C is for Community

Halloween is a big event at our house. At best count, we celebrate this holiday for at least 14 days straight. There are parties and trick or treating, but my children's favorite event is Trunk or Treat at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Cornelius. We don't attend church there, but our neighborhood is down the street from the church. As soon as my kids see the Trunk or Treat sign go up, they begin counting down the days, as this as been part of their Halloween celebration all of their 7-year-old lives.

You don't have to be a church member and you don't even have to live down the street to attend, as everyone is welcome. Bethel puts on the festival to share a good time with the community. It's free, and there are always fun activities. Obviously, kids get to walk through a parking lot of decorated cars and score lots (and lots) of candy. Then there are all shapes and sizes of bounce houses and slides, free food, and live music. The church's boy scout troop magically transforms their scout hut into a haunted house, and hay rides are offered the entire time.

My favorite part is that we get to see our neighbors and friends. We might see people we see all the time, and we might run into other folks we haven't seen in years. Either way, it's fun to catch up as we watch our kids play and enjoy the sense of community that the Lake Norman area still manages to offer. That's a trick in itself.

Above, my daughter, Margot, aka Super Hero Barbie, enjoying the slide at Bethel Presbyterian Church's Trunk or Treat for the 17th time.

Three for Thursday - Halloween Style

It's time for one of the biggest weekends of the year. Even if you don't have children, Halloween beckons you to have fun. And since Halloween lands on a Tuesday this year, a lot of folks will be celebrating the holiday this weekend. Here are our three picks for Halloween fun. Be sure to enjoy all the tricks and treats out there!

Davidson Halloween March (October 27) The Town of Davidson will celebrate the Halloween season with its traditional Halloween March along Main Street. Families should line up at town hall to parade along Main Street to receive treats from merchants and organizations. 5 p.m. Free. Downtown Davidson, www.townofdavidson.org.

Ghost Walk Haunted Trail (October 27-28) This thrilling haunted trail is for only the bravest souls. Historic Latta Plantation is turned into a frightening sight once the moon rises over the forest and the spooks come out at night. Those who dare must come aware that the haunted trail is a true scare. Not suggested for children under 9. 7-10 p.m. (Last admission for ghost walk is 9:45 p.m.). $10 per person. Historic Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville, www.lattaplantation.org.

Rescue Ranch’s Corn Maze (October 27-28) Rescue Ranch opens its gates for visitors to experience the twists and turns of a lighted Corn Maze presented by Chevrolet. The nine-acre corn maze boosts a Chevy design. The lighted maze will be open Friday and Saturday nights from 7 to 10 p.m. during October. $8 for guests 13 and older; $5 for children two to 12; children under 2 are free. Rescue Ranch, 1424 Turnersburg Highway, Statesville, www.rescueranch.com.

My Campus Fix

I like to include a run on the Davidson College campus in my weekly workout mix. Lucky for me, the weather cooperated with me this morning, and I was able to run.

It's a simple thing, running from my kids' school in Davidson to the campus, but it brings me so much joy. I run around Roosevelt Park to see if there is any wildlife to be found. (There's usually a gaggle of geese.) Then I head to the college, where I find professors and students walking briskly to class toting their coffee and backpacks, their heads filled with new ideas and theories. Everyone always gives me a friendly greeting, but it's quick and to the point, as we all have things to do.

My job is to head to the track, where I can run as many laps as I want. My bad knee loves this part of the run because the track's surface is cushioned. It's like a spa day for my right leg. There are usually athletes on the field training for whatever sport they play for Davidson. Sometimes it's track and field, obviously, and other times it's conditioning for football or lacrosse. There are always a few townies getting their laps in by either walking the track or running up and down the stairs of the bleachers.

I treat the track as my personal meditation oval, a place where I can lose myself in my thoughts and know that I'm not going to run into traffic — literally. Between my solitude and the fresh air, running here gives me a sense of peace that I'm able to carry with me the whole day through.

When I head back to my car at my kids' school, my coffee is waiting for me, along with the rest of my morning. I feel energized and ready to take on whatever shows up in my inbox — all because of 45 magical minutes.

Three for Thursday

My 7-year-old twins refer to Thursday at Junior Friday. I'm all for it, as I love spending the weekends with my family. Lucky for us, we live in an area where something fun is always going on. Who can complain when your biggest problem is figuring which fun thing to do? We at CURRENTS like to help folks with this problem by recommending activities for the weekend. Below are are top three choices for this weekend. Enjoy!

Halloween in Huntersville & Fireworks Spooktacular (October 21) Enjoy live music, balloon twisters, airbrush tattoos, magicians, bounce houses, Halloween crafts, Springfree Trampoline and local craft vendors. Food trucks and beverages will be available for purchase. End the event by enjoying fireworks at 7:15 p.m. (weather permitting). 4 p.m. Free. Rural Hill, 4431 Neck Road, Huntersville, www.huntersville.org.

All Hallows Eve Family Day (October 21) Dress in your best Halloween costumes and trick or treat around Latta Plantation. Play games, see historical demonstrations and meet the friendly farm animals while you visit. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $9, $8 students and seniors, children 5 and under are free. Historic Latta Plantation, 5225 Sample Road, Huntersville, www.lattaplantation.org.

Fifth Annual Laketoberfest Music & Brew Festival (October 21) (pictured below) Enjoy beer from local North Carolina breweries in addition to food truck fare, music from local bands, a kids’ zone with crafts and games, and more. 4-9 p.m. Free. Bailey Road Park, Cornelius, www.cornelius.org. 

Four Years is Way Too Long

Today while finishing up the November issue, I stumbled upon our blog and was inspired to make it active again. Truth be told, our publisher, MacAdam Smith, also thought it would be a good idea to bring a blog into the mix. So, here we are, and I'm glad because it allows us to communicate with you, our readers, even more.

Please check back frequently to see what we're up to at CURRENTS and in the Lake Norman community. Fall is beautiful time here, and we're excited to go explore all of the fun things there are do. Stay tuned!

Lori K. Tate
Editor, CURRENTS Magazine