Mother’s Day at the Garden

May 8, 2012 By Christin M Leave a Comment

Plan a special day for the Mom in your life and celebrate with her at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, NC. The beautiful gardens at Daniel Stowe spread out over close to 400 acres of land, some of which is on the banks of Lake Wylie. DSBG was named by HGTV as one of the Nation’s “20 Great Gardens” and of special interest at Daniel Stowe is the Orchid Conservatory which is the regions only public conservatory devoted to tropical plants.

On both May 12 and 13, admission to Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden will be free for Moms and the first 250 mother’s each day will receive a free potted plant courtesy of Rountree Plantation Garden. The garden opens at 9am each morning.

Artist Bob Yost will be doing a Tiffany Style Stained Glass Demonstration every hour and Pat Groome will do mosaic art demonstrations.

Admission prices- free for Moms, garden members, and children under 4; $12 adults; $11 seniors 60+; kids 4-12 $6

Find more info on the gardens at dsbg.org

Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

6500 S New Hope Rd

Belmont, NC

704-825-4490

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: mother's day events

Strawberry Jam Making Class

May 1, 2012 By Christin M 1 Comment

This morning I attended a Canning Class at The Springs Farm Market taught by Beth Vanderwalker. Beth grew up on a farm wherethey grew/raised all their own food and she has a wealth of knowledge. I’ve done all sorts of things in the kitchen, but never canning. Canning is something I’ve been a little hesitant to do on my own, not fully trusting a recipe to guide me through.

Beth walked us through her strawberry jam recipe, giving lots of useful tips throughout the process. She had a variety of foods for us to munch on during the class including fresh bread with strawberry jam, enormous chocolate covered strawberries, and strawberry smoothies.

Let me tell you- Beth’s strawberry jam is better than any I’ve ever had before. Not sure I’ll ever be able to settle for store bought jam again. And she sent us each home with a jar of jam.

One of the ladies at the class shared a useful strawberry tip. For the most concentrated flavor, it’s best to not buy your strawberries after a rain. I did not know that.

Thanks to Beth’s class, I’m ready to start canning away. Beth hopes to offer an evening Canning Class sometime soon. Look for information on The Peach Stand’s website or Facebook Page. This is a class you do not want to miss. Not only will you be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor (no pun intended) all year long, but jams make fabulous teacher gifts and new neighbor gifts. Really when you think about it, everyone appreciates a homemade gift.

On the subject of strawberries, The Strawberry Festival begins tonight with Pick and Flick from 6-9:30 pm on Springfield Parkway across from Nation Ford High School. Donnie Honeycutt will be performing and there will be local food vendors on hand.

Hayrides and a free movie, Happy Feet Too, on the Big Screen starting at dusk. Bring a blanket and be prepared for some family fun. The weather should be perfect.

Lake Wylie Tour of Homes and Gardens

April 20, 2012 By Christin M Leave a Comment

The 27th Annual Lake Wylie Tour of Homes and Gardens will take place Saturday April 28 from 10am-4pm. This event is sponsored by the Clover/Lake Wylie Republican Women and proceeds benefit The Faye Bergman Scholarship which is awarded to a Clover High School Senior based on merit and need. This year’s tour will feature 6 lakeside homes, 2 gardens, 2 antique cars, and hors d’oeuvres at one of the homes. The tour has expanded to include the Charlotte side of Lake Wylie.

Tickets are $20. To purchase advance tickets send a check and a self-addressed stamped envelope to Ethel H Webb, 5300 Masons Ferry Rd. Lake Wylie, SC 29710. Tickets can also be purchased at The Cleaners in Lake Wylie (4110 Charlotte Hwy) or at the River Hills Main Gate on the day of the tour.

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Lake Wylie Home Tour, Lake Wylie homes, River Hills

Bosky Acres Soap Making Class

April 18, 2012 By Christin M 1 Comment

This sounds like such a fun thing to do! Bosky Acres is having a goat milk soap making class this Saturday (April 21) from 10am-2pm. Bosky Acres is a family run goat farm that produces the most amazing fresh, unripened goat cheese. Their goat cheese is sold locally at The Peach Stand, The Matthews Farmers Market, and The Waxhaw Farmers Market. Read Fort Mill SC Living’s previous post on Bosky Acres here.

During this hands-on class, you will learn how to milk a goat and make goat milk soap the old-fashioned way. Cost for the class is $40 per person and space is limited. To register email info@boskyacres.com.

