Jul/Aug 2022
L I FES T Y LE
Contents 10
In this issue 3 LETTER FROM THE LIFESTYLE TEAM
A note on what’s coming up
12
4 TEAM SPOTLIGHT Meet Grace Jones
5 FEATURED EVENT
Steven’s Creek Nature Preserve
6 PET FEATURE
Furry Friends - Ladybug
6 CONCIERGE
Exclusive offerings, just for you
14
7 FEATURED EVENT
National Ice Cream Day
8
8 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Dean and Christalyn Brinker
8 WELLNESS
Restorative Sleep
9 GET INVOLVED
Interest Groups & Social Clubs
10 A LOOK AHEAD Upcoming Events
12 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Around Town
13 FEATURED EVENT Intro to Cornhole
14 ESPLANADE CONNECT Carolina Waterfowl Rescue
Esplanade at Northgate PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
TAYLOR MORRISON
Sunshine Linzi Lifestyle Manager SLinzi@Evergreen-LM.com 704-916-9456
Sean Robertson Community Sales Manager SRobertson@TaylorMorrison.com 704-280-5728
Grace Jones Community Association Manager GJones@Evergreen-LM.com
Jessica Sinopoli Community Sales Manager JSinopoli@TalyorMorrison.com 704-280-5728
MEMBER SERVICE
SALES GALLERY HOURS
Esplanade@Evergreen-LM.com EsplanadeNorthgateLifestyle.com 866-325-0703 Hours: Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Monday-Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Wednesday, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
14 COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP Red Wolf Recovery Program
15 FEATURED EVENT
Sliders, Sips & Suds Member Welcome
2 ESPLANADE LIFESTYLE JUL/AUG 2022
Letter From the Lifestyle Team SUNSHINE LINZI YOUR LIFESTYLE MANAGER
Summer is here, let’s give a big cheer! Our gorgeous boutique community is building up! Please know that as soon as you go under contract on your new Esplanade home, you are invited to participate in all Lifestyle events and activities. The Lifestyle Program is tailored to your interests, so do not hesitate to reach out to us with your comments and suggestions for our events in the future. Thank you to all the Members who participated in segments of our first Lifestyle Magazine publication! The magazine is published bi-monthly and is a great resource for getting to know your neighbors as well as your upcoming events. If you are new to Northgate, I strongly encourage you to attend Esplanade 101. This is a monthly informational Member event designed to help you learn the ins and outs of our community and how to make the most of your Esplanade Lifestyle. You are also invited to join me for Coffee & Conversation each month to get to know each other and discuss your interests and ideas for future events. Welcome Home during this beautiful Carolina summer. With many opportunities to join inspiring events, I look forward to seeing you at our first gatherings!
Sunshine JUL /AUG 2022
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TEAM SPOTLIGHT
Grace Jones YOUR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MANAGER
W
e are pleased to introduce your Community Association Manager, Grace Jones. Grace joined us at Esplanade at Northgate in April with over nine years’ experience in Community Association Management with extensive experience in age qualified communities. She is nationally accredited as a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) and has her Association Management Specialist (AMS) designation. Originally from Cleveland OH, Grace moved to North Carolina as a child. She graduated magna cum laude from Johnson and Wales University with a B.S. in hotel and lodging management. She prides herself on being able to assist Members with their needs while maintaining the properties so that owners can be proud to call their community home. When she isn’t providing Northgate Members with their homeowner needs, her family is her whole world! Grace and her husband John have been married for seven years. Together, they have a three-year-old son Clifton and daughter Nora, who was born in February this year. Their four-legged family members include their seven-year-old Chihuahua, Vino and an eightyear-old cat, Hummingbird. Hummingbird was named after John’s Guitar, a Gibson Hummingbird. Some fun facts about Grace include recently learning she is mostly of Scandanavian descent when her dad completed a DNA test. To her utmost surprise, during maternity leave she found a love for Irish Pub Music. And most interesting, you can’t make food spicy enough for her. She has a vast hot sauce collection and friends continuously encourage her to enter hot pepper eating contests. If she ever did enter a contest, we would all root for Team Grace! As Esplanade at Northgate continues to grow, Grace cannot wait to grow with it! She is grateful to each and every Member who makes this community possible and excited to see what the future holds. If you need to reach her, her email is always open: GJones@Evergreen-LM.com and she will reply as soon as she is able.
