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contents<br />

TA B L E O F<br />

The Love Edition 1st Quarter <strong>2019</strong><br />

20<br />

40<br />

24<br />

FEATURES<br />

ISN’T IT ROMANTIC?<br />

20 Dimple Ajmara and Dr. Vaibhav Bajaj .<br />

by Tracy Morgan<br />

TEAM BERHAN<br />

24 Dreams<br />

by Berhan Nebioglu<br />

26 Vintage classics at Magnolia Emporium<br />

by Kathy Buckley<br />

33 Celebrating Charlotte Fashion Week<br />

by Kathy Buckley<br />

ON THE COVER<br />

Friends at Magnolia Emporium<br />

by Gerin Choiniere<br />

D E PARTM ENTS<br />

STYLE FILE<br />

40 Twinkle, twinkle, fashion star!<br />

by Hade E. Robinson, Jr.<br />

MIND, BODY & SOUL<br />

46 I am the skunk in Pepe Le Pew<br />

by Rev. Tony Marciano<br />

GREAT GETAWAY<br />

48 The horses on Shackleford Banks<br />

by Jessica Annunziata<br />

GIVING BACK<br />

52 Javesca feeds the hungry<br />

by Jessica Annunziata<br />

54 From Allegro Foundation parents<br />

56 Above & Beyond aids mission trips<br />

by Sherri K. Johnson<br />

IN THE CITY<br />

60 Charlotte’s 250th birthday<br />

by Michael Smith<br />

IN EVERY ISSUE<br />

10 credits<br />

12 editor’s letter<br />

14 contributors<br />

Look inside for the contest and to enter to win!<br />

8 | C H A R LOT TE L I VI NG


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PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF<br />

CREATIVE DIRECTOR<br />

PHOTOGRAPHER<br />

GRAPHIC DESIGNER<br />

GRAPHIC PRODUCTION<br />

FOOD EDITOR<br />

Kathy Buckley<br />

Glen Williamson<br />

Gerin Choiniere<br />

Bill Lands<br />

Spectrum Creative Graphics<br />

Heidi Billotto<br />

CONTRIBUTORS Jessica Annunziata<br />

Heidi Billotto<br />

Daniel Coston<br />

Sherri K. Johnson<br />

Jim McGuire<br />

Rev. Tony Marciano<br />

Tracy Morgan<br />

Berhan Nebioglu<br />

Hade E. Robinson, Jr.<br />

Tracy Sanchez<br />

Michael Smith<br />

PROJECT CONSULTANT Professional Consultant Group, Inc.<br />

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Mark Vita<br />

Visit charlottelivingmagazine.com and join our email list for updates and information.<br />

Follow us on Facebook @Charlotte Living, twitter @CLTLivingMag or<br />

Instagram @charlottelivingmagazine.<br />

For advertising information please call Kathy Buckley at 704.641.2132 or email<br />

kathy@charlottelivingmagazine.com.<br />

CHARLOTTE LIVING magazine is published quarterly by Charlotte Living<br />

Magazine, LLC, 3739 Havenwood Road, Charlotte, NC 28205.<br />

All contents copyright 2018 by Charlotte Living Magazine, LLC. All rights reserved.<br />

Reproduction in part or in whole without written permission from the publisher<br />

is strictly prohibited. Manuscripts, artwork, photographs, inquiries, and submitted<br />

materials are welcomed and will be returned only if accompanied by a stamped,<br />

self-addressed envelope. However, CHARLOTTE LIVING cannot be responsible for<br />

unsolicited material. All materials received will be treated as intended for<br />

publication and will become the property of the magazine and subject to editing.<br />

Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of Charlotte Living Magazine,<br />

LLC or its employees.<br />

10 | C HAR LOT TE L I VI NG


FROM THE EDITOR<br />

Let Love Keep You Warm<br />

<strong>Winter</strong> is that time of year when the bitter cold can chill you to the bone,<br />

no matter how many layers of warm clothing you have on. The brisk air<br />

whispers the hope of a beautiful snow to children of all ages, and we are<br />

filled with anticipation. I try to control my excitement when the weather<br />

reports show an epic snowstorm is headed our way, only to dwindle to a<br />

dusting as it passes us by.<br />

Charlotte’s weather is constantly changing from rainy and bleak to warm<br />

and sunny, often in the same week. The seasons are usually mild here, but<br />

freezing temperatures will come; and it is a perfect time to snuggle up with<br />

someone you love, whether dog, cat or person. Hugging will keep you warm.<br />

We celebrate love in this issue of Charlotte Living and hope the stories will<br />

warm your heart. The wedding of Charlotte city council member at-large<br />

Dimple Ajmera and Dr. Vaibhav Bajaj was incredibly magical, and it is our<br />

privilege to share the colorful ceremony with you. You may remember when<br />

Dr.Bajaj proposed to his bride-to-be on one knee at the end of a city council<br />

meeting. Now that was romantic!<br />

Romance is in the air when couples dress up in their finest attire and go out<br />

together. Berhan Nebioglu and her models bring exquisite vintage classics<br />

and the latest party dresses to make every occasion special. We are delighted to have Team Berhan<br />

from Charlotte Fashion Week create amazing pictures for our photographer Gerin Choiniere to<br />

capture. I know you will enjoy them.<br />

Love is so much more than romance. We love our friends and families immeasurably. Animals tug at<br />

our heart strings; and who doesn’t love horses? The mighty horses that run on Shackleford Banks of<br />

the Crystal Coast are a glorious sight to behold, so relax and take a trip to the outer banks as you peruse<br />

these pages.<br />

There is a deep sense of love that can only be experienced by helping others. We are thankful for all<br />

the compassionte people who care about our community and give back because they love. Loving God<br />

