Celebrating past, present and future art at the Clemmons Family Farm

Celebrating past, present and future art at the Clemmons Family Farm

Lydia Clemmons, Clemmons Family Farm

Many of you may remember the intriguing signs for Authentica African Art Imports located along Route 7, Ferry Road, and in front of the shop owned by Jack and Lydia Clemmons on Greenbush Road. Located in what was once an 18th century blacksmith shop, Authentica included an art gallery and an enthralling assortment of exotic treasures collected by the couple during their work and travels in Africa between the 1980s and early 2000s.

Rendering the Clemmons Family Farm vision

Rendering the Clemmons Family Farm vision

Susan Crockenberg, Contributor

A year ago at a breakfast Alice Outwater hosted at Shelburne Farms, Lydia Clemmons (the younger) alerted me to her family’s plans to transform their farm into an African American Heritage and Multicultural Center here in Charlotte. I was impressed with their undertaking and drawn in by Lydia’s enthusiastic rendering of the Clemmons Family Farm vision. But it was meeting Jackson and Lydia (the elder) Clemmons and listening to their inspiring and often poignant stories about their lives in Charlotte as well as their family history back to the time of slavery that fully engaged my heart.

Spinnakers galore and regatta results

Spinnakers galore and regatta results

Tim Etchells, Contributor

The fifth annual Diamond Island Regatta, on Saturday, Aug.19, matched last year’s record turnout, drawing 30 competitors for a day of sailboat racing on Lake Champlain. Again this year, the benefit race, sponsored by the Royal Savage Yacht Club (RSYC) and Point Bay Marina, netted more than $1,000 for the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (LCMM) in Ferrisburgh.

Take a journey with Captain Mike on Brizo

Take a journey with Captain Mike on Brizo

Lynn Monty, Editor In Chief

He just spent five years as captain of the Whistling Man Schooner Co. on Burlington’s waterfront where he offered sailing tours on his classic sloop, Friend Ship. Now he’s embarked on yet another business venture at Point Bay Marina in Charlotte. With help from his wife, Karen, the two keep Brizo, their 36-foot yacht, in tip-top shape for private tours and Airbnb stays.

Festival of Fools celebrates its 10th anniversary

Festival of Fools celebrates its 10th anniversary

The Charlotte News

This year’s performance lineup includes New York’s Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, Pinky Special and Rob Torres; Canadians John Park, Mike Wood, The Kif-Kif Sisters, and The Matt Velvet & Charlie Show; Strong Woman Mama Lou (Austin, Texas), Brushy One-String (Jamaica), Nigel Blackstorm (England), Kenny Raskin (Newton, Mass.), Mark Hayward (Wisconsin), Snap Boogie (Boston), and The Hokum Bros. (Charlotte).