Do empty nests have silver linings?
Plus: Our final Ledger crossword before a pause; Top news of the week — 6 CMS schools rank among highest in the state — Budd and Beasley face off in a debate — Red Ventures sells some of its brands
Good morning! Today is Saturday, October 8, 2022. You’re reading The Charlotte Ledger’s Weekend Edition.
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Column: From grocery shopping to sleeping, life changes when your youngest leaves the house
Colleen Brannan gets her youngest child, Phoebe, settled into her freshman dorm at the University of Southern California in August (left); Samantha Carabell’s fridge is noticeably cleaner and emptier with the kids gone (right).
By Colleen Brannan
I’ve been an empty nester for seven long weeks now, since I left my baby girl, Phoebe, 2,500 miles away at college in Los Angeles and sobbed the entire way home.
Apologies to those American Airlines passengers on Flight 1637 who got to experience my grief for four and a half hours — which was likely worse than being seated next to an infant or first-time flyer.
You would think — having done the same with my son, Nick, two years ago — I’d be an old pro by now. But for me, this new reality of no kids at home is akin to losing a limb. Who am I if I’m not acting as a human alarm clock, cooking meals on demand, offering personal hygiene reminders and running a late-night laundromat?
I wondered if other recent empty nesters were equally as heartbroken, so I reached out to my network to see. What I found were some undeniable trends, including:
Dinner has been canceled: There’s no thrill in cooking for two, so we’re eating out more. I heard the same from almost everyone I spoke with, which makes me think restaurants should replace “Kids Night” with “Empty Nester Specials.” I guarantee our average check total is higher (given we drink during the week now). Plus, we don’t throw Cheerios.
Bedtime is earlier: With no one to wait up for anymore or the possibility of that occasional “can you come get me?” call, there’s no reason to fall asleep on the couch several times before finally hitting the hay. Many of my well-rested comrades are getting up earlier to exercise or to beat traffic to the office, but not me. I’m just popping a melatonin and sleeping longer.
House stays cleaner, longer: I never thought I’d miss wiping counters or finding dishes in the sink, but with kids out of the house, things are exactly as you left them. Laura Barksdale, a teacher at Eastover Elementary, told me the first thing she and her husband, Andy, did after their son left was to venture into his room to “deep clean,” removing five bags of trash. I’m not ready or remotely interested in that, but my once-cream-colored sectional has a date with Stanley Steamer next week.
Grocery shopping habits have changed: Our fridge is shockingly bare, and there are fewer trips to the Teeter. For me, I miss Costco and still go, but of course I buy less. On the bright side, I can now bring the house brand home without teenage heckling. Evidently, Kirkland brand anything can affect a teen’s street cred.
Conversations with those making the most of it were inspiring, and may just help me out of my funk:
Trying new things: Molly Carroll, a partner at Trinity Partners, says she has pushed herself to do things she wouldn’t normally do, perhaps as a distraction. “I went to two major sporting events in one week, which is unheard of for me, a person who refers to games as ‘sportsball,’” she said. For years, while I was on the soccer sidelines, I heard about this phenomenon called “brunch” with no agenda and bottomless mimosas. Maybe I’ll try that?
Revisiting old hobbies: Samantha Carabell picked up golf again after a 20-year hiatus. Perhaps I’ll hit Kate’s Skating Rink for a little ladies’ choice?
Tackling household projects: Melissa and Joe Ricco finally put a pool in the backyard after the last child left this fall. Maybe my dream of an outdoor tiki hut bar is not so out of reach!
Controlling the tunes (and noise level): Johnny Morgan, owner of SL Bagby Lighting, tells me since his third son left for college, Moneybagg Yo, GloRilla and DaBaby blasting from the bonus room have been replaced with Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs and Kacey Musgraves. Sounds like I might be moving in with them! Even with the kids gone, I’ll still have to negotiate with my husband, Scott, who does not share my love of country music. But like Johnny’s house, whatever we agree on will undoubtedly be less noisy.
Hurrying Less: Colleen Odegaard, former WCNC reporter and host of the Wake Up To Your Life Podcast, whose youngest son just left the roost, says she’s not in such a hurry anymore and she likes that. Come to think of it, I do, too.
Research for this column was therapeutic on a number of levels, and I think I’m ready to get my groove back — right after I return from visiting Phoebe in Los Angeles later this week.
Colleen Brannan, a 30+ year PR professional and 20+ year Mom owns BRANSTORM PR. If you would like to join her Empty Nester Happy Hour Support Group or share fun stories about this life stage, email her colleen@branstorm.com. or DM her on IG colleen_brannan.