and loving people will keep you warm from the inside out.<br />

Kathy Buckley, Editor in Chief<br />

12 | C HAR LOT TE L I VI NG


F I N E C A B I N E T R Y & I N T E R I O R S<br />

(704) 375-8322 • www.bistanydesign.com<br />

601 South Cedar Street • Suite 205C • Charlotte, NC 28202


CHARLOTTE LIVING CONTRIBUTORS<br />

JESSICA ANNUNZIATA is a former restaurateur with<br />

20 years in hospitality. Always a consummate storyteller,<br />

she has decided to follow her true passions: travel and<br />

writing with her new venture, Eat Sip Wander LLC, a food<br />

& beverage tourism company. Jess is a serious lover of<br />

Champagne, music, books, and finding undiscovered far<br />

off places.<br />

HEIDI BILLOTTO writes about food and restaurants in<br />

Charlotte, teaches cooking classes and has a successful<br />

catering business. Heidi is married to guitarist and vocalist,<br />

Tom Billotto. The two often work together providing<br />

“food and mood” at parties and events. Be sure to check<br />

out Heidi's blog at HeidiBillottoFood.com.<br />

RICHARD PATTISON is a founding partner of Taylor<br />

Richards & Conger and has been a student of men’s<br />

clothing for nearly four decades. With his business associates,<br />

he has created a nationally recognized men’s<br />

store that has consistently achieved Esquire Magazine’s<br />

coveted Gold Standard Award of Excellence.<br />

CASS BRADLEY is a commercial/editorial portrait and<br />

wedding photographer with clients across the US and<br />

internationally. She has been published in many magazines,<br />

including Southpark Magazine, Carolina Bride and<br />

Grace Ormond Wedding Style. Cass spent 17 years in the<br />

corporate world and made the decision to leave it nine<br />

years ago to open her studio, BlueSky Photo Artists, and<br />

hasn’t looked back.<br />

HADE ROBINSON, JR. a.k.a. Carolina Style Guy on<br />

WCNC/NBC’s Charlotte Today is Personal Stylist & Sales<br />

Manager at Nordstrom SouthPark. He serves on the<br />

Board of Advisors to the International Fashion Style<br />

Academy and is a Certified Judge with the Miss America<br />

Organization. Hade is well known for his style expertise<br />

and hosts fashion shows and events in the city.s<br />

MATTHEW PAUL BROWN is Managing Partner |<br />

Founder of Reside Realty. Matthew likes to say his<br />

company is about relationships. “Giving back is our<br />

greatest gift,” says Matthew, and he centers his articles<br />

around the Charlotte community, philanthropy,<br />

travel and home.<br />

TRACY SANCHEZ is a creative, artist, and visionary; and<br />

fashion styling is second nature. After spending 20 years<br />

in the corporate real estate industry, she decided to follow<br />

her heart and start a career in styling. Tracy puts a fresh<br />

yet classic twist on fashion, pulling inspiration from ’70s<br />

icons and current fashion leaders. She has extensive<br />

experience with styling weddings, commercials, fashion<br />

shoots, personal styling, and shopping.<br />

SHERRI K. JOHNSON is a seasoned PR pro, content<br />

strategist and self-proclaimed word nerd. Her 25 years<br />

of public relations experience combined with a love of<br />

writing form the foundation of her business, The<br />

Content Shop. In her free time, she enjoys adventure<br />

travel which has kick-started her next career as a travel<br />

writer. She is a big fan of the em dash and Oxford<br />

comma enthusiast.<br />

MICHAEL SMITH is President and CEO of Charlotte Center<br />

City Partners, which facilitates and promotes the cultural<br />

and economic development of the Charlotte region’s<br />

urban core. His background blends corporate and nonprofit<br />

experience.<br />

REVEREND TONY MARCIANO is the Executive Director<br />

of the Charlotte Rescue Mission (CRM). Located in the<br />

shadow of Bank of America stadium, CRM provides free<br />

Christian residential recovery programs for people struggling<br />

with addiction, poverty and hopelessness. He is also<br />

available able to speak to your group.<br />

DEBORAH WILLIAMS is the owner and president of<br />

Professional Consultant Group Inc., serving clients in<br />

hospitality, transportation, aviation, food, wine, packaging,<br />

real estate, media, health & beauty, fashion, and<br />

multiple medical specialties since 1994. Her love of<br />

marketing, media and helping others achieve their goals<br />

is the passion that drives her company. She lives in<br />

Charlotte with her husband, J.D.<br />

14 | C HAR LOT TE L I VI NG


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TRADITIONS TO TREASURE<br />

Council Member At Large Dimple Ajmera Weds Dr. Vaibhav Bajaj.<br />

TEXT BY TRACY C. MORGAN<br />

PHOTOGRAPHY BY<br />

BHOWMIK DAVE PHOTOGRAPHY<br />

As a female admittedly over a half-of-a century<br />

old, I have been to my fair share of weddings –<br />

but never Indian. Truly 180 degrees from witnessing<br />

a walk down the aisle to the familiar<br />

Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus,” this ceremony began<br />

as a party in the street, more formally known<br />

as a “Baraat,” or groom’s parade.<br />

It’s also likely I’ll never experience a wedding<br />

as culturally unique. The bride, city council<br />

member at-large Dimple Ajmera and groom,<br />

Dr. Vaibhav Bajaj, wanted a “traditionally<br />

untraditional” Baraat and Jain ceremony.<br />

The big event took place Sunday morning,<br />

November 4, 2018.<br />

Prior to the meticulous wedding planning<br />

was the proposal. Bajaj set the bar high for<br />

many a groom-to-be. Somewhat shy, the dentist<br />

took the podium at the July 23 Charlotte<br />

City Council meeting. Typical issues such as<br />

ordinances and zoning were not on his agenda.<br />

Bajaj softly spoke into the mic asking Dimple to<br />

be his life partner. The “motion” unanimously<br />

passed and immediately went viral.<br />

In “tradition,” the Baraat was incredibly festive<br />

and colorful – stunning, sustainably<br />

crafted costumes were worn by the bride,<br />

groom, wedding party, family and friends.<br />

Dance and live entertainment were along the<br />

route as the Baraat Parade followed Bajaj and<br />

his groomsmen from the Bank of America<br />

Financial Center to Founders Hall.<br />

“Untraditionally,” the wedding was sustainable<br />

and culturally diverse. The Baraat included<br />

The bride on her chariot – a<br />

sustainable pedicab – leaving<br />

the morning Baraat ceremony<br />

and celebratory luncheon.<br />

Right: Exchanging of the rings.<br />

20 | C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G


TRADITIONS TO TREASURE<br />

an Irish band and African drums. Both guests,<br />

uptown visitors, residents, and, most touching to<br />

me, even the city’s homeless experienced great joy<br />

and danced in the streets of uptown Charlotte. As<br />

an East Charlottean and former District 5 City<br />

Council representative of our most culturally<br />

diverse community, it was the inclusive, sustainable<br />

wedding Dimple and Vaibhav had desired to<br />

fulfill one of their seven vows: “We will live our<br />

lives by high morals and principles, and always<br />

take the justified steps.” ■


The bride and bridesmaids perform a surprise welcoming<br />

dance at the groom’s parade.<br />

Right: Mr. and Mrs., the couple returns for the evening<br />

reception in their third costume, all designed by<br />

renowned, sustainable fashion designer, Premal Badiani.


Dreams<br />

TEXT BY BERHAN NEBIOGLU<br />

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM MCGUIRE<br />

Style, grace and creativity keep Berhan Nebioglu in the forefront of Charlotte fashion at age 70.<br />

This elegant and extraordinary fashionista shares her dreams with Charlotte Living.<br />

