L a k e
N o r m a n
Currents Midway Boathouse Grill keeps it fresh and simple WFAE’s Scott Graf wakes before the roosters Woodlawn School is about learning for life
Hold on Tight It’s rodeo night
8
vol. 2 number
August 2009
www.LnCurrents.com
at Stegall’s Arena
RIGHT NOW, GET SPECIAL dISCOUNTEd LEASE RATES AVAILABLE ON ALL mOdELS!
0
.9% APR fINANCING AVAILABLE!
ON SELECT VEHICLES fOR 36 mONTHS.
ALL NEW 2010 LEXUS
IS250 CONVERTIBLE 2 AVAILABLE fOR ImmEdIATE dELIVERy! NOW TAKING ORdERS!
all-new redesigned 2010 lexus
RX350
why buy an 09 model when you get next year’s model today for less money with more luxury, safety, technology, performance & fuel economy!
available for immediate delivery! setting the benchmarK in styling, safety, performance and comfort!
stk#95061
new 2009 lexus
IS250
mSRP $34,266
Lease for only
359/mO
$
Rates . as low as
premium pacKage
0.9%APR!
stk#91140
new 2009 lexus Lease for only
389/mO
$
Rates . as low as
LS 460
mSRP $69,316
65,830
Buy for only $
premium plus pacKage
0.9%APR!
stk#92037
new 2009 lexus
ES350
mSRP $37,996
stk#94011
new 2009 lexus
GS 350
mSRP $50,146
47,654
Buy for only $
stk#98031
new 2009 lexus
GX470
NAV., mARK LEVINSON mSRP $53,302
49,988
Buy for only $
stk#94800
new 2009 lexus mSRP $62,211
GS 450 h y b r i d
Save $7,000 off!
Sales 704 - 532- 4532 Service 704- 532- 4888 6025 E. Independence Blvd.• Charlotte, NC 28212
Sales Hours : Monday-Friday 8:30a.m. - 7:00p.m. • Saturday 9:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. • Sunday Closed Service Hours : Monday-Friday 7:30a.m. - 6:30p.m. • Saturday 8:00 - 5:00p.m. All offers with approved credit plus tax. All prices plus tax, tag, title and $399 dealer administration fee. All leases 36 months with 10,000 miles per year. New 2009 IS 250 ($3494) and New 2009 Lexus ES350 ($5586) cashor trade down plus tax. On LAC with approved tier one credit. Excess mileage charge of $0.25 per mile in excess of 10,000 miles per year. 2009 IS250,MSRP=$34,266, RESIDUAL VALUE= $18,160: 2009 ES350 MSRP: 37,996, RESIDUAL VALUE=$19,057. WAC, on CPO vehicles only with tier 1 and tier 1 plus credit. *Financing available with approved credit to qualified customers through Lexus Financial Services and Hendrick Lexus on certified pre-owned vehicles.0% APR up to 36 months on select models. Photos for illustration purposes only. Dealer not responsible for typogrpahical errors. Offers subject to change. See dealer for details. Copyright © 2009 Chumney & Associates. All rights reserved. HELE1092
www.HendrickLexus.com
My
Confident. Energetic. Strong. secret? Piedmont HealthCare.
Emily and Holden Statesville
PHC Physicians & Providers Mooresville, Statesville, Troutman
Keeping up with an energetic child is no easy feat. That's why I'm committed to Piedmont Healthcare; they're the only team I can trust to keep my entire family running at top speed.
www.PiedmontHealthCare.com/MySecret
We’re in it for LIFE
LAKE NORMAN’S MOST DISTINCTIVE HOMES Patricks Purchase Waterfront
Beautiful Cedar Shake and Stone home nestled on Lake Norman at Exit 28. Built by Artisan Custom homes in 2007, using materials that preserve the fine art of home building. This luxurious home has incredible rustic beauty, accentuated by exterior gas lights, with water views on the rear and front of the home. Gourmet Kitchen, Soaring Ceilings, Downstairs bar for only the finest of entertaining. MLS#859286 Agent: Lori Jackson 704-996-5686
$ 2,499,000
Connor Quay Waterview
Extraordinary Christopher Phelps designed, Simonini built brick Georgian in gated Connor Quay. As close to waterfront as one can be, the fabulous deeded boat slip accommodates a 25 foot boat, is outfitted with a lift and lies just one hundred yards from the front door. Over 6200 sqft with 5 bedrooms, 6 full and 1 half baths. Gourmet kitchen, 2 laundry rooms and media room. Waterview home with custom pool and spa. MLS#849755 Agent: Lori Jackson/Tracy Davis 702-996-5686/704-241-0067
$ 1,395,000
Waterfront - The Point
Cornelius Waterfront - Captains Point
Waterview-Sherrills Ford
Estate home w/spa, pool & outdoor FP. 2nd mstr suite on LL. Family rm w/coffered ceilings. Upper level terrace MLS#768821 Agent: Lori Jackson 704-996-5686
Approx. 5000sf. 5BR/4.5 Baths. Simonini built. Open floor plan. LL w/second living quarters. Deeded boat slip. MLS# 800933 Agent: Tracy Davis 704-241-0067
Custom Built Craftsman Style Home, 4000SF, 4 BR, 3.5BA, Loaded w/Custom upgrades, Boat Slip. MLS# 863840 Agent: Christopher Roche 980-253-6677
$ 1,895,000
$950,000
$625,000
Mooresville Waterfront
River Run Golf Course
Denver Waterfront
Davidson
Davidson
210’ Wtr Frontage. 5 BR, 4.5 BA. Mstr on Main. Kitchen w/new granite, island & flrs . LL w/kitchen, bdrm, LR w/FP & Game. Beautiful lake views! MLS# 868284 Agent: Laura Poe 704-609-5274
5600 sf. All brick, wooded lot, 3rd flr Gr. Rm w/office or 5th BR. Mstr w/ lrg bonus/off & Pvt. FP. MLS#872318 Agent: Reed Jackson 704-713-3623
Main channel views. 3BR, 3 BA. Open floorplan. LL den w/FP & DR. Screened Porch. MLS# 827812 Agent: Melinda Meade-White 704-534-9208.
5 BR, 3.5 BA. 2STY w/Basement. Upgrades. Kitchen w/granite & hardwoods on main. Screened porch. MLS#863778 Agent: Mike Kessler 704-309-9143
Charleston Style 4 BR, 3.5 BA. Remodeled. Kitchen w/granite & cherry cabinets. Close to Village center & Davidson College. MLS#871003 Agent: Mike Kessler 704-309-9143
$1,200,000
$ 799,500
$599,000
$ 469,000
$ 449,000
LAKE NORMAN DREDGING & MARINE CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Rock On . . . All Summer Long Take advantage of the lake’s high water level and make shoreline improvements to your property by barge. Halt errosion of your shoreline with “Riprap, River Rock.”
Call us for a free estimate on your project • Dredging • Shoreline Stabilization (Rip Rap, River Rock) • Custom Docks and Piers • Dock Maintenance
• Permitting Included • Pre-Post Dredge Quality Control Mapping • Hydrographic Dredge Design • Residential and Commercial
Quality Waterfront Improvements Since 1980 NC General Contractor #27267
704-664-1010 or 704-309-2000 www.dockanddredge.com
Share the vision. And a view.
S
Davis Love III had a vision for his signature golf course at The Club at Irish Creek, a private country club in Kannapolis. Named one of the best new courses in the nation by Golfweek in 2008, it is the focal point of Irish Creek. This is a stunning course in a beautiful community featuring homesites and custom homes starting at 3,000 square feet. Come explore the vision of Davis Love III. And find your view.
Homesites from the $100s Custom Homes from the $600s
kannapolis, nc
704.250.2 5 2 5 w w w. L i ve At I ri s h C re e k . co m
Contents |
10 The Main Channel
What’s hip at Lake Norman
16 Currency
16
Monthly Financial Feature – What history can teach us about the stock market
18 Porthole 20 The Captain’s FIRE 2009
Chair
20
Scott Graf is radio’s early bird
22 Rip Currents — Education
Woodlawn School encourages students to love learning
32 Let’s Go 42 Strong
Hold on tight for a night at the rodeo
Currents
Writer Renee Roberson shares how her fitness journey improved her life and her family’s
46 T he Galley
Midway Boathouse Grill goes through an extreme makeover to capture a niche
32 22
46
48 Yum Update
The Dirty Martini attracts sophisticated singles and more
50 Grapevine
The Red Hills region of California offers wines of great value
52 On Course
48
Cowan’s Ford Golf Club is a walker friendly course worth rediscovering
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
61 Currently
The 2009 UANA Pan American Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships showcase talent and timing
64 O ne More Thing Fran Park reels students in
6
52
Rare 1.7 Acre Waterfront Point Estate - Lake Norman, Cornelius
A waterfront estate in a class all its own. • • • • • •
1.7 acres with over 870 feet of shoreline Spectacular 300 degree lake views Open floor plan ideal for entertaining Custom architectural materials and features Private guest quarters Award-winning landscape design
MLS: 849025 $3,195,000 Virtual Tour: www.21626normanshores.com
Crites ProPerties N
E
Premium Properties. Superior Service.
W S
Neal Crites Owner/Broker
704.840.4004 • neal@critesrealestate.com
www.critesrealestate.com
Lori K. Tate
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 |
Come Blog with us Let us know what’s
The magazine by and for the people who call Lake Norman home
on your mind
W
hen I’d return from summer camp as a little girl, I’d relish all of the addresses I brought home because each address represented a new friend. I’d write letters on colorful stationery and eagerly anticipate a reply. I would look forward to hearing about the events taking place in such exotic towns as Salisbury and Oxford, North Carolina. Times have certainly changed. Now when kids part after a summer adventure, they simply tell their friends to look them up on Facebook. In a matter of seconds, they can be completely tuned into their new friend’s life without posting a stamp. I’m not complaining because I happen to be a big fan of Facebook. Although some view it as a lazy form of communication, I see it as an extremely efficient way of keeping up with my family and friends. How else am I going to know that my friends are eating Sloppy Joes for dinner? Perhaps that’s why I enjoy reading blogs so much. I’m not talking about the ones dealing with hardcore news and politics; I’m talking about my friend’s blogs. My next-door neighbor keeps a blog about her family so we can keep up with her son at Chapel Hill and her daughter’s middle school adventures. Another friend keeps
Check out our blog Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
8
a blog about her two little boys, both under four. My friend Tara writes a blog about her battle with cancer. It’s an easy way for her to keep us all updated on her courageous journey. She can let us know about her treatments and how she’s feeling without having to make a million phone calls. Now, I’m happy to announce that Currents has a blog. That’s right, now you can blog with us on a daily basis about whatever is on your mind. Maybe you have a comment on a recent article in Currents. Maybe you’ve discovered a tasty new bakery. Maybe you know someone who is doing something extraordinary in the community. Or maybe you’re concerned, as I am, about people running red lights on Catawba Avenue. Whatever it is, we’d like to know about it. You can find our blog by visiting www.lncurrents.com. Click on the Our Blog tab and you’re there. Oh, and if you happen to be a Facebook person, be sure to become a fan of Currents on there as well. Maybe today’s forms of communication aren’t as romantic or as personal as my colorful stationery was, but all that really matters is that we stay connected.
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
Cindy Dorman Advertising Sales Executive CindyD@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 - Sumcad Design
Letters to the Editor Here’s your chance to be seen and heard. Have a comment concerning something you read in CURRENTS? Want to pass on a money-saving tip, complain about Lake Norman traffic, thank someone special or just tell us why you love living here? Whatever is on your mind, tell us about it. You can send letters to PO Box 1676, Cornelius, NC 28031 or email to Editor@LNCurrents.com. Let’s give Lake Norman something to talk about!
About the Cover Trent Pitts photographed these sassy cowboy boots when he went to the rodeo at Stegall’s Arena in Concord. 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.
Vol. 2 No. 8 August 2009
the
Main Channel Movers, Shakers, Style, Shopping, Trends, Happenings and More at Lake Norman
Guitar Hero
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Photo courtesy of Jared Stamey
Jared Stamey has rock star ambitions and the talent to back it up
Jared Stamey’s guitar talent landed him a four-year scholarship to Berklee College of Music.
10
It had all led up this moment for Jared Stamey. A guitar phenom, he taught himself how to play at 13. A year later he was lead guitarist in a band with guys three times his age. He had even jammed alongside the likes of Paul Stanley of Kiss and Dickey Betts of The Allman Brothers. And now, all the practice and dedication had led him here, to the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where he was about to audition. He plugged in his guitar, and started to wail. He was horrified by what he heard coming out of the amplifier. “My nerves really got to me,” says Jared, 18. “I felt like I bombed; that there was no way I’d get into this college without another five years of practice.” Jared, a Mooresville native who graduated from Lake Norman High School, didn’t even like the guitar when he first tried it. When he was 12, his father, Van, bought him a used guitar and signed him up for lessons. “I hated it. You had to do the same thing over and over,” recalls Jared. “I put it under the bed and forgot about it.” But on his 13th birthday, he dusted off the forgotten instrument after his dad encouraged him to try to learn one of his favorite songs, The Ocean by Led Zeppelin. “Something clicked,
The Scoop Want to here Jared Stamey play before he heads off to college? Check him out at these local venues this month.
August 14 Exit 36 Grill & Billiards 167 Pinnacle Lane, Mooresville 704.799.6210 www.exit36lkn.com
Derado’s brings flavors from the Mediterranean to town
When you walk into Derado’s Italian Gourmet Market in Cornelius, all of its employees greet you immediately. If John DeSieno Jr. sees you, he’ll walk up to you, shake your hand and say, “Welcome to my family’s store.” Don’t be offended if you don’t see him though, because DeSieno spends most of his time cooking in the kitchen. Persuaded to move down South from upstate New York after his brother’s family (including DeSieno’s four-year-old god daughter Giovanna) and mother moved here, the 40-year-old opened Derados in late June. “I was getting a phone call from my god daughter once a week saying that I’ve got to come down here,” recalls DeSieno, a graduate in the Culinary Arts and a member of the American Culinary Federation. “I had dinner with my brother’s family one night and a group of his friends showed up, about 25 or 30 people, and they just basically sat me down and said, ‘We need your food down here.’ ” DeSieno, who ran a catering business for 13 years up North comes from a family with a strong history of running Italian restaurants and markets. “I took the best parts of each location,” he explains. “My family’s food is everybody’s food.” Browsing through his Italian market you’ll find pasta sauces from Casa Visco, a business of his family’s, as well as fresh Italian bread (baked every morning by DeSieno) for $2.50 and Villa Dolce gelato. Homemade pasta from Brooklyn is fresh freezed and delivered to the store on a regular basis, as is authentic New York cheesecake. The deli carries standards highlighted with capicolla, mortadella, pancetta and prosciutto, and DeSieno prepares dishes such as chicken parmesan, eggplant parmesan and angus meatballs for take out from his grandmother’s recipes. Derado’s also offers a vast selection of pizzas and sandwiches. “With this store, I’m paying respect to my grandparents, to everyone who came before me. I wanted to bring the legacy down here to the people of North Carolina and share the food that I actually grew up with,” says DeSieno. “When you have good food, all your worries seem to go by the wayside.”— LKT, Photos by Glenn Roberson
From left, John DeSieno Jr.’s mother, Antoinette Derado, and his god daughter Giovanna, hang out at Derado’s
Fresh pastries are a staple at Derado’s.
