Reflections on Lake Wylie

Lake Wylie Boat Parade

2011-12-15T08:01:00.000-08:00

I've always wanted to see the Lake Wylie Christmas Boat Parade, an annual tradition with festively lit boats sailing into the night. However, I haven't been able to make it in years past as it is usually scheduled on one of the busiest weekends of the year: the second Saturday in December. It usually conflicts with the Choralier Christmas concert, company parties, and other Lake Wylie events and activities that tend to fill our calendar just before Christmas.

This year, I rearranged my Choralier concert attendance so I could go to the parade. And what fun it was! I took lots of pictures from aboard a large houseboat docked at T-Bones. The night was clear and cool, perfect for getting into the holiday spirit and watching the boats.

The winner was clear from the start: a 32' Trojan Flybridge transformed into a Christmas train, with moving lights synchronized to train inspired tunes such as "The Polar Express" and Blackfoot's "Train, Train". A smokestack on the bow of the boat produced a steady stream of smoke to complete the picture. It was a sight to behold! At the craft headed for the far side of the lake, only the lights were visible and it truly looked like a train chugging across the water. Brad Thomas of Belmont was the captain of this creation, and easily walked away with first prize. He is a repeat winner, having scored highest for several years in a row. Can't wait to see what he comes up with next!

Second place also went to a repeat contender, Sid Smith of Boyd's Cove. He and his team converted his pontoon boat into a replicate of Santa's Sleigh, with painted wooden sides and lights all around. There were several other impressive entries as well. For more pictures, please visit the Lake Wylie Events page on http://www.lakewylieinformation.com/.

Thanks for reading my blog! Have a blessed Christmas and happy new year! If you want Lake Wylie living to be on your wish list for 2012, be sure to visit the best source for Lake Wylie real estate.

Clover Blue Eagles - - Real Blue

2011-08-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

For the first time in four years, I missed the Clover Blue Eagle season opener. Apparently, they did, too. Sixty three to nothing? South Point victory? Yowza! I don't think my heart could've taken it. Just as well, I was at home preparing the Last Supper before my youngest went off to college on Saturday morning. It didn't seem to be the time to go traipsing off with my blue and white pom poms and cow bell.

I did receive score updates from my friend Joy, who watched the entire travesty of a football game. She and her husband Tom aren't ones to abandon their positions as fans in the stands, no matter how terrible the game. They stay until the last whistle, every time. That's just the kind of people they are.

As I received the texts with the score - - 21 to 0 in the first quarter, oops, make that 28 - - I realized that we may be entering a new era of Clover football. I don't remember the score at the half; could've been 42-zip. I just knew that the locker room during the game break couldn't be a happy place. I once asked a football player what went on at the half during a slaughter like that. "Mostly, the coach just yells," he replied. He explained that the coach gets the team all fired up and mad and then they take their anger to the field and ideally turn the game around.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen with the Clover/South Point game Friday night. There was no turning around, no redemption, no saving face.

Clover has a new coach this year, who came from South Point. Yep, the same team that showed no mercy, kicked on-side kicks to recover the ball even when they were so far ahead, they were in a different time zone. I suppose they had something to prove, and enjoyed antagonizing their old coach by running up the score.

I wasn't at the game, so I can't really comment on what happened to our beloved Blue Eagles. Maybe they left the game during the first half . . . mentally, if not physically. I just wish they had stuck around like Tom & Joy.

Thanks for reading my blog. For more Lake Wylie living and Lake Wylie blogs, visit the websites of my friends & clients!

Chronicles of a Choralier Trip

2011-05-21T07:50:00.000-07:00

Chronicles of a Choralier Trip – Williamsburg, VA, Spring 2011

The Clover Choraliers, a state championship high school choral group from Clover High School, traditionally end their school year with a trip in the spring. This trip generally follows their spring concert by a week or two, a performance that requires many extra hours of preparation. The spring trip is a time to celebrate, learn from musical experiences away from home, expose the group to other areas, and bid a bittersweet farewell to the seniors as they prepare to graduate. The group looks forward to this trip all year, and works hard to raise funds to pay their way. Some may wonder what a Choralier trip is all about. I write this report from the perspective of a chaperone who has traveled with the group for three years, on my final trip as the parent of a senior. I, too, am preparing to bid a bittersweet farewell.

