South Charlotte Living Magazine

LIVINGLiving the Good Life

MAY | JUNE 2012

Priceless

Also Inside: Vision Questing for Women in the Blue Ridge Mountains

LIVINGSouth CharlotteSouth Charlotte

With 9,000 prints in his hand,

William Albaugh, CEO of Carolina Digital Solutions

Xerox, is introducing

Charlotte to the world’s

greenest copier

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FEATURE 8 • Carolina Digital Solutions: Introducing Charlotte to the World’s Greenest Copier

DESTINATION14 • Lizzie Borden’s Fall River, Massachusetts NON-PROFITFEATURE18 • Vision Questing for Women in the Blue Ridge Mountains

LIVINGLIFE:PARTTWO20 • Live Now, Age Later . . . Celebrate Life! The Happy Times Club Celebrates 40 Years

BUSINESS22 • What’s Trending

24 • McClintock Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Inc. Celebrating Ten Years

THEFATMAN26 • Issues an apology

MAY | JUNE 2012

Tell us what you think! Let us know what you want to see in future issues!

| CONTENTS |

ABOUTTHECOVERInthisissuewetalkwithbusinessownerBillAlbaugh

abouthislife’saccomplishments,aswellasCharlotte’s

greenestcopier.Findoutmoreinourfeaturearticle

onpage8.

Photoby:LoraynDeLuca.CoverStoryby:NancyMoore.

INEVERYISSUE5 • Nancy’s Notes

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20

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MAY | JUNE 2012 • sclivingmag.com �

PUBLISHERDavid Simms, Jr.

CHIEFEXECUTIVEEDITORLEADWRITERNancy [email protected]

DIRECTOROFPHOTOGRAPHYLorayn DeLucawww.MamaLucaMedia.com

ARTDIRECTORKatie Kidd

[email protected] - 704-443-8216Judy Berg704-458-7964Bev Martin704-847-6476Chuck Sheridan704-345-8608

SUBMISSIONS&[email protected]

3122-100 Fincher Farm Rd. Suite 216Matthews, NC 28105704-443-8216

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MAY / JUNE 2012Living the Good life

Lifeismeasuredinmilestones:Howoldareyou?Howlonghaveyoubeenmarried?HowlonghaveyoulivedinMatthews?Howmanychildrendoyouhave?I’msureyouknowwhatImean.Whydowedothat?Isitsheercuriosityonthequestioner’spartordowemeasureotherqualitiesbythemilestone?

Sometimesweasktheageofapersonbecausewe’reimpressedbytheirwisdom.Othertimesweasktheageofapersonbecausewe’reamazedattheirimmaturity.(Youcanhearthetoneofyourvoiceaskingthatquestion,can’tyou?)

Hereatthemagazine,weareaskedmilestonequestions:Howmanyreadersdoyouhave?Howmanydistributionsitesdoyouhave?Howlonghaveyoubeeninbusiness?Howmanypeopleworkforthemagazine?

Theseareeasytoanswer.Weestimateourreadershipat100,000.Wehavewellover200distributionsites,includingselectHarrisTeeterlocations.I’malsoproudtosaythatourteamhanddeliversseveralhundredmagazineseachmonth.We are currently in our third year. And, finally, the last question andtheonethatdeservesattention–ourstaff.Someofusyouknow:Lorayn,me,theFatMan.Behindthesceneswehavetheowner,thepublisher,andourgraphicdesigner.OursalesrepsareChuck,Bev,andJudy.Chuck’sbeenwithusforawhilesoletmetellyouaboutBevandJudy.Bothwomenhaveabackgroundinsales,areinvolvedinthecommunity,andpeopleIcallfriends.Theyareenthusiastic,optimistic,energetic,andoverallwonderfulwomen.IfIgaveyoutheiryearsofcombinedexperience,thatwouldbeamilestone.(Itmayalsogetmeinhotwater,soI’llletitgo.)

Wehaveseveralmilestonesinthisissue.Wehaveourfirst installment of one of our new features: the nonprofit spotlight.InourLivingLife:PartTwosection,wecongratulateandcelebratethefortiethanniversaryofthegroupbehindtheLevineSeniorCenterinMatthews.OurbusinessspotlightrecognizesthetenthanniversaryofMcClintockHeatingandCooling.Theowners,KimandRobMcClintock,arecelebrating

their24thweddinganniversaryinMay.Allmilestones.Allsomethingtorecognize,honor,andcelebrate.Milestonesareachievements;testamentstosuccess.Here’stomany,manymilestones.

ChiefExecutiveEditor,South Charlotte Living

Tell us what you think! Let us know what you want to see in future issues! Q

South Charlotte Living reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing that does not meet South Charlotte Living standards. Submissions are wel-come, but unsolicited materials are not guar-anteed to be returned. South Charlotte Living assumes no responsibil-ity for information, products, services or statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part with-out written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

{ }Nancy’sNotes:



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By: Nancy Moore | Photos: Lorayn DeLuca, Mama Luca Media

Carolina Digital Solutions


Anyone who has worked in an office knows how difficult it can sometimes be to change a toner cartridge (printer and/or copier) and not make a mess. The powder goes everywhere

– on your hands, the floor, your clothing, etc. I’ve worked in some offices where people would deliberately not replace the toner cartridge and wait for the next person to do it (I was the latter, not the former). Toner cartridges have evolved, thanks to Xerox.