With a European-market atmosphere, Derado’s is friendly and flavorful. The Scoop Derado’s Italian Gourmet Market 8301 Magnolia Estates Drive, Cornelius. 704.237.3382 www.derados.com Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sun 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
11
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
August 2 Midtown Sundries 18665 Harborside Drive, Cornelius 704.896.9013 http://www.midtownsundries.com/ lakenorman.html
That’s Amore
The Main Channel |
and I was playing it by the end of the night.” A year later he was playing lead guitar with The Thermatones, a band that some of Van’s buddies had put together. The five-piece outfit, which had to make special arrangements for Jared to play in bars and clubs since he was underage, performs its trademark bluesy rock throughout the Lake Norman area. Jared’s talent continued to garner attention. When he was 16 he was selected to attend the Rock-n-Roll Fantasy Camp in Hollywood, California, where he played with a number of rock stars including his personal guitar hero, Steve Vai. And even though he was armed with his Ibanez Steve Vai Signature JEM guitar for his Berklee audition, he was sure he had blown his big opportunity. A few weeks later he received word from the Boston college. Not only had he been accepted, but the school offered him a four-year scholarship as well. He leaves in September. As for Jared’s plans after Berklee, he’s got the same dream as just about every kid who’s ever strapped on a guitar — become a big rock star, tour the world and make buckets of money. “If that doesn’t work out, then maybe something behind the scenes like a producer or manager,” say Jared. “But whatever I do, if I’m not involved with music then I won’t be happy.” — Sam Boykin
The Main Channel |
Natural Beauty
A local father and daughter team bring organics to a new level Get ready to treat your skin to something that grows only in one corner of the world, the high mountains of Crete. However, its only distributors in the United States live here, in Birkdale. Christina Kyriazi and her father, Leo Kyriazis, moved to the Lake Norman area from Greece eight years ago and operate BIOselect, a line of ‘green’ skin care products, from their home. BIOselect creams, lotions, soaps and hair-care products are free of parabens and silicones and are made with organic extra virgin olive oil and BIOselect products are a unique healing not tested on animals. ingredient called Dictamelia, an extract of dictamo, a pulpy herb with fuzzy hairs. Centuries ago, Aristotle wrote that wounded animals would seek out the dictamo herb, climbing high mountains to eat it so
Christina Kyriazi and her father, Leo Kyriazis, operate BIOselect, a line of ‘green’ skin care products, from their home in Birkdale.
they would recover from what ailed them. Lucky for us, we don’t have to climb mountains to get it. We just have to understand the benefits of it. “Everything you rub into your skin reaches your bloodstream, in seconds,” explains Leo, who has a doctorate in chemistry. “So doesn’t it make sense to use something as close to natural human oils as possible? You can put the petroleum products contained in most cosmetics on your skin, and it’s so much cheaper. But it clogs the pores, and then you often have to buy hypoallergenic creams to fight it.” BIOselect makes a cleansing milk that has a little higher pH to clean out the pores. You follow it with a tonic lotion that brings the pH level of the skin back to normal. “Customers with acne, rosacea or eczema say these are soothing,” says Christina.
Shop & Tell
Mad Hatter and La De Daa’s
The Scoop BIOselect products cost between $10 to $50. The lotions & shower gels are approximately $15 to $20, and the face creams range from $25 to $50. You can request free samples at www. bioselect-us.com or purchase BIOselect products locally at Moore Chiropractic in Mooresville.
chocolate to orange. On Friday nights, Mad Hatter is open to 10 p.m., making it the perfect place to grab coffee and dessert with friends. 178 North Main Street, Mooresville, 704.663.7572. Stacie Jorishie and Dorothy Parnian have opened La De Daa’s, a preppy and prissy paradise in downtown Davidson. Monogram is the key word here, as almost every item from nap mats to bags to bottle wraps can be monogrammed (that’s included in the price with the exception of belts). The sweetest part of the shop is MJ’s Sugar Shack, which is quickly becoming famous for its chai cupcakes. MJ Bowman is the baker in charge. If you need to buy a little happy, this is the place for you. 202 South Main Street, Davidson, 704.892.9700, www.ladedaas.com. — LKT
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Photos courtesy of La De Daa’s
Hilda Gatton is the mastermind behind The Mad Hatter Bakery & Boutique in downtown Mooresville. Filled with all sort sorts of edible and non-edible treats (think whimsically handpainted furniture, handmade jewelry and homemade soap), you’ll feel like Alice in Wonderland as you browse around. Gatton operated a home bakery in Statesville for five years before opening Mad Hatter. She’s known for her pound cakes, which come in a variety of flavors from vanilla to lemon to
“Our olive oil soap is not scented and is like Grandma used to make,” adds Leo. The olives come from the manufacturer’s organic groves on Crete, while dictamo is harvested in its natural habitat at higher elevations. “In Europe, ‘organic’ is huge, it’s a movement,” says Leo. “In Europe, if it’s organic, there are guaranteed sales. Here in the United States, natural products are in the bottom of profitability.” BIOselect products are certified by ICEA, the Italian organization that certifies European organics. “ICEA is so strict that the makers of each ingredient have to be certified, and they are re-tested every six months,” says Leo. “This means that manufacturers cannot switch to cheaper sources as they can here.” In addition, products are never tested on animals, and are completely recyclable. Says Leo, “It’s better to understand and use what nature has already designed.” — Story and photos by Eloise D. Morano
12
Monogramming is key at La De Daa’s in Davidson.
to show their support as well by donating cakes. In the past, more than 100 cakes have been donated each year by professors and their spouses and residents. From simple to elaborate, all manner of homemade cakes — and some store bought — have become a friendly competition in their own right as bakers strive to create a confection that will be selected first by top finishers. Laura Grosch, who has baked a cake for the race for more than 40 years, sticks with a tried-and-true design. Her star-shaped Duncan Hines butter recipe chocolate fudge cake, with homemade chocolate frosting, proclaims “You Win” in white frosting and is surrounded by lots of M&Ms. She says it has consistently been selected within the top four by runners over the years. “It’s become my classic,” says Grosch, a local artist. — Cathy Swiney, Photo by Bill Giduz
Davidson College students run for their cake and eat it too It began 75 years ago as a mandatory race to identify recruits for the Davidson College track team. Track coach Heath Whittle realized he needed something to make the race appealing so he convinced faculty wives to bake cakes that would be awarded to winners, thus beginning the annual Freshman Cake Race. These days the 1.7-mile race around the perimeter of the college is voluntary, but that doesn’t stop students from supporting this tradition that now serves as part of orientation week. “It’s been a fun event through the years to welcome the new class to college,” says Sterling Martin of Davidson, who was the race winner in 1963 and eventually became director of the physical education department and track and cross-country coach. Members of the community continue
The Main Channel |
Just Desserts
Davidson College field hockey players participate in the Freshman Cake Race.
The Scoop This year’s race will be Wednesday, Aug. 26, at 5 p.m., beginning at Richardson Stadium.
inc.
20821-b north main st. Cornelius, nc 28031 704.763.0422 www.cabinetsand design.net Mention this ad for free in-home design consultation 13
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
cabinets & design
Dan Boye and Jacque Culpepper take their talents to Colorado
Photo courtesy of Jacque Culpepper
This month Dan Boye and Jacque Culpepper head to the mountains of Colorado. While they might hike while they’re out there, they’re main objective is to perform at the Breckenridge Music Festival. Boye, a professor of physics at Davidson College, and Culpepper, an artist associate of voice in Davidson’s Music Department, will perform concerts featuring classic works, opera and cabaret numbers. This is Boye’s 11th summer performing at the festival and Culpepper’s 14th. “We work with absolutely incredible musicians from all over the From left, Jacque Culpepper country and perform with my favorite conductor, Gerhardt Zim- and Dan Boye are seasoned performers at the Breckenridge mermann,” says Culpepper. Zimmermann, the former music direc- Music Festival. tor and conductor of the North Carolina Symphony, was the one who initially recruited Culpepper to the festival in 1994. “These people love what they do and are some of the best at doing it,” says Boye, a bass-baritone, of Zimmermann and members of the orchestra. The lowest part of Breckenridge sits 9,600 feet above sea level, which can be tough for singers. “Dealing with the lack of oxygen can be challenging, actually very difficult,” explains Culpepper, who is a first soprano. “I usually go several days ahead to adjust, although in two to three weeks, you don’t ever completely adjust. It has taught me a great deal about breathing.” Boye and Culpepper have gathered fond memories throughout their years at Breckenridge. “Quite often, a chipmunk or two will run through the floor of the audience during rehearsals and concerts,” says Culpepper. “The cabarets usually bring me out of my shell,” adds Boye. “I’ve had to sing songs made famous by Bing Crosby, Ethel Merman and Kermit the Frog. Yes, I’ve even had to imitate Elvis — what a stretch that was.” — LKT
The Ultimate Garage… ®
Currenteer
The Main Channel |
Mountain Music
Be a Currenteer Giving back to others is one of the best things we can do to make our community stronger. Each month we highlight a volunteer opportunity in the area.
Angels & Sparro Soup Kitchen ws Angels & Sparro
ws So Huntersville is seek up Kitchen in in deliver Friendship g volunteers to help Trays as well as ba g lunches to childre n du who normally rece ring the summer iv breakfast and lunc e a subsidized h during the scho ol Friendship Trays ar e delivered Monda year. y through Friday be ginn lunches are deliver ing at 10:45 a.m. Bag ed and Thursday begi Tuesday, Wednesday nning at 10:45 a.m . Please contact Sa ndy director, at 704.91 Tilley, executive 8.01 information abou 22. For more t Angels & Sparrow s, visit www.angelsandsp arrows.org.
Floor Coatings | Cabinets | Organizers
Functional storage space
Introducing PremierAccess™ With our new innovative by-pass sliding door system, you can now access your belongings, without moving your vehicle.
for your garage!
With our new PremierAccessTM sliding door cabinetry system, it’s easy to create functional storage space and transform your messy garage into the Ultimate Garage®. When it comes to cabinets, floor coatings, and organizers, we are the industry standard for durability, quality, and long lasting beauty. Call us today to learn how you, Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
can have “The Ultimate Garage!”® Call us today at 704.561.3334 or visit PremierGarage.com
© 2008 PremierGarage. All rights reserved. Each franchise independently owned and operated.
14
PremierAccess™ is available in Windswept Pewter, Windswept Bronze and Maple.
PremierGarage
®
Quality Floor Coatings, Cabinets, and Organizers
Chart Your Own Course...
Find Inner Peace
Release Your Free Spirit
State-of-the-Art Spa
Equestrian Center
Feed Your Soul
Discover True Fulfillment...
Award-winning Alexander’s Restaurant
Discover Rock Barn Golf & Spa
A PGA Champions Tour Event H
C
September 14-20
AM
T
at Rock Barn
A
• 36-hole Champion Golf Courses • Luxury townhome accommodations • 4 bedroom, 3 bath townhouse located in Rock Barn Complex - 2 Clubhouses - Spa Complex • Fully furnished for overnight to one month stay accomodations
Greater Hickory Classic Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Featuring:
Various membership opportunities available
EN
Starting at $195/night
Home sites starting at $99,000
EV
NEW!! Stay & Play Packages
PIONS TOU
R
www.Rockbarn.com 828.459.3600 15
Currency | by Tony Montanari
Learning from the Past What history can teach us about the stock market
H
istory has shown that the stock market typically moves in cycles. Over the last 110 years, it has rewarded investors with long-term growth returns that have exceeded the returns on bonds and CDs and more importantly, inflation. When you take a closer look at these particular cycles, you’ll notice that the stock market typically has long periods of high returns followed by long periods of lower ones.
Looking back To give you a better idea of what I mean, let’s take a look at the Dow Jones Industrial Average going all the way back to the early 1900s. In 1906, the Dow was at about 100 and despite a lot of volatility, it was still at about 100 in 1924 — 18 years later. From there we entered a bull market that lasted until 1929 and saw the Dow triple in value, as it closed at around 300. Then came the
stock market crash in 1929 followed by the Great Depression. The Dow experienced multiple bull and bear markets for the next 25 years, but was still around 300 in 1954. In November of 1954 we entered another multi-year bull market that took the Dow to approximately 1,000 in 1966. For the next 16 years the Dow was once again flat, with a value of about 1,000 in late 1982. We now enter the period that most of us are familiar with, the roaring ’80s and ’90s. During this period the Dow climbed from around 1,000 to a high of 14,100 in October 2007. Now it’s currently trading at about the same level it was in 1998. If history does repeat itself, it is very possible that the major stock market indices could experience tremendous volatility and gain little ground for the next five to 10 years. This does not mean investors can’t rebuild their portfolios. Also, remember that we are examining a stock market index by evaluating it from price point to price point, excluding dividends. As of recently, the Dow has a current dividend yield of approxi-
mately 3.25 percent, which is close to the same return you would get if you locked your money up in a 10-year treasury note.
Position yourself for growth After the market decline we have recently experienced, it’s important to examine your portfolio and make sure you are positioned in a way that can reduce volatility and enhance returns despite what the Dow Jones or S&P 500 do over the next five to 10 years. When talking to investors, I emphasize the importance of good, actively managed portfolios. If you look at some mutual funds which date back to the ’60s, you will find that despite a market that went nowhere, some of these funds still averaged 7 to 9 percent per year, which tripled your money during the 1966-1982 time period when the Dow was flat. It’s also important to have a portfolio of non-correlating assets. This means getting away from traditional large company stocks. Alternative investments have gained in popularity over the years because of the diversification affects that they provide. These could be assets like gold and commodities, managed futures funds and hedge funds. It is also important to diversify your bond holdings. The past 10 years have been extremely difficult in the market, and this pattern could very well continue for another 10 years. If you have a long-term horizon, don’t get scared into CDs, money markets or other low-yielding fixed instruments. Now is the time to reevaluate your plan and start thinking about your future. I think famous investor, Shelby Cullom Davis, said it best, “You make most of your money in a bear market, you just don’t realize it at the time.” LNC
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Tony Montanari, CIMA®, is a senior vice president with Capital Guardian Wealth Management. He has been providing financial and investment advice to families and businesses since 1998. He may be reached at 704.865.2900, Tony Montanari tony.montanari@capitalguardianllc.com. He makes his home at Verdict Ridge in Denver.
16
Grand Opening of
Cosmetic Dentistry Lucy Parker-Randall
of the
Carolinas
Captain’s Chair |
Dr. Ross Nash is pleased to announce the
Mrs. Charlotte
General and Cosmetic Dental Care 403 Gilead Road • Suite E Huntersville NC 28078 Appointments: (704) 895-7660
www.Cosmetic Dentistry of the Carolinas.com
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.
17
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Ross W. Nash, DDS Garry S. Tous, DDS Experience • Expertise • Esthetics
Dr. Nash is also proud to announce that American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Accreditation Candidate Garry S. Tous, DDS, will be joining Cosmetic Dentistry of the Carolinas – providing the finest in cosmetic and full general dental care.