Day 1

We arrived at the school on Thursday at 7am for check-in. Sleepy teenagers drifted in, opened their suitcases so that chaperones could verify that they had all pieces of their uniform for the performance scheduled on Friday night. “We can fix it now,” announced the uniform coordinator Beth Harrell, “but I can’t do much for you when you’re in Virginia!” A few students had forgotten black socks, and Mrs. Harrell supplied them with some of her “emergency extras.”

The students loaded the three chartered buses, roll was taken on each bus, and the journey began. As the buses pulled out of the school, the students chanted “Welcome to the bus”, origin unknown, a chant passed down year to year to year. Most students settled in to an early morning nap; others chatted or played games.

After four hours of travel with one quick rest stop, we arrived in South Hill, Virginia for lunch. Director Jay Forrest had chosen South Hill’s classic diner, the Horseshoe Restaurant, for our lunch stop.

This diner originally opened in the 1930’s on Historic Route 1, serving tourists en route from the Atlantic Seaboard states for many years. The staff wore t-shirts touting the diner’s biggest claim to fame, the “Big Arrest of 1938” when fugitive “Machine Gun Ray” Kelley was captured sitting at the counter on New Year’s Eve. The diner didn’t have enough room to seat our group, so Jay had arranged ahead of time for the diner to bring the food to a recently restored theater in downtown South Hill, the Colonial Center for Performing Arts. This theater served as a venue for Vaudeville acts, Wild West Shows, and hosted famed stars such as Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. After lunch, the students were given a brief tour and history of the beautifully renovated theater.

As is their tradition, they “thanked” the staff and servers by singing a couple of songs. The group split between the stage and the balcony of the theater, and sang a cappella pieces. During the first song, the mayor was summoned from across the street and joined the staff from the Horseshoe restaurant to hear the kids sing the second song.

We boarded the buses again and continued our journey to Williamsburg, where we checked in to the Great Wolf lodge. The kids had a couple hours of free time to play in the resort’s waterpark, play video games in their rooms, and relax.

At 6:30 pm, we loaded buses and headed to William and Mary, where Mr. Forrest had arranged a workshop with the choral director at the college. Walking through the beautiful campus, the kids began to envision their own plans after high school. For some of the underclassmen, it was their first time on a college campus. For some of the seniors, it was a prelude of their own experiences to come.

The students arrived at the Music Hall, and found positions on the risers and prepared to sing. It didn’t take them long to transcend from “vacation mode” to “work mode” as Mr. Forrest took his place in the director’s spot. Professor James Anderson was introduced and settled back to hear the group’s first number. After Mr. Forrest led the group through the piece, Professor Anderson took the director’s spot and began to work with the choir on aspects such as volume, breathing, and uniformity of pitch. We watched as directors learned from one another, and as the students responded in new ways to a different type of direction.

Mr. Forrest led the group through several more numbers, turning over the floor after each to allow Professor Anderson to refine, teach, and introduce new elements or styles. The choir responded beautifully, performing beyond the professor’s expectations. It was simply magical to watch.

At the end of the two hour work session, Professor Anderson thanked the kids for giving him the gift of working with musicians who truly cared and were passionate about their craft. “You have made this music your own,” he told the kids, “and it is a rare gift that you have to offer your community.” The kids then thanked the professor with cheers and applause, showing their gratitude for his time and attention. As the students filed back to the buses, Professor Anderson asked the chaperones if we realized what a special and rare group we had in our midst. (We did.)

