Issuu

VENETIAN PRINCESS

The Village At SouthPark 4310 Sharon Road X21, Charlotte, NC 28211 704-333-6139

342 Circle Avenue in Myers Park JohnMorgan@UBGCharlotte.com 704.307.4606 See Our Portfolio @ UrbanBuildingGroup.com

KITCHEN & BATH I FULL SERVICE DESIGN I REMODELING I CUSTOM HOMES I INTERIOR

DECORATING I HARDSCAPES I POOLS I OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES

FROM THE EDITOR

3 1

prah Winfrey once said, “When you accessories — like pillows — can brighten a invite people to your home, you invite space. On page 26, contributor Michelle Boudin them to yourself.” shares how Liz Saintsing turned her newfound So true — our homes are places where passion for exquisite fabrics and sewing into a we can really express ourselves, from the art budding pillow business. and photos on the walls to the handpicked Commercial interior designer Lisa Pulsinelli furnishings and paint colors, to the potted Brooks has spent 20 years building her business, mums (or faux boxwoods) gracing the front SouthPark Interiors. Last year, she finally created porch. Is yours a shoes-off something for herself. Her kind of home, or shoes-on? soothing new Lake Norman Do pets and children rule home was worth the wait the roost, or is everything (page 88). Stay tuned for the neatly in its place? video tour on our Instagram We learn so much about @southparkmagazine. someone from visiting them And on page 80, artist at home. (And secretly, Melissa Fiorenza shares the don’t we all just love to creative process behind peek inside the houses of building and designing her friends, neighbors and local family’s one-of-a-kind Myers personalities?) Park home. Melissa has a Much of this issue is style that’s all her own, with dedicated to stories about unexpected details around home, which is fitting as the every corner. temperature drops and we When it comes to historic settle into cozy season. homes, the Duke Mansion When moving to a new is Charlotte’s grand dame. home, it helps to have an Ahead of the Preservation interior designer in the Society’s annual Halloween family. As Anne Pearson gala, we decided to have Hey, look at that! A huge thank you to Hammett’s parents were a little fun photographing ArtPop for displaying our September IT relocating from their society members decked out List cover on the digital billboard at Apex longtime home into a condo, in their finest party attire the Charlotte designer gutted SouthPark. A few of us celebrated the issue (with a nod to this year’s gala launch with lunch at Calle Sol before snaptheir dated kitchen and theme, the Golden Age of ping this photo. Pictured from left: Whitley created a cottage-inspired Hollywood). We also share Adkins, me, Richard Israel, Sharon Smith, jewel that looks like it was about the group’s efforts to Lynda Kuehni and Mercy Clark there all along (page 22). ensure the 1915 property will Of course, you don’t need a complete continue as an integral part of our community renovation to make your home feel like new for generations to come (page 74). again. Sometimes mixing in new artwork and Cheers to October! SP 8 | SOUTHPARK

4 IN THIS ISSUE: 1–Custom pillows by Liz Saintsing (page 26) 2–Anita Bateman, vice president of creative direction at the Gantt Center (page 34) 3–Zamindar’s Clubhouse (page 42) 4–Some enchanted evening at the Duke Mansion (page 74)

CATHY MARTIN EDITOR

editor@southparkmagazine.com

PHOTOGRAPHS BY AMY KOLO, HERMAN NICHOLSON, COURTESY ZAMINDAR’S AND KORI HOFFMAN

INTERIOR RESIDENTIAL REMODELING FOR SMALL TO LARGE SPACES PLANNING & DESIGN | KITCHENS + BATHS | WHOLE HOME RENOVATIONS

dominionremodeling.com info@dominionremodeling.com | 704-607-8771

Michael Baker 704.526.9510

Andrea Berenfeld 704.713.5501

Katy Bradfield 704.965.5968

Leyda Celekli 617.407.9991

Melanie Coyne 704.763.8003

Kathy Davis 704.363.8450

Tom Fisher 704.213.1556

Harper Fox 704.804.0101

Bridget Graves 704.560.2311

Jessica Grier 704.690.1303

Sher yl Hallow Team 704.907.1144

Patty Hendrix 704.577.2066

Christy Howey 704.996.0484

Jessica Jenkins 704.607.9389

Maren Brisson-Kuester Team 704.287.7072

Beth Livingston 704.778.6831

Susan May Team 704.650.7432

Dowling McConnell 704.651.4907

Liz & Greg McIntosh 704.488.6224

Valerie Mitchener 704.577.8200

Lisa Moon 704.201.8725

Austen Oates 910.617.8949

Claire O’Neal 980.253.0827

Peterson Emig Team 704.904.6279

Taylor Potter 704.996.9179

Judy Raghavan 704.807.9970

Jimmy Randle 704.651.1955

Jocelyn Rose 704.975.9900

Sarah Salton 704.315.9515

Helen St. Angelo 704.839.1809

Stacey Stolar 704.400.1539

Kate Terrigno 631.903.3021

Peter J. Thevaos 704.576.5673

Meredith Tomascak 704.806.7650

Catherine Turner 704.578.5551

Tiffany White 704.287.4547

Meg Wilkinson 704.906.5747

Tommy Williams 704.458.2369

Margaret Wood 704.904.6022

Sharon Yoxsimer 704.819.2567

©2026 Corcoran HM Properties. All rights reserved. Corcoran® and the Corcoran Logo are registered service marks owned by Corcoran Group LLC. Corcoran HM Properties fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act.

BLVD.

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

22 | interiors

55 | bookshelf

70 | The long game

Anne Pearson Hammett gives a dated kitchen an elegant reset.

October’s new releases

26 | design Liz Saintsing crafts one-of-akind pillows from luxury and vintage fabrics.

Rachel and Andy Lee honor their daughter by helping families facing the realities of the NICU.

by Ron Green Jr. photographs by Peter Taylor Record-holding long snapper J.J. Jansen of the Carolina Panthers talks about the future and planting roots in Charlotte.

30 | entrepreneurs

61 | southpark stories

How a viral golf gadget provided a welcome distraction during a young family’s cancer journey

After an ALS diagnosis, Rev. Amy Jacks Dean gives everything she’s got.

34 | arts

63 | state of mind

Gantt Center CEO Bonita Buford and Anita Bateman, VP of creative direction, steer the institution’s next chapter.

Fair is fair: Deep-fried and games of chance

Zamindar’s Clubhouse is the culmination of family sacrifices, second chances and a shared vision for elevated Indian dining.

50 | happenings

74 | Puttin’ on the Ritz

67 | simple life

by Cathy Martin photographs by Kori Hoffman production by Whitley Adkins This year’s Halloween gala at The Duke Mansion channels the Golden Age of Hollywood — while supporting one of Charlotte’s most iconic venues.

An October surprise

80 | Good vibes only

105 | swirl

by Cathy Martin photographs by Dustin and Susie Peck A Myers Park family home is filled with funky art, retro furnishings, and vintage and thrifted finds.

Parties, fundraisers and events around Charlotte

112 | crowning moments The power of the ask

by Cathy Martin photographs by Scott Pope After two decades designing commercial interiors, Lisa Pulsinelli Brooks finally builds her ultimate retreat.

TRAVEL 99 | Gold standard by Page Leggett photographs by Richard Israel Day trip: A former mining town offers a peek into the early 1900s, one-of-a-kind shopping, and a chance to slow down and relish simplicity.

ABOUT THE COVER: Melissa Fiorenza at home in Myers Park. Photograph by Dustin and Susie Peck.

October calendar of events

October 12 | SOUTHPARK

PHOTOGRAPH BY KORI HOFFMAN

42 | cuisine

57 | givers

88 | Break for the lake

signature homes renovations additions

Charlotte Blue Ridge Boone

making it home since 1950

G E N E R A L C O N T R AC TO R

andrewroby.com 704.334.5477

1230 West Morehead St., Suite 308 Charlotte, NC 28208 704-523-6987 southparkmagazine.com _______________ Ben Kinney Publisher publisher@southparkmagazine.com Cathy Martin Editor cathy@southparkmagazine.com Sharon Smith Assistant Editor sharon@southparkmagazine.com Andie Rose Creative Director Alyssa Kennedy Art Director alyssamagazines@gmail.com Whitley Adkins Style Editor Contributing Editors David Mildenberg, Michael J. Solender Contributing Writers Michelle Boudin, Taylor Bowler, Krisha Chachra, Jim Dodson, Ken Garfield, Ron Green Jr., Amanda Lea, Page Leggett, Tommy Tomlinson Contributing Photographers Daniel Coston, Kori Hoffman, Amy Kolodziej, Herman Nicholson, Dustin and Susie Peck, Scott Pope, Peter Taylor

ADD WINTER STYLE TO YOUR HOME Choose WOW Windowboxes to make your space spectacular! We provide windowboxes and planters that are custom built for every home. Our award-winning planting team also provides eye-catching seasonal plantings, ensuring designs that will make your property stand out all year round. Contact us to schedule a free estimate.

Contributing Illustrators Gerry O’Neill, Gary Palmer _______________ ADVERTISING Anne Brundage Sales Manager anne@southparkmagazine.com Lynda D. Kuehni Account Executive lynda@southparkmagazine.com Mercy Clark Marketing Manager mercy@southparkmagazine.com Brad Beard Graphic Designer _______________ Letters to the editorial staff: editor@southparkmagazine.com Instagram: southparkmagazine Facebook: southparkmagazine LinkedIn: SouthPark Magazine

Owners Jack Andrews, Frank Daniels III, David Woronoff in memoriam Frank Daniels Jr. David Woronoff President david@thepilot.com

wowwindowboxes.com | 980.501.9693 | @wow_windowboxes_charlotte

14 | SOUTHPARK

TowneBank and Dogwood – A Winning Team Dogwood State Bank and TowneBank have come together to create an unmatched team of dedicated bankers who are accessible and available. We invite you to join us and experience the difference. We welcome Dogwood as a Division of TowneBank.

Ted Wolfe President, Charlotte 704-644-4005

TowneBank.com/DogwoodTeam | Member FDIC

Steve Jones President, Carolinas 919-863-2263

U N R I V A L E D L U X U RY AL L E N TAT E R E A L E STAT E

Experience the next level in luxury real estate when you partner with us.

ADRIA BRITT

BRITTANY CLARK

BAILEE EUREY

KIM EWERT

NICK HILL

SHELLEY SPENCER

BEVERLY STUMLER

CARLA WEYRICK

704.904.0557

704.292.8722

704.890.0840

704.907.3800

704.530.4630

704.777.7544

704.491.2765

704.564.5585

IN NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA LUXURY

# 1 F A M I L Y - O W N E D R E A L E S TAT E C O M P A N Y I N T H E U . S .

ALLEN TAT E R E A L E STAT E

ALLEN TATE REAL ESTATE

M O R T G A G E | I N S U R A N C E | R E L O C AT I O N

CHARLOTTE | $6,750,000

CHARLOTTE | $4,980,000

CHARLOTTE | $695,000

CHARLOTTE | $674,900

4523 Fox Brook Lane Linwood Bolles | 704.905.5732

129 French Street A Linwood Bolles | 704.905.5732

IN THE CAROLINAS FAMILY-OWNED IN U.S.

4816 Kelly Woods Lane Jean Benham | 704.363.2938

1125 Towns Hill Way Lee Reynolds | 704.996.1351

SPONSORED CONTENT

LOVE THE NEW YOU At Graper Harper Cosmetic Surgery, aesthetics go beyond treatment and procedure. When you walk in the door, the entire team is dedicated to helping you become the best version of yourself through a comprehensive approach that brings surgical and nonsurgical methods together under one roof. From medical-grade skincare and laser treatments to injectables and surgical procedures, Graper Harper offers the full gamut of aesthetic care. They also offer the latest technology in breast augmentation, developed to preserve the natural anatomy of the patient and a physician-supervised medical weight loss program designed to help patients prepare for surgery and set fitness intentions. Their carefully trained specialists work

Left-right: Dr. Evon Zoog and Dr. Garrett Harper

together to create individualized treatment plans, working with patients’ goals to deliver the results of their dreams. PRO TIP: See an expert and don’t try to do it on your own. Everybody’s skin is different and what works for your favorite influencer, might not work for you!

The practice is led by double board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. Garrett Harper, who trained at Emory University and joined the practice in 2015, and Dr. Evon Zoog, a Carolina native who joined in 2023 after training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. They are joined by an array of fulltime aestheticians, laser specialists and nationally recognized nurse injectors.

SPONSORED CONTENT Aesthetic Injector Linda Owens with a happy patient

PHOTOGRAPHS BY RICHARD ISRAEL

PRO TIP: Sunscreen is your best friend!

Care at Graper Harper doesn’t end after surgery. “We tell patients after surgery that they need to do everything they can to protect their investment,” Dr. Harper says. “Skin and tissues will continue to age after surgery. Our nonsurgical providers supplement surgical corrections and really take things to the next level.” PRO TIP: It’s never too early to start preventative care, even if things “aren’t so bad.”

Discussing appearance can feel vulnerable, and the caring staff at Graper Harper Cosmetic Surgery strive to create an environment where patients are comfortable, relaxed and understood. After every appointment you walk away knowing

you were heard. “We let the patients do the talking and we just listen,” Dr. Harper explains. “It helps us to understand what they are thinking and what their goals are. Then it’s our job to help them reach those goals.” Ultimately, looking your best is about feeling confident in your own skin. The Graper Harper team combines expertise, collaboration and personalized care to help patients fall in love with their look – at every age.