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HIKE & PACKED LUNCH AT
Stevens Creek ‘ Nature Preserve
Tuesday, July 12 at 8:30 a.m. 15700 Thompson Road or Meet at Sales Gallery Parking Lot to Carpool
Lace up your shoes and pack your lunch! Join us for a thoughtful stroll through Steven’s Creek Nature Preserve. The 281acre preserve protects the restored creek which is the historic range of the Federally endangered Carolina Heelsplitter Mussel. Stop and observe nature in action down by the creek or watch birds in the bird garden. We’ll walk the Heelsplitter Trail with a moderate difficulty rating for a 3.2-mile loop. Then visit the nature center to view live animals and exhibits. We will end our journey with a bring your own sack lunch.
PET FEATURE / CONCIERGE
Furry Friends MEET Ladybug - LOVED BY MELISSA & MICHAEL EDWARDS Ladybug is an absolute sweetheart and a credit to all Shih Tzu’s. Ladybug turned Sweet 16 this year or 120 in human years, but we think 16 candles is just the right amount to put on her pupcake. Her favorite things are a good lap nap snuggling with her pawrents, walking to meet her neighbors, and of course, yummy treats. “She’s lost her hearing but she’s as sweet as can be,” Melissa tells us. We all anxiously await the grand opening of Northgate’s Bark Park so we can see Lady Bug play and greet all her neighbors and their fourlegged friends!
FEATURE YOUR FURRY FAMILY MEMBER Contact your Lifestyle Manager, Sunshine Linzi at SLinzi@EvergreenLM.com, to be featured in the next edition of the Lifestyle Magazine. Answer a few questions about your furry, feathery, or scaly friend and share a couple pictures.
Exclusive Concierge Offerings Part of the Esplanade Lifestyle is rolling out the red carpet and giving our Members VIP access to exclusive offers and services! We are excited to build and foster relationships with local organizations and businesses to offer special rates for our community. If you know of one that would like to partner with Esplanade at Northgate, please contact your Lifestyle Manager.
PET SERVICES
PET SERVICES
CAMP BOW WOW 10% OFF all Services (including grooming) and 5% OFF all Products. Members are given the Wag Bag provided by Camp Bow Wow when they go under contract. VIP Discount is good at any location. Once presented, they will store the discount along with your contact information for all future visits. 704-708-9663 8635 Crown Crescent Ct Charlotte, NC 28227 campbowwow.com/matthews
HOUNDS TOWN USA 15% OFF Saturday Daycare only. Good at Indian Trail location only. Members are given a signed discount card from Hounds Town Indian Trail location at closing. 704-218-2100 2613 Hayes Road Monroe, NC 28110 houndstownusa.com/ locations/indian-trail/
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National Ice Cream Day MEMBER MINGLER & CONTEST
Saturday, July 23 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Sales Gallery
It’s ice cream time! Join us for a National Ice Cream Day contest. Sign up to make a batch for a chance to win a prize. Or just come to taste and bring a pint of your favorite flavor to share!
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT / WELLNESS
Dean & Christalyn Brinker
M
eet Dean and Christalyn Brinker! They are moving from Charlotte to Indian Trail to be closer to their daughter who lives in the neighboring community of Bonterra. They are both well-traveled and retired with four grandsons that keep them very busy. Esplanade fits the lifestyle they want to enjoy right now. They look forward to participating in the community events and meeting their new neighbors!
YOU COULD BE IN THE SPOTLIGHT NEXT! The Members of our community are truly what make this a wonderful place to live. In each Lifestyle Magazine issue, we will spotlight a Member, couple or family to showcase the amazing Members we have living in Esplanade at Northgate. If you would like to be featured, please answer the questions below and send some fun photos to your Lifestyle Manager. 1. What are your names and why did you choose Esplanade? 2. Are you a full-time Member? If not, where else do you spend your time? 3. What Lifestyle programs are you most interested in? Also, tell us your hobbies. 4. Tell us about your family/pets and your current or past professions. 5. What is the best advice you've ever received or given? 6. Where is the most exciting place you've traveled to and what made it so memorable? 7. Tell us something about yourself that may surprise people.
