Friends of Fourth Ward Holiday Tour

Founded in 1977 by neighbors who visited each other’s homes to feast, sing carols and enjoy holiday décor, the Friends of Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour has evolved into a successful fund raiser and covers quite a large area of the Center City.

Nutcracker rehearsal

We began our tour at the North Carolina Dance Theatre where the students were rehearsing for The Nutcracker Ballet, an annual event for the school. 

 Then on to pick up our tickets by way of a carriage ride starting at the Seventh Street Public Market where musicians were playing seasonal music, and cider, cookies, wine and cheese were being served.

Young performers at 7th St. Market

Our next stop on the tour was Alexander Michaels, Fourth Wards historical restaurant and bar serving great food and beverages. After soup and salad we were on our way to our first home. 

 
Needless to say the homes were decorated with breathtaking artistry and the lights, caroling and music filled the narrow streets with street lamps glowing. It was truly magical.

Fourth Ward has been preserved in the greatest of traditions boasting its life of days gone by when coal heated the houses and the milk man left his bottles of milk on the front porch. I still remember the coal trucks coming after dark in the winter time rolling slowly down the street and the voice of a small child hanging from the side of the truck calling out “hey coal.” The kids came running from the houses with their empty buckets and their nickels to purchase a bucket of coal for the night. The mist would hang heavy in the street lamps and the smell of dinner still lingered in the air.

The Jenkins/Lancaster Residence transformed into a Christmas wonderland with a tree in almost every room. Each tree had its own theme. My favorite? The Top Hat Tree.

The Mink Santa standing about three feet tall was adorned in mink and jewels inherited from the owner’s mother and honoring her memory and her love of Christmas. What a great way to say, I love you Mom.

And of course the rooftop terrace is amazing for social gatherings, a garden oasis in the heart of the Center City.

The restored Dittloff Residence, dating back to the 1800s, is a modern day version of the original and done quite beautifully. The Dittloffs directed the renovation and have truly preserved the integrity of the home. Mrs. Dittloff, artist extraordinaire, has her art work displayed throughout the home for an added pleasure.

The McNinch House Restaurant 1891. 

 Oh my there is so much to say about this genteel Southern home. The photos don’t do it justice. The downstairs was decorated complete with all the trimmings you would have seen in the 1800s if you were dining at Christmas time in the McNinch home.


We have not had the pleasure of having a meal there but it is truly on our list of very special things to do.

The upstairs, open for the first time, is the private residence of owner Ellen Davis. The wife of the mayor of Charlotte who built the home, Mattie McNinch, had her private room looking down on the street where she spent her quiet time. The room is known as “Mattie’s room.”

Mattie's Room

The front parlor, master bedroom and the enchanting bathroom are decorated in the finest fabrics and accessories, with purple used throughout, Mattie’s favorite color.

One of the condominiums on the tour

 With four beautifully restored Victorian homes, two townhomes and two condominiums to tour, the Fourth Ward Holiday Home Tour was a wonderful 4 or 5 hours of time spent in another era.

Refreshments were served at several of the homes and complimentary carriage rides around the Fourth Ward neighborhood were offered.

We ran into friends spending their 12-year wedding anniversary celebrating their life together while on the tour. So romantic.

Lisa and Joe celebrating 12 years

Chandelier at McNinch

See you in December. A wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season.

Happy New Year to All.

Our thanks to Beth Spears for inviting us on the tour. 
For more information on the Friends of the Fourth Ward and its two annual home and garden tours, visit fofw.org

A New Year, A New You!

A healthy dessert option

By Dilworth Now Nutrition Columnist Marian Bennett

A New Year brings new beginnings and starts. 

We all hear about losing weight for the New Year. Here are some healthy alternatives to help kick start the process! 

• Most of us enjoy homemade mashed potatoes, but while it is a comforting side, the calories can really rack up! Instead of adding butter and milk, go for buttermilk. It does not skimp on the flavor or the smooth consistency. 
• Try swapping the potatoes for cauliflower if you are looking for a low carbohydrate option.
• If you want different protein options, instead of having beef or poultry every day of the week, opt for a meatless Monday. Incorporate low sodium black beans or red kidney beans into a taco salad or homemade chili. 
• Now let’s not forget dessert! If you are an ice cream fanatic like myself, try some plain frozen Greek yogurt with some crushed berries, a sprinkle of chopped nuts, and a drizzle of honey for sweetness. 
• For all you chocolate lovers out there, opt for getting a frozen, skinny fudge bar or having frozen strawberries or a banana drizzled with chocolate. 

Incorporating just one small change can have a huge impact on your waistline!

Wine Tasting at 131 Main's Cu [Copper] Bar

             

Wine Tasting at Cu

Having attended quite a few wine tastings in the Dilworth and Charlotte area we are pleased to say the wine tasting at the Cu Bar at 131 Main is hands down the best.

The 60 or so guests who attended were served five beautiful wines and dined on shrimp, spare ribs, crab cakes, an assortment of fresh veggies, fruits and cheeses and chocolate covered strawberries in a casual yet elegant atmosphere.

We started off with French champagne followed by St. Supery Virtu 2012 (my favorite) and several other wines ranging from Ancien Pinot Noir to John Anthony Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley.

What made this particular tasting so special was the way it was organized—or should I say the way it was not.  The very gracious wine reps mingled with the guests and poured the wines in order. 



You could sit at the bar, the tables or the couches at the end of the bar.  No one was overlooked and the relaxed event was so much fun for everyone.

Cu's bartenders

The wine bar, Cu [Copper], is a favorite in Dilworth and has been rearranged inside to accommodate more guests with a feeling of more space and room to move around.  We spoke with several guests who live upstairs in the condos and more who walked from their homes. The wine tasting is so popular one couple drove in from Belmont as they often do because they love dining in the restaurant.

GM Billy Schaefer and friend

The General Manager Billy Schaefer, who has recently relocated from the Asheville area, and his go-to girl Molly Rountree have given the spot a new energy and obvious feeling of fun and new friendships.

Molly Rountree

One of the great ideas is a guest membership card (free) which keeps track of monies spent during the month, earning great discounts and comps on food, drinks and wine.

The monthly tastings are $20 and dinner menu items are in the $30.  We promise you if you are a rib lover don’t miss out. The baby backs at 131 Main are among the best in town.

More Dilworthians at the Cu wine tasting:

And the group from Belmont!

131 Main Restaurant and Cu [Copper] Bar

1315 East Boulevard

Charlotte, NC 28203

(704) 343-0131

www.131-main.com