Porthole |
FIRE 2009
photos courtesy of Ada Jenkins Center
Ada Jenkins holds its first annual 5K and BBQ event
On June 20, folks gathered in the heat at Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson for its first annual FIRE 2009 5K and BBQ. Guests enjoyed homecooked chopped pork barbecue, as well as samplings from local restaurants, live music and juggling demonstrations. The mayors from Cornelius, Davidson and Huntersville in addition to Bill Russell, president of the Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from Sunn Enterprises, the premier sponsor of the event, judged the barbecue competition. The event raised more than $6,000 for the center that continues to meet the tremendous demands of assisting families in crisis in our area.
Preparations for the barbecue began early in the morning.
From left, Sherry Byrd andMichael Daniels from Smokin’ Coals Catering and a member of Porky’s Purgatory Team.
From left, Tom Grogan, John Adams, little boy, James Bazzelle, William Haygood III, Titus Haygood, David Haygood, Georgia Krueger and Don Carr.
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
From left, Jill Swain, John Woods, Jeff Tarte, Jennifer Dunn, Dan Dunn and Bill Russell judge the barbecue competition.
18
Folks lined up for barbecue plates throughout the day.
漏 D. YURMAN 2009
Northlake Mall 路 SouthPark
The Captain’s Chair |
Scott Graf is the local host of Morning Edition on Charlotte’s National Public Radio affiliate, 90.7 WFAE-FM.
by Mike Savicki photos by Glenn Roberson
WFAE’s Scott Graf is on the way to work before your alarm clock rings
Radio’s Early Bird O
riginally from the Midwest (Iowa to be exact), Scott Graf fell in love with this part of the country while honeymooning with his wife, Kelly, in late 2003. In April 2004, the couple moved here so Scott could become the local host of Morning Edition on Charlotte’s National Public Radio affiliate, 90.7 WFAE-FM. They now reside in Cornelius with their one-year-old daughter, Camryn. We caught up with Scott to ask him about changes in the area’s news landscape, interesting interviews and naps.
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
In many cases, your voice is the first thing people hear when they wake for work each weekday morning. How early do you get up and are naps a necessary part of the day?
I set two alarms each morning. The first one rings at 3:45 a.m. I spend a couple minutes coming into the day, and I hit the road not long after the second alarm rings. My first break [on-air moment] of the day is at 4:59 a.m. on the nose. 20
Naps are a necessary part of the day, and I’d say maybe once a month I might miss my afternoon nap. I don’t really look at it as a nap though; I look at it as having to sleep twice in the day to get the sleep most people get all at once. In college, I got in the habit of staying up late in order to have fun and needing a nap the next day to recharge was necessary. I think I have figured out a new way to keep it going.
How has the news in this market changed since you began reporting five years ago?
For the first four years, I couldn’t help but notice how positive all the news coming out of Charlotte really was. There were new jobs and businesses coming to town, banks were turning record profits, and we did story after story about how this was one of the hottest towns in the country. Starting in about August and September last year, the tone of our
very careful with your wording and make sure you aren’t leading the listener in one direction or another. You have to report the news and not editorialize in any way, shape or form. On public radio, my job is strictly to report the facts.
Who is the most interesting person you have interviewed?
Technology is changing the way we receive and process media in our lives. Do you see radio changing, as well?
One of my favorite people in Charlotte to sit down and chat with is Humpy Wheeler (the former president and general manager of Lowe’s Motor Speedway). I think he is a colorful character, a real gem and such a great representative of this area. He has that true Piedmont North Carolina accent, and he is a great storyteller. In any setting, I jump at the chance to shake his hand and say “hi.” What sort of stories do you find the most challenging to prepare and share with listeners each morning?
Controversial stories present the greatest challenges. You have to “tow the line,” be
For the most part, the role radio plays in people’s lives is the same as it was five and even 10 years ago. It seems to me that radio is still very important in most people’s lives and even with satellite radio, hearing a local friend makes the time go by just a bit faster. This station has continued to grow because it is the place listeners like the commuters coming down from Mooresville through Huntersville go first for the local news and traffic. You might say we have a “captive” audience because of the traffic, but I think it goes beyond that. It’s tough to replace friendship.
I hear making ice cream with your grandfather’s antique ice cream maker is a hobby. Is there a secret Graf family recipe or flavor you might share?
My grandfather died four years ago, and this was one of his favorite things handed down to me. It’s nice to share this connection with him even though he is not around anymore. The best recipe I ever made is the easiest. He used to bring it out on special occasions, and I do the same thing now, too. I’m happy to share it but warn people that it is not healthy at all. LNC
Captains Chair |
stories changed. Instead of being one of the hottest towns to live in, we became a town that was cooling off at the greatest pace. I went from reporting primarily good news to having to search high and low for positive ones.
After completing his graduate work at Duke University, Mike Savicki moved from Boston to Lake Norman, where he has lived and worked for 15 years. An adventurer as much as a writer, he has completed marathons, triathlons and multi-sport races around the world. He writes locally and nationally and was a contributing writer and editorial team member for “The Adversity Advantage,” published by Fireside, a division of Simon and Schuster, in 2007.
is not “Trend STYLE Style is a reflection of the client’s personality; trend is a thing that will soon be of the past
”
Featured on HGTV Allied Member ASID starrmiller.com 704.896.3321
make your space
STUNNING 21
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Tell me what you’re thinking...
Rip Currents — Education | by Lori K. Tate photos courtesy of Woodlawn School
W Woodlawn School fosters more than academics
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
22
hen Dwayne and Karen Bowman moved to Cornelius from the West coast, they had no intention of starting a school. After working 15 hectic years in the software industry for giants such as Amazon.com, Apple Computer and Corbis, Dwayne wanted to relax and spend time with his family.
However, when the couple began researching schools for their two children, the Bowmans couldn’t find the right fit. “We were looking for a place for them that was a great experience academically, athletically, socially,” recalls Dwayne. “At that time [2002], there weren’t as many choices as there are now. … Charter schools weren’t around. There were just limited choices, and we didn’t want to drive to Charlotte necessarily.” Instead, they purchased 61 acres just north of Davidson that had a few buildings on it, including the historic Woodlawn plantation home, which dates back to 1836. “We talked to a couple of teachers that we knew in this area, and they expressed the desire to start something new,” says Dwayne. Start something new they did. With seven students and three full-time teachers, the Bowmans founded Woodlawn School seven years ago, offering grades fourth through seventh. “We’ve kind of grown on both ends as people have asked us to grow basically,” explains Dwayne. “We’ve always wanted to go through 12th. That was always a goal.” This month the school’s goal becomes a reality as Woodlawn begins offering first through 12th grade. Kindergarten will be offered next year.
Learning for
Life
23
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Students take advantage of Woodlawn School’s 61-acre campus.
Rip Currents — Education |
Left: An upper-school student concentrates in chemistry lab. Below: Students learn through all sort of activities and projects at Woodlawn. Below left: Dwayne Bowman founded Woodlawn School with this wife, Karen.
Integrated learning
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
At the end of the 2009 academic year, Woodlawn had 153 students. Much of that growth can be attributed to the school’s dedication to its mission statement. The whole idea behind the school is to produce independent, lifelong learners through an integrated curriculum created by the school’s teachers. Sure the students take tests, but they also learn by doing project-based work and regularly volunteering in the community. “You’ve got to be able to adapt, learn new things your whole life, so if you can kind of get that early, in middle school especially, that’s going to set you up well for high school and college and then your ca24
reer,” says 47-year-old Dwayne, who team teaches chemistry at Woodlawn. “We want to engage kids. We want them to want to come to school.” Woodlawn’s scenic campus, complete
with forests and a small stream, works well in that capacity, as students are encouraged to go outdoors as much as possible. Whether discussing a novel, painting a picture, studying wildlife, playing soccer or working in the school’s garden, students and teachers are not sequestered by four walls. “We have hour-long meetings every week at the grade level instead of at the subject level,” explains Tim Helfrich, who
da mio cucina verso tuo ... mangia mangia! (from my kitchen to yours ... eat eat!) Italian Delicacies • Pastas • Pizzas • Sandwiches • Italian Staples • Pastries • “Family” Sauces Freshly Prepared “Ready to go” Meals • Pasta • Meatballs • Parmesan Dinners • Italian Bread Made Daily We are your one-stop shop for all your Italian needs Single items to full meals, for your home, picnic or your next boating adventure.
Derado’s Italian Gourmet Market 8301-3 Magnolia Estates Dr, Magnolia Plaza Cornelius NC - 704-237-3382 www.derados.com
Derado’s
Italian Gourmet Market
Upscale grocery, gift shop & delicatessen specializing in authentic, hard-to-find items from around the world. An ambience and atmosphere like no other
Now Serving!
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
25
Rip Currents — Education |
teaches English in the upper school and also owns Summit Coffee in Davidson. “The primary intent of those meetings is for teachers to understand what the other teachers are doing and to kind of brainstorm projects.” That’s one of the aspects of Woodlawn that Jerod Jones, a fourth- and fifth-grade math and science teacher, finds most appealing. So appealing that he commutes from Rock Hill on a daily basis. “I love the A third-grade class shows off its latest projects.
Make a Wise Investment in Your Smile. • • • • • •
(EXPIRATION 8⁄09 )
(EXPIRATION 8⁄09 )
Sedation Dentistry Sleep Apnea Treatment Invisalign and Implants Laser Dentistry and TMD General Dentistry Cosmetic and Restorative
(EXPIRATION 8⁄09 )
In these economic times, it’s natural to cut back � but not when it comes to your oral health. Make a wise investment by taking care of your smile with comprehensive dentistry from Dr. Roberto Palmieri. He has the experience and knowledge you need to ensure that you have good oral health for many years to come.
fact that it’s project based and integrated,” says Jones, who has also taught art at Woodlawn. “When we do a project, oftentimes it goes through all areas. It’s mainly social studies driven. We kind of use that as the basis, and then we’ll pull in as many math integrations, art integrations, science integrations as we can.” For instance, when fourth graders study North Carolina history, Jones teaches a science unit on flight so the students can understand better what the Wright brothers were facing when building the world’s first successful airplane. “What we seek here is for students to reach the application level and above in their critical thinking,” explains Angela McKenzie, head of school. “We always ask ourselves, why are we implementing this? Why are we developing this project? Will this truly benefit our students in becoming lifelong learners on their journey?”
Smart growth
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Another important tenet in Woodlawn’s curriculum is its commitment to nurturing contributing citizens of society. “Each grade level has a service that they focus on for the entire year,” explains McKenzie. “There’s such a curriculum connection to all of our service. In third grade their essential question is, how do communities change over time? So we look at this issue of homeless people in the area and how has Continued on page 28
26
The following free checking account is rated “A” for amazing and contains strong interest rates, no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements and free use of ATMs anywhere in the country. It has been formatted to fit your life and is now playing at a CommunityOne Bank near you. Enjoy the show! The power of positive banking.SM Yes you can.® Cornelius 8231 Magnolia Estates Dr 704.439.1500
Mooresville 141 Williamson Road 704.658.9261
Statesville 1829 E Broad Street 704.873.2222
Required Terms and Conditions:
800.873.1172 • MyYesBank.com
*4.01% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) paid on balances between one penny and $25,000 and 1.00% APY paid on the portion of your balance above $25,000, each cycle the following minimum requirements are met: 1) 10 debit card purchases; 2) One direct deposit or one automatic draft or one online bill payment; 3) Receive your bank statement by e-mail. If you do not meet these requirements each cycle your account will still function as a free checking account, however you will earn 0.10% APY and you will not receive ATM refunds for that time period. You will receive the premium APY and ATM refunds on your first cycle whether you meet the minimum requirements or not. APY shown is accurate as of date of publication. We may change interest rates and APYs at any time after the account is opened without notice. Minimum balance to open account is $100. Available to personal accounts only. CheckingOne is powered by BancVue. ©2009 CommunityOne Bank, N.A., Member FDIC
Rip Currents — Education |
Continued from page 26
that come to be such a high number.” The third graders go to Fifth Street Ministries in Statesville and volunteer with the homeless once a month. Field trips are also an integral part of the curriculum and are more feasible because of Woodlawn’s smaller class size, approximately 15 students. As an extension of an environmental project Jones’ fifth graders were recently working on, they visited Davidson College to see the school’s
Right: Tripp Berini and Clayton Kolls volunteer at a homeless shelter. Left: Terin Patel-Wilson creates a project on his computer.
green initiatives firsthand. “The kids have been studying things like biodiesel fuel and sustainable practices, green roofs, and we were able to go to the Davidson College campus and see all of these things in practice, where they compost all of their food wastes,” says Jones. “It was able to become real for the kids as opposed to being something that they’re studying.” Dually accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools, Woodlawn is poised for smart
growth. “We want to be small because we feel like small kind of fits this property better anyway, small being 300 to 400 kids,” says Dwayne. “We think it makes sense to have a smaller, more intimate environment, smaller class sizes and be a little more outdoor oriented so you’re walking in between buildings like you do at college.” Dwayne recognizes that Woodlawn is not a school for everyone, but it’s the kind of learning environment he and his wife wanted for their children. “We can’t be all things to all people here of course,” says Dwayne. “We try to make sure parents know what we’re about, and they can make good choices.” LNC
Tilley Harley Davidson/Buell
®
Saturday, Aug. 8 the victory Junction gang Camp
Tour the camp and come back to Tilley’s for DOOr PrIZes - FOOD - Fun $20 Single/$25 for Two Registration 8-9:15 am - All Vehicles welcome
Come help the kids have fun at Camp! Other August events
Saturday, Aug. 16, 2 pm statesville hog Meeting Thursday, Aug. 20-Saturday, 22nd Join us in Mt. Airy for the n.C. state hOg rally
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Saturday, Aug. 29 Children’s Miracle network Fundraiser Poker run sponsored by Food Lion - registration noon-1:30 pm
Tilley Harley-Davidson/Buell, Inc.
704-872-3883 www.tilleyhd.com Mon-Fri 9-6; Sat 9-5; Sun 12-5
I-77, Exit 49A • Statesville
(right off exit then right on Morland Dr.)
28
Looking for more out of your Real Estate Broker?
Visit Lake Norman’s Leading Bicycle Shops ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Introducing “At your service.” We provide you with a choice of any 3 of the following free services when you list your home with us: Pre-Inspection Energy Audit Inspection Handy-Man
Home Cleaning (3 weeks) Lawn Maintenance (3 months) Interior Painting (Up to 3 rooms)
Sales Service Clothing Family Road Mountain Triathlon
Contact us to schedule your listing and oh yes, to start your honey-do list too. (704) 293-6486 www.livinonlakenorman.com
It's Not Just A Dock - - -
It's A Lifestyle!
Some people’s Aura is as beautiful on the outside as it is on the inide.
- New Dock and Pier Construction - Dock Repair and Renovation - Covered Docks, Seawalls, Boat Lifts - Artificial Landscape Turf
benjaminmoore.com
Lake Norman Paint Store 21224 Catawba Ave @ Exit 28 704-895-4784
1219 River Hwy, Mooresville, NC 28117
704-664-5434 - www.jerrysdocks.com
©2008 Benjamin Moore & Co. Aura, Benjamin Moore and the triangle “M” symbol are registered trademarks, licensed to Benjamin Moore & Co.