Graper Harper Cosmetic Surgery 2915 Coltsgate Road Ste 103 704.375.7111 | ghsurgery.com

blvd.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY ARHAUS

people, places, things

OPEN HAUS

This summer, home-furnishings retailer Arhaus opened a new 35,000-square-foot showroom at The Village at SouthPark. It’s the secondlargest showroom for Arhaus, which started 40 years ago in Cleveland, Ohio, and sources heirloom-quality furniture from global artisans and manufacturers — including upholstered goods from its nearby Conover facility. To celebrate the opening, Arhaus made a donation to Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region. The store is located at 4320 Sharon Road, by SouthPark Mall’s main entrance in the former Crate & Barrel space. SP southparkmagazine.com | 21

blvd. | interiors

22 | SOUTHPARK

blvd. | interiors

CHECK MATE

Anne Pearson Hammett gives a dated kitchen an elegant reset. by Taylor Bowler | photographs by Dustin and Susie Peck

hen Anne Pearson Hammett, founder of Anne Pearson Design, helped her parents transition from their home of 30 years into a condominium at The Cypress of Charlotte, she approached the project as equal parts designer and daughter. The goal wasn’t simply to renovate a dated kitchen. It was to create a space that honored the pieces and memories they chose to bring with them. southparkmagazine.com | 23

blvd. | interiors

“The previous owner had taken great care of it,” Hammett says. “It just hadn’t been updated.” The kitchen still featured laminate countertops, fluorescent lighting and a built-in workstation that no longer suited the way her parents lived. The condo’s concrete walls meant the plumbing and range couldn’t be relocated, so they worked within the existing footprint. Hammett gutted the space, replacing everything from the flooring and cabinetry to the countertops, appliances and lighting. One of the project’s defining features came about almost by accident. Hammett and her parents originally planned to match the condo’s dark wood flooring, but when they realized an exact match wasn’t possible, the designer pivoted. “My dad was the one who loved the checkerboard,” she says. The marble tile delayed the renovation, but it quickly became the room’s signature element. “That was the best surprise,” she says. “It completely transformed the space.” Working with Mint Hill Cabinets, Hammett designed floor-to-ceiling cabinetry painted in Benjamin Moore’s Maritime White — a warm neutral to complement the bluish-green Lewis & Wood wallpaper in the adjoining scullery. “I wanted the kitchen to feel soft and inviting,” she says. “Not sterile.” A concealed coffee station with pull-out storage keeps appliances out of sight, while quartz countertops from Harkey Tile & Stone extend into a custom-shaped backsplash beneath the vent hood. “I actually sketched the backsplash on-site while the installer was there,” Hammett says. “It gives the kitchen a little more movement than a straight line.” The custom green island was inspired by classic English kitchens, while unlacquered brass hardware brings warmth that will deepen as it develops a patina over time. To soften the abundance of hard surfaces, Hammett commissioned a custom fabric pendant from Atlanta-based Edgar Reeves Lighting and installed a Roman shade in a Cowtan & Tout fabric above the sink. An antique painting sourced from an auction completes the room. “I love the way an old painting warms up a space,” the designer says. Still, it’s the checkerboard floor that steals the show. “It would not be the same kitchen with wood floors,” Hammett says. “The tile gives it so much character. It feels like it’s always been there.” SP

24 | SOUTHPARK

blvd. | design

PILLOW TALK Liz Saintsing crafts one-of-a-kind pillows from luxury and vintage fabrics.

by Michelle Boudin | photographs by Amy Kolo

rowing up in Winston-Salem, Liz Saintsing always knew she wanted to be surrounded by art and design. So after she graduated from Guilford College, Saintsing bought a one-way ticket to San Francisco. “I wanted to be in a more eclectic, art-driven environment, and find my artist community — and I did.” In California, she got into silk screening, an art form that had her scouring flea markets in the Bay Area for vintage handbags to put her designs on. “Over the course of four, four-anda-half years, I made close to 1,000 bags, all hand-printed,” Saintsing says. She sold them all over the world after a shop owner visiting from Singapore saw one of her bags in a store window. After seven years on the West Coast, Saintsing returned to the Carolinas in 2008. She planted roots in Charlotte, where she admits she was surprised to find a thriving arts community. “But vintage handbags weren’t as readily available here, so I detoured and ... started hand-printing onto dupioni silks, making pillows and table runners.” Four years ago, she started working at a Charlotte home-goods store and gained access to a wider range of materials.

26 | SOUTHPARK

Guiding You Home in Charlotte and Beyond.

CARRIE BRIGHTON

LEIGH CORSO

CAY CRAIG

BUTLER JOHNSON TEAM

SYLVIA S. GAUSE

HEATHER MONTGOMERY

HAMPTON+ LONG TEAM

ANJA ZIMMERMAN

BECKY MCGRATH TEAM

KALIE KOIVISTO

CHIP JETTON

THE HUNEYCUTT TEAM

LISA EMORY

CARANNA O’MELVENY

LINDA HENLEY

LISA WILFONG

HEATHER WOLKING

LINDSAY REDFERN

TREY SULLIVAN

LISA WARREN

No matter where you are in the Charlotte area, our esteemed agents can help you accomplish your real estate goals.

Compass Carolinas, LLC” in South Carolina and under the name “Compass” in North Carolina and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and may not reflect actual property conditions.

blvd. | design

“I got inspired by the fabric, the luxurious textiles, the combination of patterns, whimsical trims, embellishments on both furniture applications and on home accessories, especially.” She took a class to learn the basics of upholstering and sewing on industrial machines. “I got the bug instantly. It’s so therapeutic,” Saintsing says. She officially launched her namesake line of hand-crafted pillows in January. “I’m sourcing fabrics from places like Paris, and bringing back fabrics in my suitcase, some of which are 300 years old, all one-of-akind.” She also buys small quantities of high-end, premium textiles. “At any given time, I’m probably buying two yards or less. And that’s very intentional. I don’t want to mass-produce these — when they run out, they run out.” Saintsing plans to launch new pillow collections every six months. She debuted her Parisian collection at Slate Interiors in May. Next up is a line with a more modern aesthetic that she describes as “bold and expressive.” In the future, Saintsing says she loves the idea of working with repurposed furniture. For now, you can find her pillows on her website, lizsaintsing.com, and at Slate. “I love sourcing the fabrics and trims, feeling the fabric in my hands. I love feeling the quality, the craftsmanship, the weight, how the light touches certain threads. All of that is integral to what I do, then picking the right trim, fringe or welt that works with the fabric. Something that might be unexpected, or it might add movement, or dimension or texture.” As much as she loves the design part of the process, it’s the end result that truly makes her heart happy. “Seeing people’s joy and expression when they see the fabrics is beautiful.” SP

28 | SOUTHPARK

of seaside spirit

At Kiawah Island Golf Resort, it’s not a holiday getaway, it’s a timeless tradition. Generations gathered along a 10-mile stretch of pristine South Carolina coastline where joyful memories are unwrapped and warm wishes come true. A LEGACY 50 YEARS IN THE MAKING.

855.421.0018 KIAWAHHOLIDAYS.COM

blvd. | entrepreneurs

PLAYING THROUGH

How a viral golf gadget provided a welcome distraction during a young family’s cancer journey by Michelle Boudin

he same day a very important (some might say life-changing) Amazon delivery arrived at their Myers Park home, Trent and Grace Bailey also made a life-changing discovery. “We were excited and scared at the same time. Literally on the exact same day,” Trent recalls. “I found my lump,” Grace adds. “I think it was a Sunday morning, and later that day, Trent comes rolling in, unpacking a bunch of Amazon boxes, and jerry-rigs this cupholder together with a bunch of random parts and clips it to his golf bag — and he was so happy.” The joy of realizing he’d just created the first prototype of his new golf gadget, the Dangler, was tempered after the couple’s fear was confirmed, and Grace was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was February 2024, and surgery, chemo and radiation followed. During that time, the college sweethearts, who have lived in Charlotte since 2008, were grateful for the distraction of building a new business.

NO MORE SPILLED BEER

The Dangler is the first product in the Baileys’ budding golf-accessories brand, ParWalker. The no-spill cupholder for walking

golfers clips onto a golf bag and uses a gimbal ball to keep drinks upright, preventing spills. “ParWalker became a passion and something to focus on during a rough stretch for our family,” Trent explains. “I’m a big believer in, focus on the things you can control. Once we had our treatment plan, I thought it was really fun to dive into this side project so that not every conversation we have is around the big C-word.” Recognizing Trent’s added role as caregiver during her cancer journey, Grace was happy he had something else to occupy his time. “The fact that this happened on the very first day that I found the lump, I just had this feeling — that it was a sign that it was going to be successful — and that’s what I focused on.” The idea for the Dangler came about like any good invention — over spilled beer. An avid golfer and member at Myers Park Country Club, Trent was frustrated after losing his drink while walking the course one day. “I was on hole three, which is about a mile away from being able to get another drink, and I was just really bummed out. So I wanted to figure something out. I thought there had to be a better way to have a beer while golfing.” After testing eight prototypes, he found it.

The Bailey family 30 | SOUTHPARK

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY TRENT BAILEY/PARWALKER

blvd. | entrepreneurs

CATCHING FIRE

Soon after he perfected his invention, the Dangler unexpectedly went viral thanks to a quick video showing Trent taking a swig of beer, placing it in his newly minted cupholder and spinning around, ice-skater style — spill-free. “We started teasing content on Instagram that we were going to start shipping on May 11,” says Trent. “On May 7, that post on Instagram just went bananas. It had nearly 4 million views and 110,000 reshares. “We got 600 email submissions within three hours,” he adds. The couple stayed up till midnight as preorders began rolling in, with Trent working on the website and Grace responding to comments. “It was a pretty electric evening.” The Dangler retails for $39.99. The Baileys sold all 775 units in the first 10 days and have almost sold out of the additional 2,000 they ordered to keep up. The couple is making plans for additional accessories catering to golfers who walk the course, including an insulated version of the Dangler, a walking golf bag, and a clip-on magnetic hub that holds a phone and range finder. But these days, the biggest thing they’re celebrating is that Grace is now cancer-free.

The Dangler cupholder

“One thing that [Grace’s health journey] made us really realize is that I want to have a lot of time on this Earth, and that you want to cherish every day. And this should be fun, because we are going to be OK. Even if the Dangler doesn’t do exactly what we want to do, it’s going to be OK.” SP

Say “I do” to SouthPark! Don’t miss the opportunity to be a part of

Weddings by SouthPark this fall. Reach brides- and grooms-to-be in this targeted, beautiful section of wedding inspiration and resources.

Publication date: November 2026 Space deadline: October 5

Contact Anne Brundage at anne@southparkmagazine.com or Lynda Kuehni at lynda@southparkmagazine.com Visit us online at southparkmagazine.com/advertise

32 | SOUTHPARK

BUILDING FOR A LIFESTYLE.

Exquisite custom luxury homes for the discerning client.

gerrardbuilders.com | @gerrardbuilders

blvd. | arts

Bonita Buford

THE GANTT AFTER 50

Steering the Gantt Center’s next chapter: CEO Bonita Buford and Anita Bateman, vice president of creative direction, discuss sharing Charlotte with the world — and bringing the world to Charlotte. by Michael J. Solender | photographs by Herman Nicholson

alk into the administrative suite at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts + Culture, and you feel it immediately: quiet determination, singular focus and little interest in resting on 52 years of legacy. That legacy is real. National-caliber programming, deep community roots, a reputation that extends well beyond Charlotte. For the past two years, it’s been carried forward by two women who have stepped into the Gantt’s most public roles. In 2024, the Gantt celebrated its golden anniversary with a full slate of literary, culinary, musical and artistic programming. It was also a changing of the guard: Longtime CEO David Taylor stepped down, and Bonita Buford took the reins. She wasn’t new to the building — Buford had spent two decades at

34 | SOUTHPARK

the Gantt, rising from a volunteer in 2005 (helping organize Desmond Tutu’s Charlotte visit) to COO in 2015 before assuming the top job in January 2024. That fall, the Gantt created a new position for Anita Bateman: vice president of creative direction, overseeing everything from collections and curatorial vision to education, marketing and partnerships. Bateman arrived in Charlotte with a Ph.D. in art history and visual culture from Duke University and a résumé that includes the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; the RISD museum in Newport, Rhode Island; the Williams College Museum of Art; and Duke’s Nasher Museum. SouthPark Magazine sat down with Buford and Bateman to talk about building on the Gantt’s legacy, turning national

ADAMS TEDEN TEAM

BELLE COWART

JENN MATTSCHECK

ELLEN KELLY

MIKE FRIDHOLM

TAMI VON ISAKOVICS

EMILY HEFFERNAN

LISA RUPP

ANNE DABROWSKI

IZZY BURBANK

ALISON HACKNEY

NICOLE HALL

THE CLEMENTS TEAM

MILLER BASKERVILLE TEAM

MARIA ELENA CONAWAY

LISA TOMLINSON

CHLOE FAUCHER

DAYTON TEAM

CHRISTIE HANSEN

CULPEPPER BROWN TEAM

FAISON TEAM

DEBBIE COVINGTON

KRISTEN ARMSTRONG

MICHAEL BOOE

TRACY AND LANE JONES

THERESA KISTLER

SHERRIE ANDREWS

DAINA BRUNDRETT

JUDY GODLEY

KELLY BLANDFORD & BRANDON BOYD

ANNETTE SEMPRIT

GINNY BURGIN

TYLER MICHAEL

THE TUCK TEAM

helenadamsrealty.com | @helenadamsrealty

ANNA FENNO

blvd. | arts

“When we talk about our challenges — and this isn’’t unique to us, it’s true for arts organizations across Charlotte — we’re seen elsewhere as a national treasure. So how do we become a local treasure?” — Anita Bateman

Anita Bateman

acclaim into local engagement, a curatorial philosophy that goes beyond the traditional museum playbook and the partnerships taking Charlotte’s story to audiences beyond the QC. Comments have been lightly edited for length and clarity. For the 50th anniversary, how did you position the Gantt to build on its past success? Bonita Buford: Part of what we wanted to remind the community

is that we’re a multidisciplinary arts institution as well as a cultural center. We had a multi-pronged focus: culinary, music, visual art, literary arts. We brought in Nikole Hannah-Jones with her 1619 Project and did the community Big Read with (Ghanian American author) Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing. 36 | SOUTHPARK

Anita Bateman: Then we have our Black Carolina Initiative,

which consists of the Black Carolina Collective and the Black Carolina Artist Residency, which is only for artists in the Carolinas. We’re on our third cohort. Buford: It’s usually five artists who work in North or South Carolina. We provide resources, a stipend and studio space, and we take these artists to other art communities such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Next year we’ll take them to Art Basel in Miami. It’s an opportunity for them to connect with other artists, gallerists and collectors. This is in line with our strategy of “taking Charlotte to the world and bringing the world to Charlotte.” Another example of the latter is when we hosted U.S.

FA M E D FA I R WAY S . R E N O W N E D C L U B .