Filed Under: Local Farms, Things To Do Tagged With: Bosky Acres goat cheese, soap making class

Bark in the Ballpark

April 2, 2012 By Christin M Leave a Comment

Get ready for some fun with your four-legged friends as the Charlotte Knights take on The Gwinett Braves on April 22,2012 at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill, SC. Bark in the Park is an annual event that helps raise money for The Humane Society of York County, a local no-kill animal shelter. The event will take place from 1:15-4:30 pm, with first pitch being thrown at 2:15.

Bark in the Park will get started with a pet-themed giveaway at the front gates. Dog-themed vendors will be set up along the concourse during the game and dogs can participate in a pre-game parade and costume contest. No extra charge for dog admission, but dogs must remain on leash at all times. Special seating in LLR or grass berm for dogs and owners.

Buy tickets at www.charlotteknights.com or 704-357-8071

Knights Stadium

2280 Deerfield Dr, Fort Mill SC

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Fort Mill things to do, Humane Society of York County

Pick Your Own Strawberries Fort Mill, SC

March 30, 2012 By Christin M Leave a Comment

It’s strawberry season in York County! (a couple weeks early this year due to the mild winter and early spring). Most local farms already have picked strawberries available. Normally the first berries aren’t ready until mid-April. Pick your own should start up in another week or two.

Local Strawberry Farms:

The Bush-n-Vine is located just outside the historic city of York on Highway 321. It is a wonderful family business run by the Hall family since 1979. I lived a couple of miles down the street from them for a number of years and would frequent their farm stand which contains a variety of local produce in addition to strawberries. They will have peaches available starting in early June (maybe a little earlier this year if the peach crop is like the strawberry crop!) Call for prices – 803-648-2732. The Bush-n-Vine farm stand is open from 8am-6pm Monday-Friday and 8am-5pm Saturday.

The Bush-n-Vine also has a Lake Wylie Farm Stand and a location in Rock Hill.

Lake Wylie Stand- 1200 Village Harbour Dr, Clover SC 29710 (located in Village Harbour Shopping Center with Allen Tate Realty and Christopher’s Bar and Grill. Open Mon-Fri 10-3:30, Sat 10-3.
Rock Hill Stand- 1646 Ebenezer Rd, Rock Hill SC (across from KFC)

The Bush-n-Vine will be holding its annual Strawberry Festival on April 28, 2012 from 10-4. There will be lots of family fun with pick your own strawberries, children’s activities including face painting, pony rides, live music, and BBQ.

Springs Farms of Fort Mill already has strawberries available at The Peach Stand on the corner of Highway 160 and 21-Bypass. The Pick your own season will start soon at The Springs Farm Stand, 1010 Springfield Parkway. The Farm Stand is scheduled to open April 11. Call 803-548-3939 for more information.

Miller Farms in Fort Mill also grows strawberries along with other produce. They also have farm animals on hand to entertain the kids. They are located across from the State Line Flea Market. 3685 SC 51, Fort Mill, SC 29715.

Mark your calendars for the SC Strawberry Festival which will take place in Fort Mill May 4 and 5. Lots of fun for the family. For more details visit www.strawberryfestival.com.

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Fort Mill strawberries, pick your own strawberries

Knights Fest

March 23, 2012 By Christin M Leave a Comment

Opening day for the Charlotte Knights, April 5, is rapidly approaching.The Knights are the Triple A affiliate of The Chicago White Sox. They play in Knights Stadium in Fort Mill located just off of I-77 exit 88. This season, the Knights will be honoring America’s armed forces and they will take the field April5 in custom digital camouflage jerseys. Single game tickets are on sale. Buy yours now.

To get ready for the start of the season, The Charlotte Knights will be hosting Knights Fest tomorrow (Saturday March 24) with lots of fun for the family. This event is free of charge and includes national anthem auditions, stadium tours, batting practice, and free snacks. The team store will also be open for purchases. Knights fest begins at 10am and will be followed by an exhibition game between the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department and the Chicago Police Department at 1:30pm.

Check The Charlotte Knights website for more information.

Filed Under: Things To Do, Uncategorized Tagged With: Charlotte Knights, Knights Fest

Microbrews Cruise 2012

March 20, 2012 By Christin M Leave a Comment

The US National Whitewater center has released their 2012 Microbrews Cruise schedule. My husband and I went on one last year featuring Lone Rider Brewery and we had a blast. You can read about it here. It’s the perfect activity for a date-night or for a bunch of friends to do together. The microbrew cruises are very popular and typically sell out well in advance. Get your tickets early if you want to go.