29
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Introducing 60 beautiful colors designed to work perfectly together. Year after year after year.
Let’s Go |
by Mike Savicki photos by Trent Pitts
Hold
32
Making every ride count at Stegall’s Arena
A bull rider holds on tight for his eight seconds.
33
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
on Tight
Let’s Go | Lake Norman Currents | August august 2009
The chute gate swings open quickly. The rider holds the rope tightly and bolts into the arena. Trying to impress the judges with a show of skill and balance, he sits tall and exhibits poise and composure as the animal grunts and snorts loudly between his legs. The whistle sounds, and the rider jumps to 34
the ground, raising his arms high to the delight of the thunderous spectators. And that’s just the mutton bustin’. Imagine the excitement when a oneton bull blasts out of the chute, and the rider is challenged with controlling enough raw power and rage to launch the space shuttle. Rodeo night at
Top: A cowgirl enjoys the festivities firsthand at the Sunday night rodeo Above left: A future bull rider enjoys his moment in the spotlight. Above: Wearing the right cowboy attire is essential at Stegall’s Arena.
Let’s Go |
Stegall’s Arena in Concord is a place where balancing fun with adrenaline is the main event and hanging on tight until the whistle blows is the credo for all riders. Stan Stegall and his wife, Robin, have operated the weekly rodeo for more than 15 years. Stegall says the Sunday night rodeo is one of the largest weekly events in the region. Riders typically travel from as far away as Ohio and Georgia to compete. A typical night draws nearly 500 spectators.
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Left: You’re never too young to catch rodeo fever. Above: Cowboys take the rodeo seriously and don’t mind getting dirty in the process.
36
Eight Seconds: A rodeo novice starts counting
Faircloth, 20, began competitive riding at 14 and quickly progressed from the intermediate to open class. He currently competes on the Challenger Tour, which is one step below the professional Built Ford Tough Series. Unlike professional athletes in many major sports, bull riders do not earn a salary for participating. “It’s all about staying on for the full count,” says Faircloth. “It you don’t stay on until you hear the whistle, you get nothing for the ride.”
37
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
It’s amazing how long eight seconds can last. Eight seconds is long enough for a one-ton bull to lift its dense body six feet off the ground a dozen times, spin around, whip its flanks to the left and right, make a few roundhouse kicks and, if things fall into place, send a rider into orbit. Sitting in the stands with about 500 regulars at Stegall’s Arena in Concord recently, I learned that eight seconds can be vivid and painful. Not knowing much about rodeo, I arrived eager to see the cowboys fly. Yes, I was rooting for the bulls. When the count stopped at four, five or six because the bull and the rider parted ways, I was happy. In fact, the higher the rider flew and the harder he hit the ground, the more enjoyable those few seconds became to me. Staying on the bull for the full eight seconds — and looking good while you are doing it — is the object of the game. Some of these cowboys made it look easy, and the judges reward those riders. But to most of the others, eight seconds is a world of hurt. I was on the lookout for the especially painful moments. “At some point, good riders become immune to pain. They block it out of their head if they want to be good,” says Stan Stegall, owner of Stegall’s Arena. “If they think about what might happen during those eight seconds, they will never get on the bull.” I don’t plan on throwing my hat into the rodeo ring any time soon. Mechanical bulls in bars don’t appeal to me either. For the $6 general admission (it’s free for kids 10 and under) to Stegall’s Arena on a warm Sunday night, I’ll be back. And once I figure out how the judges score the riders, I may even start rooting for the riders to make the full eight. —Mike Savicki
Local contest, high energy PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Challenger Tour rider Josh Faircloth of Randleman, North Carolina is a regular competitor at Stegall’s. He says there is more bull riding in North Carolina than almost anywhere else in the country. “Almost everyone who rides pro passes through Stegall’s at some point. I can ride almost every night of the week across the country if I want,” he says. “I love the bulls and the environment here on Sundays.”
Let’s Go |
He adds, “It is the adrenaline rush and love of the sport that keep me going. No two bulls are the same, and every ride is different. Riding bulls is different; it’s not all about the money.” Stan says his weekly events pay respectable prize money and serve as a stepping stone to riders like Faircloth who want to advance through the ranks. To advance to a higher level on the Challenger Tour, a rider must earn a certain level of qualified prize money in competitions of their choice. No bull, no problem To aspiring cowboys who want to test their skills on other animals before riding a bull, Stegall’s hosts other classes. “Sure, the big draw is the open class bull riding,” explains Stan, “but there is longhorn calf riding and steer riding for younger and more inexperienced riders. There’s nothing easy about that,
Meet the World’s Toughest Cowboy Don’t be surprised if the 2007 World’s Toughest Cowboy saunters up next to you on Lake Norman. PBR Built Ford Tough Series rider, Shane Proctor, now calls Lake Norman home. Proctor relocated from Grand Coulee, Washington to Mooresville just over a year ago to be closer to his wife’s family. Bull riding is now a family affair for Proctor, whose brother-in-law, PBR standout, J B Mauney, also lives in Mooresville and competes on the top circuit. “These big bulls are hard to ride if you aren’t having fun,” Proctor explains as he works his bull rope and scuffs his gloves before blasting out of the chute on a Sunday night at Stegall’s Arena. “You have got to enjoy what you are doing or it won’t be worth it.” Proctor, 24, has been riding professionally since he was 19 and loves the family atmosphere as well as the challenge of the sport. “The ride itself only lasts eight seconds,” he says. “ But hanging out with friends and family the entire night is what makes it special to me.” Has Proctor noticed anything different since relocating? “I’d say the bulls in Oklahoma are some of the toughest in the country, but let’s just say the bulls in North Carolina are up and Shane Proctor coming.” gets ready to ride.
Introducing Michael J. Coleman, DDs
our smiLe is growiNg!
We’ve always treated our patients like family. Now our family is growing, and we are happy to announce our new addition, Dr. Michael Coleman. Together the Dr.’s Coleman, as a team, can increase the level of patient care, decrease wait times and better serve all the needs of existing and new patients.
Summer is a popular time for wisdom teeth extractions! Call now to setup your appointment. Fall and back-to-school will be here before we know it!
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Drs. Coleman & Coleman
704-892-1198 • www.carolinaoms.com
Lake NormaN’s most trusted ChoiCe for oraL surgery siNCe 1985 38
Seeing Patients Beginning in July!
Creating a Better Community Through Our Support and Involvement T o w n o f C o r n e l i u s T o w n o f C o r n e l i u s & D av i D s o n s u m m e r s p o r T s C a m p , l a k e n o r m a n YmCa, D av i D s o n D av i D s o n C o m m u n i T Y p l aY e r s , C o r n e l i u s s u m m e r C o n C e r T s e r i e s , s Y m p h o n Y i n T h e p a r k , C h r i s T m a s i n D av i D s o n , C o r n e l i u s & h u n T e r s v i l l e p o l i C e Dare G o l f T o u r n a m e n T s , l a k e n o r m a n C h a m b e r o f C o m m e r C e , l a k e n o r m a n f i r s T T e e p r o G r a m , l a k e n o r m a n YmCa, C aTaw b a v a l l e Y s C o T T i s h s o C i e T Y - l o C h n o r m a n G a m e s , a m a z i n G m a i z e m a z e a n D D o G T r i a l s - a l l aT D o G T r i a l s - a l l aT r u r a l h i l l , D av i D s o n C o m m u n i T Y p l aY e r s , T o w n o f C o r n e l i u s , T o w n o f D av i D s o n , s p e C i a l o lY m p i C s , v i C T o r Y J u n C T i o n T h r o u G h C i v i Ta n nC D i s T r i C T w e s T , C h r i s T m a s i n D av i D s o n , C o r n e l i u s p o l i C e Dare, l a k e n o r m a n f i r s T T f i r s T T e e f i r s T T e e p r o G r a m , a n G e l s o f ‘97, h o p e h o u s e , D av i D s o n l a n D C o n s e r va n C Y ESTATE PLANNING
APPEALS
LITIGATION
BANKRUPTCY
PERSONAL INJURY
BUSINESS LAW COLLECTIONS
Bob McIntosh
Exceptional Attorneys... Close to Home
REALESTATE WILLS & TRUSTS
209 Delburg Street, Suite 203 (in the Historic Davidson Cotton Mill) Davidson, NC 28036 • (704) 892-1699 • www.mcintoshlawfirm.com
We are not a gimmick. Private training gets results… gimmicks don’t. That’s why there’s Fitness Together. Here, you’ll get a workout designed for you and you alone. You’ll get a certified personal trainer who will push you just hard enough to get the results you’ve been looking for. And you’ll do it all in the privacy of our studio. At Fitness Together, we are about one client, one trainer and one goal. We are certainly not a gimmick and we think it’s time you found out why.
1 Complimentary Session + $200 off 50+ sessions for new clients
www.fitnesstogethercharlotte.com
ERIN MELLINGER, personal trainer *Free Personal Training Session available for new clients only, expires 7/31/09.
39
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Cornelius 704.464.3376 Davidson 704.765.1463 Huntersville 704.947.5222 Mooresville 704.658.1522
Let’s Go |
and I have seen riders pushed hard before the bulls.” An evening at Stegall’s even offers events for kids. “I try to make it all about family,” says Stan. “There is an event for everyone from calf and steer riding to mutton bustin’ and a cash and candy scramble with a prize for grabbing a ribbon.” While the mutton bustin’ is the first test for aspiring bull riders, and the calf and steer offer challenges for the intermediates, open bull
Be Ready
for whatever life throws at you
It’s always a good idea to be prepared. Call today for a complete review of your insurance program!
Griffin Insurance Agency Mooresville Lincolnton Cornelius Statesville 704-664-9111 704-735-6974 704-439-5285 704-871-8002 Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
©2006 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies. Nationwide Life Insurance Company. Home office: Columbus, Ohio 43215-2220. Nationwide, the Nationwide Framemark and On Your Side are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Not available in all states.
40
An evening at Stegalls offers events for kids. “I try to make it all about family, says Stan Stegall. “There is an event for everyone from calf and steer riding to mutton bustin’ and a cash and candy scramble with a prize for grabbing a ribbon.”
riding is the real deal. “If you want to compare us to NASCAR then I guess that’s a fair thing to do if you think bull riding is all about the wrecks. But there is so much more to it,” says Faircloth. “Every bull is different, and every ride is like opening a box of Cracker Jacks, you just never know what you will get when the chute gate opens.” LNC the scoop Stegall’s Arena is located at 3601 Odell School Road in Concord. The rodeo begins every Sunday night at 7 p.m. from April to November. Tickets cost $6 per adult and children under 10 are free. Visit www. stegallsarena.com for more information. After completing his graduate work at Duke University, Mike Savicki moved from Boston to Lake Norman, where he has lived and worked for 15 years. An adventurer as much as a writer, he has completed marathons, triathlons and multi-sport races around the world. He writes locally and nationally and was a contributing writer and editorial team member for “The Adversity Advantage,” published by Fireside, a division of Simon and Schuster, in 2007.
12 weeks...1,380 pounds lost...
GREATER CHARLOTTE
45 lives changed forever!
August 28-30
Fri & Sat, 9 am - 5 pm Sun 10 am - 4 pm Free Appraisals by Judith Katz-Schwartz on Saturday & Sunday
We Are All Winners! photo by LunaZon
Photography
Congratulations to
The Northstone Knock Outs!
Admission: AT CABARRUS ARENA & EVENTS CENTER
$5 Adult; $4 Senior
The Northstone Knock Outs are Renee and Del Misenheimer, Patty Cellucci, and Darren and Shawna Castoria.
Directions on Web site
Each member of The Northstone Knock Outs take home the grand prize:
Visit us at: charlotteantiqueshow.com 704-596-4643
before Change YOUR life today! You will lose weight – PLAN on it!
www.PhysiciansPlan.com 704-987-8446 New tion Loca
CABARRUS ARENA & EVENTS CENTER
4751 Highway 49 North • Concord, NC 28025
{ {
Did you know...
Acupuncture can treat: Chronic Conditions – high blood pressure/ high cholesterol, stress, depression/anxiety, migraines, arthritis, asthma, and many more.
Allergies, Colds and Flu – sore throat/coughing, congestion, fever, body aches and sinusitis.
Musculoskeletal Pain – neck, back, knee, shoulder and hip pain. Also, sports injuries. Gynecological Problems – PMS, hot flashes, fatigue, infertility, cyclical irregularities.
Abe Rummage L.Ac., LMBT
Davidson Branch 568 Jetton St Davidson, NC 28036 aquesta.com aquesta.com aquesta.com 704.439.4350
Licensed Board Certified Acupuncturist Licensed Massage Therapist
704-483-5441 520 N. Hwy 16, Westlake Plaza
www.AcuCareClinic.com Location convenient to: Huntersville, Sherrills Ford, Mooresville, North Charlotte and Cornelius
Unexpected convenience. Unexpected convenience.
UnexpectedUnsurpassed convenience. service. Unsurpassed service. Unsurpassed service.
41
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Acupuncture • Herbs • Therapeutic Massage
aquesta.com Unexpected convenience. Locally owned and operated by members of Unsurpassed the Lake Normanservice. community. Cornelius Branch 19510 Jetton Rd Cornelius, NC 28031 704.439.4343
• $500 Zoom Teeth Whitening Package from Reimel’s Dentistry • $300 Clothing from Dillard’s of Northlake • $300 Groceries from The Fresh Market • $375 Photography Package from LunahZon Photography • $200 Hair Cut, Color and Makeup Package from Valeria Salon • $250 Massage and Facial Package from Ballas Chiropractic
Strong Currents | by Renee Roberson photo by Carolina Snapshot
There Are No Limits
Writer Renee Roberson shares how her fitness journey improved her life and her family’s
O
kay. I can do this. This won’t be too bad! Oh, I love this song! Three miles down. I’m keeping a good pace. Why are people walking already? There are a lot of people in this race. I wonder how many of them are just doing the 10K and how many are doing the half marathon? Almost at six miles.
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Wow! I think I might set a personal record for six miles today! When should I take my next gel? How much further until the next water stop? Enough already with the hills. This is ridiculous. My leg really hurts. Five more miles to go. Five more miles? Are you kidding me? Why did I ever agree to do this? I can do this. I will do this. If you’ve ever been a runner, you know how mental a sport it can be. If you’d told me a year ago I would complete my very first half-marathon this past April, I would have rolled on the floor laughing. But I did it. I woke up early on April 18 and headed to SouthPark for Charlotte Racefest 2009 to put a year’s worth of preparation to the test. Finishing that race gave me a renewed sense of confidence and a new lease on life. It also helped me get my family a little healthier, too. As a freelance writer and mother of two young children, my body had turned a little soft, and I felt my once youthful spirit lagging. I tried watching what I ate and exercising at the gym at least three times a week, but I still had more body fat than I wanted for my 5-foot frame. One day I saw a personal trainer with an Upgrade Lifestyle T-shirt working out with a client at my gym. I worked up the nerve to ask about a free consultation. Little did I know how much my life was about to change. I began working closely with Kelly Fillnow, an elite runContinued on page 44
42
Writer Renee Roberson completed her first halfmarathon this past April.