Xerox was founded in 1906 as The Haloid Photographic Company and changed the name to Haloid Xerox in 1958. In 1961 it became Xerox. In case you’re wondering, Xerox comes from the term xerography, which means ‘dry writing.’ Xerox isn’t just a noun – it’s also a verb. It was, and in some cases still is, the universal term for photocopying. When I was a child and visiting my mother in her office at a hospital, it was not uncommon for someone to ask, “Will you Xerox this?” Even if they weren’t using Xerox equipment, the copy itself was a Xerox.

As owner of Carolina Digital Solutions, an authorized Xerox dealer, William “Bill” Albaugh knew he had found a good thing when he began working for Xerox almost ten years ago. The Zanesville, Ohio, native says that his relationship with Xerox fits him like a glove. It’s easy to see why – their priorities are the same: environmentally conscious, quality conscious, and reliability conscious.

Past lives

Bill Albaugh has always been interested in computers and, while in high school in 1985, was a member of the school’s first computer programming team. In September of that year, after graduation, Bill entered the U.S. Army. He did his basic training at Fort Benning, GA, and was stationed at Fort Polk in Louisiana. After being honorably

discharged in 1987, Bill entered the police academy and graduated in 1988 with a degree in criminal justice. He began working as an undercover narcotics officer. He was young and could blend in with the drug culture. Bill says that he conducted what are called ‘secret indictments.’ He would go undercover and befriend drug traffickers. After making multiple purchases, he would leave the trafficker’s life for six months, so the dealer would continue selling to other people, not the police. Upon Bill’s return the trafficker would be arrested.

Scary times, though. Bill recalls one particular dealer who would ‘invite’ about ten users to his trailer, where deals would be made. While the police knew of this practice, they didn’t know what happened once inside the trailer. Doing his job, Bill went into the trailer with a wiretap and his gun. He, along with the others, was told to line up against a wall. The dealer went person to person and had each one lift their shirt to show they weren’t wired. Bill knew that he would get caught and would probably be killed. In an instant he knocked the gun from the dealer’s hands and wrestled him to the floor. He called for backup and the arrest was made. Bill had small children at home and knew he could no longer live that way, so he resigned. With a laugh he says, “Nobody dies in copier sales.”

After his turn as a police officer, Bill owned a woodworking manufacturing business until 2000, when he sold the business and returned to school to study computer science. He began working with Equitrac, a company that manufactures software and hardware that integrates with printers and copiers for industries that charge the copy and print costs back to their clients, i.e., law firms. Bill received three promotions in three years and traveled the country visiting law firms, colleges, and universities to resolve issues. In 2003, Bill was sent to Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, to fix Equitrac equipment that was causing problems with the newly installed Xerox copiers.

10 sclivingmag.com • MAY | JUNE 2012

Under the supervision of a Xerox sales manager, Bill worked for a week and solved the problem, thus saving the account. The sales manager reported to his supervisor how Bill resolved the issues and kept the customer happy. A week later, the supervisor called Bill and offered him a job.

Bill accepted the job offer with Document Solutions of Ohio – who was at that time the fifth largest Authorized Xerox Dealer in the country. Bill loved the rich history of the company that invented the copier its focus on an environmentally conscious future. A lifelong environmental advocate, Bill once built a windmill from a

car alternator with instructions he found in Mother Earth News. Alternative energy and sustainable practices are of high interest to him.

A turning point

In 2008, Xerox launched its most expensive research program to date: the world’s greenest copier using the ColorQube. Before the ColorQube, copiers used a powdered toner substance for imaging, thus causing the mess and dry cleaning bills mentioned earlier. The ColorQube is what it says – a solid cube of colored ink. It feels like a crayon and draws a line like one. Most importantly, it doesn’t make a mess! The solid ink reduces waste by 90% and color printing costs by up to 70%. It’s important to know that there is no exterior covering – it’s solid ink. The copier was immediately a huge hit and, for the Ph

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After a quick trip to Charlotte...Bill saw that [our] area was showing signs of recovery from the

recession. It’s also an environmentally conscious and‘green’ city. He knew that Charlotte was the perfect fit

for the Xerox Color Qube.

MAY | JUNE 2012 • sclivingmag.com 11

years 2008 – 2009, Bill’s Xerox agency was among the top 10% Xerox agencies in the country.

By 2010 and, in part, because of the success of the new product and his admiration for the company, Bill began taking the necessary steps to own his own Xerox agency. He was offered three rural Midwestern locations, none of which appealed to him. Late one evening, a representative from the Rochester, New York, office called Bill and asked him how he felt about Charlotte. In September of that year, Bill made a quick trip to Charlotte to meet with the local Xerox team and, seeing signs of economic recovery, Bill knew that Charlotte, being an environmentally friendly and ‘green’ city, would welcome the Xerox ColorQube.

In October, Bill drove to Charlotte and find an apartment and office space. He hired an accountant and formed his corporation. He bought office furniture and computers, and opened the doors to Carolina Digital Solutions, located at 2127 Ayrsley Town Boulevard, on January 5, 2011. Although the company had a slow start, it made 100.1% of plan the first year and is totally debt-free. Bill had reached his goal of doing everything with cash.

Bill runs a lean office with a total staff of five, including him. Jodi Snider is a product specialist with 12 years of experience in sales and support. Sky Conrad comes to Xerox from pharmaceutical sales. Jessica Lawrence is a major account representative with over ten years experience. Then there is Bill’s wife, Mollie, who acts as the office administrator on a part-time basis. Of course, one of the big benefits of leasing or owning a Xerox machine is that you have the full support of the entire Xerox Corporation.