Today’s supporting sponsors are Topsail Wealth Management, which provides clients with a premier wealth management partnership. With a high-value and low-cost approach, clients minimize costs and keep more of their wealth.
… and Soni Brendle:
This week’s Charlotte-themed crossword: ‘Cool Runnings’; final Ledger crossword for a little bit
Can you solve this week’s crossword? Do you know 11 Down, which asks for a famous 2013 quote by Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. (8 letters)?
This is The Ledger’s 30th crossword puzzle. We’re going to a break and catch our breath — so this will be the final one for a while. We know our crosswords have an avid following, and we appreciate those of you who work the puzzles and have reached out with suggestions. Look for an announcement about Ledger crosswords in the next few weeks.
Ledger crosswords are constructed by Chris King, edited by Tim Whitmire and presented by CXN Advisory. Feel free to check out more crossword puzzles by Chris King here.
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For nearly 30 other crosswords with local clues, check out our dedicated Charlotte Ledger Crossword page.
You might be interested in these Charlotte events
Events submitted by readers to The Ledger’s events board:
Oct. 15: [Re]Build the Roost, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Victoria Yards, Charlotte. Join us as we raise funds for our home repair programs while highlighting the work of local artists. Sponsors and local artists are working together to create birdhouses that will be up for auction at [Re]Build the Roost. Tickets cover the price of entry, small bites, and a drink ticket. $20.
Oct. 30: Sustain Charlotte's Biketoberfest, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Triple C Brewing Co., Charlotte. Biketoberfest is a family-friendly urban adventure benefitting Sustain Charlotte. This scavenger hunt-style walk/bike event includes a party with music and beer at Triple C. Participants get stamps at local businesses along the route for chances to win prizes. $25 and up.
◼️ Check out the full Ledger events board.
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This week in Charlotte: State’s virtual schools continue to score low; Jeff Jackson requests investigation of his opponent; new library headed to University City
On Saturdays, The Ledger sifts through the local news of the week and links to the top articles — even if they appeared somewhere else. We’ll help you get caught up. That’s what Saturdays are for.
Education
Virtual schools lagging: (WFAE) North Carolina’s two online charter schools scored low on proficiency and progress in 2022 and have been lagging since the state authorized them in 2015. But because virtual charter schools are a state pilot program, they are authorized to run through 2025 without facing the normal renewal process.
6 CMS schools earn high ranks: (WFAE) Six Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools ranked among the highest in the state for academic progress, and Providence High, Ardrey Kell High and Jay M. Robinson Middle School were among the 26 N.C. schools that received perfect “A” scores.
Politics
Beasley-Budd debate: (WRAL) North Carolina U.S. Senate candidates Ted Budd and Cheri Beasley faced off in a debate Friday night on topics ranging from abortion and immigration to their economics policies. Recent polls show the two in a deadlocked race.
Jeff Jackson requests investigation: (WFAE) Democratic congressional nominee Jeff Jackson filed a four-page letter with the Mecklenburg County Board of Elections asking officials to investigate Republican whether opponent Pat Harrigan has fraudulently voted in Mecklenburg County.
Local news
Charlotte nonprofit under FBI investigation: (WBTV) CW Williams Health Center is under investigation by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General for allegations of questionable billing practices, improper administration of grant funding and internal financial controls and mismanagement of patient information.
New library headed to University City: (Observer) A new $39.6M library will be built at the University Place complex in University City, after a unanimous vote by the Mecklenburg County commissioners Thursday.
No more traffic stops for non-moving violations: (WBTV) The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office announced that it will no longer pull drivers over for “non-moving violations,” which include tinted windows, expired tags and broken taillights. Sheriff Garry McFadden said he created the new policy after a presentation from advocates that showed Black drivers are stopped more often for these types of offenses.
Business
Duke Energy files for N.C. rate hike: (Biz Journal) Duke Energy Progress filed for a three-year, 16% rate hike in North Carolina, a change that will cause typical residential customers to see their average monthly bills rise 18.7% by Oct. 1, 2025.
Red Ventures sells TV Guide: (Ledger) In a move to focus more on finance, health and media, Indian Land, S.C.-based Red Ventures is selling off seven of its entertainment brands, which includes the iconic TV Guide, as part of a $55M deal.
BofA to close one branch and open another: (Biz Journal) Bank of America will close a Charlotte branch on The Plaza in late August and open a new financial center just a couple of miles away at 36th and Tryon streets in NoDa.