Whenever I began to feel discouraged with my training, I reminded myself of Sarah Hart’s amazing story. Hart, a Huntersville resident who is president of Upgrade Lifestyle, began swimming competitively at age 5 in Rhode Island. By age 12 she was ranked in the top 10 in the United States in her age group in various swimming events, including sprint freestyle. During this time, she was devastated to learn that she had a curvature of the spine also known as scoliosis. She tried every treatment, including a body brace and electronic shock stimulation (shock waves to the spine) during sleep. Despite her condition, she was determined (and eventually accomplished) her goals of winning a full scholarship to college. She made the United States National Swim Team by being ranked in the top two to four swimmers in her respective events, and she remained a member from age 19 to 25. In 1994,
Hart was invited to be a member of the United States Resident Team, where 12 U.S. swimmers were selected to live and train at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. She traveled all over the world for competition in preparation for the 1996 Olympic Trials. While studying psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she wrote her thesis about Upgrade Lifestyle — a wellness company focused on educating, empowering and motivating individuals and families to live a healthier lifestyle. In 2000, with the hopes of being able to conceive children with her husband, Greg, she had spinal fusion surgery, which left her with two 12-inch rods on the sides of her spine. Prior to the surgery, Hart’s spinal curvature formed the shape of a backwards “S,” and she experienced difficulties on the right side of her body due to neurological damage. Today, the mother of two girls runs the busi-
Sarah Hart lives in Huntersville and is president of Upgrade Lifestyle.
ness she dreamed up in college in the Lake Norman area, along with four additional certified personal fitness and lifestyle trainers, including Fillnow and Megan Hepp, who placed 12th in the 2008 Olympic Trials Marathon and is also a registered dietitian and certified personal fitness trainer. “I personally train for and compete in running races [5Ks to marathons] and triathlons [sprint to half-Ironman distance] to challenge my mind and body,” says Hart. “It was not an easy transition into running and triathlons since I had only trained in swimming . . . I was used to events in swimming that were under two minutes and a 5K was a lot longer. Through achieving proper balance in training, nutrition and overall lifestyle, I have been able to achieve many health/life goals.” — Renee Roberson
Strong/Currents Travel Wine | by|Carol-Faye Ashcraft
From Swimming to Scoliosis and Back
Recession Relief
Cornelius 18926 Statesville Rd. 704-655-0899
Statesville 411 S. Center St. 704-878-6699
Denver 465 Hwy. 16 North 704-483-8260
Service service@watersfine.com 704-871-0641
43
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
In the difficult times we are all experiencing, escaping to your own outdoor oasis for a few hours a day can be just the thing to combat stress. Lake Norman Pool & Spa has provided quality products and services at affordable prices since 1987. Call or visit today to find out how, even on a tight budget, we can help make your backyard dreams come true.
Photo courtesy of Renee Roberson.
Strong Currents | Wearing black, writer Renee Roberson races to the finish line. Continued on page 42
ner, triathlete, personal fitness trainer and sports nutritionist with Upgrade Lifestyle at Lake Norman. She came to my house and
went through my refrigerator and pantry. She pointed out problems in my diet. Where I thought I was eating pretty well, I learned I was consuming way too much saturated fat on a daily basis.
Fillnow asked about my favorite foods and designed meal plans and menu suggestions in line with my goals and hectic schedule. I learned to increase my water intake, eat leaner cuts of meat for protein, and consume
It’s lIke
shoppIng closet
In your wealthy gIrlfrIend’s
Celebrating our 3rd Anniversary All Month Long August 4 - fifi’s birthday bash all day
FINE RESALE APPAREL Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
FiFi’s of Lake Norman
located in Magnolia plaza in cornelius across from the peninsula
(704) 892-7070
special birthday sales all month long Monday - thursday 10-6pm; friday 10-7pm saturday 10-6 and sunday 12-5pm consignments accepted Mon-fri 10am - 5pm no appointment needed
Monthly Diva Nights • www.FifisLKN.com 44
Lake Norman
less cheese and full-fat dairy products, along with replacing fruits and vegetables with organic choices. Training for a big event helps you realize the importance of putting the right fuel in your body, and I feel I finally have a good grasp of what types of food and drink satisfy those requirements. We also immediately got to work on setting goals, such as taking my body fat down from 29 percent to 20 percent and losing 15 “Visit us us once once and and you’ll you’ll never never pay pay retail retail again” again” “Visit pounds. I balked at first when she suggested I run a 5K within the first two months of training, but I did it. I followed her customized exercise plan and mixed in one-hour personal training sessions with her, High End End Furniture Furniture •• Low Low End End Prices Prices High where I realized the importance of strength training in addition to cardio. Physically, I’ve never worked so hard for something in my life. With an amazing amount of encouragement and support from Fillnow and Sarah Hart, president of Upgrade Lifestyle, I’ve achieved some amazing feats in the past year, including: • Three 5Ks in three months, two under a 10-minute mile pace • Two 10Ks in two 105 N. N. Main Main Street, Street, Troutman Troutman 105 months, both under a 10-minute mile pace • My first half-marathon in Th-Fr 11-6; 11-6; Sat Sat 10-4 10-4 Or Or by by appointment appointment Th-Fr under an 11-minute-mile pace (personal record for www.LKNFURNITURE.com the first six miles) • Loss of 15 pounds and ! half my body fat, which EN P O I replaced with lean W muscle mass. My body NO WNERS fat is now at 15 percent, O W NE which is considered the body fat of an athlete. I think the biggest lesson I learned from this whole experience is how A Unique Dining Experience to better take care of my family. I thought we were TUESDAYS WEDNESDAYS THURSDAYS eating well and exercising MONDAYS Live 1/2 Price $5.00 Tastings enough as a family — but Bottles of Wine Entertainment Martinis we weren’t. FRIDAYS SATURDAYS My children have be5-7 PM Happy Hour Menu Sangria Saturdays Roberson cools down after a race. come inspired by watching Buy 2 menu items Get 1 FREE* Try 1 or all 4 Signature Recipes *Equal or lesser value me train and compete, as has my husband. It was a wonderful feeling to be able to run the Fall Harvest 10K with him last year at HuntersHOURS OF OPERATION LATE NIGHT MENU ville Family Fitness & Aquatics. Maybe one day our kids will be runMon. 4:30-10 pm AVAILABLE AFTER 10:30 PM ning alongside us. Regardless, I feel our journey to enjoying a long Tues.-Sat. 4:30 pm til late and happy life together is just beginning. LNC
Furniture Savings From
30-75% Off Retail Everyday
Photo courtesy of Renee Roberson
704-408-6399
19701 Bethel Church Road | Cornelius, NC
704-896-9255
XOTapasWineBar.com
Additional parking and entrance in the rear
45
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
the scoop For more information about Upgrade Lifestyle, Inc., call 704.506.9403 or visit www.upgradelifestyleinc.com.
The Galley |
Blackboard dinner specials are a regular thing at Midway Boathouse Grill.
by Cathy Swiney
Meat and Potatoes and More Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Midway Boathouse Grill goes through an extreme makeover to capture a niche 46
Wow!
“
” That was my first impression upon entering Midway Boathouse Grill. “We’re in for something good,” I thought, as I looked over the new restaurant and its announced food special.
Formerly Midway Marina Restaurant, a non-descript waterfront mainstay in Terrell, Midway Boathouse Grill reopened in late June under the new ownership of Jeff, Freddie and Mark Lancaster and their spouses. It’s not the first restaurant for the family. Jeff owns Lancaster’s Bar-B-Que & Wings and Jeffrey’s Restaurant, and Freddie owns Big Daddy’s, all well-recognized Mooresville restaurants.
Top Five Ingredients • Down-home good blue plate specials — especially the mashed potatoes. No potato flakes here. • It’s another spot to get your fix of Lancaster’s barbecue. • Old boat on wall that served as sales desk at Duke’s Marina. • Lots of windows in the dining room provide a nice view of the lake and nearby marina. • Homemade desserts — you can’t go wrong.
such as burgers, hot dogs, fish and chicken sandwiches, and salads served in fried tortilla bowls.
Above and right, traditional grill fare is featured on the menu.
A new look The cinderblock building is now accented with blue-gray cedar shake shingles, and a new,
Dig In Cheese fries appetizer for $3.25 to fish sandwich for $5.25. Dinner specials $9.95 to $12.95. Midway Boathouse Grill 8693 NC Highway 150 E, Terrell 828.478.3078, www.midwayboathousegrill.com Hours: Sun-Tues, 6 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Wed-Sat, 6 a.m.-10 p.m. Free-lance writer Cathy Swiney, a Huntersville resident, has spent several years covering the restaurant scene in the Lake Norman area.
47
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
The Lancasters have brought their Midas touch to this new venture by giving the entire place a facelift and creating a simple menu that relies on traditional grill fare in addition to specials worthy of the spotlight. “We’re definitely trying to be a meat-and-potato type of place,” Jeff says. “We’re not frou-frou, and we’re definitely trying not to be the same kind of place as other places on the lake. We’re trying to create a niche.”
pitched metal roof was added during the renovation. A colorful and bright restaurant sign over the entrance completes the look. For those interested in dining outside, there’s a small gravel patio with some picnic tables. On Saturday and Sunday evenings, live entertainment can also be enjoyed outside. The inside transformation is equally as appealing and inviting. To visually open the area between the full bar with its tobacco road-wood countertop and the dining area, a wall was knocked out to give diners the opportunity to see the lake. The restrooms, originally located outside, have been moved inside. Another change is that the cold cinderblock walls are now covered with unstained wood planks to create a warm atmosphere. But it’s the décor that really makes the 60-seat space memorable. Eye-catching pieces include the boat motors hanging in a line near the top of the walls and an old wooden boat on the wall near the kitchen. The revamped kitchen cranks out breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week for crowds that include families, business types, blue-collar workers and boaters. On the lunch and dinner menu, appetizer choices, including fried pickles and cheese fries, give way to traditional grill fare
Fresh and simple Blackboard dinner specials have included crab cakes, burritos, steak and fish, such as mahi mahi served with a roasted pepper cream sauce with a choice of vegetable. “The evening feature gives us an opportunity to try features that might become a staple on the menu,” Jeff says. On a recent outing, the special — chicken with jalapeno cream sauce, mashed potatoes and baked beans — definitely lived up to its designation. The grilled chicken cutlet received a flavorful boost from the cream sauce enhanced with peppers, while the mashed potatoes with pieces of skin and baked beans could easily be compared to some of grandma’s finest cooking. For dessert, turn to one of several homemade selections such as carrot cake, key lime pie, chocolate silk pie, pecan praline apple caramel pie or chocolate cake. “We’re trying to keep the menu simple so we can keep it fresh,” Jeff says. “We’re hoping we can continue to provide a quality product to attract a good customer base.” LNC
Yum Update |
The Yum Update
Down and Dirty
by Sam Boykin
The Dirty Martini attracts sophisticated singles and more The Martinis: As you can tell by the name, martinis are the main menu item at The Dirty Martini, which opened in June. With about 40 varieties to choose from, you’re sure to find the right concoction to suit your style and taste. Of course, there’s the always-popular Cosmopolitan, as well as more adventurous options like the Ultimate Chocolate (vanilla vodka, Godiva chocolate, Baileys and Kahlua) or the Funky Monkey (Malibu, Midori, Cointreau, vodka, pineapple juice, cream and fresh lime). High rollers may want to try the LKN Millionaire, which is Grey Goose Vodka chilled to perfection and served with blue cheese-stuffed
olives. In addition to martinis, there’s a full line-up of beers and wine available. But take note, The Dirty Martini doesn’t serve food, so you may want to grab a bite to eat before stopping by. The Scene: With several spacious, white leather couches, sleek and modern glass-top tables and atmospheric, soft-hued lighting, The Dirty Martini has a trendy, South Beach-vibe. The crisp white furniture and cream-colored walls are offset by a spacious dark floor — which provides plenty of room for shaking your groove thing — accented with a gray diamond pattern. Several flat-screen TVs mounted throughout the space show dance and music videos, and the sound system is loud and thumping. There’s also a spacious outdoor patio with a couple of big orange sectionals and several tables. The Crowd: Single people and some not so single people from their early 20s to mid-40s dress to impress. With a dress code — no hats! — and a wait staff that looks like it stepped straight out of an Abercrombie & Fitch ad, The Dirty Martini ca-
ters to those looking for a sophisticated and sexy night out. The Wallet Factor: Martinis range from $6 to $11. The Cool Touch: Specials scheduled throughout the week make The Dirty Martini an ideal destination to enjoy both a relaxing afterwork cocktail or to party into the early morning hours. Tuesday is college night; Wednesdays are “Lake Live After Five,” which caters to the business community with live entertainment on the patio and half-priced beer and wine; Thursday is Ladies Night (half-price martinis); and weekends feature a DJ from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Why It’ll Work: It gives Lake Norman a more sophisticated place to socialize than your typical sports bar or casual watering hole. LNC Dig in The Dirty Martini 17036 Kenton Drive Suite 104 (next door to Galway Hooker) Cornelius 704.533.3054
glenn roberson photography LIFE AS ART
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
glennroberson.com
48
Catawba Ave., Cornelius
Now scheduling Senior Portraits!
Join us for a luxury tour featuring Lake Norman’s finest architecture, art and lifestyle and help raise funds for Barium Springs Home for Children.
August 1 & 2 • 1-5 p.m. Candi Schuerger Broker, ABR, CRS, ALH Luxury Home Specialist
704-235-2417 O 704-400-1232 M
THE
The tour, organized and sponsored by Allen Tate Realtors and business owners, is free to the public. To raise funds for Barium Springs Home For Children, donation boxes will be set up at each home, a silent auction will be held and online donations are being accepted at www.BariumSprings.org.