Each of us has a dream of the things we want to do<br />

in life and the life we want to live. “Team Berhan,”<br />

my ten top models dedicated to fashion, style and<br />

elegance, is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.<br />

Each year during Charlotte Fashion Week, Team<br />

Berhan is part of the show, both training the new<br />

models and walking the runway. It combines my<br />

lifetime passion for style, elegance, dance and<br />

theatrical productions.<br />

I believe that every person has dreams – not the<br />

ones you have in your sleep at night, but those you<br />

have in the daytime when you imagine what the<br />

future will be, or wish it to be. As a young girl I was<br />

filled with dreams. As I grew older, my childhood<br />

dreams became my guides during both happy and<br />

difficult times that have led me to the sense of satisfaction<br />

that comes with seeing your dreams<br />

fulfilled.<br />

I still remember the best thing about my days in<br />

elementary school was the window in my schoolroom,<br />

the one I would stare out every day. Looking<br />

out the window my mind would run free imagining<br />

I was in the movies, dancing in shows, falling in love<br />

with someone like Troy Donahue or Rock Hudson,<br />

dressing like Audrey Hepburn in style with the most<br />

sophisticated outfits, beautiful jewelry, purse, shoes<br />

to match and a hat. My teacher would call my name,<br />

but I heard nothing but the music and images of my<br />

imagination.<br />

My teachers wanted me to concentrate on the lessons<br />

and instruction, but the fantasies I saw while<br />

looking out the window were much more real than<br />

the blackboard. They called to me in a stronger voice,<br />

and held me in rapt attention, while my teacher<br />

seemed a distant distraction.<br />

In high school, dance and theater were my two<br />

favorite subjects, but I struggled through math, as<br />

numbers remained an unfathomable mystery to<br />

me. I spent hours looking through Vogue and other<br />

fashion magazines, less focused on the name of the<br />

designers than the fashions themselves. My father<br />

was an architect, and I think his love of art and<br />

design had rubbed off on me, as I loved things visual<br />

– paintings, dance, and theater.<br />

My dreams began to come true after I moved to<br />

Charlotte in my late twenties. With two children to<br />

raise, I made the time to become involved in art,<br />

dance and fashion, squeezing classes into my<br />

already packed schedule. I secured a job at Barbizon<br />

Modeling School, and through my studies and passion<br />

for dance began to meet people in the Charlotte<br />

art, design and fashion scene, which was a small<br />

24 | CHAR LOT TE L I V I NG


community in the 1970s. The top group of models at<br />

that time were called Manikins, the top photographer<br />

was Ron Chapple, and disco fashion shows<br />

were all the rage sponsored by local stores like Taylor,<br />

Richards & Conger and Coplon’s.<br />

I wanted to become a part of the emerging artistic<br />

scene and community in Charlotte. Although my<br />

background in dance was ballet, I found it provided<br />

me with the foundation for quickly picking up and<br />

learning other dance forms; and I began to teach<br />

dance – disco, country, belly and ballroom at Spirit<br />

Square, which continued for 15 years. My interest in<br />

dance was matched by my interest in theater, and<br />

combining the two I began to produce theatrical<br />

dance productions for various dance clubs in Charlotte.<br />

While I enjoyed working for a small commuter<br />

airline at the airport, I really<br />

wanted something<br />

closer to my field and<br />

ended up opening a small boutique at Latta Arcade,<br />

which migrated over time to Over Street Mall, and<br />

then back to Latta, spanning almost 30 years of<br />

Center City’s evolution from a Ghost Town to a happening<br />

scene.<br />

When I turned 70 in 2017 I wanted to begin a new<br />

chapter in my life. I closed the boutique in Latta, an<br />

emotional moment, but I was looking forward to<br />

many new adventures. While I had been involved in<br />

Charlotte Fashion Week, created by Rita Miles, for<br />

almost four years, I wanted to become more<br />

engaged in the training of young<br />

models who, like me at that age, are full of hopes and<br />

dreams. I saw in them myself at their age, and<br />

wanted to help them achieve their dreams, as they<br />

have much of their lives in front of them. Team<br />

Berhan is the culmination of that effort, to teach the<br />

teachers who can carry on the traditions and pass<br />

the knowledge that builds self-confidence within<br />

young girls. In the end you realize that life is not only<br />

about your fulfilling your owns dreams but helping<br />

others achieve theirs.<br />

After 40 years of being in love with my life long<br />

partner, I have a special dream to fulfill in<br />

<strong>2019</strong> – a candlelight dinner overlooking<br />

the bay in Porto Fino! My father always<br />

said that life is a stage; you enter, you<br />

perform, and then you exit. My dream<br />

is I will be dancing<br />

off the stage.<br />

Team Berhan


TIMELESS TRADITIONS<br />

VintageElegance<br />

Transcends Time<br />

arin<br />

26 | C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G


TIMELESS TRADITIONS<br />

FASHION STYLING BY BERHAN NEBIOGLU<br />

TEXT BY KATHY BUCKLEY<br />

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GERIN CHOINIERE<br />

LOCATION MAGNOLIA EMPORIUM<br />

ALittleRomance<br />

After all the holiday celebrations with the ones we love,<br />

the cold winter air inspires warm and fuzzy feelings<br />

of nostalgia. Magic happens when we dress up in our<br />

finest and favorite attire to enjoy cherished memories<br />

and bright dreams of the future.<br />

’Tis the season for love, so put on your warm coat and<br />

meet for a little romance or for dinner with friends. It is<br />

always a treat to shop for unique gifts and treasures at<br />

Charlotte’s local gems such as Magnolia Emporium in the<br />

city’s Gold District. Cheers to love in <strong>2019</strong>!<br />

C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G | 27


TIMELESS TRADITIONS<br />

So Pretty in Pink<br />

Claire Woodrow<br />

28 | C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G


TIMELESS TRADITIONS<br />

Impeccable Style<br />

C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G | 29


TIMELESS TRADITIONS<br />

TheShop Around theCorner<br />

Old movies are full of romance, glamour and<br />

sophisticated style. One of my favorites is The<br />

Shop Around the Corner with James Stewart<br />

and Margaret Sullavan. When our friend<br />

Berhan Nebioglu dressed her models in her<br />

own vintage clothing, the little shop around<br />

the corner in the Gold District was the perfect<br />

setting for our fashion shoot.<br />

Charlotte Living would like to thank our gracious<br />

host, Magnolia Emporium owner<br />

Randolph James, who made the day a true<br />

pleasure. Also special thanks to Zenia McCants<br />

for makeup, and Team Berhan, pictured above<br />

left to right: Jarin Simmons, Nicole Matheny,<br />

Fiona Geraghty, Claire Woodrow and Alex<br />

Fernandez. Magnolia Emporium is located at<br />

307 Lincoln Street in Charlotte. Visit magnoliaemporium.com.<br />

30 | C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G


TIMELESS TRADITIONS<br />

Alex Fernandes<br />

C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G | 31


TIMELESS TRADITIONS<br />

Baby,It’s<br />

Cold Outside<br />

32 | C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G


ELEGANT ENTERTAINING<br />

Alex Fernandes, Nicole Matheny, Rob McDowell, Rita Miles, Berhan Nebioglu, Jarin Simmons, Olivia Aldridge and Fiona Geraghty<br />

