But the Bensmans are now closing in on true retirement. Jim announced earlier this year that, after 10 years as a Cornelius town commissioner, he will not run for re-election, and last week, the couple announced they have sold Camp Wagging Tails and will set their sights on more time with family.
"We decided to retire and focus on enjoying our family and traveling," the Bensmans said in an e-mail to the Camp Wagging Tails faithful. "This decision was driven by the arrival of two grandchildren, Cameron and Alexandra, who live in Philadelphia. Right now, we plan to stay in Cornelius and travel to see our children, the grandkids, other family and friends. Over time we will figure out what will work best at this exciting turning point in our lives."
The new owners are Richard and Mary Colven, who have relocated here from Leesburg, Va. The Bensmans say the Colvens will run the business as they did, as husband-and-wife owner-operators. The Colvens began their on-site work and training last week.
"We are pleased to have found a couple so dedicated to quality pet care that will build on the strong foundation of this business to make it even better," said the Bensmans. "We are confident you will love the way Richard and Mary carry on the Camp Wagging Tails tradition."
It will be a homecoming of sorts for Richard, who graduated from Kinston High School and attended UNC-Chapel Hill on a Morehead Scholarship. He recently retired from Detica, a computer software firm. Mary was born and raised in Iowa, and most recently was a senior director at Applied Materials.
"As lifelong dog and cat lovers, we decided to leave the corporate world and look for a business where the family could work together, which is what led us to Camp Wagging Tails," said the Colvens in the same e-mail release. The Colven family includes four children as well as Leo the Golden Retriever and Chewbacca, a Rag Doll cat.
The Bensmans and Colvens will host an open house Saturday, Nov. 5, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., for their two- and four-legged customers, and those who might be campers in the future. Camp Wagging Tails is at 10835 Bailey Road in Cornelius. For more details, visit www.campwaggingtails.com or call 704-895-8444.
Bragging rights for local gymnasts
Heading into its second year of operations, Gymnastics Director Cory Wooten of Flying High Academy of Mooresville says he and his gymnasts have much to celebrate.
Wooten is the 2009 State Optional Coach of the Year, and has assembled a competitive team of 15 boys as well as a growing roster of recreation gymnastics and tumbling classes for boys and girls.
"When my business partner and I decided to open this facility last year, we had a business plan for gymnastics and cheerleading programs," Wooten says. "We had no idea the growth that would exceed our expectations."
Located in a warehouse just off N.C. 115 in Mooresville (405 Oak St.), Flying High is home to one of the top boys' gymnastics programs in the state, including North Carolina's current Level 10 gold and silver winning gymnasts Patrick Henley and Phillip Pruett, respectively.
Henley is a regional qualifier and won the state title on floor exercise and pommel horse, second place on parallel bars and high bar and third on vault.
Pruett is a six-time regional qualifier, four-time Junior Olympic qualifier and was named North Carolina Gymnast of the Year. He won the state title on still rings and parallel bars, and placed second on pommel horse, floor exercise and vault.
In addition to competitive gymnastics, Flying High is also home to a competitive cheerleading program. Co-owner Scott Carraher is the cheerleading director and heads up the competitive squad, the Raven All Stars.
More information about the facility as well as its classes, after-school programs, summer camps and birthday parties is available at www.flyinghighmooresville.com or 704-235-0539.
AXA hits decade of scholarships
AXA Advisors, LLC of the South and Western Carolinas will offer the 2012 AXA Achievement Scholarship, in association with U.S. News & World Report. Marking its 10th anniversary, the 2012 scholarship competition will award $670,000 in scholarships to students across the country. Since the program launched, more than $20 million in scholarships have been awarded to more than 4,300 students.
Fifty-two scholars — one from each state, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico — will be selected to receive a one-time award of $10,000 each. Ten of those students will be selected as national winners, earning an additional scholarship of $15,000 and the opportunity for an internship at AXA.
Qualified candidates will have demonstrated ambition and drive, the ability to succeed in college and respect for self, family and community. The online scholarship application is available at www.axa-achievement.com and must be submitted by Dec. 1.
"The South and Western Carolinas office of AXA Advisors has a history of community involvement and we are proud to provide support to families so that they may help their children financially prepare for, attend and succeed in college," says K. Mark Poulton, ChFC, CLU, executive vice president and manager of AXA Advisors' Charlotte office (10840 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Suite 100). "AXA Advisors is about investments and we consider these scholarships an investment in our students and in our community."
The local AXA Advisors office is at 19900 W. Catawba Ave., Suite 207 in Cornelius, providing individuals and business owners with strategies and products for financial protection and investments. For more information about AXA Advisors or the AXA Achievement Scholarship, contact Lauren Brisby at 704-540-2961 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Pizza mission man at House of Olives
Next week, The House of Olives at Birkdale Village in Huntersville will feature special guest Chef Peter Reinhart of Johnson and Wales University.
On Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m., Reinhart will read from his upcoming book Mastering Gluten Free, Sugar Free Baking, as well as talk about life as a culinary instructor while also seeking the perfect pizza. In addition, he will answer questions about baking and autograph books.
The event is free, but RSVPs are requested by calling The House of Olives at 704-895-6950 or stopping by the store (16620 Cranlyn Road, Suite 120) to place your name on the guest list.
Primrose School earns high state rating
For the second year in a row, the Primrose School of Cornelius has been awarded a five-star rating by the Division of Child Development under the North Carolina star-rated license system.
