Lake Norman Currents 0510

Currents Full Speed Count on fast and furious fun on and off the track

Jeff Burton dishes on a life shaped by racing Humpy Wheeler teams with family for a new venture

5

vol. 3 number

May 2010

www.LnCurrents.com

Pam Ford, NASCAR inspector, keeps racers in check

ROBERTO PALMIERI, DMD, PA PALMIERI DENTISTRY The Center for Dental Excellence

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Of the nearly 8000 American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry members worldwide, there are only 45 who have achieved the exclusive level of Accredited Fellow. In all of North and South Carolina, only one dentist has earned this elite status by illustrating the required level of excellence in the area of cosmetic dentistry: Accredited Fellow Ross W. Nash, DDS.

Contents |

10 THE MAIN

CHANNEL

What’s hip at Lake Norman

14 PORTHOLE

Raise the Roof benefits HealthReach Community Clinic

16 CAPTAIN’S CHAIR

NASCAR inspector keeps racers in check

20

20 RIP CURRENTS

Humpy Wheeler teams up with family for a new venture

24 LET’S GO

Tour business owner is on the right track

28 STRONG

CURRENTS

Mooresville center cares for mothers in crisis

32 THE GALLEY

Alton’s Kitchen and Cocktails takes basic dishes to the next level

36 THE YUM UPDATE

50 16 36

Like sushi? Head to JJ Wasabi’s Grill and Bar

37 THE MONTHLY

DISH

42

Businesses satisfy need for speed and adventure

38 GRAPEVINE

One of the world’s grape mysteries is solved

42 GAME ON

Jeff Burton dishes on a life shaped by racing

50 HOME PORT Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

Preparation and passion make entertaining a pleasure

61 CURRENTLY

Festival puts downtown Mooresville in the spotlight

64 ONE MORE THING

Veteran actress’ agency represents young clients

6

24

38

2009 APEX Award Winner for Publication Excellence Lake Norman CURRENTS is a monthly publication available through direct-mail home delivery to the most affluent Lake Norman residents. It also is available at area Harris Teeter and Lowes supermarkets, as well as various Chambers of Commerce, real estate offices and specialty businesses.

photo by Maury Faggart

At the Helm | Lori K. Tate

Zoom, Zoom, Zoom For one afternoon,

The magazine by and for the people who call Lake Norman home

I understood what racing is all about

I

grew up in Concord, so you would think NASCAR would run through my veins.

Not the case. If you read this column regularly, you know that when it comes to sports, I’m all about college basketball. Even though my father listened to all of the races on the radio as we rode home from church on Sundays and thought Dale Earnhardt could do no wrong, I never really got into it.

That is until one Saturday in 1994, yes, it was a Saturday, that I watched the inaugural Brickyard 400 with my dad. We were at our summer cottage at Lake Tillery, yes, Lake Tillery, and Dad mentioned that he was going to watch a NASCAR race that was to be held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Since it was sweltering outside, a typical August day in the South, I decided to ditch sunbathing on the dock to watch a few minutes of it.

As the race unfolded, Dad told me about this driver named Jeff Gordon. He was a young kid, an up-and-coming driver from California. Because he was cute and I liked the colors of his car, I decided to root for him.

Well, a few minutes turned into an after-

noon. Before I knew it, I was on the floor in front of the television slapping my hands on the carpet and cheering Gordon to victory. As he crossed the finish line, I understood what all the fuss was about. For one brief moment, I understood why people stood in line for tickets and sweated in the grandstands. I understood why people defended their driver’s honor with the same level of intensity as they would their mother’s.

It’s the thrill of competition. It’s the suspense of wondering whether the stars will align for your team. It’s the exhilaration of winning by a split second.

Although I’ve never watched a race with the intensity I did on that hot afternoon 16 years ago, I still remember how excited I was to watch my driver take the checkered flag.

Millions of fans experience that same excitement every weekend, as their dedication fuels the success of NASCAR. While some folks don’t understand the allure of the sport, there are plenty who do. After all, that’s racin’.

Subscriptions are available for $29 per year.

Send us your name, address, phone number and a check made payable to Lake Norman CURRENTS at the address below and we’ll start your subscription with the next available issue.

Lori K. Tate Editor Lori@LNCurrents.com Sharon Simpson Publisher Sharon@LNCurrents.com

Carole Lambert Advertising Sales Executive Carole@LNCurrents.com

Cindy Gleason Advertising Sales Executive Cindy@LNCurrents.com

Jennifer Hansell Advertising Sales Executive Jennifer@LNCurrents.com

Kim Morton Advertising Sales Executive Kim@LNCurrents.com SPARK Publications Publication Design & Production info@SPARKpublications.com www.SPARKpublications.com Ad Production - Stacie Mounts About the Cover Photo illustration by Larry Preslar

Lake Norman Currents | April 2010

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

Lake Norman CURRENTS P.O. Box 1676, Cornelius, NC 28031 704-749-8788 • www.LNCurrents.com The entire contents of this publication are protected under copyright. Unauthorized use of any editorial or advertising content in any form is strictly prohibited. Lake Norman CURRENTS magazine is wholly owned by Venture Magazines, LLC.

8

Vol. 3 No. 5 May 2010

LAKE NORMAN’S MOST DISTINCTIVE HOMES Peninsula Waterfront Estate Stunning open lake views. Artisan Custom Home. 6 bedrooms/7.5 Baths. Outdoor living areas with pool + spa and exterior fireplace. Lower level kitchen, bar/ entertainment room, and wine cellar. Trex pier w/sitting area. MLS# 837221 Agent: Lori Jackson 704-996-5686 $ 2,995,000

Peninsula Waterfront Totally renovated by Augusta Homes- new kitchen, mstr bath, flrs, mud rm, paint, hardware, light fixtures. Walk out basement w/ full kitchen, pool, beautiful lakeviews, awning on deck, 3 car garage. MLS#881541 Agent: Lori Jackson 704-996-5686 $ 2,295,000

Mooresville Waterfront

Langtree Waterfront Home

The Peninsula Golf Course

Casually elegant coastal style w/great westward views. Waterside screen porch runs length of home. Large open kitchen w/gourmet appliance pkg. Pergola at water w/stone fireplace and great views.

MLS#925111 Agent: Reed Jackson 704-713-3623

Stately full brick home w/boatslip on large wooded lot. 4 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms. Master on the main. Great Room Stone fireplace. View sunsets from large deck. MLS#927529 Agent: Jan Sipe 704-453-4677

Brick home w/expansive views of Lake,16/17th holes & park. 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths. 10’ceilings on main, 2 fireplaces, Kitchen &.Master bath remodeled. Brick patio. MLS#928027 Agent: Lori Jackson 704-996-5686

$ 1,599,900

$ 995,000

$ 859,000

Langtree Waterfront Home

Sherrills Ford Waterfront

Davidson

River Run Golf Course

Old Davidson

4 Bedroom, 2.5 Baths. 0.68 acre lot.

Fireplace in Master & Great Room.

Gazebo. Breathtaking sunset view! Near Pine Lake Prep. MLS#911187 Agent: Laura Poe 704-609-5273

4 Bedroom, 2.5 Baths. +/-1 acre lot.

Craftsman Style, 10’ ceilings 8’doors.

2 Screened porches. Master on main.

Boatslip Included. MLS#888884 Agent Melinda Meade-White 704-534-9208 & Judy Flowe 704-608-9261

4 Bedrooms, 3 Baths.2+ acres. Wet bar, stone fireplace, screen porch, outside deck. Private retreat w/stone pool and sauna, firepit. MLS#932162 Agent: Melinda Meade-White 704-534-9208

Elegant French Country Home on the First Fairway of River Run Country Club, Golf & Water Views! MLS#918816 Agent: Julie Pfeffer 704-661-7590

Elegant Charleston style backing up to natural common area. 4 Bedrooms, 3.5 Baths 10’ ceilings. Screened porch, front porch, balcony w/bead board ceiling. MLS# 927451 Agent: Lori Jackson 704-996-5686

$ 859,000

$ 729,000

$ 684,900

$ 649,000

$ 559,000

the

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

Lovely Lullabies New music class teaches parents how to soothe babies before the birth

Marcy Mittelstadt teaches “Babygarten” classes for children from birth to 18 months old.

Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

Lullabies have always been a natural choice for soothing restless babies, but did you know babies can benefit from such types of music as early as the second trimester of pregnancy? To help parents further bond with their growing baby inside the womb, Mount Zion United Methodist Church will offer free weekly “Lovenotes: Music for the Unborn Child” classes beginning this month.

Marcy Mittelstadt, director of music ministries at Mount Zion, is in her third year of teaching the popular weekly “Babygarten” classes, which include music and reading for babies from birth to 18 months old. She says she knew the “Lovenotes” curriculum, which only recently became available to the public, would be a perfect fit for the growing number of expectant couples in the community.

“It’s a good way for parents to bond over the baby,” says Mittelstadt.

The program, which uses the voice as a natural instrument, along with folk songs, 10

musical instruments, rhythm and movement, helps parents establish a loving connection with the baby before birth, aids childbirth by teaching parents how to use the music to relax during labor and delivery, and promotes the emotional well-being of parents and child by calming the infant before and after birth.

“Lovenotes” consists of five lessons containing songs for listening and activities for expectant parents from the fifth month of pregnancy through to delivery. Mittelstadt stresses that parents do not necessarily need to sing well to be effective communicators to their unborn child.