Since he’s been in Charlotte, Bill and his team have sold hundreds of the Xerox ColorQube. Bill says that there is a cost difference between Xerox and his competitors, but the cost is directly proportional to the quality. He says the general sales pitch of his

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competitors goes something like this, “You really don’t need that much quality.” Bill challenges that approach and counters, “Of course you do! Everything in your business, including your printed material, is a reflection of you and your company.”

Family life

Bill met his wife Mollie when they were both involved in their church’s youth group. They married in 1989 and have four children ranging in age from 18 to 25. Brandon, 25, is employed as a contractor; Rachel, 22, is a college student; Cary, 20, plays soccer and is in the process of choosing a college; and Taylor, 18, is a high school senior. After Bill moved to Charlotte, Mollie stayed behind in Ohio to finish her job as an occupational therapy assistant. For the first six months, Bill spent his weekends commuting from Charlotte to Ohio. In July of 2011, Mollie found a job in Charlotte and relocated.

When Bill is not working or in Ohio, he can frequently be found either at the Rock Hill airport or in the air, as he is a proud pilot and member of the local flying club, FlyCarolina. Bill obtained his

pilot’s license in 1998. His instructor was trained by a man whose grandfather was trained by the Wright brothers. Bill is currently preparing for his instrument rating certification and studies every chance he gets. He says that being a pilot means a lifetime of learning, which suits him just fine, since he wants to be the best he can be. Clearly his passion and commitment to doing and being his best in his personal life carries over into his professional life.

Visiting Bill

Xerox is not only for big business – desktops are available. I highly recommend that you see the Xerox ColorQube for yourself. It is a very impressive piece of technology. Contact Bill at 704-823-6565. Chances are he’ll answer the phone. The office is located in the ‘Town of Ayrsley’ – on the corner of South Tryon and I-485 – at 2127 Ayrsley Town Boulevard, Suite 202. His office is over the restaurant Portofino’s. (Here’s a tip: when you turn into Ayrsley, you’ll be taking an immediate right turn, so be in the correct turn lane.) You can gasp, but don’t panic when Bill wipes the ColorQube on the sleeve of his white shirt.

Photos by: Lorayn DeLuca, Mama Luca Media

(



By: Nancy Moore

DestinationFall River, Massachusetts


There are few things I like more than a good mystery. I grew up reading Nancy Drew, Ellery Queen, and Agatha Christie, to name a few (the latter two, thanks to my grandmother). My

alter ego is a sleuth and in my mind’s eye I’m the beautiful heroine. Ah, but, that’s fiction. What about real life mysteries? Or to be more precise, historical mysteries.

Textiles, water, and money

I was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, an industrial city located less than an hour south of Boston along the banks of the Taunton Riv-er. When I was two years old, we moved into a house in Swansea, MA, a small town about five miles away from the city. My mother worked at a hospital in Fall River, I went to a private school nearby, and most of my immediate family lived there. I spent my summer weekdays with my grand-parents and my grandfather, a Fall River city councilor, and I would walk every morning – all over the city. The city’s Battleship Cove is proud to be home to the world’s largest collection of World War II naval vessels, including the U.S.S. Massachusetts. Fall River notables include composer Joe Raposo (Sesame Street), baseball great Jerry Remy, chef and television celebrity Emeril Lagasse, politico George Stephanopoulos, and Lizzie Borden.

Oftentimes, people outside of the New England area are unfamil-iar with Lizzie Borden. Area natives hear the rhyme at a young age: “Lizzie Borden took an axe, gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, she gave her father forty-one.” Not quite the truth, but it rhymes.

So who was Lizzie Borden? And who were her mother and father? And why is this in a destination article?

The answer to the first question is rather simple. Lizzie Borden, born in 1860, was the daughter of Sarah and Andrew Jackson Borden. Sarah died when Lizzie was two years old and two years later, Andrew married Abby Durfee Gray – the answer to the second question. If you enjoy history and mystery, you’ll quickly discover why this is a destination.

A rich history

Fall River was settled in 1670, was incorporated in 1803, became a City in 1854, and currently has a population of close to 89,000. In-

terstate 195 runs through Fall River (and under its city hall) and leads directly to Cape Cod. The larger, mostly residential, area of the city rises with the hills and affords residents and visitors incredible views of the river and bridges. In a high rise looking across the river, you can often see planes preparing for their landing at T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island.

Fall River, like so many other cities during that era, was made up of the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots.’ The Bordens were the ‘haves.’ Andrew Borden came from a long line of wealth (except for his father, who was a fish peddler). Andrew began his varied career as a carpenter’s apprentice then became a partner in a casket company.

Andrew was later a banker and real estate developer. By late 19th/early 20th century standards, Andrew was a very wealthy man. Largely because of her involvement in clubs and organizations, Lizzie was fully aware of his wealth and of the fact that the family didn’t live like ‘high society,’ which she so greatly desired. She resented Andrew’s fru-gality in many ways, one of which was his choice to not install modern conveniences in the house. They had no electricity and lived the nights by candlelight. They had neither hot running water, nor a bathtub. Rather than install indoor plumbing, they used slop buckets.