It joined six other Charlotte-area Primrose Schools in the highest star level for childcare centers in the state, including Primrose School of Lake Norman in Mooresville. The rating system is based on staff education and program standards, with the opportunity to earn points for enhanced standards in those two areas.
"We are thrilled that all Charlotte-area Primrose Schools have achieved this level of excellence under (the system)," says Cheryl Jenkins, owner of the Cornelius facility. "Primrose Schools is dedicated to providing the best and most trusted early childhood education and childcare services to all of our families."
For more information on the Primrose School of Cornelius, visit www.primrosecornelius.com.
Presby adds cancer navigation specialist
Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville has added Pat McKinney to its team as the hospital's first cancer patient navigator, whose primary function is to personally guide patients through their courses of treatment.
McKinney's role begins shortly after diagnosis by consulting with the patient and providing information on available programs such as support groups, counseling, symptom management and the hospital's Second Opinion Cancer Clinic. McKinney will also coordinate physician appointments, provide a familiar face at pre-surgery and answer questions and offer support.
"It's difficult for patients to see past their diagnosis, and that's where I come in," says McKinney, a Huntersville resident who has worked at PHH since it opened in 2004. "I take the burden of healthcare logistics off the patient, allowing them to focus on what is most important — survivorship."
McKinney, who has been honored as one of the top 100 nurses in North Carolina by The Great 100, Inc., joins a team of six cancer navigators at Presbyterian Cancer Center. Patients may self-refer to a cancer navigator. For more information, call 704-384-5373.
Salon owner returns with new bridal shop
There will be a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for Designing Brides, a bridal and custom-tailoring salon in Davidson, on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 8 a.m. Breakfast will be provided by Toast Café of Davidson, and members of the business community and the public are invited.
Designing Brides, at 107 N. Main St., is owned by Nancy Lepore, who has more than 25 years' experience in the bridal attire business. Lepore opened the first bridal store in downtown Davidson in 1998, and is now back in town with her new shop at the corner of Concord Road and Main Street.
"Designing Brides has been designed to be a welcoming and comfortable salon," Lepore says, "with plenty of room for brides, mothers and bridesmaids to try on gowns and dresses or have one custom designed."
The salon, which is already open for business, features bridal gowns and special occasion dresses, as well as hand-designed satin and silk pillows, hankies and accessories. Designing Brides also offers customer alterations.
The salon is now offering discounts of up to 50 percent off select bridal gowns and mothers' dresses through Dec. 30. More information is available by calling 704-655-1009 or visiting www.designingbrides.net.
New business supports LKN-area schools
In support of St. Mark Preschool in Huntersville and Park View Elementary in Mooresville, Stuck on You Invitations of Huntersville will host its first local schools fundraiser. Established in March 2011, Stuck on You Invitations will donate a portion of its holiday card sales from any order processed that mentions one of the two schools. Orders must be received by Sunday, Dec. 11.
The Huntersville business was founded by stay-at-home moms Jennifer Kellner and Tiffany Redmon, who say, as former educators, they understand the importance of supporting local schools and investing in a child's future. Invitations and holiday cards can be purchased online at www.stuckonyouinvitations.com.
Welcome to the world! Baby photogs at LNR
Officials at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center have found a way to make at least part of the childbirth experience a little less painful, announcing a new way to turn newborn photo sessions into a family experience.
Bella Baby Photography, a company specializing in hospital baby portraiture, will capture baby's first moments using a photojournalistic magazine style, incorporating natural light and props such as blankets and baskets. Photographers will also offer a variety of poses including with siblings and parents. LNRMC is the first hospital in the state to offer this service.
Bella Baby photographers will be on-site every day, and each patient is offered a complimentary photo session that takes place in their hospital room. Instant viewing of the photo session will be available, and the pictures can be posted online using a password to the Bella Baby Web site.
"Hospital stays can be very hectic, with many visitors wanting to meet the newest bundle of joy while parents are simply trying to function on a lack of sleep and enjoy the baby as much as possible," says Lauren Naldzin, director of operations. "With Bella Baby, parents no longer need to worry about capturing their newborn's first moments.."
More information is available at www.bellababyphotography.com or by calling 877-817-8830.
Real estate agents get 'winning edge'
Three local Allen Tate Realtors have graduated from the company's "Winning Edge" training program. Tom Fyler of Davidson, Sharon Miller in Mooresville and Tara Gamble of the Lake Norman office completed the required real estate training program that includes the latest in national real estate trends, technology, license law and sales and marketing techniques.
Allen Tate Realtors serve the Charlotte, Triad, Triangle and Upstate South Carolina regions. For more information, visit www.allentate.com.
McDonald director at orthopedic center
James P. McDonald, MD, has been named Medical Director of The Orthopedic & Spine Center of Lake Norman, officials of Lake Norman Regional Medical Center announced late last week.
McDonald is a board certified orthopedic surgeon who has been a member of the LNRMC medical staff since 2004. He earned his medical degree at the University of Michigan and completed his internship, residency and fellowship in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Orthopedic & Spine Center of Lake Norman provides a multi-disciplinary approach to caring for the specialized surgical needs of the orthopedic patient resulting from injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. For more information about the center or to contact McDonald, call Tara Vitale, RN, Orthopedic Nurse Navigator at 704-660-4164 or send an e-mail to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