Legendary Living.

DISCOVER OWNERSHIP kiawahisland.com

843.410.3998

Obtain the Property Report required by Federal Law and read it before signing anything. No Federal or State agency has endorsed or judged the merits of value, if any, of this property. This is not intended to be an offer to sell nor a solicitation of offer to buy real estate in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law. This offer is made pursuant to the New York State Department of Law’s Simplified Procedure for Homeowners Associations with a De Minimis Cooperative Interest (CPS-7). The CPS-7 application (File No. HO16-0007) and related documents may be obtained from the sponsor. This project is registered with the State of New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance Real Estate Commission. Obtain and read the NJ Public Offering Statement before signing anything (NJ Reg#16-15-0011 and 0012). An affiliate of Kiawah Partners.

blvd. | arts

“We’re here for everyone. Our foundation is the African American story, but that story is everybody’s story. We’re here to feed your soul.” — Bonita Buford

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson last year. With our programming, we look to harness the power of the arts to build community and change lives. The Gantt has a reputation for risk-taking and programming that attracts national attention or addresses challenging social issues. What does that mean looking forward? Bateman: This is a very open and welcoming environment for new ideas. We don’t always operate within the same systems as the museum world, which allows us to be nimbler and more responsive to what our community wants to see. We have strong relationships with collectors who are generous in sharing their work, creating opportunities that many institutions don’t have. What impressed me most when I arrived was the community’s vision for where the Gantt could go. That gives us the freedom to shape new conversations, experiment, and build on our strengths while embracing more innovative exhibitions and a broader range of narratives. What’s an example of this? Bateman: Our [recent] Elliot and Kimberly Perry exhibit, Beyond

Boundaries (featuring bold Black abstract works). Part of why 38 | SOUTHPARK

I think it landed so well is that artists wanted to know what collectors are looking for and which artists they’re supporting. We had people traveling here specifically to see this show. There’s something powerful about exclusivity — about a show only being in Charlotte. I was talking with our new board chair, Jonté Harrell, who’s a member at the Pérez Art Museum in Miami. He told me that when he’s in Miami, people say, “I can’t believe the [quality of] the shows you bring to Charlotte.” When we talk about our challenges — and this isn’t unique to us, it’s true for arts organizations across Charlotte — we’re seen elsewhere as a national treasure. So how do we become a local treasure? Buford: Building on our foundation means continuing to grow

our local presence. We’re here for everyone. Our foundation is the African American story, but that story is everybody’s story. We’re here to feed your soul. At the same time, we don’t lose sight of what Black excellence looks like, what artistic excellence looks like — and showing up for each other means a lot to us. Many people don’t realize the depth of our community partnerships. With CMS, for example, we lead a six-month filmmaking workshop for students, primarily in Title I schools, guiding them from storyboarding to producing their own documentaries. We

Future-ready fiber. Concierge-level service. Exceptional living. Hotwire Communications is more than an internet provider – we’re your technology partner for a seamless, secure, and connected lifestyle. 100% Fiber-Optic Network: Ultra-fast symmetrical speeds and future-ready infrastructure. Future-Proof and Easily Scalable: No costly construction, just seamless enhancement.

Ask your HOA about bringing Fision Fiber to YOUR community!

Dedicated Concierge-Level Service: A team that knows your community inside and out. Enhanced Amenities: Smart gates, surveillance, and reliable community-wide Wi-Fi. Increased Property Value: Future-proofing homes with the technology buyers demand.

Learn how Hotwire can transform your community today!

INTERNET

SECURITY

VOICE

blvd. | arts

For Sale

2633 RICHARDSON DRIVE #8B | 3BR | 3.1BA | 2,840 SQ FT | $1,400,000

Charlotte’s true Secret Garden. A unique co-op in the middle of over 15 acres and just steps from SouthPark. This one of a kind property is a true gem. Come discover this unparalleled private oasis.

Sold

2116 MIDWOOD PLACE | $2,100,000

BUYER REPRESENTATION 700 CHEROKEE ROAD | $3,695,000

Sarah Salton Broker | Realtor ® 704.315.9515 sarah@hmproperties.com hmproperties.com ©2026 Corcoran Group LLC. All rights reserved. Corcoran® and the Corcoran Logo are registered service marks owned by Corcoran Group LLC and fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated.

don’t expect every student to become a filmmaker. The real goal is building teamwork, strategy and critical-thinking skills. For some, it’s the spark that keeps them engaged in school. What can we look forward to in the months ahead? Bateman: We’re deepening our relationship with the McColl Center; it’s part of the Gantt story. In the past, McColl resident artists would come through their residency and eventually find their way to us. It’s a symbiotic relationship, and I’m interested in exploring what a longer-term, more sustainable version of that looks like across our institutions. Buford: In January 2027, we open an

ENERGY EFFICIENT WINDOWS & DOORS

Nathan Rouse

Sales Agent APEX Energy Solutions 704.502.1122 nathanatapexclt.com

As a homeowner facing rising energy costs and working to reduce your impact on the environment, you expect the utmost from home remodeling professionals. And that’s what you get from Apex, where our name reflects our passion: to offer the highest levels of products and services.

“Nathan might be the best rep to a company that I’ve ever interacted with.” – Frank B

40 | SOUTHPARK

exhibit featuring Henry Ossawa Tanner, the American artist who spent much of his career in France and was one of the first African American artists to achieve international acclaim. It’s 90 years since his passing, and we’ll have 15 to 18 pieces on view, which is a big deal for us to show here. We offer a place of respite, learning and inspiration. Our mission is to present, preserve and celebrate excellence in African American art, history and culture, and to be a haven. Visitors discover that, and so much more. SP

Imagine Your Home Totally Organized

FREE % + SPOOKY GOOD OFF INSTALLATION SAVINGS ARE HERE PLUS AN ADDITIONAL 15% OFF RIGHT NOW Call Today & Schedule A Free In-Home Consultation

704-588-7272

charlotte.closetsbydesign.com

There’s nothing spooky about getting organized. This October, create a home that feels calmer, functions better and is beautifully designed for the way your family lives. Trust the company voted Charlotte’s Best Closet Company. For more than 20 years, Closets by Design Charlotte has helped Southpark families transform their homes with personalized organizational solutions. Locally owned and operated, every project is custom-crafted right here in our Charlotte factory.

blvd. | cuisine

TWO DREAMS, ONE TABLE For owners David Pandoria and Vamshi Krishna Adi, Zamindar’s Clubhouse is the culmination of family sacrifices, second chances and a shared vision for elevated Indian dining. by Krisha Chachra

n 2021, when chef Vamshi Krishna Adi was trying to open Gazab, his first restaurant in New York City, he didn’t have enough money to make it happen. He was saving for his sister’s wedding, but after four years working 12-hour days in Indian restaurants on both coasts, he finally had an opportunity to build something of his own. Adi asked his mother in Hyderabad, India, what he should do. She didn’t have the money to help him. But she did have gold — hers and Adi’s grandmother’s. She took it to the bank and used it to finance her son’s dream. It wasn’t the first time she had bet on him.

42 | SOUTHPARK

Zamindar’s Clubhouse opened in South End in June

blvd. | cuisine

Calicut Mango Lobster Curry

When Adi was younger, he told his extended family he wanted to be a chef. Relatives laughed and questioned why he would choose a “woman’s profession” when he could become a doctor, engineer or IT professional. His mother stood up for him. He studied the art of pastries, won college contests and eventually applied for a U.S. visa. He was denied three times. Adi was about to give up, but his mother encouraged him to try again. When he was finally approved and arrived in America in 2017 with $700 in his pocket, he already understood something about his mother: She was betting on his success with everything she had. He wasn’t going to let her — or himself — down.

A SECOND CHANCE

David Pandoria had a second chance at life, and he wasn’t going to waste it. In 2023, he was diagnosed with jawbone cancer. Surgeons removed part of his jaw and used his left fibula to reconstruct it. It took him a year to relearn how to walk, eat and swallow. Pandoria was determined to reclaim his life. For decades, he had traveled the world as a telecommunications executive and part-time DJ. Pandoria realized it was time to pursue a dream he had carried for years: an elevated Indian restaurant that would be more than just a place to eat.

44 | SOUTHPARK

Chef Vamshi Krishna Adi and David Pandoria

Born in England and raised in North Carolina, Pandoria grew up with the idea that dinner could be an hourslong experience — a social event where people gather and perhaps discover something new together. “I had a vision of creating a restaurant that would represent the royal richness of old-world India combined with spices and flavors of modern dishes,” he says. To refine that vision, Pandoria traveled to more than a dozen high-end Indian restaurants around the country, studying everything from food preparation and presentation to the dishware and customer service. “I wanted to incorporate all the finishing touches and specific details,” he says, like the branded wet-naps handed to customers at the end of a meal. Once his concept was ready, Pandoria just needed a chef.

TWO VISIONS MEET

Enter Chef Adi. Highly recommended by a mutual friend and frequent customer of Adi’s three New York City restaurants, the chef initially planned to meet Pandoria as a consultant. He was a rising star in New York — one of the city’s youngest Indian immigrant chef-owners, who had opened his second restaurant, Ishq, in 2024

universalstonenc.com

BALLANTYNE SHOWROOM 16615 Riverstone Way Charlotte, NC 28277 980-417-9119

SLAB WAREHOUSE 4806 Rozzelles Ferry Rd Charlotte, NC 28216 704-394-1221

blvd. | cuisine

Kalakand Chocolate Tart

at the age of 28. A few months later, Ishq received a coveted Bib Gourmand designation from the Michelin Guide. When the two met, Adi said he recognized something special. Pandoria had a vision for a place where Indian food, British Indian culture, music, design and hospitality could turn a meal into an experience. Adi understood how Indian food evolved in England, a central part of Pandoria’s concept. More importantly, he knew how to translate that idea onto a plate. Together, they built Zamindar’s Clubhouse, an ambitious Indian restaurant and lounge that opened in June in the former Link & Pin space in Charlotte’s South End. Adi sees the restaurant as an opportunity to introduce diners to the breadth of Indian cuisine. That includes cheeses made inhouse, halal meat and fresh spice mixes imported from India. “There are 29 states in India and over 1 billion people, yet most people only know one or two dishes,” he says. “We didn’t want to do another curry house with chicken tikka masala and saag paneer,” adds Pandoria. “Customers order dishes that they have never tried or liked before — like oysters or venison — and walk away loving them because they were prepared in an unexpected way with spices and techniques from our Indian culture.”

A TASTE OF HYDERABAD

Pulled Venison Varuval

46 | SOUTHPARK

Adi’s mother still plays a major role in her son’s fourth restaurant. She gathers spices from local farmers in Hyderabad, makes a blend and sends it to Charlotte for the Hyderabadi Chicken Dum Biryani, a dish that layers marinated chicken, aromatic rice and yogurt in a slow-steaming pot sealed with baked bread. The bread is broken tableside, releasing the fragrance of the spices. Other standout dishes include the tableside-flambéed Sharabi Chicken Tikka, Dum Ka Gosht (bone-in baby goat) and Nalli Gosht Mandi, a slow-cooked lamb shank served with fragrant rice. Starters include Lahsooni Oysters with chili-garlic butter and spices and Jalebi Chaat, a refined sweet, spicy and crunchy take on classic street food. The end of the meal is punctuated with yet another street-food tradition: paan — a wrapped betel leaf stuffed with aromatic ingredients and sweet paste. But at Zamindar’s, the food is only part of the experience.

2330 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 704.342.1000 | DICKENSMITCHENER.COM

blvd. | cuisine

Jalebi Chaat

ROYAL INDIA REIMAGINED

The restaurant’s décor draws on Pandoria’s vision of royal India and the history of the zamindars — landlords and landowners whose roles and influence evolved through the Mughal Empire and colonial eras. Mailbox-like elements on the walls carry city names and ZIP codes. A custom handwoven carpet from India anchors the dining room, while artwork by Anshna Bawa, a South-Asian American artist living in New York, depicts modern men and women in nostalgic clothing inspired by the royal Mughal era. Ceramic animal-head sculptures reference the trophy walls of old Indian clubhouses, but Pandoria wanted the décor to symbolize the country rather than a hunting lodge. “We chose elephants rather than other large game animals to symbolize India and at the same time, the Hindu God Ganesh who blesses and watches over us,” he says. “We have peacocks, India’s national bird, projected at the bar and other important images of India. We really wanted the space to reflect the transition from British rule to Indian ownership and independence.”

BUILDING SOMETHING THAT LASTS

For Pandoria and Adi, Zamindar’s is only the beginning. The restaurant’s lounge, Regiment One55, is a first-come, firstserved space for casual dining and overflow. Cocktails are prepared

48 | SOUTHPARK

The Nilgiri Club

tableside on a roll-up bar cart, while the menu puts an Indian spin on British classics such as fish and chips and beef Wellington. The owners also plan to collaborate with local chefs for pop-up dinners to introduce new diners to the restaurant. They are committed to spending several years building the brand before potential expansion into cities such as Tampa, Nashville or Austin. But for Adi, the idea of legacy goes beyond the restaurant brand. His father, who ran a cashew and nut business supplying restaurants and bakeries, loved to cook and prepared elaborate meals for family weddings and gatherings. As a boy, Adi watched him work, secretly cooking dishes he learned from his father and cooking shows. His father had dreamed of working in the culinary arts but never made it a profession. After his father died in 2024, Adi began to view success differently. Money and restaurants could only take a person so far. What mattered more was family, happiness and the people gathered around the table. Now, thousands of miles from Hyderabad, his parents are still part of that table. The spices his mother gathers and blends in India travel to Charlotte for her son’s biryani. His father’s love of cooking lives on in the chef he has become. And perhaps that is what Pandoria and Adi are building at Zamindar’s: not simply a restaurant, but a place where two very different stories can meet around the same table. SP

Family Medicine. Sports Medicine. Right here in SouthPark. Tryon Medical Partners® welcomes

Adam Culver, MD, CAQSM, to our growing team of award-winning physicians. Dr. Culver provides high-quality care to patients 16 and older in Family Medicine, and ages 13 and older in Primary Care-Sports Medicine. He’s now welcoming new patients at our SouthPark office. Schedule an appointment today! tryonmed.com

SOUTHPARK 6060 Piedmont Row Drive South Floor 7 Charlotte, NC 28210

| calendar

October HAPPENINGS CONCERTS: WEEZER, Oct. 3, Spectrum Center; OLIVIA RODRIGO, Oct. 7–8, Spectrum Center; THE JONAS BROTHERS: THE BURNING UP TOUR ALL OVER AGAIN, Oct. 13, Spectrum Center; SMASHING PUMPKINS: THE RATS IN A CAGE TOUR, Oct. 16, Spectrum Center; ED SHEERAN: LOOP TOUR, Oct. 17, Bank of America Stadium

Olivia Rodrigo

For more arts events, view our Fall Arts Preview online at southparkmagazine.com.

competition and OMB’s one-liter glass boots. Check locations for details.

of spectacles. Ticket prices vary; Iredell County Fairgrounds in Statesville.

sCarolina Various dates Carolina Theater gets into the spirit of Halloween with cult cinema and spooky events. The series features several films, including The Rocky Horror Picture Show and a sCarrie Prom celebrating the 50th anniversary of Carrie.