— By Renee Roberson Photography by Craig Reynolds The Scoop “Lovenotes” classes are scheduled for Wednesday at 7 p.m. May 5, 12, 19, 26 and June 2. Class size is limited.

Classes will be held in Room 203 of the Education Building at Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 19600 Zion Street, Cornelius.

Small in Size, Not in Stature

Haute Momas donates merchandise to a Charlotte agency Heather Mathot isn’t looking for a pat on the back.

In fact, the owner of downtown Cornelius’ Haute Momas (the area’s only maternity boutique) would prefer anonymity concerning her store’s recent donation of $7,000 in merchandise to a Charlotte charity.

But she reluctantly shared details of the donation in hopes of encouraging other area business owners to do the same.

Mathot gave diaper bags, maternity business suits (for job interviews) and even postpregnancy clothing to Florence Crittenton Services, a 107-year-old comprehensive, residential problem pregnancy program serving the Carolinas. The girls and women who seek help at Florence Crittenton “have nothing,” says Mathot. “They walk in (to the Heather Mathot owns Haute Momas. facility) barefoot.”

Profoundly influenced by her late stepmother (a teacher who routinely gave rent money, food and clothing to her students’ families), Mathot embodies empathy and generosity. Citing the support of the Cornelius community in keeping her business going, she wants to take every opportunity to give back to the town and its neighbors: “We have ‘Buy local,’ why not, ‘Give local?’” she asks.

Mathot is emotional when talking about the needs of area children and mothers. “If I can give back to one child, one mother — if (I) can touch them in some small way — I’ve honored my stepmother, myself, my daughter,” she says. “We’re just a small boutique trying to make a big difference.”

— By Deb Mitchell Photography by Craig Reynolds

Center at lakeside development will provide various services for cats and dogs

Safety First

Boater education is now a requirement for operators

A Closer Look

Fans can visit NASCAR points of interest

The following tours are available through Race Shop Tours (see page 24 for more information): North Tours South Tours Saturday Tours • Kevin Harvick Inc. • Hendrick Motor Sports (weather • North Carolina Auto Racing • Richard Childress permitting, pit-crew practice Tue-Thu) Hall of Fame* Racing Museum* • Roush/Fennway • Hours of Operation: Original No. 3 Race • Stewart Haas 10 a.m.-3 p.m. (takes about Shop • Brick House Tavern in Davidson for one hour to tour) • Richard Childress lunch * • NASCAR Hall of Fame (takes NASCAR Sprint • Joe Gibbs Racing about three hours Cup Race Shop and • JR Motorsports / Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s to tour)* Nationwide Series • Penske Racing • Charlotte Motor Speedway and Camping World • Dale Earnhardt Inc. (track tour when available/ Series teams • Extras / time permitting stock car and dragster ride• Childress Vineyards • Chocolate Meyers Radio show, tour of alongs when available)* for lunch * MRN Studio • Michael Waltrip Racing (takes • Kenny Wallace’s house and gift shop in two hours, great view of whole *Fee associated back of his house shop but no crew members expected to be working on NOTE: Tours begin at 8:15 a.m. and generally last Saturdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.)* seven hours. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the best days to see drivers. Tours cost $88 per person / children 12 and under are half price. No discounts during Charlotte Motor Speedway’s race weeks in May and October.

*Fee associated

The Scoop To learn more about the new law or find NASBLA-approved boater education classes, call 704.663.3333 or visit www.cgauxlkn.com.

11

Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

The goal of North Carolina state Statute 75A16.2 is to improve boating safety by requiring boating safety education before anyone operates a 10-horsepower or greater vessel on public waters, including Lake Norman. Effective May 1, all boaters under age 26 are required to complete a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators-approved boater safety class that has been accepted by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. The law also applies to personal watercraft, whose operators must also be at least 14 years old.

“The law is worded that everybody has to take a boaters safety class,” explains Steve Simpson, member training officer with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 26-01 5SR, Lake Norman. “In subsequent years, the law will be expanded by age to take in larger groups of boaters until, eventually, everyone will be required to have taken a class. With regular safety checks on the lake, this will be one of the points they ask of boat operators.

“There are over 45,000 boats registered in the area and less than 2 percent of all boaters have completed a safety course. This law has saved lives in other states and there is no reason to believe it won’t do the same thing here,” he states.

There are 10 other ways for those over 26 to legally operate a boat and comply with the new statute in the first year. “As boaters familiarize themselves with the new law, the easiest way to comply is to provide legal proof of age when asked by an officer,” Simpson says.

— By Mike Savicki

By 2012, one of Lake Norman’s latest mixed-use developments is expected to be the site of a sanctuary for 150 cats and dogs.

Friends of the Animals, a nonprofit group that promotes responsible pet ownership, plans to build a 1.5 acre, no-kill animal and education center that will include a low-cost spay and neuter clinic at Langtree at the Lake. The Mooresville community will be home to condominiums and lofts, stores, restaurants and office space, plus 40 acres of green space that includes walking trails around a man-made lake and more than a mile of Lake Norman shoreline.

“We chose Langtree because it’s conveniently located to the interstate,” says Maria Haughton, a Friends of the Animals board member who notes that Langtree’s location off I-77 makes it accessible for lake-area commuters.

The animal sanctuary will house 60 cats and 90 dogs, which will be available for adoption. The education and community center will be available to the public for birthday parties and meetings.

The Langtree Group and Friends of the Animals finalized their deal in late March. Haughton says Friends of the Animals, which is co-chaired by NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his wife, Nicole, will launch a capital fund-raising campaign and other related activities to pay for the facility.

“We want it to be a welcoming and inviting place” for the public and other rescue groups, she says.

— By Constance Holloway

The Main Channel |

Haven for Man’s Best Friends

The Main Channel |

Top-of-the-Line Finds Treasures on the Lake offers jewelry by ‘true artist’ in the industry

rounded by almost 1 carat of pave diamonds and set in 18-karat gold is $11,520. That spectacularly detailed bonsai tree, which is reinforced by veins of platinum, carries a price tag of $20,800.

(Dunay) made exclusive, beautiful things, Lawrence says. “His designs were all over the map — he did everything from statuary pieces to bowls and figurines.”

Dunay's jewelry was favored by presidents' wives and celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey, Elizabeth Taylor and Diana, princess of Wales.

Actor Adrien Brody wore a Global Vision for Peace pin designed by Dunay on his lapel the night Brody won an Academy Award in 2003.

— By Rachel Sutherland Photography by Craig Reynolds

When acclaimed luxury jewelry designer Henry Dunay filed for bankruptcy protection in 2009, Treasures on the Lake owner Kimball Lawrence was conflicted.

It was disappointing to see the economy impact the stellar career of a “true artist,” says Lawrence, whose creations stocked the cases of high-end retailers such as Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus. But the Cornelius jeweler also saw an opportunity to bring a bit of high glamour to Catawba Avenue.

During a quick trip to New York a few months ago, Lawrence carefully selected a handful of Dunay jewelry for Treasures on the Lake, including cabochon moonstone rings, a platinum and diamond necklace, and a stunning 18-karat gold Bonsai tree brooch with 3.7 carats of diamonds (12 marquise and five round) dotting its branches.

The detail on the pieces is exquisite and the

Kimball Lawrence owns Treasures on the Lake.

price, though discounted by Lawrence at 40 percent off retail, is reflective. A vibrant peach moonstone ring featuring a 36-carat stone sur-

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Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

s specialties and 40 location More than 90 doctors, 20 sville, Mocksville and Troutman in Statesville, Moore

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12

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3012 Freedom Drive Charlotte • 704-394-7301 MotoMadness.com

3004 Freedom Drive Charlotte • 704-394-6666 TeamCharlotteMotorsports.com

Grand Opening - 2 New Locations!

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23

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Kids Korner • Personal Training • Tanning • GGX Classes Included

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Must be a local resident, 1st-time user, 14 and older with local ID or proof. Must present this coupon. Not valid with any other offers.

Currents

*Processing fee applies

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Now Servicing All Locations!

Call For Details!

Porthole | Photography courtesy of HealthReach Community Clinic

Brenda and Rich Hawkins.

Frank and Gina McDonald.

Raise the Roof Event

The Mooresville/South Iredell Chamber Leadership class “raised the roof” and more for HealthReach Community Clinic on March 20. More than $17,000 was raised and will more than cover the estimated $7,000 roof replacement. Rory Crawford, executive director at HealthReach Community Clinic, says, “These funds will go to good use as our needs continue to increase within our community.” The other funds will cover medical and dental services the clinic provides to uninsured residents in Mooresville, Mount Mourne and Troutman.

Attendees enjoyed music, an auction and a heartwarming story by a patient of the clinic at the waterfront home of the Carrolls. Ron Carroll, a Mooresville native and owner of Stonebridge Luxury Homes, builds custom homes in the Lake Norman area.

Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

Jim and Julie Engel and Joe and Julie Tilton.

14

Kelly and Paul Sercer, Melanie Parker and Alisha Hailey.

Jason Sykes (Wachovia), Chris Carney (town of Mooresville commissioner), Grey Mills (state representative) and Neal Tackenbery (Blanco Tackenbery).

John Wheeler, Judy Holloway and Sara Sink.

Amie and Ron Carroll and Judy and Rory Crawford.