August 4, 1892

On August 4, 1892, 70-year old Andrew Borden began his day like every other – he went into downtown Fall River to conduct his busi-ness. Abby (age 65) stayed home, as did Lizzie (age 32). Also in the house was their live-in maid, Bridget Sullivan, who was called “Mag-gie.” It was an incredibly hot day and Abby instructed Maggie to clean the windows, inside and out. Andrew returned home before 11:00 a.m. – completely unaware that his wife was dead on the floor of the upstairs guest room. Shortly after his arrival, Andrew was murdered as he lay on the sofa in the sitting room.

Lizzie was arrested on August 11, 1892, with grand jury hearings beginning on November 7. On December 2 she was indicted on two counts of murder. She remained in jail until her trial began in New Bedford (MA) in June of 1893. Lizzie was acquitted later that month and returned to Fall River.

The motive appeared to be the desire to obtain her father’s money. Time of death for both Andrew and Abby had to be established in order to determine whose side of the family would inherit what from the estates. In other words, if Andrew had died first, his estate would


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have gone to Abby, and subsequently her entire estate would be dis-tributed largely to her side of the family, leaving Lizzie and Emma to inherit less. As it turned out, Abby died first, thus passing her estate to Andrew. With Andrew dying second, Lizzie and Emma received the larger portion of the estate. They eventually settled with Abby’s family, who received a fair share.

Shortly after her acquittal, Lizzie purchased a house on “The Hill,” which was, at the time, the city’s most fashionable neighborhood. She named the house, Maplecroft. In 1905, Emma moved out of the house and Lizzie legally changed her name to “Lizbeth.” Lizzie died on June 1, 1927, and Emma died nine days later.

The Bordens today

In 1940, Leary Press was built onto the south side of the house (to the right, if you’re looking at the house from the front). When I was in college (1981/82), I did a paper on Lizzie Borden for a law class. My grandfather knew the owner of Leary Press (John McGinn) and asked if I could see the house. He refused and said it wasn’t open for tours. But times change. In 1994, Martha McGinn, John’s granddaughter, turned the house into a bed & breakfast (the first time the house had been open to outsiders in more than 100 years). As a teenager, Martha moved into the house in 1968 and she’s had her share of paranormal experiences.

In 2005, the Leary Press was demolished, but the house still stands as the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast/Museum. Martha established the inn in 1994 and later sold to Lee-ann Wilber and Donald Woods. The house has been featured in television shows, newspapers, websites, and blogs, and is considered to be one of the most haunted locations in the United States. Lee-ann doesn’t use the word ‘haunted,’ but she does say the house has a lot of ‘activity.’ Hmmm . . .

The house has eight guest rooms and, if you choose to spend the night, you can sleep in the room where Abby was murdered. This

room also houses the dress Elizabeth Montgomery wore in the movie, The Legend of Lizzie Borden. (Interestingly, Montgomery was a sev-eral-times-removed cousin of the Bordens.) Breakfast includes some of what the Bordens ate on the morning of the murders – johnnycakes and sugar cookies – as well as the traditional bacon, eggs, and fruit. Tours are also available for those who are not spending the night.

While the murders were committed at 92 Second Street, the inn’s address is 230 Second Street – a sure sign of the times when house numbers are changed due to expansion.

You can also pay your respects to the Borden family at Oak Grove Cemetery, 765 Prospect Street. There is a Borden family monument where Andrew, Sarah, Abby, Lizzie (Lizbeth on the grave marker), and Emma are buried. Turn left at the entrance and follow the arrows to the location (Linden Path). Maplecroft is located at 306 French Street, just three miles from the cemetery. The house is a private resi-dence, so please respect the owners. You can see the word ‘Maplecroft’ in stone on the top step.

One of the best examples of Andrew’s de-velopment projects is at 91-111 South Main Street. Built in 1889 in the late Victorian style, the building is known as the A.J. Borden Building. The vacation house in Swansea is located at 1205 Gardners Neck Road. It is also a private residence.

For all things Lizzie, the Fall River Historical Society is located at 451 Rock Street. While I haven’t been there in many years, upon my first visit, my father had to help me out – I became so dizzy and nauseas in the “Lizzie Borden Room.” There you’ll see, among other things, Abby’s skull and the handle of a hatchet – the alleged murder weapon.

By the way, there weren’t 40 and 41 whacks. Abby received 19 blows to her face and head, and Andrew received 11 to his face and head. If you are fortunate enough to visit New England, make a de-tour to Fall River and decide for yourself if Lizzie did it. (



Vision Questing for Women in the Blue Ridge Mountains

“It opened my heart and soul in ways I never dreamed possible. I’m learning to practice forgiveness everyday toward everyone, including myself. As an urban woman who grew up in New York City, WomanQuest has been a wonderful adventure of learning to feel safe with a profound sense of connectedness and peace being both outside in the wilderness and inside my body. Looking back and seeing the changes the quest brought out in me is my truth to claim my unique gifts, let go of attachments, and continued faith that I am enough and everything I need is within me.”

Those are my thoughts and my words. It’s a story I’d like to share with you in our first nonprofit spotlight.

Knowing yourself

Nobody ever said life is easy and there’s a good reason for that omission: it isn’t. Jobs, family, money, etc., are the usual stressors. Aging, divorce, becoming an empty nester can also cause incredible stress. For women, the stress is compounded by additional responsibilities – children, homework, housekeeping, and the like. At the end of the day, what do you do to relieve your stress? There are several outlets, but getting away from it all not only reduces the stress, it provides you with a respite to come home rejuvenated.

