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I noticed the first buds on the trees yesterday.
It happens every year, but it still catches my attention. One day the branches look completely bare, and then suddenly there are these tiny little green buds that tell you winter is basically over. Of course the bugs seem to notice it too.
We had one warm afternoon last week and suddenly the flies were out like they had just woken up from a long nap. I stood there wondering if they had actually been asleep all winter and just decided it was time to get moving again. Spring tends to wake everything up at once.
Lily and Gunnar are deep into wedding planning for September 4th. One of the recent milestones has been the wedding dress search. She looked at a few places, but the shop she liked best ended up being right here in the Lake Norman area. Watching that process has been fun. When your kids are little, weddings feel like some distant future thing. Then suddenly you're talking about dresses, venues, and guest lists.
This time of year also reminds parents that summer is closer than it feels.
If you have kids, this is usually when people start scrambling to figure out camps. Around here that can mean sports camps, church camps, or something more creative. For example, the Cain Center for the Arts in Cornelius runs week-long summer camps for kids in things like painting, music, dance, and theater. It’s a good reminder that those sign-ups tend to fill up earlier than people expect.
Meanwhile, Stacey and I are doing our annual “clean eating reset.” After a winter of holidays, travel, and generally eating whatever we wanted, it’s time to tighten things back up before the warm weather really arrives.
That’s the rhythm of this time of year. The trees start budding. The bugs wake up. Summer plans start appearing on the calendar. And before long, every patio around Lake Norman will be full again.
Talk soon,
Scott
In today’s issue:
🏛️ Disney’s New Maya Attraction
⛵ Lake Norman Summer
📸 Pints, Patios, and Pixels
🍀 Green Beer + Chrome Grilles
🍀 The local heart of St. Paddy’s
19930 W Catawba Ave #130, Cornelius
March in Cornelius belongs to Harp & Crown, especially with the patio officially back in action. The air is thick with the sound of bagpipes and the smell of proper fish and chips, but the real draw is the community that packs the booths.
From last week’s "Saint Practice" warm-up to the Teeling whiskey tasting on the big day, it’s a spot that takes its Irish roots seriously without feeling like a theme park. Go for a Guinness among friends and stay for the live music that keeps the lake-side energy humming!
📸 Professional backdrops for your own camera
125-3 N Main St, Mooresville
Little Selfie Studio brings a bright, creative energy to Main Street with sets that change as fast as the seasons. The upcoming March 14 Shamrocks & Shenanigans event is a local favorite, offering five dollar selfies in the old Tag Office space for anyone out enjoying the downtown festivities.
For those looking ahead to spring, the Easter Meadow set features soft textures and natural woods, while the Little Bunny Bash on March 21 includes a visit from the bunny and an egg hunt.
Having such a versatile resource right in the heart of Mooresville makes documenting those fleeting neighborhood moments remarkably easy.
Click here to be the business everyone hears about next week!
🏛️ Students Design Disney’s New Maya Attraction
The Gist: A group of 11 Davidson Day seniors recently traveled to Florida to present original archaeological research to Disney Imagineers. These students spent their summer excavating ancient sites in Belize and are now helping Disney create an authentic Maya temple for a new Indiana Jones attraction. The professional designers are using the students' unique insights and field data to ensure the new theme park land is culturally and historically accurate.
Why It Matters: This partnership gives our local youth a rare seat at the table with world-class creators to help shape an international landmark. The Tropical Americas section is scheduled to open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2027.
⛵ Sun, Sails, and Summer Days on Lake Norman
The Gist: As the dogwoods bloom and the lake breeze turns warm, Lake Norman Community Sailing is prepping for a season of adventure. Their week-long beginner camps for ages 7 to 17 return this June to the log cabin at Blythe Landing Park. From 9:00am to 4:00pm, young sailors will spend their days mastering knots, learning the lines of a boat, and catching the wind under the Carolina sun.
Why It Matters There is a unique kind of quiet pride in watching our local kids trade screen time for tiller time, building real-water confidence right here on our own blue backyard. Registration is live at LNSailing.org for four sessions spanning June and July. If you have a Sunfish-savvy teen or want to help out as an adult volunteer, reach out:
☘️ Davidson’s Shamrock Stroll | Village Green | Davidson | 03/14 | More
Parade down Main Street featuring food, games, and neighborhood performances.
👟 Shillelagh Shuffle Fun Run | Lost Worlds Brewing | Cornelius | 03/14 | More
Morning dash for all ages followed by music and festive costumes.
🍀 Shamrocks & Shenanigans Festival | Main Street | Mooresville | 03/14 | More
Lively street celebration featuring bagpipes, Irish dancers, and community spirit.
🏎️ Spring Car and Truck Show | Veterans Park | Huntersville | 03/14 | More
Classic and modern vehicles, chrome, and custom details with the neighborhood.
✨ Luck of the Village Celebration | Birkdale Village | Huntersville | 03/14 | More
Festive evening featuring bagpipes, traditional Irish dance, and live party band tunes.
🍭 St. Paddy’s Dessert Market | Queen Park Social | Charlotte | 03/15 | More
Sweet treats and festive confections from the area's best local bakers.
🏎️ Kick Off Cruise In Friday The 13th | 149 Cayuga Drive | Mooresville | 03/13 | More
Start the season with hot rods, food trucks, and local craft beer.
🍺 St. Patrick's Day Block Party | BoatYard LKN | Cornelius | 03/14 | More
Irish celebration with traditional music and festive brews.
🍀 Shamrock Cheers Bar Crawl | Downtown Salisbury | Salisbury | 03/14 | More Festive evening of specialized spirits and live music across historic venues.
🎶 St. Paddy's Party with DJ Rick | The Cabin | Davidson | 03/14 | More
Celebration featuring Irish drink specials and dancing to festive party hits.
🍺 St. Paddy’s Weekend Party | Primal Brewery | Huntersville | 03/14-03/17 | More Authentic Irish brews and outdoor festivities in a lively backyard setting.
✂️ Ribbon Cutting: Starkey Hearing Center | 130 Landings Drive | Mooresville | 03/18 | More
A new local hearing care provider with community leaders and professionals.
Thanks for reading! We’ll have more updates for you next week!