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Captain’s Chair | by Mike Savicki

I

t’s safe to say that in her sixth season as a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series inspector and official, Mooresville resident Pam Ford knows how to keep the guys in check. After spending two years working with NASCAR on the souvenir circuit, Ford was invited by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Director John Darby to join his team. Armed with a rule book and series of car templates, she spends her Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays leading numerous mandatory inspections on Sprint Cup Series cars. When the day goes green, Ford also helps coordinate the incredibly complex communication and broadcast networks of a single race. Recently, she shared more details about her job.

Q. IS IT TRUE THAT YOU ARE ONE OF THE FEW FEMALE OFFICIALS IN ALL OF NASCAR?

Keeping the Guys in

Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

Check

Meet Pam Ford, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series inspector

16

Photo by Michael Sepsick

Yes, there are only a handful of us. There are three in the Sprint Cup Series and only two or three in the Nationwide Series. I think the truck series has a few more, but we are definitely small in our numbers.

Q. WHAT ARE YOUR PRIMARY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AT THE TRACK? I keep pretty busy doing a few different jobs.

During the inspections I’m mainly responsible for the nose of the car and I look at everything from the front wheel forward. I now also work during the races as a TV liaison. Once things get going, I’m … supplying information and updates from race control to the TV producer and on-air personalities. Through the years I have also served as a pit road official and inspector where I made sure the teams followed all of our rules, whether safety related or procedural.

Continued on page 18

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A healthy smile can change the way you look and feel - and it can make you want to share it with those around you. Whether you need an exam and cleaning, a full-mouth restoration, or just want options on how to improve your dental health, we’ll give you something to smile about. We offer a wide range of dental services and cosmetic procedures. For more information, please contact our office or visit our website,

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TheHearthandPatio.com 17

Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

Helping you live life outdoors

Q. CARE TO COMMENT ON WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE A FEMALE RULES ENFORCER IN A MALE-DOMINATED SPORT? I always keep in mind that it’s not a personal thing. Female or not, it’s the job of the teams to read the gray area of inspection more than black and white, and if they can get something by you then check for them. But we are all there to do

Photo by Thomas Lanahan

Captain’s Chair |

Continued from page 16

you’ll call it the emergency vroom!

“We keep our eyes open pretty much all the time,” says Pam Ford.

our jobs, too, and there are definitely times when they might think the changes we suggest won’t affect the outcome of a race, but rules are rules and they have to comply. They dish out and we dish out, too.

Q. CAN YOU REVEAL ANY SECRETS OR SURPRISES FROM INSPECTIONS? I haven’t come across any airplane wings or extra engines in the trunk. The new cars are pretty straightforward but without going into it too much, I’ll say that testing the system and trying to get something by an inspector is part of the job. If a team is trying to get into the top 35 or is trying to make the Chase, then there are things they might try to do more purposely than someone else. The teams aren’t trying to make us mad but are up against each other week to week and are trying to stay as competitive as they can.

We keep our eyes open pretty much all the time.

Q. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?

Extra fast. Extra easy. Extra great.

Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

ER Extra. Quality emergency treatment at pedal-to-the-metal speed. If you want high performance emergency care, choose the high performance emergency room. ER Extra.

171 Fairview Road, Mooresville, NC 28117 • 704.660.4000 • www.lnrmc.com

18

Over the years I have gotten to know the people of the sport and like that aspect the best.

We are all away from home and apart from our families so much that the race crew becomes like an extended family. Of course, there is the excitement of the sport and that can’t go without mention. LNC Freelance writer Mike Savicki has lived and worked in the Lake Norman area for 15 years, frequently covering the racing scene.

Are you there yet?

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Lots of people will tell you what to invest in. At CommunityOne Wealth Management, we’re just as interested in what you’re investing for. We know you have unique thoughts about your future and the financial well-being of your family, so the best way for us to help you achieve your goals is to understand your intentions. Once we know what you’re thinking, we buckle down and formulate a plan to fit your individual needs. Having no proprietary products to bias our decisions, you can rest assured our advice is 100% objective and based exclusively on finding the best investment vehicles to help take you where you want to go.

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Rip Currents | by Scott Graf

Humpy, left, Trip and Patti Wheeler have formed The Wheeler Co.

photography by Glenn Roberson Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

Humpy Wheeler joins forces with his daughter and son in a motorsports consulting firm

Wheelin’ and Dealin’ 20

F

ew people know the professional happiness that Humpy Wheeler is enjoying these days. Same goes for his daughter, Patti, and son, Trip. Together, they own The Wheeler Co., a Cornelius motorsports consulting firm that serves clients in and around Lake Norman.

The Wheelers describe their business as a perfect fit. It came about after Humpy’s May 2008 departure from Charlotte Motor Speedway (then Lowe’s Motor Speedway). Humpy was known as the preeminent promoter in all of American racing, but his time at the track was up.

“I really wanted the chance to work with them,” he says. “And I was ready to leave. I had had enough of running races and worrying about weather and tickets and all the other things that were involved. So when I left we all decided to get together.”

Patti owned her TV production company and Trip had made his career as a sales and marketing executive. They had interacted with one another in the business world, but not on the same team. (In the 1990s, Patti and Humpy negotiated deals for TV rights, sitting on op-

posite sides of the bargaining table.) When the opportunity arose to join forces, they jumped at the chance.

No need to think twice about venture “It was absolutely natural,” Patti says. “I don’t think we even had a two-second discussion about it. It was just absolutely obvious.”

Trip remembers getting the call from his father.

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Patti, left, Humpy and Trip Wheeler’s clients include NASCAR, Fox Sports and The Speed Channel.

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Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

Serving Lake Norman for 35 Years

Rip Currents |

The Wheelers describe their business as a perfect fit.

drivers. (Humpy calls himself the “coach.”) Trip has helped driver Marcos Ambrose garner endorsement deals in his native Australia.

“We try to approach problem solving with creativity,” Humpy says.

And it seems to have worked. By all accounts, business is booming and clients are lining up to get in on the Wheelers’ good ideas. Humpy says he wishes he had made the move five years sooner.

“I could see the storm clouds big time, and I knew a lot wasn’t being done about it,” he says.

“I said, ‘I’m gonna be better off away from the speedway. I can get more done than I am working at the speedway.’”

The Wheelers get inquiries from potential clients weekly. They’ve tackled dozens of projects.

One of the company’s next big tasks is to help NASCAR figure out how it can safely race in the rain. Humpy feels NASCAR has sputtered in recent years. And for a problem-solving company, that’s good for business.

“We need some major changes in NASCAR

right now,” Humpy says. “We need change in the way a lot of things are done. And I think you’ll see us have a hand in a lot of that.”

For Patti and Trip, the new company has meant an opportunity to work more closely with their father than ever before. Trip says the venture has worked out better than he could have imagined.

“Because we know each other so well and we have so much respect for each other, it just works,” he says.

Patti says the independence they each possess makes the three family members a better team.

“None of us needed to do this,” she says.

“All three of us wanted to do it. And that’s a big difference. Nobody’s dependent on each other.

We’re all bringing something to the table.” LNC THE SCOOP The Wheeler Co. 704.332.7770 www.thewheelerco.com Scott Graf is a Corneliusbased broadcaster and freelance writer. A native of Iowa, he has lived in the Lake Norman area since 2006.

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Let’s Go | by Jay Ahuja

A

photography by Glenn Roberson

t some point, many of us yearn for a career that will allow us to escape the cubicle and computer to do something we truly enjoy. But how many of us actually make it happen? Trisha Trosclair, formerly an advertising account executive with Motorsports Publishing Group, decided that she had enough of telemarketing and needed to interact with people on a more personal level, so she set out to work at what she truly loved.

In October 2000, at the grand opening of the Sam Bass Gallery, Trosclair was within earshot of a conversation between gallery manager Susan Russo and Norrie Baird, a Lowe’s (now Charlotte) Motor Speedway safety employee, who were discussing the need for a race shop tour operator to shuttle fans to area attractions year round.

Trosclair couldn’t shake the thought, so she consulted with Russo, Baird and a host of other racing insiders in the weeks that followed. A month later, she exchanged $400 and her 1994 Saturn for payments on a 15-passenger van. Trosclair spent the next few months getting comfortable with the vehicle and preparing to jump headlong into her tour business. In May 2001, nine years after arriving in Charlotte, Trosclair abandoned

On the Right Track

Trisha Trosclair finds her calling as the owner of a Mooresville tour business

Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

the relative comfort of her nine-to-five job and began escorting legions of ardent race fans to team race shops and other racing attractions. She operates Race Shop Tours in Mooresville.

Recalling her Louisiana roots brings a smile to her face as Trosclair explains, “I came from a big family, from an area of the country known for its hospitality. I can’t help but be a tour guide.” Plus, she notes, “The fans are so excited to see the race cars being built and who in this 24

Scenes from the Hendrick Motorsports part of Trosclair’s tour: A Mark Martin car; left; a pit practice, center; and one of Jeff Gordon’s cars, right.

world doesn’t love making folks happy?”

Tours vary from day to day, but Ashley Parrot, the receptionist and the first person visitors see as they enter Hendrick Motorsports, has witnessed Trosclair’s tours for five years now. “When Continued on page 26

Visit our new location at Birkdale Village Mon - Sat 10am - 8pm Sun 12pm - 6pm 704 . 655 . 2999

Let’s Go |

Continued from page 24

I started out here, I didn’t know much about racing, so I listened in and learned a lot from Trisha.

It’s funny to see folks who did not come in with Trisha’s group tag along while she’s here, so they can hear what she’s telling her group. Whether you’re new to racing or a long-term fan, you can definitely learn a lot from her and she has so much energy that her tours seem to have more fun than anyone else.”