WomanQuest is for women who want to get away from it all in a safe outdoor environment. Becoming one with nature can be a huge stress reliever. Stress or no stress, there

is something about being outside, relying upon nature, going inside yourself and finding your strengths and accepting your weaknesses, taking an unexpected challenge, and overcoming your fears. It’s an incredible feeling.

WomanQuest

WomanQuest is one of the nature-based programs sponsored by Numina, a nonprofit mentoring program for women established in 1997. Patty Smith, co-founder and board president of Numina, explains that part of the mission is to invite ordinary women to lead extraordinary lives. According to Patty, “This is what WomanQuest accomplishes in its offering of vision quests and other nature-based experiences. WomanQuest has created programs that open the way for the earth to teach us, and for nature to be our guide. It is WomanQuest’s desire is also to encourage and facilitate diversity among women.”

WomanQuest was founded in 2005 when Numina co-founder Pam Noble met with Ann Linnea of PeerSpirit, Inc., and planned an introductory vision quest for women who live in the South and East. The program is based on a modern pan-cultural approach developed by Steven Foster and Meredith Little in the eighties. The term ‘vision quest’ arose in the 19th century by anthropologists studying native cultures. A quest is an initiatory experience, or rite of passage, that marks a change, transition, or other important life happening.

WomanQuest also utilizes a four directions teaching called The Four Shields – the aspects of human nature that define who we are at the soul level.

There are many reasons for participating in a vision quest, the most prominent being the spiritual intention of being with nature, fasting, and seeking a vision for one’s life. Women attend to mark a special birthday, a marriage or divorce, a new beginning, release fears that impeding them from reaching their passions, or simply to celebrate life. Another reason for attending a quest is when her life feels mundane, as if she is wearing a worn-out cloak of familiarity. Taking the risk of embarking on a quest experience is a way to shed that old garment and to create a vibrant new one.

Research now shows that people who are comfortable with and spend time in nature are healthier and more connected to themselves and the world in which they live. Living in a technological culture, a vision quest is a powerful and immediate experience that inspires a deeper connection to the earth that sustains us.

The vision quest is both a personal and collective event. The quester has her own personal experience that is then mirrored by the guides and witnessed by the group collective. Most important to the quest are rituals and ceremonies taught by the guides as ways to connect with the world of nature and to receive insight into a new way or living.

Article and Photos by Lorayn DeLuca


Who does a vision quest?

Women from all over the South and from as far away as Washington state and Canada have attended these vision quests since its inception. Women from all walks of life are drawn to the experience – a minister of a church in Alexandria, Virginia, who was on her path to become a spiritual warrior; financial planners from Charlotte seeking inner wisdom; an artist and mother of four from Asheville who needed a time of solitude; women like you and me.

“WomanQuest was such a beautiful gift to give myself for my 45th birthday. It helped me understand the importance of stepping away from my life, as I know it, in order to reflect and have gratitude. It allowed me to experience and honor the community of sisterhood and to understand more than a few hidden parts of myself. I laughed, I cried, I spent five days in sunshine and rain connecting with the earth and with amazing, wise, and reverent women. It was so very many things that I cannot name, but something that will live on in me forever; a true blessing to be experienced by anyone with the courage to set aside the time.” – Kelli Slade, attorney

The women of WomanQuest

Currently, the guides for WomanQuest are Pam Noble and Teri Wiggans, both from Boone, North Carolina. Anne Harrington of Louisville, Kentucky, is the base camp coordinator. Additional women assist in other programs.

Pam Noble is a retired psychotherapist and spiritual director, co-founder of Numina, and founder of WomanQuest. Pam has trained with the School of Lost Borders and Animas Valley Institute and has been questing since her thirties. She is also trained in Council Practice and Mirroring, both important aspects of the vision quest experience. She is a writer of both poetry and essays, and her book of essays about the

world of nature, Wild Heart Crone, will be published this summer.

Teri Wiggans, a family nurse practitioner and owner of the Heartfelt Healing Center in Boone, is deeply committed to supporting people in discovering their own wisdom, truth, and courage through the natural world. She believes that by reconnecting with Mother Earth and remembering, we re-energize our own hearts. She has attended the School of Lost Borders and worked with WomanQuest programs for several years. She also is trained in Wilderness Medicine.

When is the next quest?

WomanQuest offers a vision quest annually in June in the Roses Creek Wilderness, 1600 acres of land part of Wildacres Retreat near Little Switzerland, NC, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The location was chosen not only for its sheer beauty, but also for the safety of the participants. This year’s quest is June 13-17.

Other WomanQuest offerings include: The Four Shields: Navigating the Stages of Life’s Transitions on September 13-17, guided by Pam Noble and Teri Wiggans, Medicine Walks in the Boone area, the next on May 18th, and a Spiral Labyrinth Quest on May 9th at Mepkin Abbey in Moncks Corner, SC, guided by Pam and Marcy Walsh and co-sponsored by the Sophia Institute of Charleston, SC.

For information on the upcoming WomanQuest or other programs, contact Pam at 828-242-8514 or [email protected]. Contact Patty at [email protected] for Women of Wisdom Circles including Heartwisdom led by Janice Sullivan, trained BePeace facilitator, and Patty Smith, Numina facilitator. Visit www.numinaprogram.org and www.womanquest.net. (

Article and Photos by Lorayn DeLuca


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In May 1972 a group of 15 adults met in the Scout Hut of Matthews United Methodist Church for fun and fellowship. As founder Iris DeVore recalls, “Our faith was as small as a mustard

seed that the club would survive.” One fact was plain to see: There were many area seniors who were lonely, or who had lost touch with friends, or had lost interest in living a full and productive life. This small group was determined to succeed and to one day build a facility for older adults that would provide members with the opportunity to challenge their minds and bodies.

