Hello Lake Norman! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: Nicolas Batum’s $6 million estate, the North Carolina balloon festival, and meet Spidey + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Your insurance won't cover a $12,000 HVAC bill: If your furnace quits before it warms up, your homeowners insurance will tell you it's a "maintenance issue" and wish you luck. Insurance covers sudden disasters. It doesn't cover the systems that wear out over time, and those are the expensive ones. A home warranty is built for exactly this. HVAC, water heater, appliances, plumbing, electrical... all covered for less than $1/day with no age restrictions on what's covered. You call, they send a tech, you pay a service fee. They handle the rest. This one's 50% off right now.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
Summer heat relief program: Mecklenburg County is giving out free fans to people 60+ and adults with disabilities, ID with age and current address required, at 10 Park and Recreation sites while supplies last -- see where fans are available.
Resort-style waterfront living: NBA veteran Nicolas Batum listed his Mediterranean-inspired Lake Norman estate in Cornelius for $6 million on Monday, with 10,320 square feet, six bedrooms, expansive outdoor living, and a pool -- see the full listing.
Weekend spectacle in Statesville: The North Carolina Balloon Festival will fill the skies over nearby Statesville October 16 to 18, with 6:30 a.m. weekend gates, weather-dependent flights, and evening glows -- see the full schedule.
Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
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03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Backyard glow-up, anyone?: Skip the big-box shuffle and let Dearness Gardens Nursery and Landscaping hook you up with Japanese maples, pollinator-friendly natives, and legit design help that actually fits Lake Norman yards. They’ll even deliver the good stuff, plus workshops when you’re ready to level up.
Rain-or-shine fun idea: When cabin fever hits or your group chat needs a plan, Frankie's of Charlotte, right up the road, packs go-karts, mini golf, bumper cars, bowling, laser tag, and a huge arcade into one easy outing. Pick a night this week, let the friendly trash talk begin, and pretend the scoreboard totally doesn’t matter.
Fresh air, no fuss: R.C. Bradford Park is the easy win when you just want to get outside without a whole plan. Sneak in a walk on the wooded trails, let pickup games happen on the fields, or test your aim on the 18-hole disc golf course locals won’t stop raving about.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
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Buy one window treatment this summer, get the second 50% off: “My fourth order over 8 years. Product reliability, consistency to values & warranty kept me returning!” See what keeps customers coming back to 3 Day Blinds. Book your free consultation and enjoy summer savings on blinds, shades, and drapery. *Claim your summer savings →
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Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🍊 Orange Plush @ LangtreeLive (Mooresville) | Thursday (6/25) at 6:00 PM – Thursday night at LangTree Live means lakeside sing-alongs and family-friendly vibes, and Orange Plush is back to crank up the nostalgia. Expect rock, pop, and hip hop covers that make you dance, embarrass your teenagers, and remember why lawn chairs fold.
🤖 Gundam Build Night @ HobbyTown (Mooresville) | Friday (6/26) at 4:00 PM – Nothing beats the click of sprue cutters with a family-friendly room of nerds. Bring that kit backlog you swear you’ll tackle someday, or grab a new one at 15% off, tools too, at the Bandai Flagship. No fee, build until they kick us out.
🕷 Meet Spidey!! Hero Hangout @ Little Selfie Studio (Mooresville) | Saturday (6/27) at 10:00 AM – Make the kids’ week, and your inner eight-year-old’s, at a Spidey hangout with personalized meet and greets, treats, and a photo shoot that beats another mall backdrop. It is $39 per family, which is cheaper than a babysitter, and twice as heroic.
🎤 School of Rock Doylestown & Princeton's "Queen... @ Boatyard LKN (Cornelius) | Saturday (6/27) – School of Rock Doylestown and Princeton’s ringer students are tackling Queen and taking it on the road, with sets rolling through Downingtown, D.C., Greensboro, and Charlotte. Expect stadium-size choruses, sharp harmonies, and the guitar faces we practiced in the mirror, now in sensible shoes.
🇺 Town of Troutman's Annual Independence Day Parade @ Troutman ESC Park | Saturday (6/27) – Grab your lawn chair and stake out Main Street for the Town of Troutman’s 21st Annual Independence Day Parade, with tractors, fire trucks, and candy flying. You’ll wave at people you know, and the ones you pretend you do. A tidy warm-up for America’s 250th.
🚗 Mooresville Classic Car Cruise In @ Ghostface Brewing Brewery & Pizzeria | Sunday (6/28) at 10:00 AM – Nothing beats a hometown cruise in where the paint is deep, the engines burble, and the lawn chairs are vintage too. Mooresville’s classic car crowd rolls in for chrome, carburetors, and conversation, plus stories that get shinier every year.
🎨 Art Exploration (West) @ Mooresville Public Library - West Branch | Monday (6/29) at 2:00 PM – Whether your kid or grandkid is in a dinosaur phase or just into glue sticks, this drop-in art session at the West branch delivers a take-home masterpiece, zero kitchen cleanup, and some conversation. Library supplies the materials, you supply the supervising, patience, and photo ops.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
06 — From our sponsor Heads up for pet parentsTogether with our sponsor Lemonade. Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving. As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Pet Insurance. It was too late for me, but you could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade. |
07 — The Lake Norman report Weather forecastToday — High: 86°F — Low: 65°F — Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 86. North wind 0 to 3 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Wind around 0 mph.
Tomorrow — High: 91°F — Low: 70°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 91. South southwest wind 0 to 6 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around 70. This house is wildThis Davidson Southern Cottage pairs white brick, Charleston Green shutters, and a grand rocking-chair porch with polished modern comfort. Soaring 10-foot ceilings, rich hardwoods, a brick fireplace, and a Thermador kitchen bring style inside, while the main-level primary suite, finished walk-out basement, saltwater pool, spa, and outdoor fireplace make every day feel special.
Take a peek inside → |
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