‘Friendly face for race fans’ Having been at it for so long, Trosclair has a knack for grabbing lunch at the same time race teams do and it’s not uncommon for tour groups to be eating alongside drivers, team owners and pit crew members. One place on the tour that race fans might not expect to see race teams dine is Brickhouse Tavern, a newly refurbished, 145-year-old cotton mill in the town of Davidson, but Trosclair has discovered that teams tend to congregate here, so if they’re nearby at that time of day, she likes to stop in with her groups.

It’s little things like this that led Donna DeNardo, manager of the North Carolina Racing Hall of

Fame, to boast, “Trisha knows right where she’s going, she knows when to find race crews at work, she’s also gotten to know them and they know her.”

Trosclair also knows that her relationships in the racing industry have enabled her to create a job where none had previously existed. “When I moved here,” Trosclair says, “I learned that the most valuable thing one can find in a new town is a friend. I’m just trying to be that friendly face for race fans who come to Charlotte.” And now, in addition to vanloads of new friends, she has that ever-elusive job that is also her passion. LNC

THE SCOOP Race Shop Tours 704.788.8802 www.raceshoptours.net For more information on tours, see page 11.

Jay Ahuja has lived in North Carolina since 1986 and works for WFAE 90.7 FM, where he cultivates corporate support for Charlotte’s NPR news radio station.

He is also the author of a pair of sports travel guide books: “Speed Dreams: A Guide to America’s 23 NASCAR Racetracks” and “ Fields of Dreams: A Guide to Visiting and Enjoying All 30 Major League Ballparks.”

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Strong Currents | by Lee McCracken

Caring for Mothers in Crisis Mooresville Center helps women who are dealing with unplanned pregnancies

M

photography by Glenn Roberson

otherhood is a beautiful thing — but sometimes it comes when young women aren’t prepared. Scared and feeling alone, they don’t know where to turn.

Jean Mims remembers such a time in her own life some 30 years ago. But as the co-founder of Mooresville Community Pregnancy Center, she’s now ready to celebrate 25 years of helping women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy and reminding them that God’s grace and love is for them, too.

“Brynne Beaver and I were teenagers in the ’70s, and separately, we came to know the reality of abortion,” says Mims. “Today, we’re educating women about their options. We offer compassion — we don’t pass judgment.”

Since 1985, Mooresville CPC has assisted more than 2,500 pregnant women in the North Mecklenburg area as a nonprofit, interdenominational ministry. Through the love and compassion of five paid staff members (and many more volunteers), clients receive the physical, emotional and spiritual support they need to make the best choices for their babies and their future.

Two Stories Spark One Passion

Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

Beaver, who grew up in Mooresville and was studying to be a nurse, witnessed the reality of abortion while in college and working the night shift at a local emergency room. Mims experienced it from the other side.

A native of Charlotte and a graduate of Independence High School, she became pregnant as a teen and “opted for abortion in great ignorance,” she explains.

“I was heavily influenced during that time by freedom of choice and the liberated women’s movement, and my boyfriend and I weren’t ready to be parents,” she continues, noting years later she realized she could have had other options, and she felt angry and deceived.

Fast-forward to 1985, and both women are married and members of First Assembly of God in Mooresville. A drama one morning touched Mims deeply. “In church I was celebrating the feeling of freedom from Continued on page 30

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Strong Currents |

Continued from page 28

the guilt, pain and shame, and God called me to share my past to help others to never suffer what I had suffered,” she says.

The women met for lunch and decided to purchase a manual about starting a crisis pregnancy center. “We followed the guidelines and Debby Spry, HOPE coordinator, left; Traci Lester, abstinence coordinator; and Jean Mims, co-founder of the Mooresville Community Pregnancy Center, show off some of the goods at the facility’s boutique.

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An ultrasound machine is among the equipment at the center.

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Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

On July 25th Sea Ray of Lake Norman welcomed 5,000 friends to Aquapalooza 2009. With the cooperation of law enforcement, sponsors,and the weatherman, Aquapalooza was the Biggest and Best boating celebration EVER on Lake Norman!

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The Scoop The center’s annual spring banquet fundraiser is May 13 at the Charles Mack Citizen Center. The guest speaker is Gail McWilliams, an author, mother and grandmother. To reserve a spot for the dinner or for more information about the Mooresville Community Pregnancy Center at 212 Caldwell Avenue, call 704.664.4673.

went around speaking in churches,” says Mims.

“In one year we raised $850.”

Mooresville Community Pregnancy Center got its start in a two-room office on Main Street.

In 1990, Southside Baptist Church donated a 1,000-square-foot mill house on Caldwell Avenue, but the building needed a lot of work.

Jenni Wyatt of Mooresville says after meeting Mims and hearing her story, she knew she had to support the center with her money, time and talent. “The emphasis of Jean’s compassion was on the pregnant woman. … Jean was not out to ‘just save a baby,’ but to help each woman find freedom and hope through Christ Jesus in a time of great challenge,” says Wyatt.

Jenni and Jerry Wyatt, and others, rallied the Mooresville community. The result was “an outpouring of love to clean, repair and outfit the

and prayer for all women in the community — whether they made the choice 20 years ago, two years ago or two months ago.

Mooresville Community Pregnancy Center is funded by donations and three annual fundraisers: a Baby Bottle Campaign to collect loose change, a spring banquet and a fall Life Walk. “All three bring in about $75,000,” says Mims.

Jenni Wyatt, one of many individuals and businesses in Mooresville underwriting the cost of the 25th anniversary celebration and fund-

raising banquet this month, reflects on the “huge return on investment” she has received for supporting the center. “Lives have been changed — cycles of poverty and despair have been broken,” she says. LNC Lee McCracken is a Charlottearea freelance editor and writer who lives in Stanley and grew up spending summers on Cayuga Lake in upstate New York. Since moving to the Charlotte area in 1994, she has written about business, education, health care and real estate for various publications.

The remodeled pregnancy center is “a debt-free building,” says Jean Mims.

building,” says Jenni.

A remodeling project doubled its size in 2001.

“All the materials and labor were donated — the community really got involved and put us on the map,” says Mims. “This is a debt-free building.”

Education, Resources and Healing

31

Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

Mooresville Community Pregnancy Center provides free and confidential peer counseling, education and support services to pregnant women.

In 25 years, the center has served 2,503 women.

“We’re not a medical facility, but often we are their first call or their first stop,” says Mims. “We offer pregnancy tests and limited ultrasounds so the women can see how far along they are.”

Clients are educated about pregnancy and the choices they have. “They have three options: abortion, adoption and parenting,” says Mims, noting, however, the center does not offer, recommend or refer for abortions. The center does provide women with resources and referrals for adoption agencies and medical care if they choose to make an adoption plan for their child or decide to parent.

HOPE (Helping Our Parents Excel) is a parenting support program, and an on-site boutique provides mothers-to-be with new or gently used clothing and baby equipment.

In addition, a post-abortion recovery Bible study, “Forgiven and Set Free,” offers support

The Galley | by Cathy Swiney photography by Glenn Roberson

Simply Sensational Alton’s Kitchen and Cocktails turns basic dishes into culinary treats

A

lton’s Kitchen and Cocktails isn’t exactly the easiest restaurant to find given its location in the maze-like Jetton Village in Cornelius. Once there, however, that fact is quickly forgotten when plates arrive bearing creations influenced by different regions of the United States, or otherwise standard entrees that have been turned into something memorable.

“What we’re after is blowing away people with our food,” says Dan Giroux, who along with partners Al Updike and Kris Horton opened the restaurant in February. “It’s fairly simple dishes, but they are done great. A lot of time and effort have been put into the recipes we use.”

The upscale casual Alton’s, named after Updike, offers a one-page dinner menu that is wellrounded yet uncomplicated. New Orleans BBQ Shrimp With Basmati Rice and BR Cohn Cabernet Braised Lamb Shank are two standouts on the menu, but Giroux says it’s the Cast Iron Center Cut Filet Mignon that has been a big hit.

Lake Lake Norman Norman Currents Currents || May may 2010

Left: Peninsula Nachos.

Above: The North Cove Salad.

32

based Raspberry Lemonade and vodka-based French Martini were well mixed and refreshing.

The bar also serves a wine list featuring vineyards from Argentina, California, France and New Zealand. There are also domestic beers as well as those from Belgium, Amsterdam, Holland, Ireland, England and Germany.

To go with those cocktails, we opted for the Spinach and Artichoke Dip. Scooped up with fresh tortilla chips, the ribbons of spinach and

The Galley |

“It’s the way we prepare it,” he says without giving away the details.

The restaurant offers several nightly specials, most notably Wednesday’s whole lobster with corn on the cob and new potatoes for $19.95.

With prices that lean to the high side of moderate, Alton’s might not be a place where you feel the need to go once a week, but it definitely deserves a spot on the list of places to go when you want to treat yourself to a nice meal or celebrate a special occasion.

Left: All-American Cheeseburger.

Below: The patio at Alton’s.

Upscale Touches Add to the Experience The spacious, carpeted restaurant, which has a private room and upstairs dining, has lightcolored walls with dark trim, large chandeliers and tall windows. Tables are covered with white cloths and are amply spaced. A large bar with a fireplace is a draw for many to relax. Outside, a covered patio offers additional seating.

Taking a cue from the emphasis on beverages in the restaurant’s name, on a recent visit my friend and I started with cocktails. The rum-

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The Galley |

chunks of artichoke in the creamy dip were a fine rendition of a classic appetizer. More adventurous eaters might like to try the seasoned tuna chunks that make up Tuna Poke with Avocado.

