February, at a Human Pace
February asks for attention, not urgency. The February issue of Stroll Ballantyne Country Club is built around the kinds of stories that reward slowing down long enough to notice them: families finding their footing, neighbors showing up for one another, pets who are unmistakably family, and local businesses shaped by care rather than shortcuts.
You can read the full February issue here.
A Month Built on Family, Discipline, and Care
The issue opens with a publishers’ note that sets the tone for everything that follows: a reminder that success is not measured by titles or milestones alone, but by the relationships that surround us. That idea echoes across the pages.
Readers meet the Bollea family, former journalists who traded newsroom schedules for Ballantyne life, youth sports calendars, and a deliberate choice to be present. Their story is grounded, funny, and recognizably local.
February’s Athlete of the Month, Ella Hagan Davis, brings a different kind of focus. Her accomplishments on the tennis court are substantial, but the story centers on discipline, perspective, and the mental stamina required to take one point at a time.
Elsewhere, the issue moves comfortably between home, table, and travel. A Ballantyne renovation emphasizes function and warmth over trend-chasing. A resident recipe is designed for a Valentine’s morning that feels personal rather than performative. A travel feature looks at intimate luxury experiences that prioritize space, calm, and intention.
And then there are the pets. The DiMartino “Weinery,” a trio of dachshunds with outsized personalities, is both charming and quietly profound in its reminder that companionship often defines a household more than square footage ever could.
Sponsor Spotlight: Care, Done the Right Way
A brief pause to acknowledge a partner whose values align naturally with this issue.
Mercedes-Benz of South Charlotte, located at 950 N Polk Street in Pineville, operates on a simple principle: luxury is not a product line; it is a level of care. Founded by Felix Sabates and now part of the Penske Automotive Group, the dealership has become the region’s top-volume Mercedes-Benz retailer by prioritizing integrity, long-term relationships, and service done correctly rather than quickly.
You can read Strolling Ballantyne’s full profile here and a deeper look at its community leadership here.
What This Issue Gets Right About Ballantyne
What makes the February issue work is restraint. It resists the temptation to rush or overstate. Instead, it lets people speak for themselves and allows small details to carry meaning.
Mental health providers are profiled not as trends, but as neighbors building practices around compassion. A barbershop reads less like a retail stop and more like a gathering place. Dog daycare is treated with the same seriousness as early education. Neighbors deliver cakes, not content.
This is Ballantyne as it is lived, not marketed.
Where to Wander Next
If the February issue leaves you curious, the site is designed for unhurried exploration.
Start with what’s happening Events or pull up a chair in Hospitality. Spend time with the people who shape the neighborhood in People and Pets. Follow the forces that quietly influence daily life in Politics and Real Estate. Or browse everything Ballantyne in one place here.
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Share Your Story
Strolling Ballantyne is built from shared moments. If you have photos, ideas, or a story worth telling, send them to ballantyne@strollmag.com. Everyone has a story worth sharing.
About the Author
Nell Thomas writes with a notebook in one hand and a large coffee from Einstein Bros. Bagels in Ballantyne in the other. You are most likely to find her at the Rea Road location, ordering an everything bagel with shmear and telling herself that this time she will skip the hash brown. Nell is a senior writer for The Charlotte Mercury and a contributor to Strolling Ballantyne, which is part of The Mercury network. More of her work can be found at cltmercury.com.
Creative Commons License
© 2026 Strolling Ballantyne / The Charlotte Mercury
This article, “February, at a Human Pace,” by Nell Thomas is licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0.
“February, at a Human Pace”
by Nell Thomas, Strolling Ballantyne (CC BY-ND 4.0)