Charlotte Symphony Orchestra at Anne Springs Close Greenway Oct. 4 This 75-minute concert will feature musicians from the CSO’s wind, brass and percussion sections. The program pairs fanfares by Aaron Copland with serenades by Antonín Dvořák and Richard Strauss. Bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. Free with greenway admission.

My Breast Friend’s Wedding Oct. 22 This night of glamour and good celebrates breast-cancer survivors, fighters and thrivers This year’s theme is an Enchanted Garden Fête. Proceeds benefit the Go Jen Go Foundation. Wedding attire is encouraged; Hyatt Centric SouthPark.

Wolf Khan: Pastels – A Survey through Nov. 14 This solo exhibition at Jerald Melberg Gallery in Cotswold features works by the celebrated landscape artist known for colorful, modern abstracts. Dilworth Home Tour Oct. 2–3 Started in 1972, this is one of Charlotte’s longest-running home tours. From a 1925 craftsman bungalow to a new transitional build, this year’s lineup of seven homes spans a century of architectural styles. Tickets are $35. Mecktoberfest Oct. 2–4, 9–11 Olde Mecklenburg Brewery in Ballantyne and LoSo celebrate with live music and German fare like pretzels with beer cheese and schnitzel. There’s a steinholding

50 | SOUTHPARK

Clue: Murder on the Menu Oct. 9–Dec. 6 This immersive murder-mystery dinner puts you in the middle of the iconic whodunit game. Tickets start at $115; Blume Studios. The Great Gatsby Oct. 13–18 F. Scott Fitzgerald’s American masterpiece about the Roaring ’20s takes center stage as a Tony Award-winning musical full of glamour and heartbreak. Belk Theater; tickets start at $42. Carolina BalloonFest Oct. 16–18 The second-oldest hot-air balloon festival in the country features balloon competitions, mass ascensions and plenty

ArtPop Community Art Market Oct. 23 | 5–8 p.m. Six artists affiliated with ArtPop will have works for sale at Berkshire Hathaway SouthPark. Artists include Brett Blumenthal, Eva Crawford, Christopher DeLange, Angela Lubinecky, Bridgette Martin and Tanya Murphy. Free to attend.

Brilliant by Design: The Handbags of Judith Leiber Opening Oct. 24 This exhibition at Mint Museum Randolph brings together more than 100 handbags and accessories, presented alongside fashions from The Mint’s collection. SP

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

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY MY BREAST FRIEND’S WEDDING, COURTESY LIVE NATION

My Breast Friend’s Wedding

SKY’S the limit! An Exclusive Penthouse Opportunity THE FENTON | 2 BEDROOM | 3 BATHS | DEN | 2,200 SQUARE FEET At The Village on Morehead you will be surrounded by the benefits of living among Charlotte’s leading cultural attractions, shopping, dining and worldclass healthcare institutions, including highly rated Atrium Health and Novant Health facilities. The community’s impeccable finishes, elevated level of service, exceptional dining, vibrant social calendar and resort-style amenities make The Village on Morehead the premier address to live in Charlotte. IN-COMMUNITY CONCIERGE HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES |

SOPHISTICATED RETIREMENT LIVING | ONE, TWO, THREE-BEDROOM RESIDENCES | EXQUISITE PENTHOUSES

CALL 704.831.8000 TO LEARN MORE TODAY! 727 E. MOREHEAD STREET, CHARLOTTE NC 28202 | WWW.VILLAGEONMOREHEAD.COM

AVAILABLE AT

Winnie Simmons REALTOR®/BROKER

704.576.9225 wsimmons@dickensmitchener.com

A Z A L E A

|bookshelf

OCTOBER BOOKS Notable new releases

compiled by Sally Brewster

American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee In schools and churches, hotel rooms and nail salons, law firms and fried-fish shops; in cramped, dingy apartments and luxury, gated communities, the men, women, and children in American Hagwon struggle to find satisfaction and meaning in a world that seems to grow less forgiving with each passing year. Once comfortably middle class in Korea, John and Helen Koh and their three children — Bo, DH and Mido — find their lives upended, first by a shocking betrayal by John’s oldest friend, then by the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Desperately striving to regain their footing, they leave Seoul for Sydney and eventually settle in southern California, where new vistas of opportunity open up for the children as their parents — strangers in a strange land — must adjust to a new life in which their experience and education mean little, and they set their sights on whatever it takes to provide for their children’s futures. Ply by Hernan Diaz Centuries from now, at the dawn of a historical epoch filled with both uncertainty and promise, an orphan is adrift in a city on the brink of a great transformation. The state has been dismantled, and humans are reinventing social bonds and learning new ways to coexist with nature. Following a childhood defined by loss, survival and found family, the orphan grows up to become a “pincher,” someone who steals electricity from the grid to sell it on the black market. It’s a high-risk life, one that brings her into a rich art-andmusic scene where she powers underground concerts. It also leads her to a colossal scientific invention that could change the very fabric of reality. The Rush: California Gold, the Civil War, and the Making of the Modern World by Nathaniel Philbrick

In January 1848, a carpenter spotted flecks of gold in a shallow stream at Sutter’s Mill in California, triggering the greatest voluntary migration in U.S. history as hundreds of thousands raced west in pursuit of sudden wealth, reinvention and power. In The Rush, Nathaniel Philbrick transforms the Gold Rush from a tale of sudden riches into the origin story of America’s modern contradictions — capital consolidated at dizzying speed, democracy in thrall to private power, xenophobia weaponized in the name of liberty — and a stubborn belief in the American experiment that refuses to die. This is the story of a nation tearing at the seams and a republic tested by its own ideals. Odette Rising by Julianne Edwards It’s 1896 in Sèvres, France and, from her bedroom window, Odette Huré watches a funeral procession carry her father’s coffin away. She is 21, and she has not left the house for 10 years. Odette looks on as her life passes, reading and soothing herself with food. But with the sudden death of her father, the walls she has built around herself begin to crumble. Forced into the world, she discovers to her horror that she is responsible for her father’s considerable fortune and his celebrated stockings factory, renowned for its exquisite designs that adorn the slender ankles of Parisian femmes célèbres. Now Odette must try and navigate the world she has hidden from for so long. In doing so, she will unearth secrets left behind by her father and the shocking truth of her own identity. With the help of an unorthodox found family, she will discover all that she is capable of. SP Sally Brewster is the proprietor of Park Road Books, 4139 Park Road, parkroadbooks.com.

southparkmagazine.com | 55

47th Annual

Grand Opening & Sale begins Saturday, October 10th! Save 10-30% throughout the shop! Discover all the latest holiday trends as you shop in a wonderland of Christmas magic!

11729 CAROLINA PL ACE PARKWAY PINEVILLE, NC

704.541.0892

PEPPERMINTFOREST.COM

|givers

TURNING PAIN INTO PURPOSE

Ten years ago, Rachel and Andy Lee found a way to honor their daughter by helping families facing the realities of the NICU. by Amanda Lea

PHOTOGRAPH BY CARISSA ROGERS COURTESY MADELYN’S FUND

s Rachel and Andy Lee stepped into 2014, they were preparing to welcome their third child. Their sons, Ryan, 4, and Adam, 2, were eager to meet their baby sister, but her arrival came a bit sooner than they expected. On Jan. 27, Madelyn Elizabeth was born at 37 weeks. She swallowed fluid during delivery and was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to help her breathe. Her condition improved for several days as the Lees split their time between home and the hospital, learning the rhythms of the NICU while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy for their sons. On her sixth day, Madelyn developed an infection. By her eighth day, her condition had worsened. Rachel and Andy received a call in the middle of the night and rushed to the hospital. “When we got to the hospital, we were faced with our worst nightmare — our little girl had passed away,” Rachel says. In the weeks that followed, Rachel and Andy, a former NFL punter, were flooded with the practical responsibilities that come after a death while carrying the weight of losing their daughter. After planning Madelyn’s funeral, Rachel saw the bill and realized that many families might not have the resources to pay for one. “No one saves to pay for their child’s funeral,” Rachel says. “We were fortunate to be able to cover the expense, but many families incur the unexpected costs of funeral expenses without the means to pay these overwhelming bills.”

The Lee family

A COMMUNITY OF CARE The Lees understood that the financial strain of a NICU stay could extend far beyond the hospital. In November 2016, Rachel and Andy started Madelyn’s Fund with a small group of friends and family. Their goal was simple: help families facing the financial and emotional realities of having a baby in the NICU, including those experiencing infant loss. “No parent should have to experience the pain and devastation of losing an infant,” Rachel says. “We wanted to help other families be able to properly memorialize their child, and offer support to those navigating life in the NICU.” The Lees began talking with hospital social workers to get a clearer picture of what families needed most. More often, it came down to the basics. “A family might need gas to get back and forth to the hospital, or a place to stay near a baby receiving care far from home,” Rachel says. “Some need meals, financial support with household expenses while a parent is unable to work, or a car seat that can southparkmagazine.com | 57

|givers safely accommodate a medically fragile baby.” Today, Madelyn’s Fund works with social workers at partner hospitals to identify families who need assistance and determine what support will allow them to focus more fully on their child. The organization serves NICU families at four partner hospitals in the Carolinas and supports the cardiovascular intensive care unit at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital.

LEANING INTO LOSS

As Madelyn’s Fund approaches its 10th anniversary, Rachel feels a mix of emotions. She is grateful for the families and supporters who have carried the organization forward, but she knows what it means to see so many families experience a loss like hers. “It’s not a club anyone would want to be part of,” Rachel says. “But it’s amazing to see how one small life can leave a lasting impact. I wanted to honor Madelyn’s life. Now I say her name all the time. The work we’re doing honors her each day.” SP

Abby Cenfetelli first encountered Madelyn’s Fund after her daughter, Zoe, passed away after spending two weeks in the NICU in 2019. Cenfetelli and her husband had full-time jobs and insurance, but just days after leaving the hospital, they found themselves sitting in a funeral home trying to determine how they would pay for their daughter’s service. At the time, Cenfetelli knew little about Rachel or the organization, but Madelyn’s Fund covered the cost of Zoe’s funeral. As Cenfetelli navigated the immeasurable grief of losing her daughter, she eventually connected with Rachel, who shared her own experience and encouraged her to talk about Zoe rather than avoid the pain. “When you lose a child, you just say, ‘My life will never be normal again,’” Cenfetelli says. “Rachel validated that, but said I would be OK, and she shared her experience.” Years later, after having her son, Cenfetelli reached back out to Rachel to ask how she could help. She joined the board, volunteered with families and helped raise money in Zoe’s name. “It was an opportunity to keep my daughter’s memory alive,” she says. “It was a chance to give back to fellow NICU families, but also an opportunity to lean into the sadness and talk about Zoe.”

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CARISSA ROGERS COURTESY MADELYN’S FUND

A DECADE OF SUPPORT Since 2016, Madelyn’s Fund has provided more than $2.1 million in assistance to more than 4,400 families and helped cover expenses for 430 funerals. “Families do not plan to spend weeks beside an isolette,” Rachel says. “They do not plan for the cost of driving to the hospital every day, finding a place to sleep nearby or buying specialized equipment for a baby they simply hope will come home.”