My friend, who knows a thing or two about lobster rolls, couldn’t resist ordering the New England Lobster Roll to see if the cold sandwich offered in Cornelius measures up to the ones she’s had in Boston. Loaded with chunks of tender lobster fresh from the New England coast

and a minimal amount of chopped celery, the mayonnaise-based mixture completely filled the open top thick bread in which it was served.

It turns out that an impressive lobster roll can be found near the banks of Lake Norman.

Danish Entrée Stands Out On the turf side, the full rack of Slow Cooked Danish Baby Back Ribs also was prepared to perfection. The ribs were coated in just the right amount of sauce that was mildly

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Warm Chocolate Kahlua Sundae.

sweet, and the meat pulled off the bone with minimal effort.

“Danish ribs are the highest-grade rib you can buy,” Giroux says. “They are imported because the Danish grade their pork products.

You are guaranteed a great product.”

Side dishes with our entrees included kettle chips that had a nice crunch without being oily, coarsely chopped coleslaw that was crisp and flavorful roasted garlic mashed potatoes with small chunks of potato.

The restaurant offers three desserts, which are made by an independent baker. Instead of the cheesecake of the day (tiramisu) and red velvet cake, we went for the chocolate punch of the Warm Chocolate Kahlua Sundae. Big enough for two, the round chocolate cake, lightly infused with coffee-flavored liqueur and topped with ice cream, was just rich enough to satisfy. LNC Dig In Cheese Toast appetizer for $5 to Cast Iron Center Cut Filet Mignon entrée for $24.

Alton’s Kitchen and Cocktails 19918 North Cove Road Cornelius 704.655.2727 www.altonskitchen.com Hours: Seven days a week; lunch is served from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; dinner is served beginning at 5 p.m.

Freelance writer Cathy Swiney, a Huntersville resident, has spent several years covering the restaurant scene in the Lake Norman area.

The Yum Update Yum Update |

J.J Wasabi’s Grill & Bar

by Sam Boykin

Downtown Mooresville gets sushi and a cool dining experience The Concept: Joel Jose, proprietor of Joel’s Asian Grill, a popular sushi joint at Mooresville’s Morrison Plantation, recently opened a similar restaurant a few miles away in historic downtown Mooresville. Deemed an Asian grill and bar with an American flair, it has a wide variety of sushi, Japanese steak entrees and grilled dishes as well as soups and salads.

The Scene: J.J Wasabi’s Grill & Bar is in the renovated Gabriel Building, situated on Main Street next to the Charles Mack Citizen Center.

The restaurant occupies the bottom floor of the two-story, 16,000-square-foot building. The interior is modern and airy, with a sleek black floor, burnt-orange walls and pendant lighting. There’s a touch of industrial chic as well,

with dark exposed ductwork along the ceiling. As you enter, there’s a long bar to the right and behind it are two big-screen TVs. About seven booths line the opposite wall, which has big windows that provide a great view. In the middle are about a dozen four-person tables.

There are also a couple of comfy couches near the entrance for customers waiting to dine. The wait staff, looking sharp in all black, is friendly and helpful. And owner Jose, as he’s known to do, floats from table to table joking with customers.

The Crowd: Eclectic and still evolving, much like downtown Mooresville. Expect to see everyone from young couples and families to groups of friends out for a good time.

The Wallet Factor: Appetizers range from garlic tofu cubes ($3.95) to tuna takai ($8.95).

Japanese steakhouse entrees start at $10.95 and go to $25.95 for the shrimp and lobster combo.

Asian grill plates average about $12 and sushi bar offerings are anywhere from $4.50 for the California roll to $18.95 for the lobster shiso spring roll.

The Cool Factor: The owners removed about 15 feet from the front of the building to accommodate open-air seating. With downtown’s bustling sidewalks, it’s a great place to dine and people watch.

Why It’ll Work: Downtown Mooresville was begging for another good restaurant, and this appears to be it. Along with Soiree and new spots like Bathtub Gin, a laid-back tavern, J.J Wasabi’s is helping turn downtown Mooresville into a viable destination.

Cheers J.J. Wasabi’s Grill & Bar 183 North Main Street Mooresville 704.799.0068

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• Hope Park Joe Knox Avenue, Mooresville (near Lowe’s YMCA) Motorsports-themed playground with “run through” fountain and picnic shelter. Tot-Lot for ages 2-5; older area for ages 5-12.

Free • Memory Lane Museum 769 River Highway Mooresville 704.662.3673 Largest private collection of vintage stock cars in the U.S. More than 150 vehicles on display. View the history of the automobile.

Unique collection of antique toys, pedal cars, bicycles, gas pumps, movie cars, tractors and vintage motorcycles.

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• North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame 119 Knob Hill Road (Lakeside Park), Mooresville 704.663.5331 Dedicated to all types of racing — from drag racing to stock cars — more than 35 cars showcase motorsports heritage. Relive racing’s greatest moments in the Goodyear Mini-Theater and browse the many displays.

Buy one, get one free on admission • The Dale Earnhardt Showroom 1675 Dale Earnhardt Highway, Mooresville 704.662.8000 Pictures, trophies and cars are on display.

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• The Pit Indoor Kart Racing 346 East Plaza Drive, Mooresville 704.799.3470 Kart Racing (Kart Racing: Adult:) 9-horsepower motors (ages 16 and older); Youth: 5½-horsepower motors (ages 8-15), arcade games, laser tag and more.

Family Pack: Two adult races, two youth races, four laser tag games and 100 arcade tokens for $90, and other specials available on LKNSavings.com.

• Walk of Fame Main Street, Mooresville (in front of the Charles Mack Citizen Center) Memorializes the inductees of the N.C. Auto Racing Hall of Fame, such as Richard Petty and Bobby Allison.

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• Country Suites Lake Norman 16617 Statesville Road, Huntersville 704.895.6565 15 percent off standard rates for NASCAR race fans in May. www.countryinns.com/speedwayspecial

• Michael Waltrip Racing 20310 Chartwell Center Drive, Cornelius 704.897.5555 See what it takes to run a championship race team. This “all-access,” behind-the-scenes experience can be found at Raceworld USA, headquarters of Michael Waltrip Racing and JTGDaugherty Racing.

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Grapevine | by Trevor Burton

Carmenère, uncloaked One of the world’s grape mysteries is unraveled

I

Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

love a good mystery. Especially one that has a good level of complexity and has an interesting, tasty and lasting finish. That about sums up wines from the grape called Carmenère. Carmenère almost vanished from the face of the Earth. But, good news, it’s still around, flourishing and producing some truly great wines.

The title for this particular mystery could be “The Lost Grape of Bordeaux.” Until the late 19th century Carmenère was a main player in the collection of grapes used for the blending that produces Bordeaux’s great wines. But along came phylloxera, a root-munching louse that decimated the French wine industry. For38

tunately, the United States came to the rescue.

This time it wasn’t waves of GIs hitting French beaches. It was American louse-resistant rootstocks that saved the day.

A Grape Attitude When it came to replanting, though, Carmenère was seriously shortchanged. Not without reason; it was a tough grape to grow in the Bordeaux region and extremely temperamental. It needed more heat to ripen than the other Bordeaux grapes and, even worse, it often caught a disease called coulure that causes grapes to drop from the vine long before they are ripe for har-

vest. Growers hate it when that happens. All in all, the grape was a pain to deal with and didn’t feature in the rebirth of Bordeaux.

Lucky for us, about 20 years before that lousy little louse reared its head in France some Chilean winemakers decided to try their luck growing fine wines in the New World. They imported a collection of French rootstock but made the error of thinking that Carmenère was Merlot and planted the two types of vines together in the same lots. The grape’s pink-red flowers and a taste that’s slightly different than Merlot could Continued on page 40

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Grapevine |

Continued from page 38

have been a clue, but no one noticed.

And so, the lost years. For about 150 years, the Carmenère grape stepped off the world stage, getting mixed in with Merlot. Fast-forward to 1994. Professor Jean-Michel Boursiquot from the University of Montpellier arrived in Chile. Boursiquot was an ampelographer, a lovely word that means he was an expert in identifying and distinguishing vines. A few years and a little DNA analysis confirmed that this quasi-Merlot was, in fact, Carmenère and doing spectacularly well in Chile.

Grape expectations While Carmenère grapevines struggled in Bordeaux, they found a perfect environment in Chile. No longer planted amongst Merlot, Carmenère was on its way to becoming a star. The main reason is that the climate in Chile is just the thing for Carmenère’s ripening. The valleys of Central Chile are surrounded by the Andes, cooled by the Pacific Ocean, and blessed with warm, dry, sunny days. Add to this a wide diur-

nal swing, warm days followed by up to 40-degree drops in temperature at night. What you get is an ideal environment for bringing out the full, rich flavor of grapes. And Carmenère loved it.

Once only blended with Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, Carmenère is now being bottled alone, producing a wine with a deep, dark red color. Carmenère is a unique wine that has less tannin than Cabernet Sauvignon but more spice than Merlot. The range of its flavor and versatility is finally becoming apparent. When it ripens properly Chilean Carmenère is a thing of beauty, delivering flavors not matched anywhere else in the world. You get a wonderful mix of freshness and depth. There are red berries, black pepper and some herbal flavors.

And when fully ripe grapes are used blackberry, chocolate and coffee kick in. Nice.