Celebrating Charlotte FashionWeek<br />

Hostess BerhanNebioglu Delights Guests with a Festive HolidaySoiree<br />

One of the highlights of 2018 for Charlotte Living<br />

was our experience with Charlotte Fashion Week in<br />

September. Fashion contributor and friend, Hade<br />

Robinson Jr., brought us together with Charlotte<br />

Seen/Fashion Week Director Rita Miles to collaborate<br />

on the program, models and future editorial. We<br />

were delighted to have our Fall Fashion issue distributed<br />

at the week’s events and decided to showcase<br />

the top models in this edition of Charlotte Living.<br />

It was my pleasure to serve as a model judge with<br />

Hade and Krystal Batts from Nordstrom, and my<br />

new friends Berhan Nebioglu and Wesley Mancini.<br />

We dressed up for three nights of fashion with cutting<br />

edge designers and models of all ages, sizes and<br />

colors. The models rocked the runway, and I had a<br />

ball laughing and getting to know my fellow judges.<br />

After Fashion Week, I met with Berhan and Hade<br />

to create our upcoming fashion features. We spent<br />

weeks coordinating the details of four different<br />

shoots, but working with real pros makes my job a<br />

breeze. Berhan trains models in the fine art of posing<br />

and walking a runway. Her hands are exquisite in<br />

every movement, and “Team Berhan” knows they<br />

are learning from the best with Berhan as their<br />

teacher. This issue is full of their beautiful pictures.<br />

Berhan is the epitome of elegance, with every<br />

detail from head to toe artfully displayed. She is<br />

petite and gorgeous; and her remarkable style, along<br />

with her bright personality, raise the bar for fashionistas<br />

everywhere. When I asked Berhan where we<br />

could photograph an elegant party with the models,<br />

she kindly offered her Uptown condo for the shoot.<br />

Although it was only October, Berhan had fully<br />

decorated her home in glorious holiday splendor.<br />

What I thought would be a fast and furious photo<br />

shoot with five models turned out to be a fabulous<br />

party with wonderful people, food, music and fun!<br />

When I asked Berhan what clothes the models<br />

would be wearing, she simply said, “mine”. Our dear<br />

and talented friend Zenia McCants joined in the fun<br />

and made up the models to perfection.<br />

The party was elegant, and the beauties from<br />

Team Berhan were exquisite wearing her fabulous<br />

party dresses. The food was scrumptious, the delicious<br />

drinks were age-appropriate, and our friend<br />

Benjamin Rene Clayton treated us with a powerful<br />

rendition of “O Holy Night” before dinner. When it<br />

comes to elegant entertaining, Berhan does it best!<br />

CHAR LOT TE L I V I NG | 33


Jarin Simmons with<br />

Wesley Mancini &<br />

Benjamin Rene Clayton<br />

34 | CHAR LOT TE L I V I NG


ELEGANT ENTERTAINING<br />

An evening of good friends, good food and a lot of fun!<br />

Great food is essential at every party, and Berhan hired private chef Marcus Cuffee to cater a wonderful feast<br />

with hors d’oevres, two kinds of lasagna, salads and desserts that were to die for! Marcus is a graduate of the<br />

Culinary Institute of America and owner of MTC Events. For more information or to book your next event<br />

contact Trevonne Cuffee at www.mtceventsllc.com.<br />

CHARLOTTE LIVING would like to thank our most<br />

gracious hosts, Michael Gallis and Berhan Nebioglu,<br />

for a glorious evening of holiday fun in celebration of<br />

Charlotte Fashion Week. It was by far the most excellent<br />

photo shoot ever, and the companywas sublime.<br />

Special thanks to Zenia McCants for makeup and<br />

Berhan for the models’ dresses, jewelry and fashion<br />

styling.<br />

Thank you to Rita Miles, Rob McDowell, Wesley<br />

Mancini and Benjamin Rene Clayton for joining us.<br />

Charlotte Living is thrilled and grateful to have Team<br />

Berhan make this a special edition to remember.<br />

Thanks to Jarin Simmons of DirectionsUSA, Olivia<br />

Aldridge of Carolina Talent, Fiona Geraghty,<br />

Nicole Matheny and Alex Fernandez.<br />

Pictured at right: Michael Gallis, Fiona Geraghty,<br />

Kathy Buckley, Nicole Matheny and Berhan Nebioglu<br />

CHAR LOT TE L I V I NG | 35


Olivia Aldridge


Fiona Geraghty


ELEGANT ENTERTAINING<br />

And a good time was had by all . . . Cheers to <strong>2019</strong>!<br />

Rob McDowell, Berhan Nebioglu, Wesley Manini and all of the guests enjoyed lively conversations, delightful drinks and a delicious dinner served on a glorious table.<br />

38 | CHAR LOT TE L I V I NG


ELEGANT ENTERTAINING<br />

Nicole Matheny<br />

C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G | 27


STYLE FILE<br />

Twinkle,Twinkle,<br />

FashionStar!<br />

Pictured above: Fiona Rose in Dress the Population dress; Jarin Simmons in ALC<br />

dress & Natasha bag<br />

I<br />

t’s the season to be fashionable, and this year will not disappoint with all the glitter and glitz that makes it all magical.<br />

TEXT BY HADE E. ROBINSON, JR. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GERIN CHOINIERE STYLING BY JUSTIN SMALL & HADE E. ROBINSON, JR.<br />

40 | CHAR LOT TE L I V I NG


STYLE STYLE FILE FILE<br />

Brooke McIntyre<br />

Pictured above: Nicole Matheny in Eliza J dress; Brooke McIntyre in Alice &<br />

Olivia dress & Baublebar jewelry<br />

T<br />

his year’s trends are all about the fabrics – the shine, the texture and appeal which comes across with the excitement of<br />

the holidays at first glance. Bright sequins, silk embroideries, and luxury velvets all fit for the royal debut for both men<br />

and women going out this holiday season.<br />

CHAR LOT TE L I V I NG | 41


STYLE FILE<br />

Pictured at left: Fiona in<br />

Veronica Beard dress &<br />

Eliza J wrap; Jarin in<br />

Alice & Olivia dress &<br />

Baublebar jewelry


STYLE FILE<br />

The rich royal hues of deep reds, fresh blues,<br />

vintage golds and ink blacks will make anyone<br />

fit for the royal court of holiday dressing!<br />

It’s time to pick out your favorite color, be bold with<br />

the design and show the world that you are the<br />

fashion star for the season!