T
POIN
THE
141 Union Chapel- WOW! Incredible details adorn this quality custom Augusta home. Den/office with fireplace. Vaulted dining room, 2 story great room with stone fireplace and built-ins. Stunning kitchen, 2 story breakfast room. Beautiful master suite with spectacular lavish bath. Lake level great for entertaining with kitchen Home has 3 fireplaces, pool, dock with slip and great views! The list is endless! 5BR/5 Full baths/2 half baths .72 acre. MLS# 829445 $2,900,000
INT
T
POIN
259 Milford Circle- Amazing Kenneth Bealer custom home! Incredible details throughout this home makes this custom home truly one of a kind. Over 10,000 sq ft of open living space. 2 story greatroom with wood beams, floor to ceiling stone fireplace. A true gourmet kitchen! Magnificent master retreat w/spa style bath including a fireplace. The lower lake level is ideal for entertaining with state of the art media room, full bar and an unbelievable wine cellar. Exceptional outdoor living w/pool w/waterfall, jacuzzi, bar and more. A must see! MLS# 871845 $2,999,000
INT
PO THE
PO THE
105 Gammon Point Ct.- Beautiful quality custom Augusta home situated on over an acre cul-de-sac lot. Great views of the golf course and the 6th hole! Every imaginable detail, coffered ceilings, extensive mouldings, hardwood floors, granite and more! Large formal areas, gourmet kitchen with upgraded appeal. Sunny breakfast room and wonderful screened porch. Exquisite master suite on the main level. 4 spacious additional bedrooms up plus a bonus room, exercise room and sitting area. The lush landscaping feels like you have just stepped into your own private oasis. Boatslip included! 4Br/3.5Ba 1.12 acre. MLS#846856 $950,000
Broker, Luxury Home Specialist
704-896-5181 O 704-574-3680 M
THE
T
POIN
105 Wellfleet- Beautiful waterfront home that is perfect for the Lake Norman lifestyle. Every imaginable detail. Very open large gourmet kitchen, wonderful greatroom, custom built-in cabinetry, 3 fireplaces. A luxurious master suite on the main level. 3 spacious secondary bedrooms up plus an office. Full finished lake level that is ideal for entertaining-billiards, exercise room with steam shower, wine cellar, lake side kitchen. Incredible outdoor living area with inground pool overlooking the lake. Large cul-de-sac lot with 178 feet of shoreline. Private pier with lift. This home has so much to offer! 4Br/4.5Ba 6819 sq.ft. .85acre. MLS#835937 $1,925,000
THE
T
POIN
143 Wild Harbor- Custom home on beautiful setting located in the prestigious Lake, Golf and Country Club Community The Point. Open plan with extensive mouldings, hardwood floors, 2 fireplaces and all the details you can imagine! Office on the main level and Master suite on the main level. Spacious bedrooms up plus a media room, bonus room and separate playroom. Professionally landscaped lawn, waterfall, fence. Membership and boatslip included.4Br/4.5Ba 4538 sq. ft. 1.18 acre. MLS#819223 $985,000
For more information regarding this event, please visit
www.LakeNormanLuxuryTour.com or contact Allen Tate Realtors, Candi Schuerger 704.400.1232
49
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
135 Falmouth Road- Waterfront living at its finest! Exquisite 8300 sq.ft. Dienst custom home situated on 1.39 acres with 281 ft. of water frontage. No detail spared from the luxurious first floor owner’s suite and sitting area, to the gourmet kitchen with wine closet. Other features include alarm and video survelance, four car garage, pool and spa, sauna and steam shower, media equipment and full equity membership to the Club. Priced aggressively at $2,750,000.
Debbie Williams
Grapevine |
The Red Hills region of California produces wines with just as much character as their Napa Valley cousins.
by Trevor Burton
Head to the Hills In the Red Hills
region of California, you’ll find exquisite wines of great value
O
n a recent trip to California we sought out an area new to us — one that sounded interesting. The area is the Red Hills AVA (American Viticultural Area) located about 15 miles northwest of Napa Valley. Here’s why it’s interesting. Winegrowers in the Napa Valley wanting to expand their growing area are bumping into a wall. Land prices in the valley are just plain silly, and expansion there is financially out of the question.
What some of the sharper growers are doing is moving up the road a little to Red Hills — probably not coincidentally, these are also some of the better quality winegrowers. What all this translates into is potentially great wines at prices far under what you’d pay for similar wines with a Napa Valley name. So, we went to check it all out. Actually, we found out that it’s a little bit better than that. Red Hills has a unique environment for growing great grapes. This is much more than Napa look-alikes at knock-off prices. These are wines with a distinctive character of their own. They certainly struck a chord with me.
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Hardworking grapes A few 100,000 years ago (that’s yesterday in geological terms) the Mount Konocti volcano dumped a deep layer of material over the Red Hills area. How rude of it, but how lucky for us because the incredible red, rocky soil contains all kinds of good stuff for grapes to absorb as they mature and ripen. Add to that, altitude and steep slopes. Red Hills’ vineyards are located between 2,000 and 2,500 feet above sea level. This is important because that’s way too high for morning fog. Grapes get to work as soon as the sun comes 50
up. Then, in the early afternoon, a cool breeze comes in to prevent the grapes from baking. How nice. This is a unique place that grapevines all around the world dream of at night. We focused on one particular vineyard, Snows Lake, and for good reason. A group of highly talented winegrowers from some of Napa Valley’s most prestigious houses moved to practice their craft here. Starting from a virtually blank page, they matched individual hillside lots with grape varieties. What they’ve created is the best opportunity for grapes to breathe in the essence of this exceptional environment. So, the question is, how are they doing? We got to find out. After driving around the hillside vineyards in a four-wheel drive for an hour or so we were treated to a taste of the wines that Snows Lake bottles under its own label. Hard to forget their names — Snows Lake - One and Snows Lake - Two. A taste of their own Snows Lake - One is 100 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. Smelling the wine brought out a strong sense of earth and woodsy aromas — much like you’d find in the best wines of Bordeaux. But, surprise, the first sip was completely different — beautiful tastes of deep,
dark fruits. Totally unexpected. This quickly faded away and then the earthy and woodsy stuff kicked in, followed by a long-lasting bitter finish that went on forever. What was in the background as all this subsided was a definite dry, dusty taste. My first thought after tasting was, “Wow, I just tasted a mountain.” Wonderful. Snows Lake - Two is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc — a little gentler and a little smoother but equally balanced and complex. Now, here’s where the fun comes in. Most of the production of Snows Lake’s 800 acres is grown under contract to some of the most famous Napa Valley producers. So they are generally available and not too hard to find. In fact, I sidled up to a glass of Hawk Crest Red Hills Cabernet Sauvignon at a neighbor’s house just the other day. Hawk Crest is the “second label” of Stag’s Leap, one of the most famous names in Napa. This wine sells for around $15. That’s right in there for my “Tuesday night pizza wine.” Put that in the context of Stag’s Leap wines that sell
wine, but for a great wine like this, I felt justified. This is not a wine for casual consumption. I’m going to save it for a more serious occasion. If you’re in the mood for some of this wine, call Snows Lake at 707.994.9444 or go online at www.snowslakevineyard.com. Either way, with one of its Napa client’s labels or from Snows Lake itself, these are wines to search out. It might take a little work with your wine merchant, but the wines are well worth the effort. They are wines to be savored — with food or on their own. Just pour a glass, sit back, take a sip, take it all in and savor that volcanic mountain environment that the grapevines have delivered to your glass. Enjoy. LNC
Writer Trevor Burton calls Snows Lake - One poetry in a bottle.
for over a $100 a bottle. A good value. Another producer that I like is Rosenblum. They offer a Syrah from Snows Lake in the $25 range. And Cakebread, another one of my favorite wines (although a little on the pricey side), has a Red Hills Zinfandel for around $40. Of course, you could go right to the source and get some of the wine that I enjoyed so much. Snows Lake produces only 300 cases a year, and they’re not cheap. I got a few bottles at $45 dollars. That’s more than I normally budget for
Time for Tee!
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.
of Lake of Lake Norman, Inc. Norman, Inc. Since 1974
Since 1974
of Lake Norman, Inc. Inc. of Lake Norman, SinceSince 1974 1974
and and
“Seafood, Steak and Prime Rib at its Best”
Enjoy Charlotte’s Best Golf Value • Semi-Private Club Located on the Western Shore of Lake Norman • Daily Tee Times & Club Memberships Available • Weekday Rates: $34 & Weekend Rates: $44 • Senior Rates Monday - Friday: $24 • Perfect for Your Fall Group Golf Outing • Register Online for Westport E-Savers
We Shuck Them for You! All ABC Permits — All Major Credit Cards Accepted
BAnquet FACiLitieS AvAiLABLe 1162 River Hwy, Mooresville
I-77 Exit 36 West • 3 Miles on Right, Hwy 150 West
704.663.4242
Fax: 704.664.1919 www.BigDaddysOfLakeNorman.com
Tee Times: 704.489.8088 • www.WestportGC.com 51
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Westport Golf Club
Largest Oyster Bar in the Southeast!
On Course | by Mike Savicki photos courtesy of Cowan’s Ford Golf Club Hole No. 10 at Cowan’s Ford Golf Club offers a beautiful view of the course.
A
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
-yearold Gem Cowan’s Ford Golf Club at Lake Norman is a walker friendly course worth rediscovering 52
I
n 1963, when Lake Norman golfers were more limited in their choice of courses than they are today, Cowan’s Ford Golf Club opened primarily for employees and guests of Duke Energy. Abutting the southwestern edge of the lake and rolling through the woods and along the creeks to the West, Cowan’s Ford offered a challenging round at an affordable membership rate. Fast forward 45 years and Cowan’s Ford has a new look and a family friendly feel thanks to the vision and dedication of a strong network of members. Members make the difference Cowan’s Ford is a private, member-owned, equity or non-equity club that also offers an annual fee member-
ship option. It attracts golfers who are serious about the game and families who look for swimming, tennis and social amenities. It remains affordable, and owners direct revenue back into the course itself. In 2007, Scott Brannan joined Cowan’s Ford as its first general manager. “I was hired to do the work that the members themselves had always done. They recognized that while history is so much a part of this club, bringing in new members and expanding our services is key to our growth,” Brannon says. Balancing the expectations of both groups is important to Brannan. “The new members want to see different things than the older members, and we are working hard to find the balance,” he explains. “We make it a priority to find ways to allow the two groups to interact. We even go so far as to consider juniors as our future members and offer programs and events for them, too.” One of the projects older members have recently undertaken is the formation of a historical committee. Charged with tightening the links to the past, members are finding photos, clippings and documents from as far back as the ’60s. “When the club was first built, it bordered Lake Norman, but when Duke redesigned it, they took land for residential growth and so much of the old feeling got moved out and the records misplaced,” says Brannan. “For a course that is 45 years old, we have an incredible history that is worth telling.”
The Country Club of Storage
Hyde Park Storage Suites
NA6279061
Motor Homes, Boats, Collector Cars, Small Businesses Hyde Park Storage Condominiums are state-of-the-art, climate-controlled units with all-brick exteriors and finished interiors...a storage complex with a "country club" look and feel. Leasing and Ownership options available. Sizes start at 720 sq. ft.
704.895.3503 www.hydeparkstoragesuites.com 53
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
A thinking golfer’s layout In 2002, club owners spent $1.5 million on a major overhaul of both the course and the clubhouse. To keep up with new golf technology, Cowan’s Ford added length to the fairways,
On Course |
Hole No. 13 challenges golfers of all levels.
rebuilt the tee complexes and gave the greens a completely new look. The championship layout now follows Donald Ross principles by presenting a wide variety of challenging and fun-to-play shots for all levels of golfers. Adam Robinson, head golf professional, says that at 6,872 yards from the blue tees, Cowan’s Ford is still not especially long but believes the new greens make the course deceptively difficult. “The redesign has really added shots to the course,” says Robinson. “If you are a pro player,
On Course |
you might look at the scorecard and say ‘I can tear this course up.’ But what we have found is that the greens more than make up for it. They are well protected and have so many subtle breaks that it is difficult to read putts. That’s where the difficulty now lies.” Golfers also find Cowan’s Ford appealing because it is walker friendly. “Unlike most other private courses, we allow walking anytime and have a huge number,” explains Brannan. “In fact, there are actually people who joined here Junior golf is becoming a popular activity at Cowan’s Ford.
because they love to walk and want to enjoy the freedom of being able to do it any time.” Stepping into the tee box of the 15th hole offers one of the most spectacular views of the course. The elevated tee complex of this par five overlooks the downward sloping fairway to a green protected by a creek and fence. “I would say that in addition to the par threes, 15 is a real signature hole. At 543 yards, it is playable for everyone and challenging to the most serious golfers,” says Robinson. Brannan and Robinson agree that one of the reasons that Cowan’s Ford’s conditions are so fa-
Cowan’s Ford Golf Club by the Numbers Men’s Course Rating/Slope Rating Blue Tees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73.0/134 Hybrid Tees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71.8/131 White Tees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70.7/129 Gold Tees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68.0/122 Women’s Course Rating/Slope Rating White Tees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76.8/139 Gold Tees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73.6/130 Red Tees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68.7/116
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Cornelius · (704) 987-3544 · Statesville www.PorchesAndYards.com All Weather Wicker · Cast Aluminum · Adirondack · Rockers Hammocks · Porch Swings · Umbrellas · Gas Grills · Smokers 54
Cowan’s Ford Golf Club has active senior and lady golf leagues. Members also participate in the Men’s Lake and OMEGA Leagues. Nine hole Thursday Night Dog Fights and Friday Night Couples events, along with active weekly junior summer camps, fill the August golf calendar. The 2009 Club Championship will be held Labor Day weekend. For more information, visit www.cowansford.com.
INTRODUCING
New Gutter Protection by G&S Contracting, Inc.
Take a Closer Look: 18 Gauge Expanded Powder Coated Metal Base (Will Not Rust)
Fine Stainless Screen over the top of the expanded base for Double Protection against Leaves (Will Not Clog)
$300 OFF
Kawasaki VN900
TEAM CHARLOTTE Motorsports 3004 Freedom Drive, Charlotte I-85, Exit 34
704-394-6666
www.teamcharlottemotorsports.com KAWASAKI CARES: Always wear a helmet, eye protection, and proper apparel. Never ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Adhere to the maintenance schedule in your owner’s mnual. ©2009 Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
Pre-Formed to Fit Most All Gutters
*100 Ft. Min. Purchase Offer Expires 9/1/09
G&S
George Sumrow Owner
CONTRACTING, INC. Since 1980
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM!
“If you buy from anyone else, you will pay too much!” — that’s a George L. Sumrow Guarantee
704-663-7132
742 North Broad Street • Mooresville • GandSContracting.com
Call us when you’re stranded. Or when you want to get lost. At AAA Vacations, we can help you with any kind of travel. From a TripTik showing the best route to drive on your weekend retreat, to planning a vacation abroad.And if you are a AAA Member you can receive extra discounts and benefits. To find out more, please give us a call or stop by today. Be sure to ask about our Time To Travel Collection featuring 25 Trips under $250, 50 Trips under $500 and 100 Trips under $1000. At AAA Vacations we have vacations to fit every budget.
Office hours: Mon. - Fri. 8:30am - 6:00pm, Sat. 10am - 4pm
55
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
AAA Huntersville • 704-897-0580 9931 Knockando Lane
On Course |
Cowan’s Ford is morphing from an older, more established club to a younger, more family oriented club.
vorable is because of its course superintendent, Mitch Clodfelter. “Our visitors who come up to play from some of Charlotte’s higher-end courses typically compliment us on the condition of the course. There’s not a weed out there because of Mitch,” says Brannan. Superintendent Clodfelter is also a scratch golfer as well as a two-time golf course superintendent national champion. Rediscover Cowan’s Ford for the first time While the design and layout of the course has changed, the welcoming spirit, history and tradition remain as they have since the beginning.
“We are moving from an older, established club to a younger, more family oriented club, and it’s kind of fun watching that transition,” says Brannan. “Our newer members are young families who love the course and value the services and spirit. Our junior program has exploded, the practice facilities are always full and even in this difficult economy, our membership numbers are growing.” The staff also keeps traditions alive. “You can walk around the club and find staff members in almost every department who have been here for over a decade,” says Brannan. “That’s just unheard of in a private club. Our pro has been here
for 13 years, and the superintendent has been here even longer. That says a lot about the history we keep.” Robinson believes Cowan’s Ford is worth discovering even for golfers who might think they have played all that Charlotte has to offer. “When I played golf in college and we went all over Charlotte, I never heard about Cowan’s Ford,” he recalls. “It wasn’t until I drove over here towards Denver for the first time after I graduated that I discovered how wonderful a place it is.” LNC After completing his graduate work at Duke University, Mike Savicki moved from Boston to Lake Norman, where he has lived and worked for 15 years. An adventurer as much as a writer, he has completed marathons, triathlons and multi-sport races around the world. He writes locally and nationally and was a contributing writer and editorial team member for “The Adversity Advantage,” published by Fireside, a division of Simon and Schuster, in 2007.