Carmenère is a full-bodied wine that can handle strongly flavored food. It goes well with dishes like chicken cacciatore in red wine sauce, a coq au vin or a juicy grilled steak. It’s perfect for a pasta dish with a heavy sauce. Maybe the best way of summing it up is to describe Carmenère as a great wine to accompany comfort food.

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I’m always on the lookout for a good wine at a reasonable price, something for everyday quaffing. This little treasure more than fits the bill. You’ll be able to find bottles of this wine at prices below $10 and better-quality bottles at around $15. Chilean wines, in general, are a terrific value. A lot of Old World money and expertise have been applied to create some worldclass wines. But because they don’t have the fame and cachet of European wines, they command much lower prices. Cabernet Sauvignon has been, up to now, the signature wine from Chile. Carmenère seems poised to take over.

So the bottom line is that we have an emerging wine that is real quality. This is a wine to chase down. Enjoy. LNC Trevor Burton of Mooresville, a retired technology marketing consultant, now occupies himself in the field of wine and its enjoyment.

Certified by the International Sommelier Guild, he is founder of SST Wine Experiences and, along with his wife, Mary Ellen, conducts wine education and tasting tours to wine regions throughout the world.

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Game On |

by Mike Savicki Photography by Harold Hinson Photography

Jeff Burton comes in for a pit stop during a race.

Lake Norman Currents | MAY 2010

Catch Him if

42

I

t is late in the race at the Auto Club 500 at Fontana, California, and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jeff Burton glances into his rearview mirror. Only two cars are in front of him while 40 others are running behind. He keeps his No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet low on the track and eyes the rear bumper of teammate Kevin Harvick while veteran competitor Mark Martin closes from behind. With more than 800 starts as both a Nationwide and Sprint Cup driver, Burton is used to being in this position. He is steady and confident, he relishes the competition and he cherishes the opportunity to test his skill alongside the sport’s best drivers.

Time runs out and Burton finishes third. After the race, he is quoted as saying that he is happy with how his newly built car ran, credits his team for its hard work, and says there were a few things he should have done differently. He thanks his committed sponsors and concludes by saying he is proud to represent everybody.

Las Vegas is next on the calendar as the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series continues its early-season West Coast swing. Burton shifts his attention to another track and another opportunity to lead his team to victory lane.

Jeff Burton dishes on a life shaped by racing

43

Lake Norman Currents | MAY 2010

You Can

Importance of team play Burton is a team player in a sport once solely dominated by individual drivers. His success and popularity on the racing circuit are results not only of his skill behind the wheel but also of his willingness to put in the required time and energy. Week in and week out, he personally interacts with everyone from the shop team in Welcome, North Carolina, to his sponsors and supporters all across the country. He admits to having a pretty busy life.

“It’s a whole different world now and a different ballgame from when I first started,” Burton explains. “The sport has become a lot more technical and it takes a lot more people to do it now. There is a lot of specialty work and a lot more attention is being paid to what we do. You really can’t turn a TV on and not see something about racing. Our company has right around 500 now. Fifteen years ago there were 28.”

When he’s not racing almost 40 weekends a year, training in the gym or meeting the obligations of his race team, sponsors and the many clients of Richard Childress Racing, Burton is a father, husband and friend. “I have a 14-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son so a lot of my off-day activities depend on what they want to do,” he explains. “And my job is an interesting one because when I have an off day, it is during the week when all my friends are at work.”

Game On |

How does he stay connected to his network of friends near his Huntersville home? “I pull them away every now and then when their superiors have their heads turned and we go play golf,” he jokes. “You have a lot of great golf courses, you have the Panthers and the Bobcats, Davidson, good food and the lake all right here.

This is a great place to live if you take the time to learn it.”

Experience is a great teacher Burton says the majority of his life has been shaped by his racing experience and even now, as a veteran driver in a sport full of young guns and rising stars, he still feels the drive to compete and the motivation to win. “Number one, I really love to compete. It means a great deal to me to be able to compete at a high level,” Burton offers. “I have always had a passion for being competitive and trying to do something better than someone else and I still get charged up about it. I like the fact that there are people out there trying to do it better than me and to

Jeff Burton’s Advice for Novice Fans As the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series visits Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Sprint All-Star Race on May 22 and the CocaCola 600 on May 30, Jeff Burton shares some insight into the races and offers advice to those fans who might be considering a trip to the track for the first time.

“The 600 and the All-Star race are races that everyone wants to win,” says Burton.

“The 600 is a very historic race with a lot of meaning and the All-Star race speaks for itself. It doesn’t matter where you came from, winning here, in the backyard of NASCAR, is a thrill. Most of the drivers live in the area and almost all the teams are here so it becomes a battle for home field. These are races you don’t want to miss.”

For a fan heading to the track for the first time, Burton has a few suggestions. “Go early and expect to stay late. It is an event. It’s not just about the race. I have been to a lot of big sporting events in our country and a NASCAR race is as big as another sport’s premier event. another sport’s premiere event. And it is like a carnival, a festival and a circus in one.

Jeff and his wife, Kim, talk before the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Don’t just go to experience the race, go to enjoy the entire environment because if you don’t do that then you miss out on so much.

Have the tailgating mentality and plan to enjoy the time before and after the race.

“And another thing to do is find a scanner or radio where you can listen to the crews and you can hear your driver. It gives you so much more insight into what’s going on and it makes it so much more fun. It’s like if you went to a Panthers game and you could listen to the coaches call the plays in front of you. You feel the extra energy of being there live. You can’t do that in too many other sports but NASCAR. It just enhances the experience.”

Continued on page 46

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Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

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Game On |

Continued from page 48

Continued from page 44

Jeff Burton, center, talks with Richard Childress teammates Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick.

compare myself to the best in the business on a weekly basis, that’s a great experience.”

Experience has given Burton a better understanding of the need to maintain a life and work balance, too. The understanding helps him stay focused. “I believe that racing is no different than any other business or life in general. It is about setting priorities and it is about having balance in your life. One of the things I

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have learned is although racing is extremely important; there are things that are more important.

When you are racing or preparing to race, that is the most important thing but when you are not, there are things that are more important. Knowing how to keep a balance in life has actually made me a better race car driver.”

He continues, “I used to think that when we had a bad race, the whole world was going to come to an end but I understand things better now. You have to be committed to being the best that you can be and if you are committed — and prepared — than you can and should expect results.”

While he is among the sport’s elite with 21 wins, six poles, 122 top five and 222 top-10 finishes on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Burton does not consider himself to be the best on the track. “I have never considered myself to be the best race car driver out there, but I make sure that no one works harder than me. I am really committed to the sport and I keep it as a priority. Being committed and prepared is a good lesson for anyone in life,” he attests.

And what has he learned about track position from all those looks into the rearview mirror through the years? “Let’s be clear,” he states, “I want all the drivers in my rearview mirror. That’s where I choose to have them whenever I can.

Every driver has strengths and every driver has weaknesses and being able to understand those strengths and weaknesses and match them against your strengths and weaknesses at every point of the race is really important. There’s really no one driver I tell myself that he’s the guy I want to have nothing to do with; it’s more about understanding who has weaknesses and trying to expose them.”

A word to the other drivers as the 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series rolls into Charlotte for the Sprint All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600: Catch him if you can. LNC The Scoop Visit www.nascar.com and www. charlottemotorspeedway.com for race information. Catch Jeff Burton at www.jeffburton.com.

Freelance writer Mike Savicki has lived and worked in the Lake Norman area for 15 years, frequently covering the racing scene.

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One of our greatest strengths is team spirit and willingness to pitch in. Togethe we can achieve so much through getting involved. The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce and Visit Lake Norman offer countless opportunities to participate in a collective effort to make this an even greater place to be. We are committed to helping our businesses weather this storm and will continue to provide the training and networking opportunities to help market and promote a healthy business climate.

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Lake Norman Currents | MAY 2010

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Home Port |

by Michele Huggins photography by Trent Pitts

Designed to Entertain Preparation and passion make hosting at home a pleasure for a Denver couple

Lake Norman Currents | MAY 2010

D

orothy Glace likes to entertain. It runs in her family. Her home is filled with amenities that rival a bed-and-breakfast, and comforts that come from the heart.

When Glace and her husband, Don Schmeekle, moved from Beaufort, S.C. to Sailview in Denver, they anticipated hosting out-of-town guests and wanted to create an interior that was inviting for visitors, both young and older. Glace also wanted a house that fit her and her husband’s needs. In 50

addition to creating a house that lends itself to entertaining, the retired couple incorporated features to accommodate Schmeekle, who uses a wheelchair.

“A lot of people don’t entertain because they think they can’t do a good job, but it’s so nice to get out and share in the love of company,” Glace says. By evaluating and designing a house ahead of time, a home becomes a place to engage with friends and family — a tradition Glace attributes

to her mother and aunt, and one she plans to continue for years to come.

Glace believes in preparedness. Guest bathroom drawers are filled with guest-size toothpaste, extra toothbrushes, mini deodorants, antacids and aspirin. Baskets are brimming with snacks in the guest suite, and a refrigerator in the garage is always stocked with soft drinks, Continued on page 53

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Lake Norman Currents | MAY 2010

Dorothy Glace and Don Schmeekle enjoy their home as much as their guests do.

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beers and juices. Through the years Glace has hosted large fund-raising events at her house, and thrives on having family and friends over for lunch or dinner, or to stay a few days, but she also wanted a house that was comfortable for her and her husband.

