Ballantyne Magazine

FALL 2014

Ballantyne Magazine covers news, events, real estate, restaurants, shopping, health, schools and business in the upscale Ballantyne Area of Charlotte, NC.

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OUR PRIMARY INITIATIVE AT BISSELL THIS YEAR IS "FIND YOUR FORWARD." For me that means taking on a more strategic role in my capacity as a vice president and director of the company. Moving onward and upward is one of those bittersweet transitions, however, because it makes this my last issue as publisher. Since assuming that post in 2010, I've shepherded the transformation of this magazine into a living portrait of all of us who live, work and play here, and the incredible force for good this community has become. Over the past five years, the response from everyone to the vision I hoped to achieve has transcended my expectations, and for that I wish to express immense gratitude. Starting with the next issue, Ballantyne Magazine will be published by Bissell Media LLC under the talented team leadership of Regina Robertson, who steps up to editor-in-chief, and Diana Blocker, who will continue to lead sales and become associate publisher. Fittingly, autumn also brings a definitive change as we focus on the seasonal beauty here at home. In our cover story, "Peaceful Paradise," we showcase the tranquil water gardens of several Ballantyne-area residents who have turned their backyards into a personal oasis. These serene settings with cascading waterfalls and ponds harbor colorful koi and reflect a growing desire to create a peaceful getaway in our own landscapes. As schools reopen for the year, we like to highlight local education, so "The Bright Stuff" explores the efforts of four local high schools to meet America's demand for more STEM grads. You'll meet top-notch teachers at Charlotte Latin, Providence and Ardrey Kell who are inspiring students to design and build robotic arms, 3D games, quadcopters and yes, even drones. These young people with engineering minds give us hope for a promising future of innovation to better humankind. For other youngsters, the arts are a big draw. In "Brothers of the Knight" we glimpse at the budding show-biz career of 12-year-old Chloe Allen, who lives with her family in Ballantyne. The seventh grader was chosen as a dancer and principal cast member by award-winning dancer Debbie Allen for a traveling musical company that performed in cities around the country this summer. Football is another type of performance, so as we enjoy the gridiron season this fall, Expert Direct provides an inventive, light-hearted take on tailgating at Carolina Panthers games. In Fab Fare, we visit the Terrace Café to see what the brunchtime/anytime crowd is raving about, while "Going Home" journeys Down East to Maine where leaf peepers revel in brilliant foliage, dive into a real lobster and rub elbows with the rich and famous in Bar Harbor. I urge you visit www.ballantynemagazine.com to complete a short reader survey. As I pass the leadership baton to Regina and Diana, I know their focus is the same one I've had: to provide the most relevant content and information you need. Thank you for help in that endeavor. I bid you a fond farewell. JJ Bissell Publisher, Ballantyne Magazine BALLANTYNE | publisher's letter Our Living Portrait It's Been a Great Five Years as Publisher The response from everyone to the vision I hoped to achieve has transcended my expectations . 10 BALLANTYNE MAGAZINE FALL 2014

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