The bus then took us to Captain George’s seafood, where we enjoyed a large seafood buffet. The chaperones were served first, as is the culture of the group. Jay teaches the students to respect and appreciate the adults, and one way they show their appreciation is by happily allowing the chaperones and staff to dine first. After a huge meal of seafood, prime rib and chicken, we returned to the hotel and tucked everyone into bed.

Day 2

Breakfast call was at 8am; a buffet of bacon, eggs, muffins, and fruit. We loaded the buses for a trip to Old Williamsburg, where the kids were turned loose to explore and have lunch on their own. Lunch money was handed out as they got off the buses. Some chose to dine lavishly; others purchased small snacks and used their lunch money for souvenirs. While in Williamsburg, several choral groups and bands were performing in the streets, which was fun to watch. Four hours in Williamsburg, then we got back on the buses to return to the hotel for a couple hours of free time before the concert on Friday night. Pizzas were brought in late afternoon to nourish the kids before they performed.

The concert was at the Bruton Parish Church, built in 1715 and place of worship by many of our country’s founding fathers. Throughout the year, concerts by choral groups and other musicians are performed weekly. Completely lit by candlelight, the concert was well attended by tourists, local residents and parishioners of the church. It was quite a challenge to arrange a group of over one hundred singers in the small altar area, but somehow it was done and the kids sang beautifully. They performed their sacred repertoire, including Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus”. One patron remarked that of the many concerts she had heard performed at the Parish, she had never heard a high school group perform so beautifully.

After the concert, the Choraliers fanned out into the audience, sincerely thanking each person for attending. As the audience thinned, tears began to flow as members of the class of 2011 acknowledged their last performance as a group.

Upon return to the hotel, we had a private party at the Great Wolf Lodge waterpark. For three hours the kids (and some chaperones) zoomed down water slides, surfed and swam in the wave pool. Curfew was 1am, and there were no protests when it was time to go to bed!

Day 3

We spent a leisurely morning at the hotel, with a couple of hours between breakfast and our day’s outing. We ate a breakfast buffet, and the kids enjoyed a morning snooze or guitar and singing sessions in the hallways of the hotel.

At 11am we boarded the buses for the Murder Mystery Theater. Usually open only for dinner, the performing group had set up a “dinner theater” production for our group as a lunchtime performance. A meal of soup, salad, entrée and dessert was served, with acts of the murder mystery show performed during each course. As performers themselves, the students particularly enjoyed watching and interacting with the actors in the show.

During the last break between sets, Jay led the choir in singing “Prayer”, an intimate and moving performance which moved most of the Murder Mystery cast to tears. They had to take a few moments backstage to compose themselves before resuming character to wrap up their show. Before we left, the cast thanked the kids and commented that they were by far the best behaved high school group they’d ever seen.

We loaded the buses and headed to Busch Gardens, where kids set out in groups to ride the coasters. We all met for dinner at a German restaurant in the park, just in time for the Octoberfest show. A polka band and dancers performed and led the audience in some dances and songs. It was yet another chance for the students to see and interact with a different type of musicians and dancers. During the numbers where the audience participated, it was easy to pick out our Choraliers on the dance floor. They were incorporating their dance moves learned over the years in their own production!

After dinner, our trip to Busch Gardens was cut short by a series of thunderstorms that moved into the area. Rides were shut down due to lightning and rain. Text messages were blasted out to chaperones and students, and everyone took shelter and headed to the buses as soon as able.

Day 4

All good things must come to an end, and everyone packed up the buses after breakfast on Sunday morning. One of the buses was having problems with the air conditioning, and so it was a hot ride back for some of the students and chaperones. Everyone was tired from the trip, so there was lots of sleeping on the bus on the ride home. We stopped at Golden Corral in Greensboro for one last indulgent feast, and arrived in Clover right on time, at 5:30pm.

It was a fantastic trip, with a great group of kids! It has been a great privilege being a part of the Choralier group for the past three years, as a board member and chaperone. I’ll treasure these times forever!

What a Feeling!