Designer, Client Share Vision Enter interior designer Kim Cotter. Cotter is

Home Port |

the owner of Fine Ideas Interior Design Studio in Davidson. Her first task was to understand her clients’ needs and present them with options through floor plans and materials.

“As with any job getting to know your client is first and it’s (accomplished) through listening,” says Cotter. “I realized their lifestyle needed more than the main level living room for everyday living so I proposed transforming the patio to a year round terrace.” To help translate her idea, Cotter shared a photo from a magazine article to

Continued from page 50

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Lake Norman Currents | MAY 2010

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Come out and spend the day!

I-85

Tips to Create Spaces for Entertaining

Home Port |

give Glace an idea of the direction she wanted to pursue for the terrace. As it turned out, Glace had the same photo in her design files. “We still laugh about it,” says Cotter. From that point forward, Cotter and Glace knew they were on the same page for the interior design. With the house still under construction, the retired couple were able to create a three-bedroom home that is comfortable, makes the most of the floor plan, and is suitable for entertaining and hosting guests.

The large foyer welcomes guests and opens into a stylish, comfortable living room. Cotter strategically placed furniture to accommodate guests. Some chairs and couches surround a coffee table and are situated for conversation. Another chair Continued on page 56

A chandelier tops off the elegantly appointed dining room.

Designer touches lend a bed-and-breakfast feel to the home.

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Outdoor living at its finest! The perfect home for entertaining outdoors and in! Covered rear porch plus a brick pavers patio graced by a pergola with built-in grill and fireplace with gas logs. Oversized fenced lot with lavish landscaping.

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Hidden gem on Lake Norman. Come discover this beautiful home tucked away among large hardwood trees and a view to die for! 2 story greatroom with stone fireplace. Delightful kitchen, master retreat and loft on upper level. Billiard room and kitchen in lower level makes this area a great spot for entertaining. Covered dock. Solitude! 4BR/3BA. 1.24 acres MLS#916797 $725,000

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Breathtaking water views of Lake Norman from this immaculate home! Open plan with tons of windows. Huge kitchen with stainless appliances, large walk-in panty.

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Home Port |

Continued from page 54

is off to the side for anyone who prefers a moment alone. They converted the bedroom adjacent to the foyer into an office, and made the bonus room above the garage a guest suite complete with a kitchenette and a full bath that includes a walk-in shower and tub.

‘It’s about what’s comfortable’ The decor throughout the house tells a story of the couple’s travels around the world, as well as their love of family. Watercolor prints from Vietnam and tables from India mingle with framed family baptismal certificates and old, black-and-white family photos.

Continued on page 58

A soft color palette soothes guests in every room of the house.

The well-dressed patio beckons the homeowners and visitors alike.

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Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

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Lake Norman Currents | MAY 2010

MLS#914615 Stately Charm Est. area, 3 c garage, $389,000

Home Port |

Continued from page 56

“It’s not about brand new and expensive; it’s about what’s comfortable,” says Cotter. “Things handed down represent personality.” It’s also about details. Cotter took time to search for the perfect dining-room chandelier that suited the space and her clients’ taste, and had custom wall coverings and custom-size rugs made for the rooms throughout the house. Cotter also incorporated a custom china cabinet above a kitchen counter to showcase Glace’s collection of dishes and glassware. “(Glace) loves her home, which is why I think entertaining is such a heartfelt, genuine pleasure for her,” says Cotter. LNC

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Michele Huggins is a seasoned writer who has written for The Charlotte Observer, US Airways, Charlotte magazine and Today’s Charlotte Woman.

She is a Charlottean who has spent many summer afternoons floating on Lake Norman. When she’s not writing, she enjoys time with her family and traveling to the mountains and coast, and planning her next adventure abroad.

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Lake Norman Currents | MAY 2010

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Currently A month of things to do in the Lake Norman area

Fun and Games

Race City Festival puts downtown Mooresville in the spotlight

W

by Sam Boykin

The Scoop The 2010 Race City Festival is May 15 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., along Main and Broad streets in downtown Mooresville. The event is free. For more information, call 704.664.3898 or visit www.mooresvillenc.org.

61

Lake Norman Currents | May 2010

hile it’s called the Race City Festival, the event scheduled for May 15 is a celebration of not just Mooresville’s NASCAR roots, but of all the qualities that make the area special.

“It’s a fabulous time, and it’s gotten bigger every year,” says Karen Shore, president and CEO of the MooresvilleSouth Iredell Chamber of Commerce, which is hosting the event.

This year marks the 28th anniversary of the festival, which will be held along Main and Broad streets in Mooresville’s historic downtown. “The focus has always been to bring folks to downtown and show them the beauty of the area and all that it has to offer,” says Shore.

Main Street is lined with storefronts dating to the early 1900s, when downtown, with a thriving textile mill and railroad depot, was the hub of Mooresville, .

Downtown Mooresville is thriving again, and the festival is a great opportunity for folks to check out the growing number of local merchants, including a winery, bar and restaurants, clothing boutiques, home décor stores and antiques shops. There will also be local arts and crafts, live music, an international food court, more than 180 vendor booths, a children’s play area with games and rides. And be sure to cheer your favorite contestant during the third annual Miss Race City USA Scholarship Pageant. The winner will receive a scholarship and other prizes. LNC

A month of things to do in the Lake Norman area Currently |

CHILDREN Kids Triathlon Series at Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics (May 15, June 5, July 17) The nation’s largest triathlon series for kids returns to Huntersville for its third year. The USA Triathlon-sanctioned races cover these ages and distances: 4-6 year-olds: 25-yard swim/0.3mile bike/100-yard run; 7-8-year-olds: 50-yard swim/1-mile bike/0.3 mile run; 9-10-yearolds: 75-yard swim/1-mile bike/0.3-mile run; 11-12-year-olds: 100-yard swim/2-mile bike/0.75mile run; 13-14-year-olds: 200-yard swim/3-mile bike/1-mile run. 6 p.m. $15-$25. Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics, 1725 Verhoeff Drive, Huntersville, 704.766.2222, www.hffa.com.

CONCERTS Every Time I Feel the Spirit: 250 Years of Music by Black Composers (May 2) Journey through two-and-a-half centuries of music by black composers, from England to Brazil to Latin America and the United States. Countertenor Reginald Mobley and pianist and organist Henry Lebedinsky will be joined by Charlotte’s Dennis Reed and G.A.P. for a program of sacred arias, art songs, spirituals and gospel. 3 p.m. $15; students and seniors $10; children under 12 free.

St. Albans Episcopal Church, 301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson, 704.892-0173, www.saintalbans-davidson.org.

Concerts for a Cause (May 5) In its 200910 season, the Davidson College Symphony Orchestra presents a series of five concerts to support those in need. 7:30 p.m. Free. Davidson College, Alvarez College Union, Duke Family Performance Hall, www3.davidson.edu.

Music on Main (May 14) The Craig Woolard Band, a Grammy Award-winning beach / variety group, performs. Bring the family and a blanket .

6:30 p.m. Free. Mooresville Town Hall Lawn, 413 North Main Street, Mooresville, www.mooresvillerecreation.org.

Concerts on the Green (May 23) Band of Oz will be showcased. Pack a picnic and enjoy the music. 6-8 p.m. Free. Davidson Village Green, Main Street and Concord Road, Davidson, 704.892.2118, www.ci.davidson.nc.us.

Lake Norman Currents | MAY 2010

Made in America (May 29-30) The North Mecklenburg Community Chorus performs patriotic, swing, Broadway and jazz tunes. The chorale’s show also includes instrumental performances, dance and musical theatre. Sat 8 p.m., Sun 3 p.m. $15. Davidson College, Duke Family Performance Hall, 207 Faculty Drive, Davidson, 888.547.6478, www.northmeckcommunitychorus.org.

EDUCATION Lake Norman Safe Boating Classes Taught by Lighthouse Marine Service, the classes are:

62

Boating Course, Lake Wylie Library, 185 Blucher Circle, Lake Wylie, South Carolina, May 1, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $49.95.

Boating Course, Mountain Isle Harbor Club, Mountain Island, May 11 and May 13, 6-9:30 p.m. $99.90.

About Lake Norman, Gander Mountain Inc., 236 Norman Station Boulevard, Mooresville, May 20, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $25.

Boating Course, North Point Water Sports, Lake Norman, May 22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. $49.95.

704.361.2991, www.lmservice.org/index.php.

Boater Safety Classes Taught by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, the class will be held at Bass Pro Shops, Concord Mills, Concord. May 15, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. $45. 704.663.3333, cgauxlkn@ gmail.com,www.cgauxlkn.com.

EVENTS Mooresville Artist Guild’s 32nd Annual Spring Artfest (May 1-22) Lee Baumgarten, executive director of the Civic and Cultural Arts Center of Pineville, will judge the competition. Depot Art Gallery, 103 West Center Avenue, Mooresville, 704.663.6661.

Davidson Farmers Market (May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) Farmers will sell a bounty of vegetables; pasteurized meats and cheeses; and freshly baked breads, cakes and pies. 9 a.m.noon. Free. Next to Town Hall between Main and Jackson streets in downtown Davidson, www.davidsonfarmesmarket.org.

Huntersville Market (May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) The market will sell fresh produce, baked goods, jewelry and crafts. 7 a.m.-noon. Free.

103 Maxwell Street, 704.766.2253, http://huntersville.org.

Downtown Mooresville Cruise-In (May 1, June 5, July 3, August 7, September 4, October 2, November 6) The cruise-in is a chance to show off your car in downtown Mooresville. To enter the show parking area, cars must be from the years 1979 or earlier.

