilings and porches with rockers overlooking the lake; homes include full kitchens, gas grills, docks and private beaches. Rooms have no TVs, Wi-Fi is limited and phones are politely discouraged, but the resort has so many on-site activities you won’t even miss them. Check the weekly schedule for events like bonfire s’mores, bingo night and lake cruises.

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to do. Hit the lake for waterskiing, canoeing, sailing and fishing, or explore the disc-golf course, pickleball and basketball courts, and three tennis courts. Children ages 4 to 6 can join the Migis Kids’ Camp for supervised activities like nature walks and treasure hunts; children over 7 can try Adventure Camp and enjoy fishing, hiking, kickball, canoeing, island parties, tie-dye, scavenger hunts, capture the flag and more. Adults can book a massage at the wellness center, a cozy cabin in a quiet part of the property, or take a private lesson with a tennis pro. If you want to

explore more of the area, Tassel Top Beach has picnic tables, grills, walking trails and 900 feet of shoreline. The Songo Lock is a historic, hand-operated lock that allows boats to pass between Sebago Lake and Long Lake via the Songo River. In the nearby town of Naples, you can stroll the causeway lined with ice-cream stands, boutiques and waterfront restaurants. GETTING THERE: Portland, Maine, is a 2-hour, 20-min-

ute flight from Charlotte. Migis Lodge (migis.com) in South Casco is a 45-minute drive from the airport. SP southparkmagazine.com | 103

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Grand hotel

For a classic coastal getaway that’s rooted in tradition, look no further than Sea Island, Georgia.

istory surrounds you at The Cloister at Sea Island, from the Constitution Oak planted by Calvin Coolidge in 1928 beside the gleaming solarium to dozens of vintage photos lining the walls: There’s the original casino — not a gambling venue in the modern sense, but a beachfront pavilion that housed a dance hall, bowling alley, movie theater and pool. A lone fisherman on a bridge, smoking a pipe while contemplating his next catch. Beachgoers from a bygone era, relaxing under vintage umbrellas in whimsical designs. The original Cloister hotel, a Spanish-Mediterranean-style building designed by renowned Palm Beach architect Addison Mizner, was razed in the early 2000s and rebuilt in a style honoring the original 1928 structure. Handmade Turkish rugs, hundreds of antiques and painted wood-beam ceilings make the property feel like it’s been here all along. The old casino in the photographs is now a sprawling beach club with three pools, a gorgeous oceanfront restaurant, and 104 | SOUTHPARK

a bowling alley and pub serving classic bar fare and amusing punch-bowl cocktails like the Sea Strike Shandy and the Strawberry Front Porch Lemonade. While the buildings might not be original, many longstanding customs of this Georgia Golden Isles resort are alive and well.

PRESIDENTS AND PRESTIGE

Traditions run deep at Sea Island, from Friday night fish fries in the 1950s (now Rainbow Island Suppers, a casual oyster roast and barbecue dinner) to bingo nights in the Cloister Ballroom. Though it’s no longer a black-tie affair, guests still dress for the occasion (sportcoats and cocktail dresses are the norm), with family-friendly games held frequently in summer and throughout the year. The rich and powerful have long been drawn to this posh coastal enclave, including presidents and other world leaders, from Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush to Margaret Thatcher

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY SEA ISLAND

by Cathy Martin

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and Tony Blair. But you don’t have to be famous to soak in the splendor of Sea Island: More than 40,000 couples have honeymooned here, while countless families return year after year for the Fourth of July fireworks and parade, Thanksgiving Day 5K, or Christmas tree-lighting and glittering holiday displays. And at any time of year, guests can savor culinary traditions like Sea Island’s legendary corn muffins, Bourbon Pecan Tart (since 1928) and Gold Brick Sundaes — an ice cream treat with chocolate and toasted pecans.

FIVE-STAR LODGING

Both The Cloister and its sister hotel, The Lodge at Sea Island, are Forbes Five-Star properties boasting an array of

accommodations, from elegantly appointed rooms to spacious cottages. The Cloister’s 265 rooms and suites overlook the Black Banks River in the main building and adjacent wings or the Atlantic Ocean at the Beach Club and Ocean Residences. Warm hardwood floors and traditional furnishings and art give a timeless feel, but there are modern touches too, like rainfall showers and Bluetooth smart mirrors. My king suite in the main building had a graceful, curved window to allow plenty of dappled sunlight and a charming terrace overlooking the river and rustling palms below. At The Lodge on the banks of St. Simons Sound, families putt around (literally) on the lawn, where the 18-hole Speedway Putting Course, designed by Mark Love and Davis Love III, provides fun for all ages. The 58-room inn built in 2001 is the place to be at sunset, as guests relax over cocktails while a bagpiper plays, honoring the old Scottish golf tradition of putting the greens to bed. The Lodge also boasts an oceanfront pool and 24-hour butler service.