The groundwork for the future was laid in February of 1986 when both the Happy Times Club, Inc., and Senior Activities & Services, Inc. (d/b/a Levine Senior Center), were established. These organizations later obtained nonprofit tax status. Iris approached former Matthews Mayor Lee Myers and presented the club’s idea of a senior center. In November of 2000 Mayor Myers and the Matthews Town Council worked with the developers of Sycamore Commons to facilitate the transfer of the property to the club. These efforts resulted in 9.8 acres being donated to Senior Activities & Services.

Moving forward

Area seniors raised almost $800,000 in donations from friends, local businesses, and fundraisers. Myers arranged a meeting between Iris and Leon Levine (unbeknownst to Mr. Levine, Iris was going to deliver her pitch). Leon Levine was so impressed with Iris and her vision of a senior activity center that the Sandra and Leon Levine Foundation gave the first gift of $48,000, which was matched by Family Dollar and spread out over a three-year period. In 2003, the Sandra and Leon Levine Foundation challenged seniors with a 3 to 1 gift up to $1,000,000. Those funds were raised and matched.

Support came in from all over – businesses large and small, residents, Club members. Dr. Jim Black was instrumental in obtaining a grant from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

that was earmarked for the road leading to the center. This road would later be donated to the Town of Matthews for maintenance.

A dream comes true

The Levine Senior Center opened its doors in 2006 with a celebration and dedication ceremony. The Center’s mission is simple: To provide seniors with a safe, welcoming environment that promotes wellbeing by stimulating minds and bodies with educational programs, exercise classes, proper nutrition, and fellowship with friends.

The 19,500 square foot facility houses a swimming pool, library, a fully outfitted fitness room, a technology room with computers for computer instruction, a banquet hall with a professional stage, billiards room, a massage therapy room, and a meditation room. It also has a commercial kitchen with an onsite caterer, Mellorina’s. There are several rooms scattered throughout the building that are used for meetings, seminars, and games. Two successful churches got their start at the Center – Elevation Church and Ridge Church. The Center hosts several fundraisers throughout the year. Two of the Center’s largest fundraisers are the Annual Golf Challenge and Rock-a-Thon.

The Center recently began offering the Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program. Often covered by insurance, SilverSneakers® is a program that helps older adults take control of their health through physical activity. The Center offers monthly health and wellness seminars and programs sponsored by Presbyterian Healthcare in Matthews. In addition, the Center offers free health screenings and health fairs throughout the year. These programs are open and free to the community.

The Center also offers classes in the arts – creative, performing, and cultural. Opportunities for learning include educational classes such as computer and Spanish. For your wellbeing the Center offers a variety of exercise and water aerobic classes. If it’s fun you’re after, you’ll find it at the Center: bingo, bridge, Wii Sports, clubs, and more!

The Center has approximately 850 partners – the term used to describe members. Partners must be over the age of 50 and willing to have a good time.

Live Now, Age Later . . . Celebrate Life!The Happy Times Club Celebrates Forty Years

By: Dahn Jenkins, Executive Director of the Levine Senior Center, & Nancy Moore, Secretary, Levine Senior Center Board of Directors


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The State of the Center

The Levine Senior Center is named in honor of Sandra and Leon Levine, whose donations were instrumental in the birth of the Center. However, the Levine Senior Center still owes $832,000 on its mortgage. The Center continues to rely on donations, fundraisers, rental revenues, grants, and center fees.

Several months ago I wrote about volunteerism and mentioned the importance of volunteers to the Center. The Center relies on volunteers to greet partners and visitors when they come through the front door, and to staff the library during operating hours. The Center utilizes fifty volunteer hours per day.

The Center operates with a lean staff. Dahn Jenkins, executive director, has been with the Center for four years. Other staff members include Barbara Guthrie, assistant director; Kathleen Dorn, bookkeeper; Bill Burns, director of facilities; and Rudy Hamilton, housekeeping and evening manager.

The Center is governed by a board of directors currently comprised of (Town of Mint Hill) Commissioner Tina Ross, president; Judy Page, vice president; Robert Threatt, treasurer; (Town of

Matthews) Commissioner Nancy Moore, secretary; Iris DeVore, founder; Roland Bibeau, Amy Hankins, Leon Hill, Judy Horn, Dr. Ann Newman, and Patrick Walker.

Happy times and the Happy Times Club

If you’re interested in touring or joining the Center, contact the office at 704-846-4654, where a friendly volunteer will assist you. You can also drop in for a visit. The Center is located at 1050 DeVore Lane, off of Northeast Parkway across from the Old Navy side of Sycamore Commons. The Happy Times Club meets at the Center every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Cheers and special thanks to Iris DeVore for turning so many people’s dream into reality. Here’s to many more anniversaries!

As founder Iris DeVore recalls, “Our faith was as small as a mustard seed that the club would survive.” One fact was plain to see: there were many area seniors who were

lonely or who had lost interest in living a full and productive life. This small group was determined to succeed and to one day build a facility for older adults that would provide

members with the opportunity to challenge their minds and bodies.