You owe it to yourself...
To make an informed decision about your child’s education
Consider Statesville Christian School K4-12th Grade
Did You Know?
We Are:
• In the last several years over 90% of Statesville Christian graduates have gone on to college?
• Committed to education excellence
• SCS annual tuition is, on average, 25% less than several Mooresville area private college preparatory schools? • SCS has an extensive high school program offering a broad selection of AP and on-line courses as well as a great athletic program?
• Committed to building strong Christian character and supporting the beliefs and values of your family • Committed to offering Lake Norman and the surrounding communities an exceptional educational experience for their children
• SCS offers daily BUS SERVICE from Mooresville? • SCS is an independent, interdenominational school serving families from over fifty churches and fellowships in our region? Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
If you haven’t been to SCS lately, there may be a lot you don’t know about our school. CAll toDAY to vIeW our CAmpuS
opeN HouSe
You’ll be very glad you considered us!
Complimentary Lunch Provided
(704) 873-9511
AUG. 9 • 1 - 4 PM
StAteSville chriStiAn School • 1210 MUSeUM reAd, StAteSville, nc 28625 • www.StAteSvillechriStiAn.orG
56
Kathy Day Broker/Realtor 704-668-9656
www.CindyGaunt.com
MLS#857539 4BR/2.5BA $224,900 NOW $219,900
MLS#856637 3BR/2.5BA $185,000 NOW $179,900
MLS#844078 4BR/2.5BA $449,000 NOW $424,900
MLS#819931 3BR/2.5BA $649,900 NOW $575,000
MLS#844493 4BR/3.5BA $584,900 NOW $529,900
MLS#839479 4BR/2.5BA $355,000 NOW $337,000
MLS#840608 3BR/2BA $480,000 NOW $470,000
MLS#855672 4BR/2.5BA $275,000 NOW $259,999
MLS#822307 3BR/2BA $139,500 NOW $134,900
MLS#844376 3BR/2BA $144,900 NOW $136,900
MLS#814570 4BR/2.5BA $210,000 NOW $205,000
MLS#853886 4BR/2.5BA $319,000 NOW $299,900
MOORESVILLE 704.663.3655
RENTALS 704.662.6049
CORNELIUS 704.892.9673
DENVER 704.827.7890
STATESVILLE 704.881.0771
RELOCATION 800.315.3655
No rm an
Mo Sh ore s
I77 of waterfront deep water year round. Open floorplan that was completely upgraded and expanded within the last 2 years. Wide open waterviews from large vaulted living room, kitchen and breakfast room. New electrical, plumbing, roofing, heat pumps, and hardwoods. This home is immaculate and in excellent condition, don’t miss! MLS 861140 $750,000.
Cr ee ks Ed ge
Tranquil setting on a beautiful wooded lot with wonderful privacy. Hard to find full brick home w/almost an acre of land for this price. All the upgrades you would want, granite, ss, tile, 2 inch wooden blinds, hardwoods, tile in kitchen & all baths. Immaculate home, just like brand new, don’t miss this one! MLS 870377 $385,000.
rris
on
Pla
nta
tion
Gorgeous home in sought after community! Upgraded kitchen w/maple cabinets, granite & SS appliances. 2 story greatroom w/beautiful wall of windows and gas fpl. Dining room is stunning w/extensive moldings & trey ceiling. Upgraded lighting, beautful hardwoods, wired for surround sound, irrigation, fenced yard & deck. Excellent condition-original owner. MLS 869755 $400,000.
Gi lea dR idg e
Priced to sell and this home has it all. Open floorplan w/large kitchen, counter bar area, granite counter tops, 42inch cherry stained cabinets, ss appliances, gas range. Gorgeous hardwood floors, tile in bathrooms. Fenced yard. 2inch blinds throughout. Work space in garage. Mstr BA w/separate shower and garden tub. Immaculate home, close to shopping, Birkdale Village & schools. MLS 871584 $250,000.
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
57
ell nn Co c M
on ids av D d Ol
n so vid Da
3 BR home in McConnell with beautiful heated pool,finished garage apartment (almost 500 sq ft). New carpet, new kitchen floor in main house. Beautiful landscaping, private, fenced irrigated yard. Woodburning or gas fireplace. Mudroom/laundry room. Large kitchen/ breakfast. Front porch. Stone patio. Oversized detached garage. Apartment w/kitchen, bedroom, den & full bath. Great for office, inlaw suite or guest house! MLS 869330 $355,000.
Awesome floorplan. Very private lot overlooking pasture. 5 bedrooms + bonus. Cook’s kitchen w/beautiful glazed cabinets, large island. Open to breakfast & great room. Many upgrades incl. builtins, hardwoods, irrigation. Immaculateonly 2 yrs old; pre-inspected Aug.08. Great master bathroom, custom closet. Jack and Jill baths up. Large bonus. Large laundry room & pantry. 1 yr YMCA membership w/ acceptable offer. MLS 870846 $469,500.
n Ru er Riv
n so vid Da
Great kitchen with large island,Bosch dishwasher, gas stove. Screened porch, custom closets, HVAC with humidifier, water filtration system. Office w/ French doors, master down. Hardwood floors, crown molding, 10 ft ceilings dwn. Yard backs up to Clemens Garden. 4 covered porches. Good storage. 1 mile from downtown. Great neighborhoodsidewalks, dinner groups, bookclub, newsletter. Home is truly immaculate. MLS 827011 $524,000.
son vid Da
We have everything they need. Bring this ad in and get
Great family house in center of Davidson. Four large bedrooms. Master down. Renovated kitchen with island, granite. Built-in bookcases in master, den and study. Hardwoods throughout. Large unfinished basement (1300-1400 sq ft) w/ woodstove, workshop area. Office with bay window. Wide upstairs hallway. Cedar closet. Good storage. Private cul-de-sac lot. Deck. Nice insulated windows. One minute walk to campus. MLS 857740 $565,000
Such a wonderful house! Perfect for entertaining & great views from the windows. Large DR, Closets w/ cedar floors. Large bedrooms. Heated floor in master BA. 2 Screen prches, 2 fireplaces, deck overlooks 18th green & clubhouse, 3 car garage. Beautifully landscaped, fenced backyard w/stone wall. Outdoor lighting. High efficiency HVAC. 3rd floor expansion very easy to do. Bonus/ media could be 5 br. Gourmet kitchen. MLS 805229 $945,000
One of the largest parcels left in the village infill. Brick home with lots of hardwoods, stamped concrete porch, knotty pine paneling, 2 fireplaces, screened porch and brick patio. Master bedroom plus one bedroom down. 2 bedrooms up. Foyer, living room, dining room,kitchen, den/study, sunroom. Large unfinished basement. MLS 849077 $645,000.
any one item in the store (limit 1 coupon per person, per visit)
Mary Lib Richards 704-609-4674
www.prucarolinas.com
MaryLib.Richards@prucarolinas.com
CUR0908
Northcross Village (In the building in front of Staples) 16933 Kaufinger St., Ste 130 Huntersville, NC 28078 (704) 895-5123 ● www.wbu.com/huntersville
Recently moved into a new home?
Average annual savings of
For a complimentary Welcome Neighbor visit, call 704-892-6035 or visit www.welcomeneighbor.org.
$426* I’M THERE
™
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
One call could bring down your car insurance rates—big time. With average annual savings of $369*, $426* no wonder over 4,000 drivers a day shift to State Farm.® Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.® CALL MY OFFICE FOR A QUOTE 24/7.
Howard Culbreth Ins Agcy Inc Howard J Culbreth, Agent Cornelius, NC 28031 Bus: 704-892-6260 *Average annual per household savings based on a national 2008 survey of new policyholders who reported savings by switching to State Farm. P080086 05/08
58
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL
Our knowledgeable representatives will bring helpful community information, special offers and gifts from local businesses. Interested in becoming a Sponsor? Please contact Susan Coyne at 704-892-6035.
Take to the water with
BIGGER, BETTER COVERAGE. Coverage for all types of drivers and boats at Nationwide.ÂŽ
Mike Griffin Angela Jackson Jim Jarrett Griffin Insurance Agency Jackson Insurance Services Jim Jarrett Insurance Agency Mooresville/Lincolnton Harbour Park 584 Brawley School Rd. Corner of Brawley School & Williamson 19824-D W. Catawba Ave. Statesville/Cornelius Mooresville 704-664-9111 Cornelius 704-799-1571 704-892-6004
Bill Laurie William D. Laurie Agency 103 S. Old Statesville Rd Across from City Hall
Huntersville 704-875-3664
Wes Carney Assoc. Agent Carney Insurance Agency 190 Jackson Street Davidson 704-892-1115
Tracey Fox Smith Assoc. Agent Earl Carney Insurance 154-B S. Main Street Troutman 704-528-4141
Joanne Marinaro Assoc. Agent Nationwide at Birkdale 8600 Sam Furr Rd., Suite 100 Huntersville 704-895-2222
Bob Baker Assoc. Agent Sam Baker Agency 915 River Hwy.
Near Lake Norman High School
Mooresville 704-664-7283
Š2006 Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies. Nationwide Life Insurance Company. Home office: Columbus, Ohio 43215-2220. Nationwide, the Nationwide Framemark and On Your Side are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Not available in all states.
Mirror Lake Estates Terri Church
Broker-In-Charge
704-458-4822 Paula Severt Broker
704-232-3433 Mary Maston Broker, ABR
704-564-9227 Elizabeth Neill
704-799-3015
utual Insurance Company and Affiliated Companies. Nationwide Life Insurance Company. Home office: Columbus, Ohio 43215-2220. nwide Framemark and On Your Side are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. Not available in all
Broker
704-506-8482
www.dejrealty.com
A Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Company
59
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
An exclusive gated community with a 20+ acre man-made, professional level water ski lake. Each lot is over two acres! Lots available from $119,000. Marketed by Mary Maston. Call for a private showing, 704-564-9227.
ECONOMY GOT YOU DOWN? WE CAN TURN THAT AROUND.
MOZELEY COnstRuCtiOn, inC.
Trusted with Top Quality Marine Construction for Over 35 Years
Boathouses • Floating Piers • Overhead Lifts • Fully Insured Ask About PowderCoated Railings - Maintenance Free - Custom Made - Best Quality & Price Mark Mozeley, Owner Mozeleyconst@aol.com
704-528-1108 Central UMC Preschool
“Nurturing, Christian Environment”
ers
$1 Be
$3.99 Lunch Specials
1/2 Pri Wine ce
D SAVINGS COUPONS AN DAILY UPDATED
AND SO MUCH MORE!!
LKNfun is the LEADING source for Dining and Entertainment Information - 7 years and counting!
RDS
Home Improvements
Expert Painting at Novice Prices
Interior & Exterior Painting • Beautiful Trim Work • Small Home Repairs
Personal Service, No Crews
Rick Simpson
Improving Homes Throughout the Charlotte Area for Over 30 Years
214 N. Academy Street Mooresville
• Low Teacher-Student Ratios • 2 Large Outdoor Playgrounds • Indoor Play Area • Weekly Chapel • Special Music & Guest Readers Weekly • 12 mos. to Pre-K Classes
704-662-0684 • CUMCMooresville.com “Children are a gift from the Lord” Psalm 127:3
We Have A Solution.
Our exclusive non-surgical method of replacing hair can give you the freedom to be active and confident.
Totally Private Service Areas
Technicians LaVerne Stamey and Teresa Carpenter
Hair TecHnics Hair Replacement 108 Westfield Center (Hwy. 150 & 21) Mooresville
704-400-3962 • 704-895-7781 All Work Guaranteed
704-663-2835 • www.hairtechnics.us
Is your photo on our website? Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Check out Current Sightings at: www.LNCurrents.com 60
Currently A month of things to do in the Lake Norman area
A Colorful Competition
This month some of the best junior competitors in synchronized swimming come to Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics to complete in the 2009 UANA Pan American Synchronized Swimming Junior Championships. Photo by Al Bloom
The 2009 UANA Pan American Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships showcase talent and timing Rica, Peru, the United States, Venezuela and other countries will compete. Events scheduled include solo and duet competitions plus free routine combinations and team competitions. A dramatic opening ceremony is scheduled at the facility’s 50-meter pool, while a colorful parade of athletes is scheduled for Friday. During the last day of the competi-
tion, a family festival with food and activities is scheduled to take place across the street from HFFA to celebrate the various cultures and nationalities present at the event. According to Molly Borroughs, HFFA executive director, this is the first time official synchronized swimming competition has taken place in the Charlotte area. — LKT
The Scoop The 2009 UANA Pan American Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships are scheduled for August 12-15 at Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics, 11725 Verhoeff Drive, Huntersville. Visit www.hffa.com/syncorswim for event schedule and tickets. Weeklong passes $12, daily tickets $8, $6 for children 12 and under. For more information, call 704.766.2222. 61
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
If you’re old enough, the thought of synchronized swimming probably conjures images of the Saturday Night Live sketch featuring Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer and Martin Short. The truth is that synchronized swimming is a tough sport that requires tremendous endurance, skill and talent. This month some of the best junior competitors in the sport come to Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics (HFFA) to compete in the 2009 UANA Pan American Synchronized Swimming Junior Championships. From Wednesday, August 12 through Saturday, August 15, approximately 120 of the world’s best junior synchronized swimmers from Argentina, Canada, Costa
Currently |
A month of things to do in the Lake Norman area
Concerts
Mingling on the Green Concert Series (every Friday and Saturday) Enjoy a variety of bands throughout the summer. Rick Spreitzer (August 1), Blues Express (August 7), Soundbarrier (August 8), Groove Masters (August 14), Jason Marcum (August 15), TTW Band (August 21), True Fiction (August 22), Wild Card Band (August 28), Loosh (August 29). 7-9 p.m. Free. Birkdale Village, Huntersville, www. birkdalevillage.net. 2009 Summer Beach Music Concert Series — The Embers (August 9) The Embers perform beach music favorites. 3-7 p.m. Price TBA. The Melanie Williams Amphitheatre, Queens Landing, 1459 River Highway, Mooresville, 704.663.2628, www. queenslanding.com. Concerts at the Gazebo (August 13, 20) Enjoy live music at the gazebo at Jetton Village in Cornelius, 7-8 p.m. Free. 704.453.4380. Concerts on the Green (August 16) Stardusters Big Band performs (picnic theme Elegant & Classy). Bring lawn chairs and blankets. 6-8 p.m. Free. Davidson Village Green (corner of Main Street and Concord Road), Davidson, www.ci.davidson.nc.us. 2009 Fun at Five Concert Series (August 20) The Tsunami Wave Riders rock the stage. 5 p.m. Free. Sponsored by the Mooresville Recreation Department. Mooresville Town Hall, 413 N. Main Street, Mooresville, 704.663.7026, www. mooresvillerecreation.org.