SURF, SUN AND FAIRWAY FUN

Fun in the sun and championship golf are the main attractions, of course, and Sea Island has 5 miles of private beaches and three golf courses, including the Seaside and Plantation courses, site of the PGA Tour’s RSM Classic. On the patio outside the Beach Club, women in caftans and oversized hats gather for mahjong while kids splash in serpentine pools before grabbing a sweet treat at Wonderland, an ice-cream parlor and candy shop, or cooling off in the arcade. If a little pampering is in order, the 65,000-square-foot spa at southparkmagazine.com | 105

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Sea Island has all the bells and whistles: vitamin C showers, eucalyptus steam rooms, mineral soaks and sun terraces. The adjacent fitness center has an indoor lap pool, a strength and fitness studio, and four studios for group classes and personal-training sessions. There’s also a yacht club, horseback riding and a tennis center with courts for tennis, pickleball and squash. 106 | SOUTHPARK

With more than a dozen dining outlets at Sea Island, there’s something to please every palate. Many require collared shirts for men, especially in the evenings; some require sportcoats and cocktail attire for women. At The Cloister, the cozy wood-paneled River Bar is ideal for a light lunch, drinks before dinner or a casual bite at any time of day. Tavola, an Italian-inspired restaurant, is equally lively; woodfired pizzas are popular here, along with approachable pasta dishes, branzino, braised short rib and chicken Parmesan. At The Lodge at Sea Island, the Oak Room draws a brisk crowd for burgers, salads, and Southern classics like shrimp and grits. Colt & Alison, an upscale steakhouse, offers a more soothing atmosphere that’s refined but not stuffy, thanks to amiable servers who don’t blink an eye at questions about the menu or special requests. The menu is updated quarterly to reflect what’s in season but leans heavily on seafood dishes — including some with a bright Asian flair — and traditional steakhouse offerings. One dish that always stays the same: the signature flaming bananas Foster, a sweet, theatrical ending to a memorable meal and vacation. GETTING THERE: Sea Island, Georgia, is a five-hour drive from Charlotte. Learn more at seaisland.com. SP

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY SEA ISLAND

DRESSING FOR DINNER

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swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Dwayne Wells and Juliana Rosemond

Star Spangled Salute

benefiting Veterans Bridge Home The Revelry North End May 16

This black-tie evening brimmed with patriotism and pride for our veterans, with keynote speaker Gen. Darren McDew, USAF, Ret., driving home the need to support and honor them. photographs by Daniel Coston

Erin and Carl Clegg

Vic and Amy Petrenko

Lynne and Peter Pace

James Amos and Darren McDew

C.A. and Dan Rountree

Doug and Susan Carver

Steve and Kara Sanders

Nan and Brooks Carey

Shelby Harris and Jamie Westmoreland

Henry A. Harkey Memorial Golf Tournament Roddey Player Jr., and Roddey Player Sr.

benefiting Scouting America, Mecklenburg County Council TPC Piper Glen May 18

This afternoon of golf and sunshine helped raise funds to support scouting programs across our area. photographs by Daniel Coston

southparkmagazine.com | 109

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Charlotte Wine + Food

The Collectors Gala Quail Hollow Club April 17

These connoisseurs for a cause enjoyed an evening of fine food and wine, all to benefit several local charities centered around children and their families. photographs by Tonya Russ Price, Poprock Photography Jill Trainor, Jessica Hindman and Juliet Kuehnle

Dalton and Miriam Espaillat

Bill and Angie Zimmern

Dante Wilkerson and Stephanie McDonald

Adam Vero and Troy Guard

Betsy and Jim Deupree

Edwin Cruz and Wesley Mancini

Carli Hendrickson and Ryan Lococo

Lavonna Paradise, Chris and Kathryn Pearson

75th Anniversary Gala Janet Nelson, Jessie Knight, Joye Blount, Susan Cybulski

Bill O’Meara and Jennifer Hull

Cricket Weston, Josephine Hicks, Susan McConnell, Donna Hill

benefiting Charlotte Master Chorale Griffith Hall March 21

This Broadway-themed evening brought together acclaimed performers to celebrate the organization’s landmark anniversary and ensure its future. photographs courtesy Charlotte Master Chorale Phil and Mary Delk, Ray and Christina Tomasco