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Editor’s note: The response to John’s previous article “Are you a fire truck or an ice cream truck?” was overwhelmingly positive, so I asked John to contribute once again. Enjoy. NM

My inspiration for this article is based on a recent experience and it is my sincere desire to help other business owners avoid my calamity. Imagine getting up from your computer/

laptop to get a cup of coffee and coming back to a completely blank, but blue, screen. (In the technical world, this is ominously called the ‘Blue Screen of Death.’) Having never seen this before, I followed the prompts on the screen and rebooted my machine. I have booted and rebooted many computers in my life and am familiar with the normal startup sounds. My first clue and initial sense of dread was when this almost brand new laptop wasn’t making those sounds and the screen was now black. I tried the process again – waiting five minutes and initializing. Nothing. No response. No directions. At this point I became quite concerned and felt that gnawing pit in my stomach as I realized for the first time I may have serious issues. There was only one thing to do: make a call to the experts and see what advice they could provide. I knew exactly whom to call, so I got my phone and called Best Tek Support and spoke with owner Matthew Galimi. He told me to bring the laptop in for analysis. I was only too happy to oblige.

I packed up the laptop and made my way to his office, still

somewhat convinced that magic could, and would, be done once I arrived. Best Tek had worked magic before, I was sure they would do it now. They know what they are doing, they are good at it, they tell the truth, and I’m convinced they can fix anything. This is important to note because of the diagnosis that was returned. Upon completion of his examination, Matthew told me that there was nothing he could do to fix the laptop because my hard drive had completely failed. I was in shock! The computer was just over a year old! Seeing the look on my face, Matthew said something I will never forget: “It’s not a matter of whether the drive will fail; it’s a matter of when.” That about sums it up. He suggested I contact a data recovery firm to assist further (if possible) and determine if anything could be recovered directly from the drive, but cautioned that it could be an expensive

process. I knew I needed to explore the options and began to search for a local firm to assist.

I did my research and found Data Recovery Group located in

my same office park (Quorum Business Park, 7512 E. Independence Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28227, 704-536-1717). I called and spoke with Ron and made an appointment to drop my hard drive off for analysis. At this point I began to wonder what I had backed up, what I didn’t have backed up, and what I could do to get back into operation. I dropped it off and hoped for the best.

Ron called me the next day and the diagnosis was not good. The

drive was unrecoverable. My data was completely gone. More ‘fun’ for me! In my mind, I began to run through everything I would need to reconstruct and how I could accomplish the process in the quickest amount of time with the least impact on my business. I then had a sinking feeling - I had not considered my email account and my contact lists. You may remember from my last article that I came from the corporate world. In that world contacts and emails are automatically backed up and stored on a server. I assumed the same was true with my email provider (through my website provider JustHost.com). I soon found out this was NOT the case! I use Microsoft Outlook and all of the emails are downloaded onto my local hard drive. The same drive that had presented me with the BSOD was haunting me as it held a year’s worth of my work. At this point I resolved that this would never happen to me again, or to anyone else if I could help it. The article was already formulating in my head!

I have worked diligently this past month to repair the damage

resulting from the death of my hard drive. I have received excellent information and assistance from folks like Best Tek Support and Data Recovery Group. I have learned many things that I want to share with you.

1. Have an online/offsite back up system. I chose Offsite Computer Backup (www.offsitecomputerbackup.com).

Business owners:

Are you backed up? Are you sure?

By: John Kucera, Owner of Carolina Trade Exchange


2. Utilize a flash drive as a secondary back up of critical components and store it away from your system.

3. If you have multiple databases, be absolutely sure they are in sync. Be certain to back them up individually as well.

4. Back up your email and contacts on a server or flash drive. Speak with your Internet Service Provider about the correct configuration to accomplish this. (If you use POP, your email is removed from the provider’s server and downloaded to yours. You need to back it up.)

These four steps can make a major difference in your ability to fully function following a hard drive crash or operating in manual mode. Remember, in the words of my good friend Matthew Galimi at Best Tek Support, “It’s not a matter of whether the drive will fail; it’s a matter of when.” Be prepared!

John Kucera is a graduate of Arizona State University with a BS in marketing and has lived and worked in the Charlotte area in many facets of business for over 25 years. He is the former ‘unofficial’ mascot of the NBA Charlotte Hornets and owns his own company – Carolina Trade Exchange. You can reach John at [email protected] or 704-927-4684 or via the website http://www.carolinatradeexchange.com.

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Diane Keaton’s Baby Boom character, JC, speaks one of my fa-vorite movie lines. After buying a dilapidated farmhouse in Vermont, her character, JC, has to make numerous repairs.

When her well runs dry, she tells the repairman, “I’m not prepared for wells that run dry. I just want to turn on the faucet to have water. I don’t want to know where it’s coming from!”

I can relate to this expectation and I suppose many of you can also. I don’t need to know the details of the electrical wiring in my house. I just want to flip the switch and have electricity. The same goes for my heat and air conditioning. When it’s cold, I expect the heat to work and vice versa when it’s hot. And therein may lie the trouble. When the temperature begins to heat up, we just want to flip the switch and have cool air. Did you know that the first flip of the season is the most likely time for your air conditioning system to break? Is that Murphy’s Law?

Setting the standard

Kim and Rob McClintock, owners of McClintock Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Inc., in Matthews, are all too familiar with what the increase in temperature brings and are well prepared to quickly service the systems of new and existing customers. Kim and Rob en-courage regular servicing, safety checks, and preventative maintenance of air conditioning systems. Not only will you have air when you flip the switch, but your unit will last longer.