3 p.m. Free. North Academy Street and West Moore Avenue, Mooresville, www.mooresvillenccruisein.com.

Davidson Town Day Festival (May 1) Carnival games, food, arts and entertainment will be on tap, and the Flex Flyer and Kid Train return. Performers take to the main stage at the Davidson Public Library throughout the day. Vendors will sell art, baskets, soap and other items, and a wood turner and woodcarver will demonstrate their crafts. A Day Care Dash fun run and 5K will also be held.

10 a.m. festival; 8 a.m. fun run; 8:30 a.m. 5K. Free. Town Green and Main Street, Davidson, 704.892.3349 festival; 704.358.0717, www.queencitytiming.com fun run and 5K.

Parade of Barns (May 1) This second annual fund-raiser benefits the therapeutic horseback riding program at Hinds’ Feet Farm. Tour barns; eat, drink and mingle with the therapy horses; and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and a raffle. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $5 ages 7-13, $10 adults.

Hinds Feet Farm, 14625 Black Farms Road, Huntersville, 704.992.1424, www.hindsfeetfarm.org.

Davidson Shoots Nothing But Nets (May 2) Join Davidson senior Bryant Barr as he raises money for Nothing But Nets. Activities include a three-on-three tournament and a silent and live auction. Nothing But Nets is a campaign for the United Nations Foundation that provides nets for families in Africa to aid in preventing malaria and other diseases. 2 p.m.http://davidsonbuzzkill.weebly.com/index.html.

From the Underground Man to the Grand Inquisitor: Exploring the Human Condition Through Dostoevsky (May 4) Professor Amanda Ewington and her students reflect on moral insights that have emerged from a semester’s worth of reading and debating Dostoevsky’s works. 2:30 p.m. Free. Davidson College, Alvarez College Union, Room 313, Davidson, 704.894.2095, www.davidson.edu.

Jetton Park Triathlon (May 8) A Sprint triathlon, this 750-meter swim/20K bike/5K run event also includes food and music. 8 a.m. $60-$70.

Jetton Park, 19000 Jetton Road, Cornelius, http:// jettontri.com.

World War II Reenactment (May 15-16) Celebrate Armed Forces Day and relive World War II as the Allied and Axis forces battle. Also, visit the Allied and Axis camps; hear the uniform and gear talks; and watch weapon, combat, hospital, patrol and ration demos. Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun 1-4 p.m., main battle is at 2 p.m. each day. $6, ages 5 and under and WWII vets free. Historic Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville, 704.875.2312, www.lattaplantation.org.

Parade of Homes (May 15-16, 22-23, 29-30) The self-guided, popular parade of new-home construction stretches from Lake Norman to Charlotte. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat, 1-6 p.m. Sun. Free. 704.664.5622, www.lakenormanhba. com/2010paradeofhomes.html.

Hearts for Missions Fun Day (May 15) A yard sale, bake sale and 5K are among the activities, plus children’s carnival games, live music and a raffle. All proceeds benefit the local and international missions supported by Independence Hill Baptist Church. 7 a.m. yard ad bake sale, 8 a.m. run/walk. Independence Hill Baptist Church, 10220 Eastfield Road, 704.596.2124, wwwindependencehill.org.

Lake Norman’s Spring Music Festival, Tradeshow and Corn Hole Tournament (May 15) Local bands, a corn-hole tournament and a trade show for area businesses are on tap. 2 p.m. $20 before the event, $30 day of event;

under age 21: $25 before the event, $35 day of event. Kenton Place in the field next to The Dirty Martini, 17036 Kenton Drive, Cornelius, www. lakenormanspringfest.com.

Charlotte Dragonboat Festival (May 15) Corporate and community teams paddle for charity while enjoying an Asian festival filled with food, performances and crafts. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Ramsey Creek Park, 18441 Nantz Road, Cornelius, www. charlottedragonboat.com.

Sisters at Heart (May 20) This monthly seminar series focuses on women’s heart health. May‘s topic is “The Flirtatious Heart.” 6 p.m. Free. Little Joe’s, 107 Barium Springs Drive, Troutman, 704.878.7447, www.iredellmemorial.org.

Movies on Main (May 21) In Cars, while traveling to California for the dispute of the final race of the Piston Cup against The King and Chick Hicks, the famous Lightning McQueen accidentally damages the road of the small town Radiator Springs and is sentenced to repair it. Lightning McQueen has to work hard and finds friendship and love in the simple locals, changing its values during his stay in the small town and becoming a true winner. 8:30 p.m.

Free. Bellingham Park, 1600 Bellingham Drive, Mooresville, 704.662.3334, www.ci.mooresville. nc.us.

American Watercolor Society International Traveling Exhibition (May 22-June 27) Mooresville will be the only site in the South

displaying this exhibition of works from artists around the world. Noon-4 p.m. Sun, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tue-Sat. Free, donations accepted. Mooresville Arts Center, Main Street and Center Avenue, Mooresville, 704.663.6661.

Fur in Flight (May 23) This event raises awareness about spaying and neutering pets. DiscConnected K-9s, the 2008 World Dog Frisbee champions, will perform, as well as Dog Logic, a local dog agility group. Lord, the Troutman Police Department canine, and his handler, Rodney James, a veteran law enforcement officer, will also perform. Iredell County Fairgrounds. 12:30 p.m. Free. 630 North Main Street, Troutman, www.friendsoftheanimals.net.

Giving Them Hope Fund-Raising Luncheon (May 25) Learn more about Barium Springs Home for Children and the children and families they serve. Yes, it is a fund-raiser. You will be asked to consider making a contribution. There is no minimum or no maximum gift requested.

11:45 a.m. Free, donations accepted. Davidson College, Vail Commons, Davidson, www.bariumsprings.org.

Living History Day Fund-Raiser (May 29) See the plantation come to life through living history demos. Visitors can tour the plantation house and grounds, as they see blacksmithing, weaving, open-hearth cooking and farm life.

Children can make crafts and dance around the maypole. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free with regular admission. Historic Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample

Road, Huntersville, 704.875.2312, www.lattaplantation.org.

2010 Memorial Day Field of Flags (May 29-31) Flags will be on display at the Mooresville High School baseball field from May 29 through the 11 a.m. ceremony on May 31. Mooresville High School, 659 East Center Street, 704.682.2350 or 704.664.4122.

GALLERIES Christa Faut Gallery John Borden Evans: Behind Harold’s features new paintings on paper and canvas from John Borden Evans, May 4-June 19.

Artist reception on May 8, 4-6 . Tue-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 19818 North Cove Road, Suite E3, Jetton Village, Cornelius, 704.892.5312, www.christafautgallery.com.

Lake Norman Art League Gallery Spring Exhibit showcases members’ works. May 1-14. Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-7 p.m. 442 South Main Street, Davidson, 704.620.4450, www.lknart.org.

THEATRE Road to Mecca (May 1-2, 7-9, 14-16) In this unusual drama set in a tiny South African town, an odd widow has a spiritual revelation that causes her to create a large model of Mecca in her yard.

Fri-Sat 7:30 p.m., Sun 2:30 p.m. $5. The Warehouse, 9216-A Westmoreland Road, Cornelius, 704.619.0429, www.warehousepac.com.

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Lake Norman Currents | MAY 2010

Mecklenburg & Iredell Counties

One More Thing |

A

by Lynn Roberson photography by Glenn Roberson Lake Norman Currents | MAY 2010

rtistic critics call performances by Karen Abercrombie of Mooresville “stunning” and “superb.” As a 28-year veteran singer and actress with film, television and off-Broadway credits, Abercrombie is tapping into those personal experiences in her recently formed Elite Kids Talent Agency.

“This will be a small boutique agency,” Abercrombie says. “We will have 50 to 60 clients at the most.” By maintaining an intimate size, she will offer individual attention.

Her agency will represent children and teens from newborn to age 18 in commercials, film, television, voiceovers and print. She also will continue as artistic director of Angels’ Flight Children’s Theatre, which she founded in Mooresville. The experiences of the theatre’s young artists inspired her to open the talent agency.

“I have an incredible group of students,” she says.

“They could not find reputable representation. The families had for quite some time asked me to do this.”

She heard stories of parents who were charged money up-front and who experienced other issues and knew that she could help represent and safeguard the young artists.

She says she charges a 10 percent fee when she represents a client in a union job and 20 percent for a non-union job. She sees a main part of her job as guiding her clients.

“Success is helping to ignite a spark in a child,” she says. “I always assure them” that “ … they never have to take shortcuts.”

In addition to her national work, Abercrombie has won accolades for her local performances, including the Metrolina Theatre Association’s Outstanding Lead Actress (Drama) for Gem of the Ocean.

Abercrombie is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. She has worked with the Creative Arts Team at New York University and trained under drama professor Vernelle A. Lillie at the University of Pittsburgh. She has also guest-starred on television shows including Strong Medicine, Judging Amy, Ally McBeal, Saved by the Bell and Days of Our Lives. Another creative outlet is as a storyteller. LNC The Scoop For more information, visit www.angelsflighttheatre.com or e-mail Abercrombie at karen@angelsflighttheatre.com.

She accepts head shots, resumes and cover letters at P.O. Box 4691, Mooresville, NC 28117 and will contact potential clients if she has interest.

64

An Eye forTalent Veteran actress launches agency that represents young clients

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