2011-03-29T04:45:00.000-07:00

Occasionally, I wake up with something burning on my heart, that I must write even before breakfast. On Saturday morning, after riding through downtown Clover the night before in a school bus, celebratory horns blaring and kids yelling out the window, escorted by the best of Clover's police force, I felt it an experience that must be shared! This is a copy of a letter sent to the editor of The Lake Wylie Pilot:

Congratulations to the Clover High Choraliers and director Jay Forrest for winning first place at the State Choral Festival on Friday! As the parent of a senior (my second to come through the program), I had the honor of chaperoning the group to Columbia. Previous years I’ve gone to the competition to watch them perform, but since this was my last year, I decided to spend the whole day.

The group worked very hard to prepare for their performance. Every note, beat, and word pronunciation was carefully rehearsed, as well as getting on and off stage. Each group had just thirteen minutes from the first foot hitting the stage, to the last one leaving, to get set and perform three songs for the judges. Considering most of the choirs had 40-50 students, and the Choraliers weigh in at 115, they had to come up with some creative ways to get on and off the stage! They walked up two by two, and exited the stage in rows of four, yet still maintained a dignified, disciplined look.

Last year, the group came home with the second place trophy, which Mr. Forrest told the students was “fantastic, considering the large number of freshmen in the group.” Still, it was a tough pill to swallow for a group that strives for perfection. After last year’s performance, the group knew it wasn’t their best, and they were disappointed. Overall, however, the group had an amazing year, and they learned that they didn’t have to win state to call the year a great success.

This year, their performance was nearly flawless. To watch other groups perform (some of them singing the same songs as The Choraliers), the differences were clear: The Choraliers were a very disciplined group. There were no wandering eyes, kids scratching, or misplaced arms during performance. Confidence showed on their faces and in their voices (no wimpy male voices trying to keep up with the sopranos in this group!).

When it was time for the winners to be announced, the students were excited but very nervous. “I don’t care if we get second place,” I heard one senior say to another. “I’m proud of what we did and how hard we worked, and I’ll be happy.” (Great life lesson learned, I’d say!) The third place choirs, Wando Show Choir and Sumter, were announced with a tied score of 280. Second place went to Wando Girl’s Choir, with a score of 281.5. And with a score of 297, the Clover Choraliers took home first place trophy. They were further honored with a police escort through the town of Clover at 10pm upon their return, celebrating victory!

It takes great commitment to be a Clover Choralier. With block scheduling, these students choose to dedicate most of their electives to the choral program, with the rest of their academic schedule being mainly required core classes. Many of the students in Choraliers also participate in sports, student council, and other extra curriculars. You’ll often find the valedictorians, student body presidents, and other leaders in the group. Why? These kids learn and exercise far more than notes and beats. They learn time management, teamwork, discipline, public speaking (or public singing), memorization techniques, people skills, leadership, confidence, respect.

In line for dinner Friday night, the students happily invited the bus drivers and chaperones to the front of the line. That’s their culture. I heard one patron remark after the Choralier Candlelight dinner a few weeks ago, “It’s kids like these that give me hope for the future.” I tend to agree.

Thanks for reading my blog! And thanks to Joey Bradberry for the picture. For more about living in Lake Wylie and Lake Wylie waterfront resources, please visit Lake Wylie Information website.

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2010-12-04T11:41:00.000-08:00

Wow - - December sure sneaks up on us, doesn't it? Seems like we just got the okra picked and gracious daisies, here we are again! With the calendar filling up faster than the jitterbug, I figured you might need some guidance on what not to miss out on this holiday season.

First of all, what would Christmas be without the Hallelujah Chorus? Be sure to catch the Clover Choraliers Christmas Show, Dec 9, 11, or 12. Now, I have to admit to you that several years ago, you'd have to PAY me to go to a school chorus concert. I know. There goes my Mom of the Year Award which I'd never win anyhow. But I have to tell you, The Choraliers shows are really something special. The whole town and then some turn out for the show, wouldn't miss it for the world. I've heard people exclaim in wonder, "This is as good as a Broadway production."