Team B<br />

STYLE FILE<br />

Charlotte Living would like to extend our<br />

heartfelt thanks to Berhan Nebioglu and<br />

Rita Miles/Charlotte Fashion Week for<br />

coordinating the beautiful models and<br />

last minute details for this excellent<br />

fashion photo shoot.<br />

Thank you, Randolph James/Magnolia<br />

Emporium, for your gracious hospitality,<br />

and Craft Tasting Room and Growler for<br />

the location.<br />

Pictured at left: Brooke in Alice &<br />

Olivia/Mali & Lili clutch; Nicole in Dress<br />

The Population dress, Eliza J cover<br />

5 | C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G


STYLE FILE<br />

Styling by Hade E. Robinson, Jr. and Justin<br />

Small, Nordstrom<br />

Make up by Zenia McCants<br />

Hair by Anthony, Paul Mitchell<br />

Model Coodination by Berhan Nebioglu<br />

and Rita Miles/Charlotte Seen<br />

Team Berhan models - Jarin Simmons,<br />

Nicole Matheny, Fiona Rose, Alex Fernandes<br />

and Brooke McIntyre<br />

All clothes, shoes and accessories are available<br />

at Nordstrom<br />

Pictured at right: Jarin in ALC dress,<br />

Baublebar earrings & Natasha bag; Alex in<br />

Brackish & Bell bow tie, Bonobos jacket,<br />

shirt & pants his own.<br />

erhan<br />

C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G | 6


MIND, BODY & SOUL<br />

TEXT BY REV. TONY MARCIANO<br />

Living Well in the Shadow of Life<br />

I am the skunk in the Pepé Le Pew cartoon<br />

Remember Block Buster stores? I was banned by my<br />

family from going there and selecting the Friday<br />

night video. My family was terrified I would select a<br />

romantic comedy.<br />

One time my wife was busy and sent me. I searched<br />

the store for romantic comedies but couldn’t find<br />

one. I selected an action movie. As I got to the cashier,<br />

a clerk asked me if I found everything I wanted, to<br />

which I replied, “No. I couldn’t find any romantic<br />

comedies.” Three women replied, “Oh, you like<br />

romantic comedies.” I could have used that as a line<br />

when I was in college to get a date with a woman.<br />

My wife and I are opposites. I am the romantic<br />

one. She will tell you she doesn’t have a romantic<br />

bone in her body. This past Christmas, she banned all<br />

Hallmark Christmas movies from being watched in<br />

our home. We both agreed they all had the same<br />

plot. Country girl leaves high school boyfriend to go<br />

to big city where corporate boss sends her to work<br />

on a real estate development project that just happens<br />

to be in her home town. She meets her high<br />

school boyfriend. He is a widower who has a daughter.<br />

While working on the project, her big city<br />

boyfriend shows up and proposes. She has to make a<br />

decision. Will she say “yes” to him or break up and<br />

marry her high school sweetheart, leaving her plans<br />

for life in the big city? It is always a one minute into<br />

the last moment of the movie that she embraces and<br />

kisses the high school boyfriend. I could have told<br />

you that would happen from the opening five minutes<br />

of the movie.<br />

I’m the skunk in the Pepé Le Pew cartoon, and she<br />

is like the cat. We are opposites, and it works. Here is<br />

the problem with romance (I was doing well with all<br />

the female readers until now) – when we first meet<br />

someone, it’s all hormones. They race at 200 miles<br />

per hour. Unfortunately (I say that as a romantic at<br />

heart) they diminish, and we get to the hard part of<br />

relationships. It moves love from a feeling to an act<br />

of the will. That is where we choose to love this<br />

person.<br />

There are days when I come home and want to<br />

hug and squeeze my wife. There are other days<br />

where I come home and sing that country music<br />

song, “I know what I was feeling, what was I thinking?”<br />

If I relied on my feelings, I’d probably have been<br />

married 20 times by now.<br />

When I counsel singles who are asking what to verse I mentioned earlier also says, “A wife of noble<br />

look for in a future mate, I reply, first is character and character who can find? She is worth far more than<br />

second is chemistry. It’s similar to good hiring practices.<br />

You hire for character because technical skills lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not<br />

rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and<br />

can be taught. Character can’t. If the character isn’t harm, all the days of her life.”<br />

there, the employment will not be a good experience I may not be watching any Hallmark movies<br />

for the employer. I remind dating couples about the around Valentine’s Day this year. That’s ok. I’ve got<br />

scripture that says, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty the real thing. ■<br />

is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be<br />

Rev. Tony Marciano is the President/CEO of the<br />

praised.”<br />

Charlotte Rescue Mission. The Charlotte Rescue<br />

Someone once said, “Love doesn’t always mean<br />

butterflies in your stomach and chasing someone<br />

Mission provides a free long-term Christian recovery<br />

you think is the one.” Sometimes love is what happens<br />

when you know you can trust someone and be drugs and alcohol. For more information, visit our<br />

program for men and women who are addicted to<br />

yourself with them 100% of the time.” The scripture website at www.charlotterescuemission.org<br />

My wife sent me this romantic card.<br />

46 | C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G


GREAT GETAWAYS<br />

TEXT BY JESSICA ANNUNZIATA<br />

I have always had a distinct but distant fascination<br />

with horses despite my minimal exposure. There<br />

has always been a healthy dose of fear that loomed<br />

just under surface; which I can say positively exhilarated<br />

me. Being completely mystified by their<br />

beauty I was magnetically drawn to them and somewhat<br />

repelled by my own fear.<br />

My fondness, began with Laura Ingles’ and her<br />

dexterity whenever she was on a horse. I was mesmerized<br />

by Liz Taylor's agility with her horse Pie in<br />

National Velvet. The ability to train a spirited one<br />

seemed to be such a mysterious feat—an endeavor<br />

so grand that, once accomplished, there hardly<br />

seemed to be any other bond between man and<br />

beast that is so eternal. Growing up as an only child,<br />

I romanticized that notion and secretly yearned for<br />

that particular kind of kinship.<br />

Fast forward; I’ve been instructed to not get too<br />

close to the wild horses we are about to encounter. I<br />

had taken a few hours drive from Charlotte and had<br />

gotten on a ferry, then a pontoon boat and here I am.<br />

48 | C H A R LOTTE L IVI N G<br />

Shackleford Banks is an enigmatic place with nothing<br />

but shoreline and dunes in every direction. As a<br />

New Yorker, to be standing on a desolate island in<br />

the US on a crisp spring morning my thoughts are<br />

running wild with scenarios and unanswered questions.<br />

Who had walked this beach centuries ago?<br />

Why aren’t there more places like this that are protected<br />

under sanctuary status?<br />

Precaution presents itself and the anticipation<br />

builds. We are in the pursuit of wild horses and I feel<br />

brave out of character. Typical? Not exactly. Will they<br />

get too close? Will they hate my accent? Is this really<br />

a good idea for someone like me, to be doing something<br />

like this?<br />

A few minutes of walking past cacti and wild<br />

grasses I am aware of my own meandering contemplations<br />

which are punctuated by the sound of<br />

crashing waves. I am present enough to notice the<br />

sweet salty air and I make a conscious effort to truly<br />

witness the pristine beauty that surrounds me. As I<br />

pan the horizon; I spot them with a jolt. This is the<br />

purpose of today’s outing but my heart begins to<br />

race and I am surprised by their presence.<br />

I felt honored to be here and that this moment is<br />

pertinent to the very juncture I find myself in. I<br />

believe I was experiencing what I know to be a<br />

“kairos moment.” It is an Ancient Greek term for an<br />

instant when the universe is speaking to you<br />

directly. It is a calling to recognize exactly how the<br />

past has prepared you for how you are being ushered<br />

into what is just beyond the now.<br />

Being only a few feet away from these beautiful<br />

creatures in the flesh made my heart soar and I wait<br />

s truly in awe. As we approached, I noticed four<br />

horses all in seated positions. They were a four-point<br />

compass in perfect formation. Each transfixed in<br />

their perspective directions. I felt we were interrupting<br />

something ceremonial and sacred.<br />

Their musculature was clearly defined under<br />

shiny coats of varying hues of golden brown and<br />

deep mahogany. I am also struck by how docile they<br />

seem to be.