The 2025 Pink Bow Gala

A NIGHT TO REMEMBER Madelyn’s Fund hosts events throughout the year to raise awareness and support NICU families. One of the biggest gatherings is the Pink Bow Gala, which returns Oct. 23 for its ninth year. The event brings hundreds of guests together for dinner, auctions and entertainment, with attendees encouraged to wear pink as a reminder of the babies and families behind the cause. Last year’s gala raised more than $550,000 to support NICU families. For Rachel, the night is more than a fundraiser. It offers a glimpse into the fear and uncertainty families experience inside the NICU. “There are so many quiet moments of fear and worry that people don’t see,” she says. “When you’re in the NICU, you forget to eat, drink — you forget you’re your own person. You’re 100% focused on the well-being of your baby. It’s heartwrenching to hear, but we want people to understand what families are going through.”

southparkmagazine.com | 59

|southpark stories

LIVE ABUNDANTLY

After a recent diagnosis, Rev. Amy Jacks Dean commits to fighting ALS with all she’s got. by Ken Garfield

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY THE DEAN FAMILY

he day Rev. that nearly 35,000 Amy Jacks Dean Americans are living was diagnosed with with ALS. Average life ALS, a member of the expectancy is three to medical team told her, five years, though many “Go kick life in the ***.” live longer. “Alright,” Amy At this stage — and responded, “I’m going to new symptoms can strike do it.” quickly — Amy’s main issue is Talk about keeping her a lack of mobility. She relies on Left: On a pilgrimage to Tuscany, Italy, Rev. Amy Jacks Dean gets a push from her word. The co-pastor of Park a rollator walker to get around. husband, Rev. Russell Dean. Their younger Road Baptist Church “hiked” She named it Rolanda. son, Bennett, held the safety rope, just in case. 51 miles on the Via Francigena Amy, twice a cancer survivor, is pilgrimage route in Tuscany, Italy, grateful for all who are bringing to life in the all-terrain wheelchair she’s nicknamed Gracie. And the the biblical command to bear one another’s burdens. rubber bracelet she wears now? On it is written “Live abundantly” Her husband, Russ, a self-confessed “basket case” about all and “Outlier,” which is defined as an atypical person — which this, was happy to push Amy up and down the Tuscan hills in describes a woman who still laughs more than she cries. June. He was 17, growing up in Clinton, South Carolina, when he Eight months after the diagnosis, Amy, 60, is fulfilling a fell in love with Amy. All these years later, he has taken to heart promise she intends to keep: “I give you my word,” she wrote to what a friend told him: “And now you get to do this.” church members in a letter sharing the news, “I am going to do Their oldest son, Dr. Jackson Dean, moved from Greenville, everything in my power to show this disease what I’ve got.” South Carolina, to Charlotte, to be closer to family. Along with Revs. Russ and Amy Jacks Dean are a familiar presence in Jackson and his wife, Madison, came 3-year-old Walker, the Charlotte’s faith community, together leading Park Road Baptist Deans’ first grandchild. Their younger son, Bennett, who teaches Church. Their work to unite people regardless of differences in sixth grade in Greenville, joined them in Italy along with his faith, race, culture and sexuality exemplifies the church’s belief in wife, Keylee, and her family. the inherent worth of all people. The Deans’ church family is reaching out with prayers, meals, Amid a year of personal milestones — she and Russ marked hugs and more — tangible reminders that whatever Amy might 25 years at Park Road Baptist and 40 years as husband and face as the disease progresses, she will not face it alone. wife — ALS was a punch in the gut. According to the ALS “We have shed many tears already, and many more will fall,” Association, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, often known she wrote in the letter to the congregation. “I trust you will help as Lou Gehrig’s Disease) is a “progressive disease in which a catch them.” person’s brain loses connection with the muscles, taking away Amy understands that the tears will come. Her plan is to dry their ability to walk, talk, eat and eventually, breathe. Although them, and continues showing ALS what she’s got. there is still no cure or treatment that halts progression, new “I say this to Russ every day, ‘I just don’t feel close to dead.’ treatments are helping to slow and ease symptoms.” My bucket list is living my normal life.” SP The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates southparkmagazine.com | 61

Inspiration from every

VIEW

SERVING CHARLOTTE’S BUILDERS AND HOMEOWNERS WITH THE FINEST SELECTION OF WINDOWS, DOORS, & ARCHITECTURAL PRODUCTS FOR OVER 25 YEARS.

704.344.1875 WindowAndDoorPros.com

|state of mind

FAIR IS FAIR Deep-fried and games of chance

ILLUSTRATION BY GARY PALMER

by Tommy Tomlinson

e used to meet at the sow. That was our gathering spot every year at the Cleveland County Fair in Shelby. For years, my wife and I and some of our friends would go to the fair every fall. Every year, they’d have a sow that either had just given birth or was about to. So we knew we’d have a place to meet, and maybe some cute piglets to fawn over. It was a lovely way to start a lovely night. This is the time of year for county fairs all over North Carolina, plus the big state fair in Raleigh. The fair in Shelby is officially called the Cleveland County Agricultural Fair. The timing has long been tied to the harvest — by now, most all the crops are in, and farmers can show off their bounty. Most county fairs have “agricultural” or “industrial” somewhere in the title. In Brunswick County they call it the Agricultural Fair and Expo, just to get a little fancy. There are no smells quite like fair smells. Back in the ag area, it’s a blend of cowflop and fresh hay and horse shampoo. You can always tell the city kids who wander back to the animal sheds. They’re in sensory overload. Their noses and ears and eyes don’t know what the hell is going on. It’s one thing to see a goat on TV. It’s a whole other thing to hear them bleat in stereo, or to look

close enough to see that their pupils are not only rectangular but horizontal. No wonder goats show up in horror movies. I think some farmers hope the fair will lead others to be drawn to the farming life. But I do wonder if some folks come out of there thinking: Nope, don’t need to see that again, get me to someplace with concrete. You don’t have to wander far until the smells change. Pretty soon you’ll catch the scent of batter dipped in cooking oil, and you are likely to float that way like a cartoon bear drifting toward a honeycomb. When you get there, Lord knows what you’ll find in the deep fryer. Every year, fair food looks and tastes more and more like Guy Fieri’s dreams. When I was a kid, county fair food was mostly corn dogs and funnel cakes. Now, at the state fair, the corn dogs are Korean and you can get them in flavors ranging from cinnamon mozzarella to Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. The funnel cake at the Beaver Concessions booth was the Food Network’s choice for the best item at last year’s state fair. That particular funnel cake is infused with Cheerwine — both in the batter and the icing. Just writing that sentence made me diabetic. Every county fair worth its grease now has fried Oreos, fried southparkmagazine.com | 63

Brilliant by Design: The Handbags of Judith Leiber is generously presented by Wells Fargo with additional support from HB Wealth. Individual sponsorship is kindly provided by Posey and Mark Mealy, and Staci and Jeff Mills. The Mint Museum is supported, in part, by the City of Charlotte and the North Carolina Arts Council. IMAGE: Jana Matheson, Judith Leiber Couture (United States, 1963–). Pink Ringaling Rotary Phone Minaudiere, c. 2013, silver-plated brass, Swarovski crystals, leather, semiprecious cabochon stones. Gift of the family of Vicki and Jim Mills. 2025.34.102 Mint Museum Randolph | 2730 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 | 704.337.2000 | mintmuseum.org | @themintmuseum

PHOTOGRAPH BY RICHARD ISRAEL

|state of mind Snickers, fried corn, fried pickles, fried cookie dough, fried burgers, fried turnip greens and fried banana pudding. (I thought I made up those last two. Then I went and checked. They have fried banana pudding at the Texas state fair. America continues to be a land of innovation.) One pro tip for the fair: Do not scarf down too many fried whatevers before going on the rides. Rides at the fair are designed to flip your insides upside down. There’s always some sort of ride named after mountains — the Matterhorn or the Himalayas or some such — that runs backward around an oval at speeds that don’t look scary until you’re actually on the thing. There’s always some sort of Flying Dutchman thing that pendulums from side to side while you sit in a replica of a boat and make out your will. There’s always some sort of Gravitron cylinder that spins so fast it pins your back against the wall, which is a good place to be when the bottom drops out. That last one is a perfect example of centrifugal force, which can be explained by Newtonian mechanics. While you are on it, you will pray that Newton got the formulas right. I will confess that I have never been much of a ride guy. I’m not getting on anything that rotates my body in three dimensions at the same time. I’d much rather spend my money on

games I have almost no chance of winning. The good news is that every fair is full of those, too. The problem is, you only have to win once to think you’re a winner. Thirty-some years ago, I took a date to the state fair and played one of those games where you toss dimes into dishes. Normally, even if you’re a good shot, the dimes bounce out and land harmlessly on the ground. But this time, I got a lucky carom and my dime landed in a tiny cup. The prize was a giant stuffed bear. My date and I had to haul that thing around for the rest of the night. Another pro tip, I guess: Wait to play for the big stuffed bear until you’re done with everything else. There were two prizes I won as a kid that I kept for a long time. I think I won them both in that game where you throw darts at balloons. One was a belt buckle with the logo of the band Kansas — they were famous in the ’70s for “Carry On Wayward Son” and “Dust in the Wind.” In the “Jeopardy!” category of Bands Named For Places, they rank behind Boston and Chicago but ahead of Asia. The other prize was the Farrah Fawcett swimsuit poster that was such a sensation back in 1976. I’ll admit, 62-year-old me feels a little cringy that I once had that on my bedroom wall. But 12-year-old me? He was sure glad he went to the fair. SP

Without the right agent, your dream home stays a dream. Are you ready to make a move? I can help!

Under Contract

Sold

$1,300,000 | HEYDON HALL

$2,300,000 | HEYDON HALL

$1,635,000 | GIVERNY

4BR | 3.1BA | 3,351 sq ft

5BR | 6.2BA | 5,519 sq ft

4BR | 4.1BA | 4,473 sq ft

8843 Heydon Hall Circle

9314 Heydon Hall Circle

2616 Giverny Drive

Beth Living ston

Broker | Realtor® Licensed in NC & SC 704.778.6831 bethlivingston@hmproperties.com hmproperties.com ©2026 Corcoran Group LLC. All rights reserved. Corcoran® and the Corcoran Logo are registered service marks owned by Corcoran Group LLC. Corcoran Group LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated.

southparkmagazine.com | 65

THIS NO-CLOTHES-ON-THE-CHAIR MOMENT WAS BROUGHT TO YOU

MORE ROOM FOR WHAT MATTERS™

BEDROOM AND HOME STORAGE SOLUTIONS CALIFORNIACLOSETS.COM

704.527.5505

Charlotte

224 East Blvd

©2026 California Closet Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Each California Closets® franchised location is independently owned and operated. Local contractor licenses available at californiaclosets.com.

|simple life

MY OCTOBER SURPRISE To be like Blue (and maybe Lao Tzu, too) by Jim Dodson

last slow circuit around the back garden she’d watched me build before lying down at my feet and placing her noble head on my shoe. Putting her down was maybe the toughest thing I’ve ever had to do. She truly was this man’s best friend. As that October arrived, a month that typically brings cool relief and nice surprises, I was still deep in grief. Wendy and I were having a drink in the same back garden, watching the first golden leaves of autumn drift to the ground. She asked me how I was doing. “Not great,” I admitted. “I hate to think I’ll never have another dog like Mully.” We have other rescued critters in our home, including a sweet, old Staffordshire pit bull named Gracie, a spunky, young border collie-spaniel mix named Winnie, and a mischievous calico cat named Juno that Wendy found as a week-old kitten abandoned in the Walmart parking lot. I love them all — even if they seem to love Wendy more than me. As usual, like Lao Tzu, Wendy was one step ahead of me. She tapped her smart phone and handed it to me. “How about this dog?” It was a photograph of a young Mully from our adventuring days together. Or so I thought, until Wendy shook her head. “It’s not Mully. This is a young male from Tennessee. Last night I typed ‘flat-haired retriever’ into my search bar and he magically appeared. Can you believe it? He could be her twin brother.” She explained that he was rescued by an all-volunteer group called Critter Cavalry based in Franklin, Tennessee. The resemblance to Miss Mully was truly incredible, almost spooky. “As it happens,” Wendy casually added, “he’s going to be passing through western Virginia two nights from now in case you would like to give this big fella a new home.” I asked how she knew this. “Because I got in touch with Critter Cavalry, paid the adoption fee and

ILLUSTRATION BY GERRY O’NEILL

t the start of every summer, I vow to my wife, Wendy, that this will be the year I finally make peace with the heat and humidity of my least favorite season. And every year, I fail miserably. By Wendy’s birthday in mid-July, I’ve turned into a grumpy gardener who prays for rain that never arrives and shakes his fist at broiling, sunny skies. Even my golf game wilts. This summer, however, I took a different approach. I decided to be like Blue. And maybe Lao Tzu, too. Blue is my dog, a big, black, super-friendly, 65-pound flat-coated retriever with golden eyes, a thoroughly laid-back disposition and a blue-tipped tongue. A friend steeped in Native American lore insists that his golden eyes and blue tongue mean that he is probably descended from wolves and is a true spirit-animal guide. American Indians apparently revered their dogs for just this reason. Lao Tzu, of course, is the legendary 6th-century Chinese philosopher credited with writing the Tao Te Ching, the foundational text of Taoism. In college a million years ago, I took a course on Eastern religions and developed a shine to the old guy’s wise sayings, as have philosophers and spiritual teachers across the ages. It was Lao Tzu who pointed out that “a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” a catchphrase appropriated by every tourism flack since the Middle Ages. My favorite Lao Tzu aphorism advises, “Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” Blue seems to embody these words like no other four-legged creature I’ve ever known except one — my late dog Mulligan. I fondly called her “Miss Mully.” Three years ago, at the end of another blazing hot summer, Wendy and I said a tearful goodbye to Mully, our soulful flat-haired retriever. She was 17 and failing fast. Our hearts ached as we watched her take one

southparkmagazine.com | 67

You are cordiallY inVited

annual oPen HouSe noVemBer 2nd & 3rd

Herend • FrencH Broad cHocolate • Vietri • Simon Pearce joHndaBBSltd.com

|simple life

SIDELINE

ILLUSTRATION BY HARRY BLAIR

CHIC we’ve been cleared by our vet to get him.” She added that several times a month the organization transports rescued dogs to qualified new owners up and down the East Coast. She smiled and added, “He’s your October surprise. I think Mully sent him to take care of you.” *** We drove up to Fancy Gap, Virginia, that Friday evening and, as instructed to do for the rendezvous, parked behind a Wendy’s restaurant off the interstate to await the delivery. I joked that it felt like we were part of an undercover stakeout or waiting for an illicit drug delivery. Other cars soon pulled in around us. Eventually, a tall, white van with big, purple dog paws on its side rolled up and folks began getting out of the automobiles and heading toward it. Every one of them was smiling with anticipation. We were, too. There must have been two dozen dogs of every size and breed traveling in neatly stacked crates, all headed to forever homes. Our big fella was one of the last to exit the van. He climbed out of the van and calmly looked at me with glimmering, golden eyes. I let him sniff my hand. He licked it. “He has a blue tipped tongue,” Wendy pointed out. So, we named him Blue. The first thing Blue did in Wendy’s car was take a giant poop on her back seat. We joked that it was a long ride from Tennessee without bathroom breaks and gave him a

drink of cool, bottled water during the clean-up stop. We weren’t back on the road more than five minutes when Blue climbed forward onto the middle console and laid his head on my right thigh. It stayed there all way all the way home. Blue turned out to be an extraordinary dog. He leads our morning walks and sleeps on the floor directly beside me. Nothing rattles him. He remains cool and calm in every situation, happily responding with his golden eyes shining. He rarely barks except when he suddenly rolls joyfully around on the floor, yipping with childlike glee at finding his forever home. He loves big hugs and lets life flow past with the ease of an ancient Chinese philosopher. Methinks Lao Tzu would love Blue — for he seems to realize nothing is lacking; the whole world belongs to him. Our artist friend, Harry Blair, was so taken with Blue’s aura, he decided to sketch him. He captured Blue’s “Tao” perfectly. As our journey of a thousand miles begins, Blue probably has no idea that he’s become both my best pal and my four-legged teacher. This past summer brought record drought and punishing heat waves, during which our air conditioning even went kaput. But, vowing to “Be like Blue,” I took it all in stride, better than ever, in fact. I think Miss Mully would be pleased. SP You can learn more about Critter Cavalry’s important work at crittercavalry.com.

