Hi neighbors,

Memorial Day weekend has always felt like the unofficial start of summer around Lake Norman.

I came across a picture this week from last year’s NASCAR race with Lily, my brother, and me. Around here, racing is just part of the fabric of the community. Even if you don’t follow it closely, you feel the energy this time of year with so many teams and people connected to the sport living around the lake.

Between the lake traffic, cookouts, and everyone trying to squeeze as much as possible into a three-day weekend, this always feels like the point where summer really begins.

It also feels like the calendar speeds up from here. Before you know it, school is out, vacations are planned, and weekends start filling up fast.

Hope everyone gets a chance to slow down a little, spend time with family and friends, and enjoy the weekend.

— Scott

The Gist: The Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce wrapped up Small Business Week by honoring five standout businesses that help keep our towns running. This year’s winners are:

🛏️ Snooze Mattress + Wellness in Cornelius
🏡 Regency on the Lake in Davidson
🏠 MBA Roofing in Denver
🦷 Huntersville Pediatric Dentistry in Huntersville
📦 EZ Cube Moving & Portable Storage in Mooresville

Chamber Board Chair Leah Trowbridge handed out the hardware alongside local leaders like Cornelius Mayor Denis Bilodeau and mascot Sir Henry the sheepdog.

Why It Matters: Small businesses are the heartbeat of our lakeside community, and seeing these five get their flowers reminds us of the hard work happening right in our backyards. It’s a great excuse to stop by one of these winners this week and say congrats!

The Gist: The Cain Center for the Arts opened the Puckett Pottery House at 21212 Catawba Ave. during a grand opening celebration from May 6–9. Moving from a makeshift space on Oak Street, the new facility offers dedicated rooms for wheel-throwing and hand-building, three kilns, and a retail shop. While the footprint isn't five times larger, the state-of-the-art setup is optimized for better classes and community open studio time.

Why It Matters: This project breathes new life into a historic Folk Victorian home from the early 1900s, keeping the town’s character intact while expanding our local arts scene. By turning the Puckett and Goodrum houses into a pottery studio and creative courtyard, Cornelius gains a central hub for artists and neighbors to gather for classes and music.

Memorial Day plans call for a perfect plate of barbecue, and The Crazy Pig has been the answer on South Main for years. Set in a charmingly repurposed old service station, Robert and Eileen McCrary brought their "out of the coop" expansion to life with the same hometown sensibility found at their beloved Egg Café.

It is the neighborhood’s go-to for smoky brisket, pulled pork, and Carolina vinegar sauce. The outdoor patio is the ideal summer perch for sharing a three-meat platter or their famous brisket grilled cheese over local craft beers.

Since they are closed on Mondays, kick off the long weekend early or pick up catering for your cookout!

Old Town Vinyl feels like the living room of a lifelong collector. Chris Sewell opened the shop last September after nearly two decades in the local boating industry, trading the water for crates of classic rock and jazz.

The space stays true to its retro roots with a curated mix of new releases and vintage finds. It is a quiet, rhythmic destination for a stroll through downtown Cornelius.

Hunting for a first-edition pressing or a nostalgic workout record? The bins offer plenty of summer listening. The shop sits right in the heart of our neighborhood, offering a tactile alternative to digital playlists as the days get longer.

🏁 Joey Logano’s Champion Ownership Celebration | Huntersville Ford | Huntersville | 05/21 | More
A NASCAR-style party with a 3x Champ meet & greet, pit stop challenges, and music.

🚤 Music For Good with Blessid Union of Souls | BoatYard Lake Norman | Cornelius | 05/21 | More
Uplifting pop-rock melodies and community spirit to benefit local service initiatives.

🎸 Battle of the Bands | Veterans Park: Main & Maxwell | Huntersville | 05/21 | More Youth bands compete for a paid performance slot in this talent showcase.

⛺ Family Campout | Robbins Park | Cornelius | 05/22 | More
Stargazing, guided night hikes, and fireside stories under the open Carolina sky.

🛼 Roller Skating Nights | Liberty Park | Mooresville | 05/22 | More
An evening on wheels with music and good vibes for all ages.

🌳 Live Under the Oaks | The Plaza at Birkdale Village | Huntersville | 05/22 | More
Groovy acoustic harmonies under the canopy for a relaxing start to the weekend.

🎸 Live Music with Karla Causey | The Cabin | Davidson | 05/22 | More
Stripped-back soulful vocals and acoustic grooves in an intimate lakeside setting.

⛱️ Kenny & Luke’s Country Beach Party | BoatYard Lake Norman | Cornelius | 05/22 | More
Sun-drenched tribute hits with a stadium energy and spring break vibe.

🦅 LANO Bird Count | Lake Norman State Park | Statesville | 05/24 | More
Inaugural beachfront session documenting birds of prey and local winged species.

🪖 Memorial Day Ceremony | Cornelius Town Hall | Cornelius | 05/25 | More
Patriotic music and veteran storytelling to honor our nation’s service members.

🎖️ Memorial Day Ceremony | Veterans Park at Main & Maxwell | Huntersville | 05/25 | More
The 25th annual ceremony: speeches and special music to honor those who served.

🎶 What The Funk - Memorial Day | Harp & Crown LKN | Cornelius | 05/25 | More
Keep the lake party going with live music on the patio and Martini Madness Monday.

Thanks for reading our newsletter! We’ll have more updates for you next week!

Click here to follow us: Facebook | Instagram