The evening starts with 1 hour of flat water paddling on the Catawba River. Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting wet in. They pushed the kayaks from the dock into the water with us in them which in most cases caused a big wave of water to come crashing into the seat part of the kayak. My rear was soaking wet the whole time. Thankfully, I had a change of clothes in the car and was able to put dry clothes on before we walked over to Hawk Island for dinner and craft beer tasting around a fire pit.

The US National Whitewater Center has an awesome line-up of Breweries this year. Representatives from the Breweries will be present to educate the participants on both the brewery and the beers.

2012 Schedule

May 9- NoDa Brewery (Charlotte, NC) read about Fort Mill SC Living’s visit to NoDa here

May 23- Olde Mecklenburg Brewery (Charlotte, NC) read about Fort Mill SC Living’s visit to OMB here

June 13- Four Friends Brewing (Charlotte, NC)

June 27- Highland Brewing Company (Asheville, NC)

July 11- Heist Brewery (Charlotte, NC)

July 25- Lonerider Brewing Company (Raleigh, NC)

August 8- Birdsong Brewing (Charlotte, NC)

August 22- New Belgium Brewing (Fort Collins, CO)

September 12- Thomas Creek Brewery (Greenville, SC)

September 26- Sweetwater Brewing Company (Atlanta, GA)

Tickets are $55 per person

Check in at kayak Center at 6pm, flat water paddle from 6:30-7:30, campfire dinner and beer tasting on Hawk Island from 8-10pm.

Tickets can be purchased at usnwc.org

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Microbrews Cruise, NoDa Brewing Company, US National White Water Center

2012 US Olympic Trials for Canoe Slalom

March 20, 2012 By Christin M Leave a Comment

Want to see some Olympic Hopefuls in action?

A 3-day competition at the US National Whitewater Center will take place April12-14 featuring not only the US Canoe Slalom Olympic Trials, but also the Canadian 2012 Olympic Trials. A maximum number of 5 US Athletes will have the opportunity to compete in London. The US National Whitewater Center, which opened in 2006, features the world’s largest and most complex recirculating artificial whitewater river. It is really a site to see.

If you are a water sports neophyte like me, you may be wondering- just what exactly is the canoe slalom? Apparently the canoe slalom involves navigating a river rapid course marked by hanging gates which the canoe must be navigated through. I believe there are both 1 person and 2 person events (as in 2 people in the canoe). A canoe slalom course contains between 18-25 gates of which 6 or 7 must be upstream gates, that is the canoe must cross through them in an upstream direction. The gates are color-coded either green (for downstream) or red (for upstream).

If you’d like to go watch, this event is free and open to the public. There will be official runs from 3-7pm each day of the competition. On Saturday night, there will be live music by Donna the Buffalo and a fireworks show.

A limited number of VIP passes can be purchased for $75 per person, per day. VIP passes include exclusive viewing areas (River center Terrace and Belmont Abbey Island) as well as an open bar (beer, wine, and nonalcoholic beverages), and private restrooms.

The US National Whitewater Center is a short drive from Fort Mill west on I-485. For directions and more info visit usnwc.org.

On-site parking is $5 for a day pass. Annual parking passes can be purchased for $40.

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: Donna the Buffalo, olympic trials canoe slalom, US National White Water Center

Taste of The Nation 2012

March 19, 2012 By Christin M Leave a Comment

Taste of the Nation, organized by Share our Strength a nonprofit organization determined to end childhood hunger, is a food lover’s paradise with food and drink samples from more than 30 of Charlotte’s finest restaurants. One hundred percent of ticket sales support more than 100 of the nation’s most effective and strategic anti-hunger organizations. Local beneficiaries of Taste the Nation proceeds include The Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina and The Community Culinary School of Charlotte, providing training in the food service industry for unemployed and underemployed.

2012 Participating Restaurants include

Amelie’s French Bakery
Chima Brazilian Steakhouse
e2 emeril’s eatery
Fern Restaurant
Halcyon
Mama Ricotta’s
Mert’s Heart and Soul
Mimosa Grill
Queen City Q
Upstream
Zink AMerican Kitchen
Wolfgang Puck’s Pizza Bar

In addition to food and drinks, there will also be live music, and a silent and live auction.

Taste of the Nation

Wednesday April 11

Two Wells Fargo Center Atrium

301 South Tryon St

Charlotte, NC 28202

Attire- dressy

Preview Hour Tickets $100 (6pm-10pm)

Main Event Tickets (7pm-10pm)

Note- I’ve never been to Taste of the Nation before (hoping to go this year) but the reviews I’ve read suggest the VIP ticket (preview ticket) is worth the extra $15 as there is much less time spent waiting in line at the various booths for food.

Purchase tickets and find more info here.

Filed Under: Things To Do Tagged With: taste of the nation