GREAT GETAWAYS<br />

They are heirs of perseverance. They are the<br />

descendants of those who had fought and survived.<br />

We share this sameness. We too are the legacy of<br />

those who have pressed on before us. Their physicality<br />

speaks to how they have endured. I watch as each<br />

powerful rise in breath undulates in time with their<br />

physical domain.<br />

Records indicate their ancestors were brought to<br />

North America by European explorers and colonists.<br />

When Christopher Columbus was bringing supplies<br />

to Hispaniola, it was reported these Mustang's<br />

ancestors were aboard his fleet. A galleon ship was<br />

reported to have gone down off the coast of the<br />

Carolinas that was carrying supplies to the New<br />

World. These horses are non-native, but after so<br />

many generations without human contact, they are<br />

once again considered feral. Aside from population<br />

NEARBY CAPE LOOKOUT<br />

C HARLOT TE L I VI NG | 49


GREAT GETAWAYS<br />

NEARBY BEAUFORT WATERFRONT<br />

control by means of darting, there has no outside<br />

interference. Isolated on a ninemile barrier island<br />

between Beaufort Inlet and Cape Lookout, NC, they<br />

have been on Shackleford Banks which is part of the<br />

Crystal Coast, for hundreds of years.<br />

The history of the island begins in the late 1800s.<br />

It was home to a small group of roughly 500 residents<br />

and was a settlement that became known as<br />

Diamond City. It was short-lived and in 1899 a massive<br />

hurricane devastated the island which caused<br />

its then residents to seek refuge and vacate the<br />

town. The final dwellers left by 1902. In 1933,<br />

another major hurricane took siege and opened the<br />

inlet on the eastern edge of Shackleford Banks,<br />

forever separating it from the Core Banks and the<br />

Cape Lookout Lighthouse. The National Park Service<br />

acquired the island in the 1960s as part of the newly<br />

formed Cape Lookout National Seashore. That year<br />

the horses became protected under government<br />

legislation.<br />

50 | C HARLOT TE L I VI NG


GREAT GETAWAYS<br />

NEARBY BEAUFORT WATERFRONT<br />

There is other wildlife also present on the island.<br />

A whole slew of interesting creatures calls<br />

Shackleford Banks home, including ghost crabs, gray<br />

foxes, otters, dolphins, sharks, blue crabs, and migratory<br />

birds. Information aimed at maintaining and<br />

protecting these incredible creatures is vital to limiting<br />

human interference. A wonderful 501(c)(3)<br />

educational and scientific non-for-profit called The<br />

Foundation for Shackleford Horses whose aim is to<br />

protect and preserve their place on the island. You<br />

can find more information about the organization<br />

here: http://equinenonprofits.com/ directory/foundation-for-shackleford-horses.<br />

