Topic

Family & Kids

Family-friendly activities, camps, youth programs, and things to do with kids in Ballantyne and South Charlotte.

Jack the Shih Tzu Was Adopted on Halloween

Jack, an 8-year-old shih tzu named for the night he was adopted, lived with the Gallos for most of 2024 and through July 2025 before moving to Austin.

Stroll Ballantyne Country Club·Nov 4, 2026

Card: Jack, a black and white shih tzu standing on a car seat, beside the words Precious Pet, Jack the Granddog.

community

Weeks Family Turns Birthdays Into Give-Backs

Katie and Jason Weeks and their children, Ian and Hanna, ask guests to help support a local organization instead of focusing on presents. The tradition began when the kids were small.

Stroll Ballantyne Country Club·Nov 1, 2026

Card: Katie and Jason Weeks with their son Ian and daughter Hanna on the grass, beside the words Meet Your Neighbors, The Weeks Family, Birthdays built around giving back.

community

The Galbraiths Found Their Place in Ballantyne

Brian and Katie Galbraith had their eye on Ballantyne Country Club for years. Now they live on Brem Lane with two kids, a rescue pup named Corby and a living room that gets pretty competitive during…

Stroll Ballantyne Country Club·Oct 22, 2026

Card: Brian and Katie Galbraith with their son and daughter sitting on a stone wall under autumn leaves, beside the words Meet Your Neighbors, The Galbraith Family, Happily settled on Brem Lane with two kids and Corby, their rescue pup.

business

Kumon of Charlotte Carmel West on Johnston Road

Peyton Ding has run the Kumon center on Johnston Road since 2008. He found the method through his own children, who are now both physicians. A paid Partner Spotlight.

Stroll Ballantyne Country Club·Oct 12, 2026

Peyton Ding with his wife and two adult children on a sofa, framed beside the words Partner Spotlight, Kumon Carmel West

community

Pita and Omar del Toro Became U.S. Citizens on July 4

Pita and Omar del Toro say they were two of just twenty candidates selected for an Independence Day naturalization ceremony at the Charlotte Museum of History, and as America marks its 250th they…

Stroll Ballantyne Country Club·Sep 15, 2026

Card: Pita and Omar del Toro holding naturalization folders and small American flags among costumed reenactors, beside the words Around the Neighborhood, A Journey Worth Celebrating, An Independence Day naturalization ceremony, and a second Fourth of July.

community

McAlister and Sazama Sign Up to Climb the Height of Everest

Nicole McAlister and Zachary Sazama have signed up to climb 29,029 vertical feet in 36 hours, the height of Everest. They are, by their own account, not hikers.

Stroll Ballantyne Country Club·Sep 1, 2026

Card: Nicole McAlister, Zachary Sazama and their son Rowan sitting in an autumn field, beside the words Meet Your Neighbors, Living Fully in Ballantyne, They signed up to climb the height of Everest. They are not hikers.

government

CMS 2026-27 School Year: Key Dates and What Changed

CMS opened the 2026-27 year on August 25. Here is the one-page version for families: every break, workday and early release day, plus what actually changed this year.

Nell Thomas·Aug 25, 2026

Typographic card on navy: a faint calendar grid with one red square and the year 2026–27 in large gold type, beside the words Back to School, The CMS Key Dates, School opened Aug. 25, 2026. Every break and early release day, in one place.

community

The Thevaos Family of Ballantyne Country Club

Dean and Norelle Thevaos and their daughters have called Ballantyne Country Club home for nearly four years, building friendships and a life rooted in connection, travel and gratitude.

Jack Beckett·May 31, 2026

Dean and Norelle Thevaos with their daughters Anna Grace and Claire at Ballantyne Country Club

business

REACH Fertility's Dr. Deidre Downs: What to Know

Dr. Deidre Downs of REACH Fertility on age, body awareness, lifestyle factors, and the misconception that fertility testing commits you to treatment.

Stroll Ballantyne Country Club·May 2, 2026

Strolling Ballantyne graphic. The words Local business. in large white type on a dark navy background, above the line: Who opened, who moved and who is behind the counter.

community

Cassidy Prosch, Endhaven's 10-Year-Old Young Achiever

Cassidy Prosch, a 10-year-old fourth-grader at Endhaven Elementary, has been modeling since infancy. Represented by Charlotte's Directions USA, she's the May 2026 Young Achiever cover for Stroll…

Stroll Ballantyne Country Club·May 2, 2026

Cassidy Prosch on the May 2026 cover of Stroll Ballantyne Country Club

community

The Hightower Family: From D.C. Runways to BCC Block Parties

Kevin and Jessica Hightower, an aviation-industry couple who met in D.C. and have lived on two continents, have become the connective tissue of Ballantyne Country Club since moving to Charlotte four…

Stroll Ballantyne Country Club·Apr 2, 2026

Strolling Ballantyne graphic. The words Around the neighborhood. in large white type on a dark navy background, above the line: The people who show up, and what they are showing up for.

business

BounceU Charlotte-Matthews: Private Parties and Open Bounce

A parent-tested profile of BounceU Charlotte–Matthews: private arenas, weekly Open Bounce, and a clean, staff-led party playbook, plus how to plan your visit without guesswork.

Nell Thomas·Oct 22, 2025

business

BounceU Charlotte Adds Five New Inflatables for 2025 Parties

BounceU Charlotte just added five new inflatables and doubled down on chaos, privacy, and padded glory. Yes, The Floor Is Lava. And yes, your kid will absolutely jump on it.

Nell Thomas·Aug 7, 2025

wellness

Should Your Teen's Therapist Call You First?

As NC lawmakers vote to give parents more say in teen medical care, youth advocates warn: not every home is safe, and not every secret is selfish.

Nell Thomas·May 10, 2025

Strolling Ballantyne graphic. The words Health & wellness. in large white type on a dark navy background, above the line: Doctors, trainers and the rest of the feel-better business.