Health Benefits of Restorative Sleep According to Psychology Today, sleep problems can cause issues with memory, thinking, mood (depression, anxiety) and chronic fatigue/chronic pain.
DID YOU KNOW
During sleep, the brain is able to repair and grow cells, tissue, and nerves that regenerate and boost the immune system. Along with good nutrition and stress reduction, restorative sleep is vital for physical, mental, and emotional health. According to the CDC, adults need at least seven hours of sleep nightly.
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GET INVOLVED
Interest Groups & Social Clubs Doing more of what makes us happy is called the key to life by many. Share your passion and take the first step by creating a club or group today!
M
eet fellow Members with similar interests by creating or joining an Interest Group or Club! Any Member wishing to develop an interest group or club should contact the Lifestyle Manager to receive information and an application. The Lifestyle Manager will then help to facilitate promotion of activities developed by the Members. Depending on the group size and activity, the Sales Gallery may be a suitable space for your gatherings. Contact your Lifestyle Manager, Sunshine Linzi at SLinzi@Evergreen-LM. com, for help in coordinating the appropriate space for your club.
1. DEVELOP Create the name and purpose of your club. Review guidelines.
2. SUBMIT APPLICATION Let us know! We'll help schedule your meeting place and time.
3. GET LISTED Once approved, your new club will be listed on the website and in the Lifestyle Magazine. CLUB IDEAS Book Club Cars and Coffee Card Club Mahjong Club Chess Club Veteran Club Cigar Club Wine Club Ladies Lunch Bunch Crafts for Causes Art Club Poker Club Gardening Club Day Trippers Club Men’s Golf Club Women’s Golf Club Run Club
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A LOOK AHEAD
Upcoming Events All activities and events are subject to change. For the full details on the events listed, please visit EsplanadeNorthgateLifestyle.com/events.
WHY WHINE? Fridays, July 15 & August 12 | 6 p.m. Sales Gallery July is Made in the USA. From Alabama to Wyoming, our country has some great tasting wines. Including right here in NC where the Muscadine grew before the Carolinas were even named! Bring your favorite bottle to drink and share. Finger foods will be provided. August is War of the Rosé. A great rosé’s essence profile is fresh and fruity. With a light palette flavor that brings brightness and a crisp follow through. Please bring your favorite bottle of rosé to drink and share. Finger foods will be provided.
PUBLIC OPEN ICE SKATE MONROE JULY 4TH CELEBRATION Monday, July 4 | 4:30 - 10 p.m. Belk Tonawanda Park | 1821 Skyway Drive, Monroe, NC 28110 Enjoy Independence Day fireworks at the park! This is a 14-minute drive from Northgate.
YAPPY HOURS First Wednesdays: July 6 & August 3 | 5:30 p.m. Sales Gallery Lanai (Until Bark Park Opens) Meet up with your furry friends to enjoy a dogtastic social event. July’s theme is Doggie Reggae. Studies show Reggae is one of the best genres for reducing stress, barking and heart rates in dogs. Some human and doggie refreshments will be provided. Feel free to bring your favorite beverages and a list of your favorite reggae hits to play! August’s theme is B.Y.O.D. We all want to take our dogs everywhere with us! You can start by bringing yours to Yappy Hour at Northgate! Some human and doggie refreshments will be provided. Feel free to bring your favorite beverages.
HIKE STEVEN’S CREEK NATURE PRESERVE Tuesday, July 12 | 8:30 a.m. 15700 Thompson Road Lace up your shoes and pack your lunch! See the flyer on page 5 for more information!
10 ESPLANADE LIFESTYLE JUL/AUG 2022
Monday, July 11 & Wednesday, August 24 | 2 - 4 p.m. Extreme Ice Center Beat the heat and skate at the Extreme Ice Center right up the road from Northgate! $16 per person, includes skate rental. Then enjoy some refreshments at the Tavern on the Ice, which is located inside the Ice Center.
INTRO TO MAHJONG! Thursday, July 21 | 11 a.m. Sales Gallery Lanai It’s all the rave! As you learn the game and think about how you play and the choices you make, it’s important to remember a couple of points. In the long term, it’s a game of skill. In the short term, luck is a significant factor for the outcome of any single hand. With those points in mind, this introduction is intended to get you started off and winning games in no time at all.