Next, holiday lights! Of course, you could go to McAdenville and hang out with your 600,000 closest friends, or you could stay a little more local and head over to Tega Cay for a glimpse of over-the-top holiday spirit. On December 16, meet at the Tega Cay Beach and Swim Club for guided tour of the best of the best. If you'd like to get out and enjoy the night air, head over to Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens for their Lights at the Garden display. Ride in a horse drawn carriage, sip some hot chocolate and listen to some live music in the courtyard.

We may not have the Macy's Christmas parade in our neck of the woods, but we have no shortage of small town fanfare. Catch the Fort Mill, Clover, Rock Hill, Belmont, or York Christmas parades, just for starters. And, of course, the Lake Wylie Boat Parade is always lots of fun, particularly viewed from the deck at T-Bones on the Lake. For a list of Christmas parade dates and times, visit Lake Wylie Events.

As your holiday schedule begins to fill up, though, step back and schedule a quiet night at home. Pop in The Christmas Story, or It's A Wonderful Life, or one of your favorite holiday classics. Enjoy a night at home with the family, perhaps a fire in the fireplace, and lights twinkling on your tree. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Thanks for reading my blog. Visit Lake Wylie Information for restaurant reviews, Lake Wylie Events, and Lake Wylie real estate.

Blue Eagle Season Opener 2009

2009-08-22T05:57:00.000-07:00

Lawsy, it's been awhile since I've posted, but life has been throwing me some interceptions lately. However, nothing like a Clover High School football game to get me going again!

I do love those Blue Eagles! Last night's first game against the South Point (no "e") Red Raiders was tons of fun, although hotter than blazes. My husband opted out of the game, as he is morally opposed to watching football when it's over 90 degrees. A guy's gotta have his standards, I guess.

Anyway, the Blue Eagles started out strong. Defense looked good (hallelujah), offense pounding 3 to 5 yards a down. Classic Blue Eagle football.

We all went thru metal scanners on the way in the gate, which was probably good because otherwise someone would've shot the ref's. Clover could hardly make it through a play without a penalty flag. Yeah, there were a few offsides calls. But, you know, first game. The boys were excited to play! But there were quite a few questionable, okay, BOGUS calls as well, at least if you agreed with the fans in the stand.

As for me, what do I know? Without the instant replay tape and the announcers drawing little circles on the screen, I just gotta take their word for it.

So anyway, 14-0 at the half, and that's with two touchdowns being called back for penalties. We were feeling pretty cocky. (And by "we", I am referring to the fans. Jerry Seinfeld makes fun of folks who say "We won! We won!" after their team aces a game. Jerry says, "No, THEY won. YOU watched.)

The second half started out with more penalties against Clover, and the crowd became rather unruly. South Point managed a touchdown, but blew the extra point. 14-6.

Clover scored again, answered by South Point with a 2 point conversion. 21-14. Clover's QB Aaron Miller put the ball in the air on a third and long play and we were treated to a miraculous catch by Brian Barrett. Whoooeee! 28-14, just a couple minutes left. The South Point home side started emptying the stands. Fine with me. Less traffic to fight on the way out.

But honey, it wasn't over. The Blue Eagles thought they had it in the bag, and started playing like it. South Point scored again, 28-21. Uh oh.

Then an onside kick play by South Point actually WORKED. Uh oh.

South Point fought their way towards the goal line again, and the Clover boys woke the heck up. With tiny seconds left in the game, a whole lotta Latta emerged and finalized the victory for Clover, stopping the drive. Clover had the ball, took a knee, and took the win.

It's gonna be a good season, y'all.

Jan Todd lives in Lake Wylie and works for The Lake Wylie Man. For more blogs about living in Lake Wylie, Blue Eagle football, and Lake Wylie real estate, visit The Lake Wylie Man website!

Have you ever seen butter fly?