They believe in<br />

preserving "History on Hooves" as a significant asset<br />

to the culture of Carteret County, as well as our as<br />

our nation as a whole. Once you see wild horses you<br />

will never forget them. I urge you to seek out opportunities<br />

and situations where you are enchanted.<br />

The ancient Greek Philosopher Seneca once said,<br />

"As is a tale so is life. It is not how long it is but how<br />

rich it is that matters." Fill yours with richness at<br />

every turn. ■<br />

C HARLOT TE L I VI NG | 51


GIVING BACK<br />

participate in helping to<br />

feed others while drinking<br />

great coffee. As<br />

increasing numbers of<br />

people desired also to<br />

donate to the mission, the<br />

Bollingers collaborated<br />

the Hungry<br />

with the Manolakis<br />

family and co-founded<br />

Javesca Feeds, creating<br />

a nonprofit that would<br />

TEXT BY JESSICA ANNUNZIATA<br />

expand the capacity to<br />

end hunger and<br />

Have you ever had to wonder where your next meal is<br />

coming from? Every night, there are nearly 630,000<br />

families in North Carolina that do not have enough to<br />

eat; 169,000 of them have no idea where their next<br />

meal is coming from. North Carolina has the 8th highest<br />

rate of food insecurity in the nation. One in four<br />

children in Mecklenburg County is food-insecure.<br />

malnutrition<br />

worldwide and<br />

locally, through individual and corporate<br />

donations and grants.<br />

For each bag of coffee sold, Javesca<br />

Coffee funds four meals.<br />

The reach is extensive. Aid is offered<br />

through partners in a village in the African<br />

This drove a local pastor to embark on his version of<br />

a revolution. The idea took root after years of mission<br />

trips to Guatemala where Pastor Craig and his wife<br />

Marilyn witnessed extreme poverty. The couple<br />

instinctually knew they could makes strides to<br />

change it. The couple always loved a great cup of<br />

coffee, and while in Guatemala they were served the<br />

best and most intensely rich coffee they'd ever had.<br />

The experience was so profound it led Craig to think,<br />

“Why can we not take the daily ritual of drinking<br />

morning coffee and make it the catalyst necessary to<br />

provide meals for those in need?”<br />

The idea was born, and the Bollinger family<br />

founded Javesca Coffee, creating a socially-conscious<br />

business that would make it effortless for people to<br />

country of Burundi. Prior to Javesca Feeds’ assistance<br />

there was a mortality rate from malnutrition of 2-6<br />

children per month under the age of 7. In this village,<br />

infants are no longer expected to die from malnutrition.<br />

Large-scale food distributions and daily school<br />

meals also take place in Guatemala. In February,<br />

they provided 8,200 lbs. of food to nearly 470 families<br />

in four villages.<br />

People are fed locally through Javesca Feed's work<br />

with the Charlotte Dream Center. The organization<br />

exists to provide hope to the hopeless and seriously<br />

impoverished communities of Charlotte. Chef Jim<br />

Noble's The King's Kitchen restaurant is on a mission<br />

to provide GED classes, job training, and daily feedings<br />

to the homeless and hungry within our city.<br />

Other feedings happen through a mobile food<br />

market that provides for the JT Williams<br />

neighborhood in Charlotte and as well as biweekly<br />

meal gatherings for kids and teens in<br />

Reid Park.<br />

Project 658 is a non-profit that provides<br />

assistance to 130,000 refugees in our area, victims<br />

of domestic violence, and as well the<br />

homeless. Their goal is enhancing lives by providing<br />

immediate assistance such as clothing,<br />

food, medical attention, childcare, and job<br />

training helping to break cycles of poverty.<br />

Javesca Feeds’ major fundraising effort takes<br />

place at an annual Impact Hunger Dinner. The<br />

results of last year's efforts, donations enabled<br />

the ongoing provision of nearly 500 meals<br />

every day for a year. IMPACT HUNGER 2018<br />

will take place on Thursday, December 6th, at<br />

the 658 Center on Central Avenue here in Charlotte.<br />

Chef Luca Annunziata, in collaboration with executive<br />

chefs from the King’s Kitchen and Project 658<br />

will be preparing an extraordinary multi-course<br />

meal to raise funds for <strong>2019</strong>. Please attend and enjoy<br />

an amazing dinner, live music, and silent auction,<br />

to make worldwide change. Purchase tickets at:<br />

www.javescafeeds.org/impacthunger.<br />

It is also possible to lend a helping hand by purchasing<br />

Javesca coffee online at www.javesca.com.<br />

Javesca provides coffee club subscriptions where<br />

you receive a different coffee each month to enjoy.<br />

By drinking your coffee you can feed the world!<br />

“Those who are happiest are those<br />

who do the most for others.”<br />

– Booker T. Washington<br />

52 | C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G


GIVING BACK<br />

The Holiday Season is upon us and I wanted to<br />

share with you what Allegro’s programs have done<br />

for my child. We have been with Allegro for several<br />

months and, in those months, I have seen miracles<br />

occur. For a family without a child with challenges,<br />

or born “normal,” the miracles we have experienced<br />

might not seem like miracles, but they most<br />

certainly are!<br />

Yes, I had the best medical care and did all the<br />

right things in my pregnancy, but my Joshua was<br />

still born prematurely. Due to this, he lives with<br />

intellectual disabilities, autism, and does not<br />

speak. His doctors do not know why he was born<br />

early, or why he was born with disabilities. Joshua<br />

is 7 years old now.<br />

We met Allegro at my son’s school. I went to<br />

observe Allegro’s class one day, as I like to see all<br />

the activities Joshua is involved in first-hand. I realized<br />

Joshua was paying attention and wanted to<br />

try everything! Allegro motivates, inspires, and has<br />

a truly remarkable understanding of how to teach<br />

children with disabilities.<br />

The word MIRACLE that I used in the beginning<br />

of this letter is correct.<br />

Allegro creates miracles every day! Joshua is in<br />

one of Allegro’s school programs and, after what I<br />

witnessed there, we also signed him up for<br />

Allegro’s outreach program after school. He started<br />

making eye contact for the first time in the Allegro<br />

program. It happened last month and his teacher<br />

could not wait to tell us!<br />

Joshua cannot sit down and be still, which<br />

makes learning in a typical classroom environment<br />

impossible. Allegro uses movement to teach<br />

their lessons during weekly school classes. Joshua<br />

can now stand in a line, make eye contact, and he<br />

has been mumbling sounds and trying to communicate<br />

for the first time! That’s something speech<br />

therapy had not helped! He held a pencil last week;<br />

not well, but it was still another first for him.<br />

Allegro’s special props have helped Joshua learn<br />

how to grip.<br />

Allegro is a MIRACLE!<br />

I urge you to give to Allegro so other<br />

children like Joshua can find their own<br />

miracle!<br />

Sincerely,<br />

54 | CHARLOTTE L I V I N G


Click below to watch video<br />

GIVING BACK<br />

Allegro Foundation – A Special Success Story About Brian<br />

▼<br />

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xfYs6EWcvw&feature=youtu.be<br />

www.AllegroFoundation.net 704-412-5229<br />

Allegro Foundation’s Board of Directors<br />

Jason Schugel, Chairman; Kathy Buckley, Secretary; Stephen Walker, Treasurer; Jane Fastje, Chief Operating Officer; Tim Black;<br />

Christine Conte; Donna de Molina; Arlene Ferebee; Bryan Mermans; John C. Muller, Jr., Chairman Emeritus; Priscilla Perry;<br />

Larry Sprinkle; Donnell Woolford; Pat Farmer, Founder/President<br />

Friends of Allegro<br />

Sheila Abraham, Ed.D., Mr. and Mrs. Gary Babcock, Mr. and Mrs. Greg Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Brown, Ms. Marie Calabro, Mr. and<br />

Mrs. Patrick Cummings, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Cureton, Ms. Barbara Darden, Mr. Alvaro de Molina, Mr. and Mrs. Chip Farmer, Mr.<br />

John Fastje, Mr. Gary Goodson, Mr. Mike Hawley and Katherine Pierce, M.D., Mr. and Mrs. Danny Hellams, Ms. Kim Henderson,<br />

Mr. and Mrs. John Hosmer, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Karlsson, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Knight, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Little, Ms. Nicole Little, Mr.<br />

and Mrs. Tom Marcham, Mrs. Robin Mermans, Ms. Debbie Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Monnett, Mr. Kevin Monroe, Ms. Lynn<br />

Muller, Mr. and Mrs. Clark Neilson, Ms. Heidi Nowak, Mr. and Mrs. Brian Pacheco, Dr. Thomas and Dr. Elaine Pacicco, Mr. Ernest<br />

Perry, Counselor Lorenzo Ravano, Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Rey, Mr. and Mrs. Greg Roderick, Mr. Felix Sabates, Ms. Mimi Sabates, Ms.<br />

Julia Sayegh, Mr. Victor Sayegh, Mrs. Molly Schugel, Mr. and Mrs. Ron Sherrill, Ms. Elizabeth Tanos-Priest, Mr. Josh Toman, Mr. and<br />

Mrs. Nick Trivisonno, Mrs. Anastasiya Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Royallen Wiley, Mr. and Mrs. Phil Witt, Ms. Phyllis Yandle<br />

CHARLOTTE L I V I N G | 55


GIVING BACK<br />

How to Serve Local<br />

and Go Global<br />

BY SHERRI JOHNSON<br />

Daniel and Becca Zeidman volunteered a total of 22 hours serving the homeless through the Charlotte Dream Center and sorting food at Second Harvest Food Bank. “Coach<br />

Daniel” and Becca earned A&B reward to go to Haiti where they led sport camps. While on her global assignment, Becca and her husband connected with a family, and the<br />

Lord laid it on their heart to pay for school uniforms for two children in the family, so they could attend school. Without a school uniform it’s impossible for a child to attend<br />

school in Haiti. Becca says, “I’m not sure why God put this family in our path, but I appreciate the opportunity He has given us to pour into them.”<br />