1013 Union Rd. | Gastonia

www.tallyhoclothier.com

704.861.1990

Monday-Friday 10-4 Saturday 10-3

southparkmagazine.com | 69

70 | SOUTHPARK

THE LONG GAME THE LONG GAME THE LONG GAME THE LONG GAME THE LONG GAME

Long snapper J.J. Jansen has played more games than any Carolina Panther in franchise history. Whatever the future holds, his roots are firmly planted in Charlotte. by Ron Green Jr.

photographs by Peter Taylor

southparkmagazine.com | 71

hen you are a 40-year-old football player and in your 18th season with the Carolina Panthers as long snapper J.J. Jansen is, things change. Coaches. Teammates. Owners. Good seasons. Not-so-good seasons. Time, however, remains the constant. “(Defensive end) Nick Scourton came up to me last year and he goes, ‘How old are you?’ I said, ‘I’m 39.’ He goes, ‘Man, my mom’s younger than you.’ I’m like, holy smokes,” Jansen says, sitting in an empty suite deep inside Bank of America Stadium, his workplace for nearly two decades. Among the many things that Jansen has experienced in playing more games than any player in franchise history (226 at the start of this season) is the sense that his teammates never age — they seem perpetually in their mid-20s — while he’s older than six NFL head coaches and still snapping footballs. It is a happy by-product of being so reliable and so relatable that Jansen has turned an uncommon skill — being a long snapper — into a career that has made him as much a part of the franchise as Sir Purr and a genuine part of the community. Through John Fox, Ron Rivera, Matt Rhule and now Dave Canales, through Jake Delhomme, Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly, and through 1-15 seasons and a 17-2 Super Bowl season, Jansen has been a constant. “He plays different roles for us,” says Tracy Smith, the Panthers’ special teams coordinator. “He’s certainly a mentor. He’s a sounding board for me. He’s had a lot of coaches. He’s a Panthers historian. He has a memory that’s unmatched.” “He’s so diligent about his job, still. There’s not a question I have for him he hasn’t already worked on already. He’s incredibly positive. He can fit in with whatever the situation is.” Jansen and his wife, Laura, have four children and live in south Charlotte. 72 | SOUTHPARK

Carolina Panthers’ long snapper J.J. Jansen in 2009

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY CAROLINA PANTHERS

Whenever his football career ends, the Arizona native and his wife have decided the Queen City will remain their home. “We’ve always said, God forbid I ever have to go play anywhere else, but you only get one shot at a career, so you go play as long as you possibly can. But when we’re done, we’re coming back here,” Jansen says. Everyone’s story is unique, and Jansen’s journey has its own peculiarities. Growing up in Phoenix, Jansen knew little about the Panthers other than they had throttled his Arizona Cardinals 27-7 in their inaugural 1995 season. In fact, when Jansen was traded by Green Bay to the Panthers in 2009, he wasn’t entirely sure where he was going. “I didn’t know where Charlotte was, and I didn’t know where Carolina was. Had no idea, and I say that because I could have never picked this for myself,” Jansen says. ** It’s not unlike his career path. Jansen always saw himself as a baseball player but, having learned the basics of long snapping from his father, he joined the high-school football team and wound up on the roster at Notre Dame. Charlie Weis, who had been on Bill Belichick’s coaching staff during the early part of the New England Patriots’ glory days, became head coach of the Fighting Irish in Jansen’s sophomore year. Late in his senior season, Weis told Jansen he would like him to consider returning for a fifth season, but he believed his long snapper had a future in the NFL. “That was the first time it ever occurred to me I could play in the NFL,” Jansen says. When Notre Dame held a pro day featuring its top prospects, Weis pointed to Jansen and told the assembled scouts that he — Jansen — would have the longest NFL career of any of them. He was right. An undrafted free agent, Jansen went to Green Bay in 2008, but a knee injury sidelined him. The Panthers ultimately traded for him, and Jansen arrived in a locker room that included kicker John Kasay and punter Jason Baker, whose professionalism influenced Jansen. Now, Jansen is the guy providing the wisdom, even if some of his teammates call him Mr. Jansen. “I can’t teach anyone to rush the passer or do anything, but I see

the game a certain way that can be valuable. I certainly know how it’s supposed to look in the locker room, in your preparation, how you carry yourself,” Jansen says. In the NFL, where specialization is a valuable commodity, Jansen is the ultimate specialist. He lines up at the center position on punts and field-goal and extra-point attempts, but his job is to spiral the ball back to the holder. There are other centers who snap the ball to the quarterback. “I kind of liken it to a bar trick,” Jansen says. “There’s some guys who walk into a pool hall, and that guy can’t shoot a basket, can’t do anything but, man, he’s great with darts or he’s great in billiards. I liken it to that. It requires a unique kind of athleticism.” ** While quarterback Bryce Young may be the face of the franchise, Jansen has become one of its voices and personalities. He’s built a loyal audience with his Cart Talk video series, in which he talks to key team members while driving a cart around the stadium, offering players and coaches a chance to show a different side of themselves. Jansen is in his second year co-hosting “The Players’ Point,” a weekly show on SiriusXM NFL Radio, and he provided color commentary on a handful of Indoor Football League games in his offseason, laying the groundwork for more television work in the future. Adding to that, Jansen has shadowed former Panthers teammate Greg Olsen when he has broadcast postseason games, absorbing what he can for down the line. An investor in Zawyer Sports & Entertainment out of Jacksonville, Florida, Jansen has a stake in franchise ownership, particularly the Charlotte Checkers, the Gastonia Ghost Peppers minor-league baseball team and Upshot League, a new women’s basketball league including the Charlotte Crown, among others. “I always joke that our job basically is to sell hot dogs and hamburgers, sell beer and pretzels, and make for a good experience. Hopefully, in my world, we can begin to make more connections to the outside-Charlotte area. “(Simultaneously) we want to be highly involved in the community, both charitably but also adding to the business of Charlotte. When I’m done playing, I’ll certainly have a lot more time to be hands-on and investing time and energy into that.” When he’s done playing — which might be a while. SP southparkmagazine.com | 73

PUTTIN’ RITZ ON THE

74 | SOUTHPARK

This year’s Halloween gala at The Duke Mansion channels the Golden Age of Hollywood — while supporting one of Charlotte’s most iconic venues. by Cathy Martin photographs and art direction by Kori Hoffman production and art direction by Whitley Adkins

hen Doris Duke was a little girl in Charlotte, neighborhood children would often come over for ice cream and to watch silent movies, according to the book, Legacy: The History of Myers Park by Mary Norton Kratt and Tom Hanchett. It was a way for the young girl — the daughter of tobacco magnate and Duke Power (now Duke Energy) co-founder James B. Duke — to make friends. It worked, and many of Doris’ Charlotte counterparts became lifelong friends, says Pat Martin, director of development for the Duke Mansion and Lee Institute. That welcoming tradition is alive and well at the Duke Mansion, the former family home that’s now a beloved boutique hotel and event venue in the heart of Myers Park. “We like to think of ourselves as Charlotte’s living room,” Martin says. “We want people here, and we want life in the building every day.” Its gardens are open to the public, and throughout the year the Mansion hosts a slew of public events, including afternoon teas and the popular Cocktails in the Garden series. In 1996, a nonprofit called the Lynnwood Foundation was established to preserve the Duke Mansion and operate Lee Institute, a leadership and community organization named after another Duke Power executive, Bill Lee. The circa-1915, Colonial Revival-style structure, which had been a private home for more than 80 years, opened to the public in 1998. Since 2003, the Duke Mansion Preservation Society has supported these efforts, largely through social events aimed at raising money and awareness about the historic property. While the bulk of the mansion’s revenue comes from events and lodging, endowment donors and membership groups including the Preservation Society help close the gap. Society membership dues range from $550 to $1,500 a year. Preservation Society events include a holiday open house and an annual family-focused gathering. The volunteer-run organization’s marquee event is its Halloween gala, a lavish affair with fantastical themes such as Under the Sea, Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball and the Roaring Twenties. This year, the mansion will roll out the red carpet — quite literally — for the Golden Age of Hollywood, an evening filled with cocktails, dinner, live music and dancing. The fun starts at 8 p.m. on Oct. 24., and tickets, available to the public at eventbrite.com, are $150 plus fees. “The Duke Mansion is a historic house, but it has never felt frozen in history to me,” says preservation committee member Nina Foley. “Its history is still being made by the people who come through its doors. I think that is ultimately what preservation here means: not simply protecting the house from time, but making sure there is always another generation being invited to come in and become part of its story.” Fine jewelry courtesy REEDS Jewelers; vintage jewelry models’ own southparkmagazine.com | 75

Right: “When we first moved to Charlotte five years ago, I would walk past the Duke Mansion with my son Grant, who was still a baby, and see the signs inviting people to explore the gardens,” says preservation committee member Nina Foley. “I remember thinking, ‘Surely they don’t mean me and my baby.’ … Eventually, I realized they really did mean us. They wanted people to come in, walk the grounds, enjoy the gardens and become a part of the mansion’s continuing story,” she says. “The Duke Mansion isn’t preserved by keeping people at a distance; its history stays alive because people are invited in.”

76 | SOUTHPARK

Above: Nathan Nye moved to Charlotte seven years ago and joined the Preservation Society in January after learning about the group from a friend. “I think the one great thing about Charlotte is that it’s growing a lot,” he says. “But I feel like we don’t have a great appreciation for history and old buildings … I like the idea that this is keeping something that other people can enjoy for a long time.”

Right: “The changing character of Charlotte is something that we can’t control,” says Kalie Koivisto (black dress), chair of the preservation committee. “But making sure we have special historic places that really represent what Charlotte has been and what it continues to be, in the spirit of everything, is important.” Koivisto also emphasizes the important community-building work done by Lee Institute, including assisting other local nonprofits with strategy, vision and execution. “It looks like something that’s just pretty parties on the surface, but it’s so much more.”

Five years ago, preservation committee member Amelia Sweet (navy dress) and her husband Andrew (far left), a Charlotte native, moved into their home next door to the Duke Mansion. “We spend so much time in the garden with our children,” Amelia says. When the couple’s families come to town for the holidays, they stay at the Mansion. “We couldn’t ask for a better neighbor,” Amelia says. “We didn’t realize how lucky we were when we moved in ... We would do everything in our power to keep it the gem of the neighborhood — it’s literally like a treasure here.”

southparkmagazine.com | 77

Standing, from left: Howard Bush, Kalie Koivisto, Nathan Nye, Andrew Sweet, Amelia Sweet and Gail Foresyth. Seated: Angie Bush, Nina Foley and Chuck Foresyth.

78 | SOUTHPARK

Left: “I think it’s really important that Charlotte keep these iconic pieces as part of the fabric of the city,” says Angie Bush, who joined the Preservation Society a few years ago with her husband Howard. While the Howards were drawn to the society’s historicpreservation efforts, they also appreciate the group’s support for the Lee Institute — Angie previously participated in one of the institute’s leadership programs. Howard’s favorite room: the library. “I’ve had some meetings there — it’s an intimate, really cool space. It’s like a little snug and it’s quaint, and it allows you some privacy in a big mansion.”

Above: South End residents Chuck (middle) and Gail Foresyth (far left) moved to Charlotte from Atlanta nearly a decade ago. “One of our friends invited us to a mask-making party for the Halloween event,” Chuck says. “We’d been here for nine years and didn’t even know [the Preservation Society] existed.” Gail adds, “And so we thought, ‘We want to be a part of this.” Preservation efforts like the society are key to “keeping Charlotte, Charlotte,” Chuck says. SP

southparkmagazine.com | 79

GOOD

80 | SOUTHPARK

VIBES ONLY A Myers Park family home is filled with funky art, retro furnishings and vintage finds. by Cathy Martin | photographs by Dustin and Susie Peck

southparkmagazine.com | 81

The richly colored quartzite countertops were the jumping-off point for the kitchen design. A terra cotta-colored cement backsplash gives an earthy feel; cabinets are from DCI Home Resource. The built-in china cabinet houses Blue Willow dinnerware passed down from Melissa’s grandmother along with Melissa’s collection of colored glass, from estatesale finds to a pink hobnail set that belonged to Adam’s grandmother. The cabinet is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Golden Bounty with Chasing Paper’s Lucille wallpaper inside. 82 | SOUTHPARK

Melissa created the mural, a quote from Beetlejuice, with wax resist and black paint. She also designed the light installation “to look like a plate of spaghetti tossed up to the ceiling.” The wet bar is backed with House of Hackney’s Phantasia wallpaper in Selenite Orange.

mid the older brick cottages and new, modern farmhouse-style homes on the edge of Myers Park, the Fiorenza family home stands out — but not too much. “The goal was not to be assaulted with PURPLE,” Melissa Fiorenza says, “but to wonder… Wait, is that purple?” She’s referring to the trio of mauve- and aubergine-tinted exterior paint colors she painstakingly selected while building the home. “I wanted values of a color that served as an unexpected neutral.” Unexpected is a fitting way to describe the home where the Fiorenzas have lived since January 2025. From the moment you step through the circular doorway into the foyer with an oversized aquarium and Beetlejuice-inspired mural, you realize this is no ordinary abode.

A RETRO-INSPIRED SPACE FOR FAMILY The Fiorenzas — Melissa, Adam and their four children aged 6 to 17 — were living less than a half-mile away when they realized they needed more space. Unable to find a home on the market with the size, layout and functionality they wanted, they noticed an empty lot in the neighborhood and bought it. When it came time to secure a builder and architect, the couple knew they had to be selective. southparkmagazine.com | 83

The scullery

“We needed someone who would work with us well and not just want to do their own thing — we needed it to be a collaboration,” Melissa says. Architect Greg Perry and Pettus Builders were up to the task. Her directive to the architect: “A sprawling midcentury-modern ranch, but go up instead of out,” due to the size and shape of the lot. “We deliberately used retro lines that would be fresh but not minimally modern.” With both teens and younger children, the couple also sought intentional spaces for the family to live and work. The resulting U-shaped design places the main living areas on one side of the lot, with the primary suite on the other. The kids’ bedrooms and lounge areas, Adam’s office, Melissa’s art studio and a guest suite are all upstairs.