2008-09-28T09:35:00.000-07:00

Butter really can't fly, you know. I visited Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden this weekend to witness the release of the butterflies in the orchid conservatory. What a cool thing! You'll need to make plans to visit soon, because the butterfly exhibit will only run through the end of October.

This weekend, the Garden had lots of special events planned for families - - face painting, music, food, other exhibits. I arrived at the Garden early, just after opening time at 9am. The butterflies were just waking up. I was told that they're cold blooded, and don't really become active until the sun warms them up a bit. I enjoyed a few quiet moments, then watched as families began to arrive with baby strollers, toddlers, and cameras galore!

Now back to butter flying. The more I thought about it, the more I began to wonder, so I "Googled" a bit. Seems there are several theories about where butterflies got their name. One theory is that many butterflies are yellow, the color of butter. Another idea is that they were attracted to milk & butter churning. (I'm not buying that.) Yet another theory was that the name started as "flutterby" . . . which makes some sense . . . and then dyslexia set in. Whatever the origin, they are beautiful creatures, so be sure to venture out to Daniel Stowe soon!

Thanks for reading my blog. For more blogs about living in Lake Wylie, Lake Wylie real estate, and my work with dock construction and boat lifts, and Carolina Edgefield pottery, take a look at my other blogs!

Season Opener

2008-08-23T04:06:00.000-07:00

Manicurists in Clover & Lake Wylie are gonna be busy today, honey, 'cuz there was some serious NAIL biting going on at the Clover Memorial Stadium last night. The Blue Eagles kept us on the edges of our seats as they finally triumphed over Belmont's Red Raiders 48-42. Ninety points! That's thirteen total touchdowns, twelve extra points! That's a whole mess of excitement, folks.

Despite the threat of rain, the stadium was absolutely packed. The visitor side ran out of general admission tickets, the home side ran out of programs. The concession stands didn't run out of anything, because not many fans left their seats!

Clover's Blue Eagles had a strong first half, leaving us cozy and comfy with a score of 28-14. But South Point's coach must've lit a FIRE under them boys in the locker rooom, because they came out and scored two touchdowns to tie the score. Clover turned up the juice and drove the ball almost to the goal line, only to fumble inside the 5 and turn the ball back over to the Raiders, who then made short work of scoring their THIRD unanswered touchdown.

The end of the third quarter was upon us, 28-35 with South Point in the lead. Clover got the ball and tied the score, then scored again to take the lead 42-35. There was a trick play in there somewhere; I was in a tizzy so it's all a blur now. South Point tied the score at 42-42 with about five minutes left to play. Those precious Clover boys took it slow and steady, finally scoring with about 30 seconds left on the clock. They missed the extra point, leaving the door open for more tension.

It's not over 'til it's over, though, and South Point kept us on the edge with about 4 plays within the 28 seconds they had to play. It was a LONG 28 seconds, but ended as Clover protected the lead and won their first game, 48-42. The announcer said it best when he quipped, "Folks, we're gonna set up a collection plate. You all are going to have to PAY to leave this stadium, 'cuz we have seen a FOOTBALL game tonight!" Hallelujah!

Congratulations, Clover Blue Eagles!

Thanks for reading my blog! I love Blue Eagle football - - it's one of my favorite things about living in Lake Wylie. Leave comments and let me know what you love about living here! For more blogs about Lake Wylie Events and Activities, Lake Wylie waterfront living & resources, and Lake Wylie real estate, visit The Lake Wylie Man website!

How North is South?

2008-08-16T09:51:00.001-07:00

My baby sister Kathy came home to SC for a visit this week. She moved up to Baltimore last spring with her Yankeloid husband Chris. She's adjusting well, but says she misses "The South".

Chris commented that Maryland is a Southern state, after all. To that I say, "Bull Feathers!" Chris claimed that since Maryland is south of the Mason-Dixon, that makes it Southern. I think that the Mason Dixon isn't the say-all, end-all about which states are Southern and which are not. So, if not the MD line, what are the parameters?