Have you ever been asked to donate<br />

dollars to help send someone on a mission<br />

trip? Maybe a church member, a<br />

neighbor or a family friend has asked<br />

for financial assistance? Now there’s<br />

a Charlotte-based non-profit that’s<br />

changing this one-to-one proposition.<br />

Above & Beyond, a faith-based<br />

organization with the purpose of eradicating<br />

spiritual poverty, started with<br />

a mission of its own as part of Grace<br />

Covenant Church in Cornelius. Founder,<br />

Michelle Hoverson, had a simple idea<br />

that today has helped 885missionaries<br />

travel to 76 nations serving 13,275<br />

hours at local non-profits. But before<br />

a passport is ever presented, each missionary<br />

earns money by volunteering<br />

locally.<br />

“We wanted to see a paradigm shift<br />

in how mission trips were funded,”<br />

says Hoverson, who after 24 years in<br />

pastoral ministry leading more than<br />

50 outreach trips knew there was<br />

a way to make a greater impact.<br />

“Instead we reward and foster volunteerism<br />

in the missionary’s backyard,<br />

because mission work always begins<br />

at home.”<br />

Serve Local, Go Global<br />

Here’s how it works: Missionaries<br />

who face financial obstacles can earn<br />

funding by volunteering in their local<br />

community at faith-based organizations.<br />

Every volunteer hour is rewarded<br />

with $25 dollars toward their global<br />

mission trip. The average grant is<br />

between $350-450 dollars, or 14-18<br />

hours of service.<br />

56 | CHARLOTTE L I V I N G<br />

Karin Conroy served 24 hours (twice her<br />

required service) serving snacks during<br />

Calvary Church in Charlotte’s community<br />

Vacation Bible School in order to earn<br />

rewards to serve in Jamaica. Karin shares,<br />

“finances caused me to hesitate making<br />

the commitment to serve in Jamaica, then<br />

I found out about A&B’s program. It was<br />

the boost to my faith that I needed.“<br />

After 24 years in pastoral ministry leading<br />

more than 50 outreach trips, Michelle<br />

Hoverson knew there was a way to make<br />

a greater impact and started Above &<br />

Beyond, a strategic response to the<br />

Great Commission.<br />

“Before the recipient leaves their<br />

home base, they have already impacted<br />

lives and prepared their heart<br />

for their mission,” says Hoverson. “We<br />

want them to have some skin in the<br />

game by earning their trip in a way<br />

that will make a difference long after<br />

the trip is complete.”<br />

In Charlotte alone, 385 individuals<br />

have invested nearly 6,000 hours serving<br />

organizations like Samaritan’s<br />

Feet, Boys & Girls Club and Loaves &<br />

Fishes, to name a few. Nationally, more<br />

than 380 local organizations have benefitted<br />

from individuals working their<br />

way toward global mission trips.<br />

“Our only requirement is that they<br />

volunteer where they can freely share<br />

their faith,” says Hoverson. “Our focus<br />

goes beyond one program or one place,<br />

touching hundreds.”<br />

The Multiplier Affect<br />

Traditional giving to fund mission<br />

trips is typically a single gift to one<br />

person for a specific trip. By contrast,<br />

Above & Beyond supports multiple<br />

missionaries as well as tomorrow’s<br />

missionaries for generations to come.<br />

The organization relies on private<br />

donations, which in turn serves as rocket<br />

fuel for several. Every contribution<br />

to Above & Beyond gets invested in<br />

two ways – in a GoToday fund and a<br />

GoTomorrowFund. Fifty percent of every<br />

donation is put in the GoTodayFund<br />

and 50 percent is put in an endowment<br />

fund to grow the investment.<br />

“Our goal is to give today and to<br />

multiply tomorrow, multiplying the<br />

impact exponentially,” says Hoverson.<br />

“We are committed to being smart<br />

stewards of our supporters’ investments.”<br />

Changing Lives<br />

Through the Serve Local Go Global<br />

program ambassadors serve local community<br />

needs before serving people in<br />

other nations. Hoverson has seen the<br />

affect first-hand. “People come back a<br />

better servant here at home and continue<br />

to impact with a renewed heart. I<br />

have seen God change so many people<br />

through the power of a mission trip.”<br />

Daniel and Becca Zeidman earned<br />

their reward to go Haiti by volunteering<br />

at the Charlotte Dream Center, serving<br />

the homeless, and by sorting food at<br />

Second Harvest Food Bank. “I love that<br />

an Above & Beyond reward isn’t just<br />

money given with nothing expected,”<br />

says Becca. “I was blessed to be challenged<br />

to serve in our community, and<br />

through a Haitian family that we continue<br />

to support, we can serve the<br />

people of Haiti, while we serve our community<br />

week in and week out.”<br />

“Eradicating spiritual poverty and<br />

solving problems of the human spirit is<br />

what I’m laser-focused on every day,”<br />

added Hoverson.<br />

Want to Help?<br />

Visit aboveandbeyondmissions.org<br />

to learn more. ■


9 | C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G


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IN THE CITY<br />

TEXT BY MICHAEL SMITH, PRESIDENT & CEO, CHARLOTTE CENTER CITY PARTNERS<br />

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CHARLOTTE CENTER CITY PARTNERS<br />

Two hundred and fifty years ago, Governor Polk<br />

signed a document that officially recognized<br />

Charlotte-Towne, a new city named in honor of<br />

Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg. A lot has changed<br />

in the past two-and-a-half centuries, but the values<br />

upon which this city was founded remain true today.<br />

That’s why we are excited<br />

to recognize this milestone<br />

anniversary with CLT250, a<br />

year-long celebration filled with<br />

events large and small that<br />

invite our citizens to share and<br />

commemorate our storied past;<br />

celebrate our city’s independence,<br />

ingenuity, determination,<br />

collaboration, compassion and<br />

resiliency; and imagine a successful<br />

and unified future filled<br />

with hope and opportunity for<br />

all. Thanks to presenting sponsor<br />

Atrium Health and many<br />

other corporate partners, CLT250<br />

is coming to life all across<br />

Charlotte.<br />

You will see recognition of<br />

our history during this year’s Novant Health<br />

Thanksgiving Day Parade. Everyone is invited to celebrate<br />

the official founding on December 3, with cake<br />

at Trade and Tryon and special surprises at all CMS<br />

schools and in all Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library<br />

branches. We will mark CLT250 during the MLK<br />

weekend of events in January. And our commemoration<br />

will culminate in May with Charlotte SHOUT!,<br />

an incredible festival of food, art, music and innovation<br />

that promises to be a defining asset for our community<br />

for years to come.<br />

You will also see CLT250 at many of our beloved<br />

community festivals. And we are encouraging everyone<br />

to get involved. This initiative is a giant invitation<br />

to all Charlotteans: We want you to volunteer, connect<br />

your own events to CLT250<br />

and join the movement.<br />

But CLT250 is much more than a<br />

celebration. It is an opportunity to<br />

pull Charlotte together, to consider<br />

what makes this such an incredible<br />

city and to move forward on a<br />

shared vision.<br />

During the next six months,<br />

we’ll launch ongoing legacy<br />

projects that will add to our commitment<br />

to become a friendlier,<br />

healthier, more equitable and<br />

accessible city, and to create<br />

opportunity for all. These are big,<br />

long-lasting projects and initiatives<br />

that will make a difference<br />

for all of our citizens. And these<br />

legacy projects will create hope<br />

and promise for our shared future. We’re challenging<br />

our government, nonprofits and corporate partners<br />

to complete a legacy project that leaves an indelible<br />

mark on our community for the next generation.<br />

What can you, your school, your neighborhood or<br />

your house of worship do to create a legacy for<br />

Charlotte’s next 250 years?<br />

As we pause to celebrate Charlotte’s incredible<br />

origin story and the values that our founders instilled<br />

in this community, I am energized by the promise of<br />

Charlotte’s future. When our descendants celebrate<br />

this city’s 500th anniversary, I know they’ll pause to<br />

consider the spirit of independence, ingenuity, determination,<br />

collaboration, compassion and resiliency<br />

that inspire us all today. ■<br />

Members of the Croatan tribe, an eastern North<br />

Carolina trtibe that dates back to the Lost Colony The annual "Meck Dec" Day Parade on May 20, 1919<br />

The country’s second largest financial institution,<br />

Commercial National Bank, was founded in Charlotte<br />

back in 1874.<br />

60 | C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G


250Years<br />

IN THE CITY<br />

C H A R LOT TE L I V I N G | 61


Berhan Nebioglu, Proprietor<br />

berhannebi@gmail.com<br />

Available at Magnolia Emporium & Ruby’s Gift<br />

Magnolia Emporium<br />

704.248.6808<br />

307 Lincoln Street<br />

Charlotte, NC 28203<br />

magnoliaemporium.com<br />

Ruby’s Gift<br />

704.900.2389<br />

3204 N. Davidson St.<br />

Charlotte, NC 28205<br />

noda@rubysgift.com

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