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Broadway star Kelli Rabke

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Tea Time in the Garden benefiting Wing Haven May 3

This annual springtime gathering brings together mothers, children and family friends to enjoy tea and sandwiches while enjoying garden views and strolls. photographs by Daniel Coston

Vanessa Covington and daughter

Katie Darling and daughter

Xxxxxxxxx

Charlotte Memory Gala benefiting Alzheimer’s Association Westin Charlotte May 2

This year’s gala — a night of dinner, drinks and bids — included Dr. Laura Baker being recognized for her work in improving brain health and researching Alzheimer’s disease. SEE MORE PHOTOS ONLINE

photographs by Daniel Coston

Chris and Nicole Brown

Derek and Brittney Adler

Lauren and T. J. Cloud

Allison and Wes Misson

George Wise and Raven Lacy

Dr. Laura Baker

Troy and Della Stafford southparkmagazine.com | 111

| crowning moments

THE CASE FOR TAKING UP SPACE

Three decades after Molly Barker founded Girls on the Run, its mission to help girls move through the world without shrinking feels more urgent than ever.

used to joke that I hoped for thoroughly mediocre athletes. I couldn’t fathom all the time parents spent shuttling kids to practices and games. Unfortunately (fortunately?), both of my kids turned out to be inconveniently good. Now I’ve got two middle-schoolers and a second, unpaid job running a youth-sports rideshare service. Kidding aside, it’s been amazing to see their confidence grow, not just on the field, but in life. For my daughter, I love that the emphasis is on what her body can do, not how it looks. She’s learning to build strength and endurance and avoid what Girls on the Run founder Molly Barker calls “the girl box.” “It’s that imaginary place girls go around middle school,” she says. “They feel like they have to morph into something that makes them popular, pretty and polished.” That all-too-common mindset inspired Molly to launch Girls on the Run in 1996. The nonprofit program for girls in grades 3 to 8 is less about training future athletes and more about helping them build confidence, resilience and a sense of self through running. This year is the 30th anniversary of the program, which Molly started with just 13 girls at Charlotte Country Day School, her alma mater. Some were serious runners, others not at all. It didn’t matter. Molly just wanted to create a place where the girls could come as they are. “Those 13 girls came, and it was like fireworks and confetti,” she recalls. “They’d feel lifted, and so did I. The following season, we doubled in size.” Over the last three decades, Girls on the Run has expanded with hundreds of chapters across the country and enlisted more than 2.7 million young runners. Molly stepped away from overseeing the dayto-day operations in 2013, but still stays involved on a local level. 112 | SOUTHPARK

In an era when kids are immersed in social media and youth sports have never been more competitive, her message feels more relevant than ever. Studies have found that more than 50% of girls ages 6 to 8 say they want to be thinner. By middle school, many already associate thinness with being happier or more successful. It’s exactly why Girls on the Run meets girls when it does: before self-doubt has a chance to fully take hold. Molly Barker “Every kid has their own spice, right?” Molly says. “This program is giving them a tool belt. Most third graders haven’t yet felt that heaviness, and most still feel pretty good about themselves. So we’re giving them a resiliency tool belt, so when the not-good-enough messaging comes, that sounds foreign to them. The truth is, they are powerful and beautiful just the way they are.” It’s a lesson I’m intent on passing down to my girl. I’ve seen too many women I grew up alongside shrink their bodies, their voices and their ambitions for fear of being too much or taking up too much space. They instinctually move as if they’re in someone else’s way. I hope my daughter’s generation can outrun that legacy. For Molly, running is the antidote to girls making themselves smaller. It was never about speed or endurance. She isn’t trying to make girls better runners. She’s trying to make them happier ones. If my daughter continues to chase her athletic goals — and I hope she does, as long as it brings her joy — I want her to know how much power she holds in that little body. Running teaches her what strength feels like from the inside out, and every stride is proof that she can move through the world fully and unapologetically. If that’s the trade-off, I’ll gladly stick with my side hustle running carpools. SP

PHOTOGRAPH BY RICHARD ISRAEL

by Taylor Bowler

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