Well, y'all . . . "Y'all" for starters. I think if you don't hear it at least once a day, you aren't in the South.
Kudzu. Known as "the heaps" in Alabama, it is really the national plant for Southerners. If we could only figure out how to fry it, we'd be in business.
Barbecue. It isn't a verb. It's cuisine. Mustard based, tomato based, vinegar based, whatever. Pig. We serve it at wedding receptions, we serve it at family reunions, we protect the secret sauce recipes with a Smith & Wesson.
Grits. Shrimp 'n Grits, Cheese Grits, Grits with butter, even Grit & Collard Casserole. You'd be surprised.
Duke's Mayo. Gotta have the Duke.
Maybe I need to move on from the food category. This could go on all day.
Heat + humidity. Notice how the population of the South about quadruplified when air conditioning was invented?
Manners. Yes, ma'am, our mamma's taught us right. Bless their hearts.
The beach. It's where we go for summer vacation. Not the shore, we go to the beach! The water is warm, the sand is hot, and the boiled peanuts are by our sides.
Sweet tea. If you order tea in a restaurant, it comes sweetened. If you ask for unsweetened tea, they bring it to you with a spoon in it along with a pack of Sweet 'n Low. If you order it unsweetened in a BARBECUE restaurant, they look at you funny.
Football - - high school and college, thank you very much. We're just learning the pro stuff. Go to Death Valley (Clemson) for a game sometime. Words cannot describe!
How we deal with Snow. We buy bread. We close schools. If schools are called off even before the first flake hits the ground, honey, you ARE in the South.
Attitude. More than language, more than accents, more than food - - Southern is an attitude.

What else, y'all? Leave some comments and let me know what I left out!

Want to read more? Visit our webiste to find more blogs about living in the South, living in Lake Wylie, and Lake Wylie real estate.

Getting Around in Lake Wylie

2008-06-29T09:18:00.000-07:00

Have you ever asked for directions from Charlotte to places around Lake Wylie? Quite likely, you received an answer such as "Go across the Buster Boyd Bridge, drive a couple of miles, then turn left onto Hwy 49. Then, when you get to Five Points, hang a right onto . . ."

Now, first of all, you never saw anything that identifies Buster Boyd Bridge. There are lots of bridges in the area. How do you know Buster Boyd's??

Then, you were ON highway 49 coming from Charlotte. Why would you have to turn to get onto Hwy 49? And where was this Five Points, anyway? Five Points would generally describe a place where five roads (not four, not three) would come together at one point.

I remember asking directions one time while in Yadkin County, North Carolina. I was told to go just past the place where Jim's Grill used to be, then cut back on the dirt road. That was really great, since I had no idea where Jim's Grill USED to be, and I didn't know what "cut back" meant. Left? Right? Reverse? Who knew.

So - - allow me to enlighten you on getting around in Lake Wylie. First of all, the Buster Boyd Bridge. It USED to be a grand thing (see picture above, courtesey of the Lake Wylie Pilot.) It was a bridge that joined North & South Carolina, just past what now is The Palisades on Highway 49. Buster Boyd was a farmer who used to own the land in that area, and the bridge was named after him. The two lane bridge was torn down and replaced by the 4-lane, rather ordinary looking bridge, around 2001. It was sad to lose such a landmark, but commuters are much happier now! As far as I know, there is no sign that identifies the bridge as "Buster Boyd", but we all still call it by that name.

As for turning left on Highway 49 . . . if I remember correctly, the road used to curve around the intersection of Hwy 49, Hwy 274, and Hwy 557. That area was actually called "Three Points", and sometimes still is. When the shopping centers with Food Lion and Bi-Lo were built, an intersection was redesigned with a traffic light. Highway 49 now turns left at that intersection. Of course, some people traveling to York on Hwy 49 sort of miss that turn and end up in Clover. I've done it several times myself!

