Brave, or perhaps just temporarily insane, plungers will gather on the 18th fairway at The Point Lake and Golf Club, where they will charge into the water — albeit briefly — and actually pay for the privilege all to raise money for a worthy cause.
It's also a party, with prizes for best costumes and craziest hats, music provided by Zino Productions, food and beverages — including those of the adult variety, and more. The event is open to the public with the cost for adult plungers $50, youths $20, which includes event T-shirt. A $10 youth admission does not include a T-shirt, and there is no charge for teachers and veterans to participate. Registration desk opens at 11 a.m.
After plungers get dried off and warmed up, the annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Party will be held at Lake Norman Tavern at 1468 Brawley School Road, from 4 to 11 p.m.. For $50 per person, the event includes live music with The Ethan Hanson Band, and food and beverages. Participants should RSVP at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.hope-point.org. More information is also available on the facebook group page at "Fourth Annual Lake Norman Polar Bear Club."
Green flag dropsat Convention Center
The 2012 NASCAR season will begin in Charlotte, not Daytona Beach. On Saturday, Jan. 21, the inaugural NASCAR Preview 2012 Presented by Sprint will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center from 9:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This preseason fan event will feature driver and show car appearances, simulators, games and a chance to meet top 15 NASCAR drivers including, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson and more. The event is part of the three-day NASCAR Acceleration Weekend held Jan. 20-22, which kicks off with the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for the Class of 2012. The class includes Darrell Waltrip, Cale Yarborough, Dale Inman, Richie Evans and Glen Wood.
Tickets cost $10 per individual event admission, $20 for a combo ticket that includes admission to both the preview event and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. A $299 VIP weekend package includes all NASCAR Acceleration Weekend events. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000. For a complete schedule of events in including driver appearances, visit www.NASCARAcceleration2012.com.
Go First Footin' at Rural Hill
You can walk or you can run, but either way Historic Rural Hill will be the place to step into the new year. The historic grounds, off Neck Road in Huntersville, will continue a centuries-old Scottish tradition and play host to an inaugural race all on New Year's Day 2012.
First Footin', the annual hike and celebration of the Scottish New Year rite of Hogmanay, which includes a walking of the property line, will be joined this year by the first-ever First Footin' Five Miler sponsored by the McIntosh Law Firm. Both events will begin at 11 a.m. at Rural Hill followed, by food and fellowship at 12:30 p.m.
No reservations are required for First Footin' and the group festivities, but registration is required for the five-mile run. The race participation fee is $30 and details are available at www.ruralhill.net/FirstFootinFive.asp.
The race will cover a relatively simple, five-mile course through the Rural Hill grounds and is designed to ease runners of all talent and dedication levels back into the running habit after the Christmas and New Year's seasons.
The First Footin' event is more of a celebration than a competition. Hogmanay is an age-old ritual handed down from Scottish villagers who, on each New Year's Day, walked the town limits to reclaim or restate the boundaries of the town. The hike will cover a fairly rigorous route, and proper footwear and attire suitable for a cold-weather trek are advised.
In the traditional format of the event, participants who didn't bring anything to add to the event were viewed as bad omens, and that tradition, too, has been followed at Rural Hill.
All participants, whether planning to walk or run, are encouraged to bring items for the luncheon and fellowship that will follow the activities. A "stone soup" re-enactment will be included, so items such as fresh or canned vegetables for the soup, or bread and desserts to accompany the main dish, will be needed. Drinks, bowls, plates, napkins and utensils will also be required but, most importantly, don't show up empty-handed.
Those who don't want to walk or run in the events are still urged to attend and take part in the meal and camaraderie. For more information about all Rural Hill activities, visit www.RuralHill.net.
Hopewell Church celebrates 250 years
Hopewell Presbyterian Church sits nestled among oak trees behind a sturdy stone wall that lines the northern end of Beatties Ford Road in Huntersville. The sanctuary made of brick, with large pane windows and shutters holds stories of a congregation rooted in faith from more than two centuries.
Throughout 2012 Hopewell Presbyterian Church will celebrate 250 years of an organized congregation of faith, mission and evangelism in the local community.
Each quarter of the year will commemorate a century in the life of Hopewell. Church life will be re-enacted with members dressed in period clothing as greeters each Sunday morning. The year-long celebration and calendar of events will begin with a special worship service and luncheon on Sunday, Jan. 15. Other events throughout the year will include new mission initiatives including 250 acts of kindness, a parade from the first organized congregation site in Tanner's Creek subdivision to the church campus, Renaissance Singers concert, Charlotte Presbytery Women's Fall Gathering, special guest preachers including former pastors, and a Heritage Sunday service with luncheon to honor the memory and ministry of the late pastor Jeff Lowrance. The year will conclude with a Rededication Sunday and burial of a time capsule.
The Hopewell congregation invites the community to celebrate this milestone in the life of the church. Please see the calendar of events. View the year-long calendar of events on the church Web site at www.hopewellpresbyterian.com.