DETAILS THAT MAKE AN IMPACT Melissa isn’t a trained interior designer. But the former CMS art teacher and Northwest School of the Arts and UNC Wilmington alum was undaunted by the monumental task of designing and furnishing the 7,500-square-foot home.

84 | SOUTHPARK

Melissa, shown with the family’s pug, Oda Mae, worked with the Sherwin-Williams store on Selwyn Avenue on getting the exterior paint colors just right.

Left: Melissa painted racing stripes in the front hallway “because it’s never wrong to invoke the groove of ’70s.” In the library, the vintage Fredrick Ramond light fixture was sourced on Facebook Marketplace. The dining-room overlooks a spacious outdoor entertaining area and a sparkling pool. Melissa recovered the new chairs in a tiger-print fabric. She found the vintage chandelier on Facebook Marketplace. The acrylic mannequin — which lights up and has multiple outfits for various holidays — is affectionately nicknamed “Goldie.”

“I wanted to have strong shapes but softness, because the house itself is rectangles,” she explains. Hence the circular doorway, a shape repeated throughout the home in windows, on interior doors and in the kitchen backsplash. Working with ITC Millwork, she personally

designed the knife-cut trim for an art-deco flair. “Blackhawk Hardware spent long hours with me on hardware,” Melissa adds. In the center of the home, the kitchen, flooded with natural light, is a hub for meals, game time and casual family hangouts. It’s anchored by a

southparkmagazine.com | 85

The Fiorenza family, from left: Lyla, Romeo, Joey, Melissa with pug Oda Mae, Adam, and Meadow at home. The custom banquette was created to fit the light-filled space.

A lounge area behind the stairwell: A priority in designing the home was creating multiple spaces for the Fiorenza’s kids, aged 6 to 17, to relax and hang out.

large island topped with a striking quartzite stone with vibrant green and orange tones. Seeking an alternative to ubiquitous white marble, Melissa wanted a stone that made an impact. “I found a gem of a slab yard in Concord, FPG Stone. We didn’t stop looking until we sourced J’adore Visuvio quartzite, which earned its place as the kitchen island.” Once the countertops were selected, Melissa opted for a cement backsplash that mimics terra cotta for an “earthy and aged” feeling.

HANDPICKED, THRIFTED AND RETROFITTED Because the construction process took about a year, Melissa had ample time to source furniture and accessories for the new home. With sustainability in mind, she turned to Facebook Marketplace and vintage and thrift shops for many of the furnishings and decor. She also had a head start with inventory from her former vintage business, The Used Muse at Dilworth Artisan Station. “I like to dig around and find the gems and give old things new life. I almost feel like 86 | SOUTHPARK

The primary bedroom was inspired by a vintage ceramic tissue-box cover and an ’80s floor lamp. The vibe is part “‘Golden Girls,’ mixed with southwest desert and Hollywood Regency,” Melissa says. The ginkgo-leaf ceiling fixture is from J. Landon. The bed is from Angel Home Design.

some things need to be rescued — they’re just sitting in Goodwill, and I’m like, I see you!” She and Adam discovered her favorite piece of decor — an acrylic mannequin gracing the dining-room wall — at Sleepy Poet Antique Mall. “I don’t think it was even for sale, but [Adam] had the idea to turn it into an illuminated sculpture. To me, it represents his playful creativity and the joy we share in making this space together,” Melissa says. “We named her Goldie, and she gets dressed up for every holiday.” ** Creative minds never rest, and while the home is now complete, Melissa is continually introducing new elements. “I will constantly add in and change,” she says, all while striving to maintain a unified look. “I think that there’s not really a limit to the layers you can have with texture and pattern.” SP southparkmagazine.com | 87

BREAK for the LAKE

After two decades working in commercial interior design, Lisa Pulsinelli Brooks finally builds her ultimate retreat. by Cathy Martin | photographs by Scott Pope

Brooks designed the kitchen island to look like furniture. Reeded glass doors on the built-in cabinet conceal everyday glassware. Custom cabinets throughout the home are by Ken Akers Cabinets.

88 | SOUTHPARK

southparkmagazine.com | 89

Board-and-batten siding is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Blacktop, with dark green undertones. Horizon Stone in the Hermitage colorway was used indoors and outside.

90 | SOUTHPARK

Sandberg’s “Raphael” wallpaper in Midnight Blue brings a splash of color to the laundry room. On the mudroom floor is an antique rug that previously belonged to Brooks’ mom.

“I’ve always loved horses,” says Brooks when describing her Montana themed-foyer. Details include genuine horsetail sconces, an antique bentwood coat rack, kilim lumbar pillow, and a bench and chair by Four Hands. The artwork depicts blackeyed Susans, the state flower of Lisa’s home state of Maryland. Atop the wooden cabinet from Canggu Home sits a copper lamp that belonged to Brooks’ great-great-grandmother. Brooks used Rushmore brick flooring in several spaces throughout the home.

isa Pulsinelli Brooks spent the last two decades building a thriving business designing spaces for apartment dwellers and college students across the U.S. SouthPark Interiors, led by Brooks and her business partner Martha Thomley, started in 2005 as a small interior-design firm run out of a home office. Now with a staff of 15, the firm has delivered over 400 projects; their sweet spot is luxury student housing and multifamily residential, including The Campbell apartments in South End. Brooks marked her company’s milestone 20th anniversary last year in a big way — by moving into her new Lake Norman home. The longtime SouthPark resident spent years planning, mood-boarding and tucking away ideas for the idyllic property in Denver, which she appropriately named The Hideaway. “Martha and I have come a long way,” Brooks says. “We’re best friends. We raised our families together. We started in SouthPark; we lived in SouthPark and loved it.” Two friends who live down the street from her in Denver convinced her to move to the lake. southparkmagazine.com | 91

Top left: The den, which opens to a screened-in sleeping porch, has become a cozy place to watch TV and relax. The walls are painted in Farrow & Ball Hague Blue; the chandelier is by Arteriors.

“It was kind of a dream for me to build at some point for myself,” she adds. “And this was just the perfect opportunity.” Brooks pulled from a myriad of influences when designing the home where she lives with her husband, Les, a U.S. Air Force veteran who works as a CMS school counselor. She knew she wanted the home to have an Old-World feel, similar to a Belgian farmhouse. Another inspiration was the Cassique English-style cottage collection at Kiawah, where her parents had a home. 92 | SOUTHPARK

A guest room is enveloped in Sandberg’s Linnea wallpaper in Midnight Blue. The rush bed is from Four Hands; the chair is from Anthropologie. The light fixture is by Arteriors; photographs by Charleston-based Scott Henderson depict coastal scenes.

In the primary bathroom, a freestanding tub sits inside a light-filled alcove. The floor is tiled with Maroc stone pavers for a smooth feeling underfoot.

In the primary bedroom, an Anewall mural (“Misty Morning”) creates a sense of calm. The large carved mirror is from Sleepy Poet Antique Mall; the chandelier is Arteriors.

“But then my son went off to college in Montana, and he lived there for eight years. So the whole [foyer] is everything I collected and found and loved in Montana.” The U-shaped layout with a central courtyard was inspired by California living — though Brooks grew up in Maryland, her father lived in the Golden State. While this hodgepodge of influences could make for an incongruous design, Brooks’ 3,400-square-foot, four-bedroom home feels charmingly cohesive, with a warm, inviting aura. For the floors, a combination of materials — wood, brick and stone — make each space feel authentic and intentional. Collected artwork and accents contribute to the thoughtful, personal design. Working with Woodruff Architecture and Williams Custom Homes, Brooks’ design was executed by Lucy Harrison, an interior designer at SouthPark Interiors. It took nearly two years to complete. Set on an acre lot, the four-bedroom home was designed for daily living, with ample space for the couple’s children and three grandkids to come visit. southparkmagazine.com | 93

The corner guest room opens to a sitting porch with views of the lake. The authentic embroidered suzani, sourced online, inspired the room’s design. Bedding is from Pom Pom.

In the great room, floating shelves beside the fireplace display wooden bowls carved by Lisa’s father, Peter Mehiel. Shearling armchairs and a slipcovered Rowe sofa create a cozy sitting area. The chandelier is by Lowcountry Originals.

94 | SOUTHPARK

The open-concept design was new for Brooks. “I do kind of miss the coziness of everything being broken up. But this is great for families and entertaining.” In the kitchen, knotty-pine plank ceilings with exposed beams and unlacquered brass fixtures create a warm, lived-in feel. Brooks and Harrison painstakingly hand-selected each of the Zellige clay tiles for the backsplash — just one example of the attention to detail given to the home. A Dutch door leads to an enclosed French garden, where tomatoes and peppers grow in raised beds and Brooks hopes to eventually grow citrus trees. As the days wind down, the small den in the back of the house has become a favorite place to watch TV and relax. The cocoon-like space is swathed in deep-blue paint with a stone fireplace, plaid draperies and doors that open to a screened-in sleeping porch. Perhaps the space that gets the most use is the covered exterior patio overlooking the pool, with a dining table and sitting area with a TV and fireplace. “We spend the most time out here,” Brooks says. When overnight guests come to stay, Brooks says the front guest room, which opens to a sitting porch with a view of the lake, is everyone’s favorite. She designed it with her parents, both captains, in mind, with subtle nautical details such as a mermaid wallpaper in the en-suite bathroom. “I just wanted them to come and stay, and feel comfortable,” she says. “We just had our whole family here for a week, and it was great. I [sometimes] feel like I overbuilt just for Les and I, but when family’s all here, it’s wonderful.” SP

Your Next Charlotte Adventure Is Ready For Takeoff Walk beneath legendary aircraft. Discover stories of courage and innovation. Get hands-on with the science of flight. At Sullenberger Aviation Museum, every visit offers a new reason to look up. Your next adventure is closer than you think!

S U L L E N B E R G E R AV I AT I O N .O R G | @ S U L L E N B E R G E R AV I AT I O N M U S E U M

LEGENDARY PRIVATE CLUB FOR MUSIC LOVERS

Michael McDonald Gladys Knight Tony Bennett George Benson & Al Jarreau Boz Scaggs Loggins & Messina Sheryl Crow Daryl Hall & John Oates Crosby, Stills & Nash Earth, Wind & Fire Bonnie Raitt Aretha Franklin Darius Rucker Glenn Frey The Doobie Brothers Willie Nelson Steve Miller Heart Foreigner Michael Bolton Steve Winwood Chicago

David Foster & Katharine McPhee Christopher Cross & America Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo The Temptations & The Four Tops Lyle Lovett & His Large Band St. Paul & The Broken Bone REO Speedwagon The Beach Boys Three Dog Night Smokey Robinsonx Diana Ross Commodores Three Dog Night The Beach Boys Chris Isaak Norah Jones Ann Wilsons Richard Marx Chris Botti Joe Walsh Styx ZZ Top

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF LEGENDARY PRIVATE PARTY An intimate audience of your friends

TWO LEGENDARY ARTISTS TWO NIGHTS A YEAR Carolina Theatre at Belk Place

INQUIRE ABOUT MEMBERSHIP

→ musicwithfriends.com

ELIZABETH@MUSICWITHFRIENDS.COM 704-408-7639

Charlotte’s Future Is Charlotte’s Future Is Charlotte’s Future Is AlreadyHere. Here. Already Already Here. Communities In Schools of CharlotteCommunities In Schools of CharlotteMecklenburg surrounds students with the Mecklenburg surrounds with the Communities In Schools ofstudents Charlotterelationships, resources, and opportunities that relationships, resources, and opportunities that Mecklenburg surrounds students with the help turn graduation into a launchpad, not a help turn graduation into launchpad, not athat relationships, andaopportunities finish line, resources, and new research from Harvard and finish line, and new research from Harvard and helpCornell turn graduation a launchpad, not a confirms it:into the CIS model changes Cornell confirms it: the CIS model changes students' economic trajectory for finish line, and new research from Harvard and students' economic trajectory for life. life.

Cornell confirms it: the CIS model changes students' economic trajectory for life.

100% 100% 100% OF CIS SENIORS OGFRCAID SUSAETNEI D O RLS AST YEAR. GRADUATED LAST YEAR.

OF CIS SENIORS

And A D U Anext T E D chapters L A S T Y Eare AR. G R their And their next chapters are already taking shape. already taking shape.

And their next chapters are already taking shape.

Thank You, You, Thank SouthPark. SouthPark.

Thank You, SouthPark.

FO OR RS STTAAN NDDIINNGG BBEEHHI N I NDDCCHHAARR T 'ES' S F LL OO TT TE TU UD DEEN NTTSS — — AANNDD TTHHEERREESSEEAA CE KD ED ST RR CC HH - B- B AA CK S RE ES SU ULLTTSS TTHHAATT FFOOLLLLOOWWTTHHEEMMF F F .E . R OO R RL ILFI E

FOR STANDING BEHIND CHARLOTTE'S STUDENTS — AND THE RESEARCH-BACKED Scan Scanto tosee see R E S U L T S T H Athe T FImpact. OLLOW THEM FOR LIFE. the Impact. cischarlotte.org cischarlotte.org CO HO O LOSL S| C | O CO HEE R R S TSUTDUEDNETNST S | S| CSH MM MM UU NN I TI T I EI ESS| |SSTTRROONNGGEERR TTOOGGEETTH

Scan to see the Impact.

travel | day trip

Gold standard A former mining town offers a peek into the early 1900s, one-of-a-kind shopping, and a chance to slow down and relish simplicity. by Page Leggett photographs by Richard Israel

e noticed the sign for the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame as we veered off Interstate 85 toward Gold Hill. My friend, Anne Glontz, and I agreed it could be our backup if our destination, a former Rowan County mining town, was a bust. All we knew of Gold Hill was that some photographers on Reddit extol its historic churches and cemeteries. I later learned that Charlotte and the wee village about 45 miles away share a connection dating back to 1824. That’s when Andrew Troutman, a farmer, found gold on his land. His discovery gave the area its name (while turning it into a boomtown) and led to Charlotte landing a branch of the U.S. Mint. We needn’t have worried that Gold Hill (population: about 400) wouldn’t pan out. The town “looks like a movie set was dropped here,” says Melissa Hammill, who owns Gold Hill Flower Co. with her husband. It’s a wonder this little dot on a map — a time capsule from the early 1900s — is still somewhat of a secret. It may be undiscovered (for now), but everyone who experiences it seems to fall for its charms.