ICE CREAM MEMBER MINGLER CONTEST Saturday, July 23 | 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Sales Gallery It’s ice cream time! See the flyer on page 7 for more information!
A LOOK AHEAD
Upcoming Events All activities and events are subject to change. For the full details on the events listed, please visit EsplanadeNorthgateLifestyle.com/events.
CRAFT NORTHGATE: KINDNESS ROCKS PROJECT Monday, July 25 | 6 p.m. Sales Gallery Lanai Come paint rocks with your neighbors and spread a little kindness. Learn the pour technique for a marbled effect. Then write your favorite inspirational phrase. Not a natural born artist? No worries! Stencils are provided to give you a helping hand. All materials are provided. Wear clothing you won’t mind getting crafty in!
THIRSTY THURSDAYS
CRAFT NORTHGATE: INTRO TO ALCOHOL INKS
Thursdays, July 28 & August 25 | 6:30 p.m. Sales Gallery July is National Watermelon month. Bring your favorite fruit/ watermelon cocktail or your favorite cocktail in a watermelon!
Monday, August 29 | 6 p.m. Sales Gallery Lanai
August is a cocktail challenge! We challenge you to bring your favorite cocktail in anything but a cup. Get creative with the challenge and really think outside the box (or cup in this case)!
Learn this trending craft! Makers will create a unique set of four coasters to take home. Learn the whirly technique using air movement. Then preserve each coaster with a resin coating. All materials are provided. Wear clothing you won’t mind getting crafty in!
INTRO TO CORNHOLE
SLIDERS, SIPS & SUDS MEMBER WELCOME
Thursday, August 18 | 6 p.m. Sales Gallery Parking Lot
Saturday, August 20 | 1 p.m. Sales Gallery
Get ready for tailgate season! See the flyer on page 13 for more info!
Come mingle with us! See the flyer on page 15 for more information!
Monthly Member Meetings
ESPLANADE 101
NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
COFFEE & CONVERSATION
Tuesdays, July 5 & August 2 10 a.m. | Sales Gallery
Tuesdays, July 19 & August 16 10 a.m. | Sales Gallery
Wednesdays, July 27 & August 31 9:30 a.m. | Sales Gallery
New Members can meet with the CAM and Lifestyle Manager to briefly discuss HOA and Lifestyle topics outlined in your Member Handbook. Come with your questions!
Meet with your Community Association Manager in a relaxed and social setting to discuss the latest news surrounding the neighborhood.
Join your Lifestyle Manager for a relaxing and informative meeting. Find out what’s happening on the social scene. Bring your questions and suggestions.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Around Town Looking for something to do this summer? Northgate is uniquely situated to access Monroe to Charlotte and everything in between! Check out these interesting events in the area!
RIVER JAM CONCERT SERIES Thursday, Friday and Saturday Nights Through September Whitewater Center | 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, Charlotte Live music takes place throughout the year at a one-of-a-kind outdoor venue in the middle of the world’s largest man-made whitewater river. Genres including roots rock, Americana, bluegrass, folk, and funk. Check their website for the band schedule. For more information, call 704-391-3900 or visit center.whitewater.org.
TRIVIA NIGHTS Thursdays at 8 p.m. | Sundays at 6 p.m. Sweet Union Brewery | 13717 E Independence Blvd, Indian Trail
MATTHEWS COMMUNITY FARMER’S MARKET Every Saturday | 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. 188 N. Trade Street, Matthews This is the largest, most diverse producer-only farmers’ market in the greater Charlotte area. All market products, except fish, are grown, raised or made within 50 miles of Matthews.Fish is caught on the NC coast and brought to market by the fisherman. You’ll find freshly harvested produce, naturally-raised meats, local honey, plants, artisan foods and hand-crafted items. Enjoy live music, cooking demonstrations, food trucks, fun contests and more! For more information, visit matthewsfarmersmarket.com.
Sweet Beer, Sweet Trivia at Sweet Union! Prizes for top three teams! For more information, visit sweetunionbrewing.com.
CHEF ALYSSA’S COOKING CLASSES Various Classes Available Each Week Alyssa’s Kitchen | 4001-C Yancey Road, #100, Charlotte The hands-on classes teach cooks at every age how to make seasonal, flavorful meals at home. For more information, call 704817-7568 and visit chefalyssaskitchen.com to book your class!