For Kim and Rob it’s all about setting the industry standard for workmanship and customer satisfaction. Their reputation is impec-

cable among their more than 5,000 clients. They have received the Angie’s List Super Service Award every year since 2005. They are members of the Southern Piedmont chapter of the Better Business Bureau and, while they’ve only received two reviews on Yelp, they are both five stars. Sam B. from Charlotte says, “From start to finish, the staff and quality of work of McClintock Heating and Cooling was superb.” Among Chad E.’s comments was the fact that McClintock didn’t go to his house with the intent to sell him anything. They went to do the job requested of them.

While McClintock services all brands and manufacturers, they are an independent Trane Comfort Specialist TM Dealer. This ‘elite’ re-lationship developed for a few reasons, two of which are that Trane’s customer service philosophy aligns with McClintock’s and that Trane has a local presence. Being an elite dealer benefits McClintock as well as their customers. Trane Comfort Specialist TM dealers have numerous opportunities for training, allowing them to stay ahead of the technology curve.

The beginning

Rob is a Charlotte native and Kim may as well be. She was born in Philadelphia and her family moved to the Charlotte area when she was three. The McClintocks have lived in Matthews since 1985 and will be celebrating their 24th wedding anniversary in May. They have two children, Ryan, a college sophomore, and Jenna, a high school senior. Kim spends most of her time in the office, but says that, once they’re empty nesters, she’ll focus more on the marketing and public relations side of the business and will be out and about meeting people.

As for Rob, after 17 years in the industry working for someone else, he established his company on April 1, 2002, with one truck. In May of that year, he hired his first employee – Brian Davis, who still works for the company. Today, McClintock has 25 employees

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McClintock Heating, Cooling & Electrical, Inc.Celebrating Ten Years By Nancy Moore

Business Spotlight on...


and 17 trucks. Kim and Rob are proud of the fact that, even in this economy, they haven’t had any layoffs and, as a matter of fact, recently hired three employees. Clearly they are doing something right.

Making the right choice

If you find yourself in need of a new unit, you can’t base your decision on the way it looks. A McClintock representative will come to your house to assess your heating and cooling needs. In-terestingly, today’s units are larger than their predecessors. This is because the units have a larger coil making them more effi-cient, which equals energy cost savings for the homeowner.

Choosing a heating and cooling expert is much simpler. If you are experiencing trouble with your heating and air condi-tioning, contact McClintock at 704-321-5207. You can also re-quest a service call through their website, www.mcclintockhvac.com, where you’ll find several promotions, including rebates and lower financing.

Call for a check-up. Remember, you don’t really want to know how it works; you just want it to work when you need it.

Get into a good book today!

Audio Book Rentals & Sales704.341.0794

M-F 10-8, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 12-6

Tell us you saw us in South Charlotte Living Magazine!

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Need a Reliable Heating and A/C Company?

Need a Reliable Heating and A/C Company?

704-321-5207Licensed · Bonded ·Insuredwww.McClintockHVAC.com

Visit our website for money saving coupons and discounts!Expect more from your independent

Trane® Comfort Specialist Dealer

We do quality work at a fair price. We schedule

appointment windows and call you when the technician

is on the way. Our technicians arrive in uniform, wearing a

photo ID, and clean up before leaving. That’s the McClintock

Heating & Cooling way!

I promise.– Rob McClintock


You may recall that last month I reviewed a great place called Lebowski’s Neighborhood Grill. You may also recall that I was very impressed by my server’s knowledge of beers. I

guess I was so impressed with his skill, the great tasting beer he recommended, and the delicious meal, that I remembered his name incorrectly. I called him Chris throughout the article and, although his middle name is Chris, his first name, and the name he goes by, is Kiel.

So, Kiel, I apologize for the error and hope you didn’t get too much ribbing over it.

Here’s how I was made aware of my faux pas. I take my role as a food critic, food lover, and foodie very seriously. Sometimes, when something is so good, you have to have it again – you know, just to be sure it wasn’t a fluke that it was really good the first time. (That’s what I tell myself, anyway.)

I went for a second visit to Lebowski’s. Once again, I received great service from another server, Amy, who is just as knowledgeable in the beer department and recommended several beers for me to try. Amy was able to put two and two together and asked if I am the Fat Man! Of course I didn’t admit to it, but she is pretty sharp. She thanked me for the article and told me about the name faux pas with Kiel. (This was also an indication that readers of South Charlotte Living Magazine were visiting Lebowski’s and looking for Chris.)

I also got some history on Lebowski’s and had the pleasure of meeting Kirk – the owner. Kirk opened his first restaurant in Charlotte in 1980 and had 150 specialty beers, mostly imports. Now, some thirty years later, he offers even more beers, but they are mostly craft beers. So there is quite a bit of history for the fine beer selection and great food. I now understand why Amy is so skilled in her beer recommendations. The staff at Lebowski’s makes you feel welcome and glad you’re there.

Kiel, Amy, and Kirk – I can’t wait to see you again, but please be discreet. The Fat Man can sign only so many autographs.

The Fat Man... What the Weck?The Fat Man Issues A Big Fat Apology

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Lebowski’sNeighborhood Grill

1524 East Blvd.Charlotte, NC 28203 Phone: 704.370.1177

www.lebowskisgrill.com

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The Fat Man... What the Weck?The Fat Man Issues A Big Fat Apology

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Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.–Abraham Lincoln

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