Small Town

LEIGH DYER

Stowe Gardens gets votes

as your favorite discovery Newcomers: What’s your favorite discovery since moving here?

The most popular answer among a group I invited to the Observer’s newsroom recently for a newcomer forum was the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont.

“We went to the Stowe Gardens and it was one of the best days we have spent here,” said Shirley Klein, who moved to south Charlotte’s Carmel Forest neighborhood from Scottsdale, Ariz., last August. “It was beautiful. It’s a well-kept secret. We didn’t know about it.”

It’s definitely a must-see. In 1991, retired textile executive Daniel Stowe designated about 400 acres of peaceful meadows for preservation as a botanical garden. Now visitors can stroll through more than 100 of them during all four seasons. The garden is home to special events and concerts throughout the year, including July 4th and Labor Day, and installs lights during the Christmas holiday season. The garden includes 12 fountains and is a popular spot for weddings.

When I visited last week, I met newcomer Andrea Kropfelder, visiting with her 6-year-old-daughter Layne for the first time since moving to Belmont from Chicago. “We think it’s gorgeous. We love it,” she said.

Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; $10 adults, $9 seniors; $5 children 4-12; younger kids and members free. 6500 South New Hope Road, Belmont; 704-825-4490; www.dsbg.org.

Have a local discovery to share? Please get in touch. Got a question?

704-358-5058

or Ldyer@charlotteobserver.com

Source: http://www.charlotte.com/living/columnists/leigh_dyer/story/225617.html

SOUTH POINT FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Aug 17 open
Aug 24 at Lincolnton
Aug 31 at Kings Mountain
Sep 7 Alexander Central
Sep 14 Burns
Sep 21 EAST GASTON
Sep 28 at HUNTER HUSS
Oct 5 ASHBROOK
Oct 12 at FORESTVIEW
Oct 19 Charlotte Latin
Oct 26 at NORTH GASTON
Nov 2 CREST

Schools listed in CAPS are Big South 3A/4A Conference games.

What not to wear to Gaston County schools, according to the school system’s dress code:

·       Pants cannot hang below the waist.

·       No extra-long or tall tees, tall sweatshirts, tall jerseys or tall jackets/coats

·       Shoes must be worn at all times ·       No bedroom slippers or pajama attire·       No mesh shirts, cut-off T-shirts, biker/spandex shorts or pants with holes above the knees·       All shirts/tops are to cover the midriff completely

·       Shorts and skirts cannot be any shorter than mid-thigh in length.·       Gym shorts can only be worn in P.E.·       Overall straps are to be fastened properly·       No hats, hoods, bandanas or sunglasses

·       Sexually explicit words or drawings, profanity, alcohol, drug or gang symbols cannot be worn

•        Underwear shouldn’t be seen  

What you can wear and still look good:   

(yeah, right)      

·       Patchwork plaid Bermuda shorts are good alternatives for short shorts.

·       Short-sleeved hoodies with puffed sleeves are also in style.

·       Girls can also wear ballet flats as opposed to flip-flops.

·       Guys can also wear Bermuda shorts, plaid shorts and polo shirts.

·       Jeans for guys are becoming darker and more fitted.  The shape of jeans is changing, and they’re not going to be as low rise. The waistlines on jeans are moving up.

Can anyone say uniforms?