07/01/2026
This Fourth of July isn’t just any Fourth of July—America is turning 250! As we celebrate our country’s independence milestone with fireworks, cookouts, and parties, America is just excited to be eligible for AARP, senior discounts, and Medicare. This may even be the year it moves into a retirement community.
Beyond commemorating the birth of our country, this month we’re also excited to celebrate the Crews Family, or as they say, the "Crews Empire," with their crew of seven! Justin and Patrice, along with their children, Jewel, Aaliyah, Janie, Micah, Colson, Joshua, and Timothy, live in The Farms neighborhood. Their family life centers around music, faith, education, and giving back to their community—true American values as they showcase the American Dream.
In this issue, you’ll hear from our expert contributors like Martin Conway of Homewatch CareGivers who provides advice for managing guilt when caring for a parent; Janet Martin of Your Personal Best Fitness Studio Mooresville explains how strength training can be conducive to lifelong health; Harlan Cato of Beltone Hearing Aid Center helps us understand how insurance works when it comes to covering the cost of hearing aids; Susan Newsom of Lake Norman Power Sports shares how to stay safe on the lake during peak boating season; and Doug Lampert of Renewal by Andersen of the Carolinas gives tips on how to keep your home cool in the summer heat.
Our Sponsor Spotlight this month features Uplift Pelvic Health and Performance. As a physical therapist and former Division II volleyball player, Dr. Lauren Davenport founded Uplift to combine athletics, orthopedics, and pelvic health after realizing the lack of specialized care for women within the physical therapy field. Davenport hopes to help women feel stronger and more confident in fitness and in life. We’re also excited to welcome our new community partners and sponsors: Haven Head Spa and ERX Emergency Restoration Experts.
We’ve curated a list of places in this issue where you can watch fireworks and celebrate the holiday in Charlotte and the Lake Norman area. Captain John Johnson explains everything you need to know about North Carolina’s free fishing day on July 4, historian Andy Poore recounts the history of Mooresville’s Central Hotel, and the Town of Mooresville NC highlights standout playground destinations. Further, learn how rising seniors can prepare for the Common App before it opens on August 1, read student reporter Tessa Rosenberg’s feature on fun at Victory Lanes in Mooresville, and see how Hope Andersen chases happiness.
We hope your month is full of fun with friends and family, and we hope you live July to its fullest—because you’ll be turning 250 before you know it.
Cover by LKN Images Photography