The highway around "Five Points" has been redesigned a couple of times in the past ten or fifteen years. Lake Wylie Road, Hwy 274, Hwy 55, and Hwy 49 north and south used to converge right in front of North's Grocery. The most recent redesign added an intersection, so there are now two traffic lights rather close together. Don't try to do the math, just know that we describe that area as "Five Points".

Hopefully that clears things up a bit! If you really want to start sounding like a local (with or without the Southern accent), go ahead and start incorporating these "used to be" landmarks into your conversations and directions. If nothing else, the recipients of these directions will get a lovely tour of our countryside!

For local expertise on the Lake Wylie area, information on events and activities, and resources for Lake Wylie real estate, please visit my website: Lake Wylie Waterfront Real Estate. For fun things to do with your whole family,visit Lake Wylie Events and Activities.

Ask the Southern Gal

2007-12-14T13:25:00.000-08:00

I've lived in eight different Southeastern states, and I figure that makes me qualified as an expert on Southernisms. So that, along with a deep respect for my dear friends from Elsewhere, inspires this helpful guide.

I don't know if y'all have noticed, but our part of the Carolina's has become home to folks from all over the U.S., and quite a few folks from across the Big Pond. Some of my favorite friends are from north of the Mason-Dixon. Occasionally I am asked questions about the Southern culture, so I figured I'd answer a few here:

1) Jan, the other day, a neighbor took me to a barbecue eatery to "initiate me" into the South. When I ordered unsweetened tea, the waitress looked at me like I'd lost my mind. What gives?

Lawsy, girl. Unsweeted tea at a barbecue joint? Ain't gonna happen.

2) Speaking of Southern cuisine, how do you fry okra?

Why, barefoot, of course!

3) Is it true that "bless your heart" is just a way to talk bad about people and feel okay about it?

Heavens, no. We're equal opportunity heart blessers. We bless your heart whether we like you or not!

4)What about people calling me ma'am? Are they being sarcastic, or what?

No ma'am! Their mama just taught 'em good manners.

5) I saw a vine at the of the road that seems to grow very well in this area. I'm thinking about planting some to grow up my porch rail.

Gracious daisies, child, that's kudzu! I had a cousin that saw some at the edge of his driveway one morning, and when he came home that evening, he couldn't find his house!

6) Do Southerners listen to anything other than country music?

Of course, darlin'! We listen to country AND western!

7) And what's with everyone calling me "darlin"??

Why, sugah, we just can't remember your name!

If you have a question about the South that you'd like answered, feel free to leave a comment. I'd be tickled to death to help you out. Come back later now, y'hear?

http://www.thelakewylieman.com/

Early Memories of Lake Wylie

2007-10-20T14:12:00.000-07:00

Some of my earliest memories include "going to the river" with my Grandmama and Granddaddy. He'd hitch up his boat to his old blue Ford pick-up, while Grandmama packed a cooler with iced tea (sweet, of course!), fried chicken, home grown tomatoes, and a giant watermelon. Granddaddy would take one or two of us with him to the boat landing, which usually involved a stop at the bait shop for a styrofoam canister of worms.

Meanwhile, the rest would pile into Grandmama's car and head to the river shack. We'd drive down Allison Creek Road, which at that time was an adventure in dodging potholes. Then we'd veer off to the left onto a dirt road with no road sign. We'd take a left fork first, then a right, then another right, and so on. Those who didn't know the way would follow hand painted signs that were nailed to the pine trees at each fork.

A day at "the river" (which is how Lake Wylie was referred to in the days before Jimmy Carter) always involved lots of swimming (or bobbing around with those lovely orange life jackets), a bit of fishing with cane poles, getting bitten by chiggers, and eating watermelon. Ah, those were the days!

If an afternoon thunderstorm came up, we'd duck into the shack, hand-built by my grandfather. It had a small kitchen, a living room, and one bedroom. The "bathroom" was down a path into the woods . . .

At the end of the day, we'd go back to Grandmother's house, a bit sunburned and VERY tired. We'd paint our chigger bites with fingernail polish and go straight to bed!