Education
Center (every Wednesday) Come check out the coolest cars around every Wednesday evening at Bruster’s at Morrison Plantation Shopping Center. 6 p.m. to dusk. Morrison Plantation, Mooresville, www. brusters.com. Rotary Farmer’s Market (every Wednesday and Saturday) The streets of downtown Mooresville fill with produce at this market. 7-11 a.m. Free. Church Street and Center Avenue, downtown Mooresville, 704.664.5031. Davidson Farmer’s Market (every Saturday) Stock up on local food and produce as you socialize with your neighbors. 8 a.m.-noon. Free. Next to Davidson Town Hall between Main and Jackson Streets, www. davidsonfarmersmarket.org. Lincoln County Farmer’s Market (every Saturday) Local produce at its best. 8 a.m. until sell out. Free. Rock Springs Elementary School, 3633 Hwy. 16 North, Denver, 704.736.8452, http://lincoln.ces.ncsu. edu/content/LincolnCountyFarmersMarket. Downtown Mooresville Cruise In (August 1) Attracting as many as 600 classic vehicles on the first Saturday of every month, the Downtown Mooresville Cruise In takes you back in time — in a good way. 3-8 p.m. Free. Downtown Mooresville, 704.224.4117, www.downtownmooresville.com. Lake Norman Luxury Tour (August 1-2) Tour homes in some of Lake Norman’s most exclusive communities during the Lake Norman Luxury Tour. Sponsored by Allen Tate Realtors and local business owners, the tour’s proceeds benefit Barium Springs Home for Children. 1-5 p.m. Free, donations encouraged. Various neighborhoods off of Brawley School Road in Mooresville, 704.400.1232, www. lakenormanluxurytour.com.
Boating Safety Classes (August 15) Summer is a good time to sharpen your boating safety skills with classes offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. BS & S Core Course, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. $45. Lake Norman Volunteer Fire Department, 1518 Brawley School Road, Mooresville, 704.663.3333.
Tastes for Habitat (August 2) Our Towns Habitat for Humanity holds a fund-raising event for the 2009 Women Build program. Enjoy dance lessons, appetizers by specialty chefs and a silent auction. 2-6 p.m. $25. Havana Banquet & Ballroom, 17105 Kenton Drive, Cornelius, www.ourtownshabitat.org.
Vessel Safety Check (August 22) The Lake Norman Sail and Power Squadron offers free vessel safety checks throughout the summer. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Mountain Creek Marina.
2009 National Night Out (August 4) Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture Department and the Cornelius Police Department join forces for the 2009 National Night Out, a crime/drug prevention event featuring face painting, food, games, inflatables and entertainment. 7-9 p.m. Free. Smithville Park, 19710 S. Ferry Street, Cornelius, 704.892.6031, www.corneliuspr.org.
Events
Backyard Tails — Flight Program (every Saturday and Sunday) Experience a Great Horned Owl flying just inches from your head during Backyard Tails — Flight Program. Seats are limited. Noon2 p.m. Regular admission plus $2 fee. Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, 704.875.6521, www.carolinaraptorcenter.org. Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Main & Maxwell Mini-Park and Farmer’s Market (every Tuesday and Saturday) Head to downtown Huntersville for fresh produce. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. 103 Maxwell Street, www.huntersville.org, 704.766.2220. Meeting Street Market (every Tuesday) Enjoy fresh produce at the farmer’s market at Morrison Plantation. 5 p.m. until dark. Free. Morrison Plantation, Mooresville (in the parking lot behind the live/work townhomes near Bruster’s), www. meetingstreetmarket.com. Car Show— Morrison Plantation Shopping
62
Mooresville, 704.664.2414, www.artworksonmain. com. Meet the Wildcats Day (August 15) Sports activities, inflatables, autographs and more make it a great day to be a Wildcat. 1-3 p.m. Free. Village Green, Davidson. Pan for Gold! (August 15) Learn about the Charlotte region’s gold history as you pan for treasure at the miner’s cabin. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free with regular admission. Historic Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville, 704.875.2312, www. lattaplantation.org. Miles of Mooresville (August 21) Participate in three evening racings with one, two and three-mile options in downtown Mooresville. If you’re feeling lucky, run all three. Proceeds benefit Race City Runners Foundation, a non-profit organization. 7 p.m. $18 per person. Downtown Mooresville, www. queencitytiming.com. The Hope House Art Show (August 22) Artists show and sell their work to benefit Hope House in Huntersville. 4-8 p.m. Free. Dilworth Coffee @ Oakhurst, 9606 Bailey Road, Cornelius, www. thehopehousefoundation.org. Civil War Infantry Weekend (August 22-23) Civil War soldiers provide demonstrations on the grounds of Historic Latta Plantation. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free with regular admission. Historic Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville, 704.875.2312, www. lattaplantation.org.
Galleries
Artworks on Main Monthly exhibitions. Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 165 North Main Main Street, Mooresville, 704.664.2414, www. artworksonmain.com. Christa Faut Gallery Monthly exhibitions. Tue-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m. or by appointment. Jetton Village, 19818 North Cove Road, Suite E3, Cornelius, 704.892-5312, wwwchristafautgallery. com. Creative Art Exchange, The Cornelius Arts Center Gallery Youth Artists Exhibit from the Creative Art Exchange and Children’s Arts Project. Through August 30. Mon-Thu 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri and Sat by appointment. 19725 Oak Street, Cornelius, 704.892.7323, www.creativeartexchange.org.
Huntersville National Night Out (August 7) Activities for children, displays of police, fire and medical vehicles and more help the town of Huntersville celebrate National Night Out. 6-8 p.m. Free. Northcross Shopping Center, I-77 and Exit 25, www.shopnorthcross.com.
Depot Fine Arts Gallery Work from Leo Gordon, Sandie Bell and John Weidman will be on display with carved and painted gourds by Whitney Peckman. August 4-30. Opening reception August 14, 6-8 p.m. Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun 1-4 p.m. 103 W. Center Avenue, Mooresville, 704.663.6661, www. mooresvilleartistguild.com.
UANA Pan Am Junior Synchronized Swimming Championships (August 12-15) Approximately 120 athletes from North and South America, Central America and the Caribbean compete for medals. Visit www.hffa.com/syncorswim for event schedule. Weeklong passes $12, daily tickets $8, $6 for children 12 and under. Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics, 11725 Verhoeff Drive, Huntersville, 704.766.2222.
Duke Energy Explorium Catawba River Docks Exhibit. Through September 30. Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat noon-5 p.m. 13339 Hagers Ferry Road, Huntersville, 704.875.5600, www.duke-energy.com. Four Corners Framing and Gallery Monthly exhibitions. Tue-Fri 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 112 S. Main Street, Mooresville, 704.662.7154, wwwfcfgframing.com.
On the Corner of Art and Main (August 14) Downtown Mooresville shows its artistic side with its monthly ArtWalk. 6-9 p.m. Free. Downtown
Landmark Galleries The work of watercolorist ‘Cotton’ Ketchie. Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 212 North Main Street, Mooresville, 704.664.4122, www.
Merrill-Jennings Galleries Monthly exhibitions. Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 463 S. Main Street, Davidson, 704.895.1213, www. merrilljennings.com. So Alive Gallery Works in all mediums by local artists. Tue-Fri 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Sun noon-2 p.m. 108 S. Main Street, Davidson, 704.892.0044.
at 7:30 p.m., movie begins at 8:30 p.m. Free. Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream parking lot, 202 S. Main Street, Davidson, 704.892.0604. Cornelius Outdoor Cinema Series (August 5, 19, 20, 22) Enjoy a movie under the stars courtesy of the Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture Department. Movie dates and times are subject to change. Paul Blart Mall Cop — August 5 (Kenton Place, 17115 Kenton Drive), What About Bob? — August 19 (Kenton Place, 17115 Kenton Drive), High School Musical 3: Senior Year — August 20 (Jetton Village Green, 19818 N. Cove Road), Transformers — August 22 (Cornelius Town Hall, 21145 Catawba Avenue). Movies begin at dusk (8:30 p.m.). Free. 704.765.1450, cancellation/inclement weather hotline 704.896.2460, ext 300.
Van Every/Smith Galleries, Katherine and Tom Belk Visual Arts Center The Davidson College Permanent Art Collection: Recent Gifts and Acquisitions features works by Tara Donovan, Joel Shapiro and Andy Warhol. Through August 7. Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (summer gallery hours). 2009 Faculty Exhibition features work by Herb Jackson, Cort Savage and Rebekah Tolley. August 28-October 7, August 27, 7-9 p.m. opening. Cristina Toro: New Paintings features the tender, bright, riotous canvases of this Puerto Rican native. August 28-October 7, August 27, 7-9 p.m. opening. Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat-Sun noon-4 p.m. Davidson College, 315 N. Main Street, Davidson, 704.894.2519, www.davidson.edu/art/galleries.
Lunch & a Movie (August 10) Bring your lunch and watch Night at the Museum. Noon-1:30 p.m. Free. Town of Davidson Public Library, 119 South Main Street, Davidson, 704.416.4000.
Monday Morning Movies (every Monday) Start your week off with a family friendly movie. 9:30 a.m. Free. War Memorial Building, 418 Carpenter Avenue, Mooresville, 704.663.2670.
Teen Movie Night (August 12) Watch Rebecca Bloomwood, fashionista extraordinaire, get into all sorts of financial mishaps in Confessions of a Shopaholic. 7-8:30 p.m. Free. Town of Davidson Public Library, 119 South Main Street, Davidson, 704.416.4000.
Movies
Ben & Jerry’s Free Outdoor Moovie Series (August 4) Bee Movie. Bring lawn chairs and a canned food donation for the Loaves & Fishes food pantry at Ada Jenkins Center. Trivia and prizes begin
Movies @ McGuire Nuclear Station (August 7) The movie is TBD, but the fun is guaranteed. Boats are welcome. 8:40-10:30 p.m. Free. McGuire Nuclear Station, 13339 Hagars Ferry Road, Huntersville.
Movies on Main-Outdoors (August 21) Watch Dorothy and her friends find their way back home in The Wizard of Oz. 8:30 p.m. Free. Bellingham Park, 1600 Bellingham Drive, Mooresville, 704.662.3334,
www.ci.mooresville.nc.us. Movies in the Park (August 28) Enjoy a family friendly film, Kung Fu Panda, in the park courtesy of Huntersville Parks and Recreation. 8:30 p.m. Free. North Mecklenburg Park, 16131 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville.
Currently |
landmark-galleries.com.
Teens
Rock Band Wednesdays at Ben & Jerry’s (Wednesdays throughout August) Whether or not you play an instrument, you can try your hand at being in a rock band by playing guitar, drums or even singing. 6:30-9 p.m. Free. Ben & Jerry’s, 202 S. Main Street, Davidson, 704.892.0604. Teen Wii and Rock Band on the Wall Night (August 10) The LKN Teen Council and Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream are offering a wall-sized outdoor gaming experience for teens. Rock Band and other Wii sports games will be available. There will be two game stations on the wall for four players per game. 8 p.m. registration, 8:30 games begin. Free. Ben & Jerry’s, 202 S. Main Street, Davidson, 704.892.0604.
Theatre
Barefoot in the Park (Through August 2) Neil Simon’s classic romantic comedy follows the trials and tribulations of newlyweds Paul and Corrie Bratter as they set up house in a Manhattan apartment. The New York Times describes this play as, “A bubbling, ribtickling comedy.” Thu-Sat 8 p.m., Sun (August 2) 2 p.m. $22, students and seniors $20, children 15 and under $15. Duke Family Performance Hall, Davidson College, 704.892.7918, www.carolinatix.org.
“We Dig the Lake”
• Streams • Ponds • Pools • Hot Tubs • Grottos
Specializing in One-of-a-Kind Stone Creations
Visit Our Bulk Material and Rock Yard
638 Oakridge Farm (Hwy. 150) - Mooresville
CBC Custom Shorelines & Dredging
704-660-5111
recycle The possibilities are endless.
63
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
• Outdoor Living Spaces • Fire Pits • Walkways • Retaining Walls • Waterscapes
One More Thing |
Gone Fishing
by Sam Boykin photos by Glenn Roberson
Fran Park reels students in
W
hile just about anyone can pick up a rod and reel and cast a lure into the water, fly fishing is unique, with distinct and ancient methods and what some would call an artistic beauty. “There’s something about fly fishing that attracts a different kind of person,” says Fran Park of Huntersville. “It’s very serene and peaceful, but it also takes a lot of skill to lay down a fly the size of a pinhead precisely where you think the fish are.”
Lake Norman Currents | August 2009
Above: “It’s [fly fishing] very serene and peaceful, but it also takes a lot of skill to lay down a fly the size of a pinhead precisely where you think the fish are,” says Fran Park. Right: Fran Park grew up fishing in upstate New York.
64
Park knows all about such things. Not only is he an avid fisherman, but he also teaches other anglers how to build their own fly rods. Park grew up fishing in upstate New York with his grandfather, who took him to Oneida Lake where they fished for bluegills, catfish and rock bass. Park soon developed a passion for anything that involved “a rod and reel in my hands,” he says. Years later, when Park moved to Colorado in the mid-90s, he started making his own fly rods. “When winter came and I couldn’t fish, I started looking for something to do to pass the time until fishing season got here.” He came across a local fly fishing store that offered fly rod building classes, and before long he had a new hobby. Park, who works full time as a broker with Coldwell Banker United Realtors, is certified by the Custom Rod Builders’ Guild as a professional builder and is a member of Rod Builders International. For the past three years he’s been hosting fly rod building classes at Madison River Outfitters in Cornelius.
Park explains that the fly rod construction process starts with what’s called a “blank,” which is a pole that forms the core of the rod. He stresses that in his classes he only uses highquality parts from reputable dealers, and students can select the exact blank and components they want to suit their specific needs. Each class meets for three evenings over a three-week period, during which time students learn the basics of rod building, and “when it’s all said and done you’ve got a brand new rod you’ve built yourself,” says Park The average cost for each rod is between $300 and $400, including the $75 class fee. Says Park, “The goal here is not to save money, but to learn why a rod performs the way it does, and how you can build a custom rod that does exactly what you want instead of trying to find one on the shelf.” LNC The Scoop Visit http://gfrods.wordpress.com to find out more about Fran Park and his fly rod building classes.
44603-Marvist Lake Norman:44603-Marvist Lake Norman
5/12/09
1:53 PM
Page 1
N O RT H M Y RT L E B E A C H • S O U T H C A R O L I N A
LUXURY OCEANFRONT CONDOMINIUM VACATIONS
Vacation in supreme comfort in the Ocean Drive section of North Myrtle Beach. A spacious beach, indoor and outdoor pools, 2 hot tubs, lazy river, fitness center, and 3- and 4-bedroom units with fully-appointed kitchens are just the beginning of grande times at Mar Vista Grande.
15% Discount
GRANDE Another Fine Ocean Resorts Property
877.627.6050
Just mention this ad when booking your vacation.
MarVistaGrandeLN.com
Good times here are not forgotten.
Great vacation values at two of the Grand Strand’s best locations. For 25 years, Ocean Resorts has been providing a variety of vacation properties in the Ocean Drive section of North Myrtle Beach and the Shore Drive area of Myrtle Beach. Oceanfront condos and ocean view condos are available from 2 to 4 bedrooms, with a variety of amenities.
15% Discount
Just mention this ad when booking your vacation.
800.334.5015 • StayOceanResortsSL.com