VISIT THE RAPTOR TRAIL Open Daily | 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 - 4 p.m. Carolina Raptor Center | 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville Located on 57 acres inside Latta Nature Preserve, the 3/4 mile, selfguided Raptor Trail features over 20 species of birds which guests can photograph and learn more about. Admission: $12 - Adults; $10 - Seniors; $8 - Students; Free - Children 3 and under. For more information, call 704-875-6521 or visit carolinaraptorcenter.org.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE: A LEVINE ARTS SERIES Every Wednesday | 5 - 9 p.m. Levine Center for the Arts | 500 South Tryon Street, Charlotte The event includes free admission to the museums, as well as live entertainment or programming at one of the four institutions each week. The special programming will rotate among the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, The Harvey B. Gantt Center for AfricanAmerican Arts + Culture, the Knight Theater, and The Mint Museum. For more information and to see the current line up, visit mintmuseum. org/wednesday-night-live.
QUEEN’S FEAST RESTAURANT WEEK Friday, July 22 - Sunday, July 31 Various Restaurants Throughout Charlotte Scores of Charlotte’s best restaurants participate in the Queen’s Feast. Visit charlotterestaurantweek.iheart.com for a list of participating restaurants for dinner. Be sure to check if reservations are required.
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INTRODUCTION TO
Cornhole
Thursday, August 18
6 p.m. | Sales Gallery Parking Lot Let’s get ready for football tailgate season! Join your neighbors and learn the game of cornhole. Rally at the Northgate Sales Gallery parking lot. No experience is needed. Players will learn scoring, getting your toss techniques down, blocking, and the slide shot. Bring your own drink (BYOB); snacks provided.
ESPLANADE CONNECT / COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP
Carolina Waterfowl Rescue
E
ach spring, Carolina Waterfowl Rescue accepts several hundred orphaned and injured baby songbirds. They house, feed, raise, and provide medical care to each and every one.
The babies need constant and continuous care in order to survive their early development. The rescue relies on seasonal volunteers like you to provide this care. No experience is necessary as trained staff will take you through the basics of care. Baby Bird Volunteers take a three-hour shift once a week. With four shifts per day, seven days a week available. If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer, please email songbirds@cwrescue.org. Do you crochet or knit? The rescue would love you to make replacement “nests” as well as donate any of the following items: unscented baby wipes, pillowcases, fresh fruits and vegetables, and live meal worms. Members can drop off items with your Lifestyle Manager, Sunshine Linzi at the Sales Gallery. For more information, please visit cwrescue.org.
Red Wolf Recovery Program
R
ed wolves are the most endangered wolf in North America. Today, North Carolina’s Albemarle Peninsula off the Alligator River is home to the only confirmed wild red wolves in existence. While red wolves play a vital and unique biological role within their ecosystem, the species has declined in the last decade from 130 to 15 wolves. Habitat loss, wolf-vehicle collisions, gunshot mortality and hybridization with coyotes threaten the future of red wolves in North Carolina. A healthy red wolf recovery program is critical to ensure a sustainable population. This past April something monumental occurred on the landscape … a new litter of red wolf pups! During the week of April 18, Red Wolf Recovery Program Staff through NC Wildlife Federation, confirmed a litter of 6 wild red wolf pups (4 females, 2 males). This litter is the first wild-born litter of red wolves since 2018. The red wolf pair was formed through select wildlife management actions and the two subsequently following their natural instincts in pairing, mating, and establishing territory. Every new generation born in the wild yields a new hope for the critically endangered red wolf. What a cause for joy and celebration! For more information about red wolves, and to watch the Red Wolf Webcams 24/7, visit the NC Wildlife Federation website at ncwf.org.
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Sliders, Sips & Suds MEMBER WELCOME
Saturday, August 20 1 p.m. | Sales Gallery
Welcome Northgate’s new Members with your Lifestyle Team! Beat the heat with a cold glass or bottle of your favorite beverage (BYOB) on the Lifestyle covered patio. Enjoy great conversation with your new neighbors while we grill up delicious sliders with fixings and sides.
EsplanadeNorthgateLifestyle.com