From the Ledger family of newsletters
Charity Spotlight: Charlotte-based E4E Relief provides immediate financial assistance to workers at large companies who experience hardships or endure natural disasters. As a result of Hurricane Ian, the organization expects to receive 5,000 to 8,000 applications, many of which will be related to the financial costs of evacuating from Florida.
245-acre Rock Hill listing: Real estate firm Colliers published an online sales brochure for “a premier ± 245-acre mixed-use development opportunity” called “Rock Hill Overlook,” which appears to be on the site of the abandoned Carolina Panthers headquarters project.
Insurance update: Last week, we brought you a story about Tryon Medical Partners dropping the Humana Medicare Advantage insurance plan used by many retired state employees. This week, the North Carolina state treasurer told The Ledger that “nothing will change” and that former state employees on the Humana Medicare Advantage insurance plan can continue to be covered when seeing Tryon Medical Partners doctors.
Comparing Charlotte and Raleigh’s skylines: Our friends at The Assembly, a new statewide digital magazine, found some striking differences between Charlotte’s and Raleigh’s skylines. For example: “One focused first on amassing tall buildings in its Uptown district. The other looked to development nodes ringing downtown.”
Atrium Health changes in SouthPark: Atrium Health is closing its SouthPark urgent care center, expanding other doctors’ offices, and adding a bistro/coffee shop on the site on Cameron Valley Parkway.
Wednesday (🔒)
Changes in the apartment rental market: The apartment rental market seems to be slowing down, and for the first time in more than two years, the asking rents for new Charlotte apartment leases fell last quarter compared with the previous quarter, according to real estate data company CoStar Group.
Charlotte restaurant owner drops defamation lawsuit: Patrick Whalen, the co-owner of 5th Street Group, agreed to settle his defamation lawsuit against Queen City Nerve freelance writer Dion Beary in which Whalen sought $25,000 in damages for the spreading of false statements about one of his restaurants on social media.
Charlotte’s new medical school: Demolition work has started on the site of the future Charlotte campus of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in the Dilworth/Midtown area, which will open in 2024.
Matthews businesses concerned about projects related to bond: Downtown Matthews business owners met with town officials this week to express their worries about road construction plans that would be funded through a $35M bond if the town votes for its approval in November.
Substack adds Android version: Substack, the platform that the Charlotte Ledger uses to publish and send email newsletters, released a reader app for Android devices this week.
Friday (🔒)
Families seeking larger sums of financial assistance: Charlotte charity Crisis Assistance Ministry says families are requesting larger amounts of monetary help than they have in the past, due to a variety of factors including families being behind on bills post-Covid and a rise in utilities and rents.
Signs of frustration from Dilworth restaurant: Matt Wohlfarth, the owner of Dilworth Neighborhood Grille, has posted large signs in front of his restaurant on East Morehead Street to express his frustration with road construction delays that are restricting customers’ access to his restaurant. City officials said the project is being complicated by a large chunk of granite underground.
Ballantyne Reimagined taking shape: Work continues on the huge Ballantyne Reimagined mixed-use development, which is set to open in 2023 and includes retail space, apartments, a park and an amphitheater. We’ll show you what the project looks like now.
Ways of Life (🔒)
Annie Marie Alexander Wilson was 112 when she passed away Aug. 17. Born in 1910 on a farm in Matthews, she was alive during the year of the first public radio broadcast. She got her driver’s license at the age of 50, and when her doctor told her to stop driving at the age of 90, she changed doctors.
The Ledger’s Tony Mecia sat down with Ed Driggs, the new chair of the City Council’s transportation committee, to discuss the future of the transit plan, the outlook for streetcars and how to restore faith in the Charlotte Area Transit System.
Charlotte FC recorded the second-highest home game attendance in Major League Soccer this season, with 35,244 fans per game, which was second only to Atlanta United’s 47,353. Head coach Christian Lattanzio is expected to sign a three-year contract with Charlotte FC soon.
An exciting development at The Ledger - a new healthcare reporter
The Ledger is teaming up with North Carolina Health News, a statewide nonprofit newsroom, to fund part-time reporter Michelle Crouch to provide stepped-up local coverage of healthcare and the companies and institutions that deliver it in the Charlotte region. We recorded a podcast episode, in case you’d like to hear more about our plans.
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Staff writer: Lindsey Banks; Contributing editor: Tim Whitmire, CXN Advisory; Contributing photographer/videographer: Kevin Young, The 5 and 2 Project
So true, Coleen. So true.