A RELOCATION HOT SPOT If you visit, be forewarned: People who stumble on Gold Hill tend to southparkmagazine.com | 99

travel | day trip

Draft House owners Bud Hart and Lissa Lowe

want to move here. That’s what happened to Sandy Hickman, owner of Back Home, a shop selling artisan-made home accessories, jewelry and gifts. A Kingsport, Tennessee, native, Sandy visited her grandmother in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina — about 11 miles southwest of Gold Hill — every summer. “Her house has always had an illogical nostalgic pull for me,” says the retired English and Latin teacher. She and her husband, John, decided to retire to the area she’d loved as a child. They found their dream home, but it had an interesting quirk: It came with the shop next door — a package deal. “I had never, ever thought of owning a shop and had no retail experience,” Sandy says. “But there it was.” She’s not the only resident to acquire a twofer. Former Charlotteans Megan Long and Brian Quien moved to Gold Hill after stumbling upon it. Their 173-year-old house also came with a shop. But just because some merchants are accidental retailers doesn’t mean they haven’t embraced the role. Since most Gold Hill shops are only open select hours on Saturdays and Sundays (and occasional Fridays), it’s easy to maintain regular weekday jobs.

UNEXPECTED FINDS As head of the Gold Hill Merchants Association, Sandy’s an enthusiastic promoter of the village shops, including Mauney’s antique store, River Pines Pottery, Sweet Treats candy shop, Dora’s and others. Dora’s is the pint-sized shop that came with Megan and Brian’s house. It’s named for Dora Atkins, an early pillar of the community who once ran a commissary out of the building. “She kept it stocked with homemade bread, soups, drinks, supplies and snacks,” Megan says. “People have told me it worked on an honor system.” After perusing Dora’s handmade goods (with an emphasis on local makers), Birdy, Megan’s 5-year-old daughter, leads us over to Draft House, the newest shop in town. It’s also run by former Charlotteans, designer Lissa Lowe and her husband, architect Bud Hart. 100 | SOUTHPARK

Lissa discovered Gold Hill in 2022 when her map app — or perhaps divine intervention — routed her through the town on her way to Badin Lake. She pulled over to take pictures. Two years later, she and Bud bought the early 1900s cabin they’ve since turned into Draft House. The dreamy haven feels more like someone’s eclectic, well-decorated home than a retail establishment. Draft House is filled with vintage and new furniture and accessories. You can also purchase wine by the bottle, gourmet snacks and Lissa and Bud’s own line of swoonworthy handcrafted accent tables and throw pillows. When was the last time you left a store feeling like you’d made a friend? For me, never. But Gold Hill is special. When I contacted Lissa in August about this story, she not only remembered me; she remembered what I’d bought in February. Anne and I left Draft House only because we were hungry. Fortunately, the village’s sole restaurant, Fat Mack’s Grill, is next door.

STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS Melissa Hammill is a rare Gold Hill resident who didn’t accidentally stumble on it. Her husband, Drew, is a native with deep roots. “Both sides of my husband’s family are from Gold Hill,” Melissa says. “They’re descendants of gold miners who came from England.” She and Drew lived in Charlotte until 2019, when they bought a historic home in the village — the ideal spot for the flower farm Melissa had been dreaming of. In the field beside their house, she planted zinnias, cosmos, sunflowers and celosia. Melissa sells bouquets, but you can also pick your own flowers from her cutting garden. Follow her gorgeous Instagram @goldhillflowerco to learn when she’s teaching flower-arranging or wreath-making workshops. The butterfly mural on the side of the old Texaco station that welcomes you to town? That’s Melissa’s artistry. southparkmagazine.com | 101

travel | day trip

The flower business is a passion project for the Hammills, who have other careers. And they have a 10-year-old daughter, Sawyer, who’s unaware how idyllic her childhood is. “If she tells me she’s bored,” Melissa says, “I remind her: ‘You’re living in a Hallmark movie, honey.’” In Gold Hill, kids can walk down the street for ice cream or hang out in the village. Friday night might involve bingo at church or gathering at E.H. Montgomery General Store for their legendary Friday-night bluegrass jams. All are welcome; no reservations required.

VILLAGE PEOPLE Susanne Dillingham and her daughter, Isabelle, 5, are more Charlotte transplants. The private chef had “dreamed of having an old farmhouse in the country and doing some farming of (her) own,” she says. Susanne gave the town a trial run before uprooting herself. She rented a historic, five-bedroom house on the main drag, Saint Stephens Church Road, and met the “village people,” as folks who live in or near the old part of town call themselves. She was hooked. She bought the village’s original circa-1873 parsonage. Gold Hill’s pastor must’ve had plenty of souls to save; brothels and saloons proliferated during its heyday. But that unsavory element is long gone. Today, Gold Hill is a modern-day Mayberry. “It’s one of the most unique living situations I’ve ever come across,” Melissa says. “It’s like an adult summer camp. Sometimes, I walk around and think: I can’t believe I get to live here.” People don’t come to Gold Hill to strike it rich anymore. But folks still come to the little town where time has stood still — repeatedly. The vibe, the music, the shopping and — above all — the people, are still good as gold. SP Head for the Hill: There’s a different pace to life in Gold Hill. Shops are generally

open on Saturdays and Sundays; some are open on Fridays. They’re not all open year-round. It’s best to call ahead or check the website, shopgoldhill.com, before you go. Fall is Gold Hill’s busy season; there’s trick-or-treating on Oct. 31, Lighting of the Fall Fires on Nov. 21 and Christmas in the Village Dec. 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20. 102 | SOUTHPARK

Democracy is not a spectator sport. A C I V I C C O N V E RSAT I O N SERIES PRESENTED IN PA RT N E RS H I P W I T H T H E D U R H A M & M O RTO N FA MILIE S

Public Square civic conversation series presents two voices, two perspectives, one conversation facilitated with rigor and respect on the inaugural topic of Freedom and Responsibility. October 29, 2026 Carolina Theatre at Belk Place Tickets on sale

foundation.cmlibrary.org /publicsquare

T HA N K YO U TO O UR PA RT N E RS

New Homes. New Parks. New Possibilities.

Ideally located between Charleston & Savannah. Just over the bridge from Hilton Head Island. Minutes from historic downtown Beaufort. The perfect place for your coastal home.

The Latest Phase of Habersham, SC

Platinum Award for Best Neighborhood Design Obtain the Property Report required by Federal Law and read before signing anything. No Federal Agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state where prior registration is required and registration requirements have not been fulfilled. Equal Housing Opportunity.

Pondcrest.com

& MARY TOBIAS MILLER INTERIOR DESIGN

Charlotte 1530 East Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28203 704-332-3731

104 | SOUTHPARK

Linville/Banner Elk 4004 NC Hwy 105, Suite 1 Banner Elk, NC 28604 828-898-4449

Ocean Reef Club One Barracuda Lane Key Largo, FL 33037 305-440-2135

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Chef’s Best

benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina Charlotte Convention Center August 21 Fresh off “Top Chef: Carolinas,” celebrity chef Tom Colicchio returned to the Queen City to headline this year’s event, which featured cuisine crafted around a Summer in Italy theme. photographs by Daniel Coston

Susie and Steve Marlier

Valerie and Tom McKernan

Hadley and Brian Pacheco

Tabitha and Jeremy Furr

Logan and Anna Newman

Kay Carter and Tom Colicchio

Darnella and Elmore James

Fulton and Julia Hill southparkmagazine.com | 105

Start the journey toward a healthy, beautiful smile!

Comprehensive orthodontic care for all ages Schedule a complimentary consultation today at our SouthPark office. Summer appointments available. SOUTHPARK 3151 Apex Drive, Suite 102E, Charlotte, NC 28211

WAXHAW 8412 New Town Road, Suite A, Waxhaw, NC 28173

704-727-6868 | www.threeleafortho.com 106 | SOUTHPARK

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Fall Kickoff

hosted by Women’s Impact Fund Goodwill Opportunity Campus September 2 Members reconnected over conversation and refreshments while launching into a new season of support for WIF nonprofit partners. photographs by Daniel Coston

Claire Tate, Ruthie Mihal, Sara Orr

Nicole Hall and Karen Barton

Janet LeBar and Clare Wesley

Erica Ellis and April Vahey

Kim Turner and Amy Ross

Liana Humphrey and LaRita Barber

Donna Dunlap and Kyla Harvey

Amy Carr and Katelynn Greene southparkmagazine.com | 107

Unique by design Discover how Trinity's K-8 model builds learners and leaders in the heart of Charlotte TEScharlotte.org K- 8 Open House Thursday, Nov. 5 - 9:30 a.m. · Tuesday, Dec. 1 - 9:00 a.m.

108 | SOUTHPARK

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Panthers Kickoff Luncheon presented by Charlotte Touchdown Club Le Meridien Charlotte August 27

Legendary defensive back Thomas Davis headlined this year’s gathering. Davis and former teammate Roman Harper shared stories from their football careers and what to expect this season. photographs by Daniel Coston

Caleigh Williams and Michael Clark

Sonya and Ben Putnam

Roman Harper and Thomas Davis

Kenny Curnow and Brittany Frank southparkmagazine.com | 109

Go Where Fall Takes You From everyday outings to autumn adventures, find exceptional shoes, expert fitting, and the comfort to enjoy every step of the season.

BECAUSE FIT MATTERS.

We simplify the process of transitioning to a new home.

DOWNSIZING • MOVING • ESTATE SALES

HARD-TO-FIND SIZES AND WIDTHS

65,000 items in stock | Men’s 7-17, 2A-6E | Women’s 5-13, 4A-4E

the shoe market

Family-Owned, Full-Service, High-Quality Comfort Shoe Store 4624 West Market Street • Greensboro | 336.632.1188 | theshoemarketinc.com

110 | SOUTHPARK

From packing and organizing to downsizing and estate sales, we have you covered! Call today for a complimentary consultation!

980-998-9596

bluestarmoving.com

swirl

A monthly guide to Charlotte’s parties and galas

Great Gatsby Gala

benefiting MS Society Hilton Uptown Charlotte August 22

Patrons embraced the Roaring ’20s theme during this festive evening of dinner and dancing. Carol Hunley, who lives with MS, was honored for her efforts to raise awareness and volunteerism. photographs by Daniel Coston

Mike and Liza Daisley

Carol Hunley and Jason Cox

Sandra and John Wurzberger

Mark and Jen Huller

Sarah Farber and Andrea Swope southparkmagazine.com | 111

| crowning moments

THE POWER OF THE ASK For Babe Cave owner Robbie McNair-Guzman, raising $300,000 isn’t just about saving her business. It’s about proving what’s possible for Black women entrepreneurs. by Taylor Bowler

n late July, Robbie McNair-Guzman, owner of Babe Cave, the She’s managed to hang on, but says the financial pressure women-centric social house in LoSo, posted an Instagram video has only intensified this year, as food and drink costs go up and that made me slow my scroll. She was asking 3,000 of her followers to customers have less disposable income to spend. And while this donate $100 each to help keep her business afloat. But the ask itself campaign is about keeping Babe Cave’s doors open, Robbie sees it as wasn’t what caught my attention. part of a much larger fight. It was the statistics she shared. Women of color receive less than “Every day, hospitality is falling apart in Charlotte,” she says. 1% of venture capital, despite being the fastest-growing group of “Private equity is funding the big guys, so the little guys are out.” entrepreneurs in the country. And in U.S. history, only about 200 For Black women business owners like Robbie, the hurdles can be Black women have raised $1 million or more especially high. But she’s spent decades in a single venture-capital round, according proving she can clear them. to The First 200, a public index fund “For 20 years, I generated six and sevfounded by Amira Rasool. en figures,” says Robbie, a longtime event “Think about that for a second,” she planner and promoter. “As a minority said to her followers. “There are millions of woman, I’m in the 1% with these kinds businesses in America, yet only around 200 of sales, right? I’ve come way too far to Black women have crossed that milestone. quit now.” That’s not because there aren’t brilliant Rather than chase the limited venture ideas or thriving businesses. It’s because capital available to women of color, she access to capital has never been equal.” turned to crowdfunding. To her, it’s a I first met Robbie almost five years ago, way to let the community put its money and I’ve been rooting for her ever since. At behind the businesses it believes in, rather first blush, her over-the-top, pink-blitzed than leaving that decision to a small cocktail lounge and brunch spot looked like group of investors. Barbie’s idea of a nightclub. But beneath “No one owes us anything,” she clarifies. the playful aesthetic was something more But she’s learned that if you don’t ask, the meaningful: a non-threatening environment answer is already no. “You have not because where women could come as they are. And you ask not. Our ancestors used to mobilize, in a world where women too often have to and that’s what we’re doing here. This is a factor safety into the simple act of going out, bigger call than, ‘Hey, save this business.’” that matters. As of early September, Babe Cave was Unfortunately, Babe Cave’s first chapter at 5% of its goal, and Robbie has been able Robbie McNair-Guzman was short-lived. In 2022, less than a year to raise another six figures with alternative after opening in Enderly Park, it closed amid lending. But the number is only part of the a myriad of issues. Halted SBA loans. Covid spikes. Parking disputes story. For her, this campaign is about creating a new blueprint for with neighboring restaurants. Negative publicity from said disputes. women- and minority-owned businesses. The end of a business partnership. “Business is my act of resistance against all the oppression, This crowdfunding campaign comes two and a half years after misogyny and patriarchy,” she says. “I want to be proof of what a Robbie reopened Babe Cave at 3021 Bank St. in LoSo. In the time minority-owned business can achieve.” since, she’s pivoted and reinvented the business to keep pace with Whatever happens next, Robbie has already made the ask bigger her customers, partnering with beauty and wellness brands along the than Babe Cave. It’s about who gets access to capital, who gets a way. But reinvention comes at a cost. second chance and who decides what’s worth saving. SP

112 | SOUTHPARK

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY BABE CAVE

Exclusively at

705 Providence Road 704-332-1605 www.baileybox.com