community
Around the Neighborhood: Coffee With a Cop
Coffee with a Cop brings neighbors and CMPD officers together over a cup of coffee at Ballantyne Summit Coffee, the second Friday of each month, 9 to 11 a.m.
Nell Thomas·Aug 11, 2026
NT
Nell Thomas
Community Writer, Strolling Firethorne
Nell Thomas covers community life, dining, wellness, and lifestyle across the Firethorne, Marvin, and Waxhaw area. She writes from the perspective of someone who knows what makes this part of south Charlotte different: the quieter pace, the estate living, the country club culture, and the growing dining scene in nearby Waxhaw. Her recommendations come from personal experience, not press releases.
22 Articles
community
Charlotte Sports This Week: One Home Match, One Long Road Trip and Some Awkward Math
Charlotte FC is home Tuesday, the Knights are leaving for 12 games and the weekend at Iowa rewarded two drivers who finally got the timing right. Here is the useful version for Firethorne.
Nell Thomas·Aug 11, 2026
wellness
Community Events: Stroll Into Wellness at Ballantyne Country Club
Stroll Into Wellness returns to the Ballantyne Country Club Stephenson Room on Thursday, September 3, 6 to 8 p.m. An evening of local wellness companies, music, networking, raffles and a cash bar.
Nell Thomas·Aug 9, 2026
community
Making a Difference: Building Bridges Through Education
La Paz Global connects Charlotte and coastal Costa Rica through education. Its Charlotte-based Let's Rock benefit raised more than $22,000 this year for a scholarship program whose graduates have a…
Nell Thomas·Aug 7, 2026
community
Publishers' Note: Happy One-Year Anniversary to Stroll Firethorne!
A Publishers' Note from Ashley and Nathan Grimm marking one year of Stroll Firethorne: back-to-school, gratitude for the small things, and thanks to the residents and partners who made the first year…
Nell Thomas·Aug 5, 2026
lifestyle
Precious Pet: Jacob the Pug
Meet Jacob, the Farrow family's 8-year-old pug named after the Twilight werewolf. A worldly little guy who has ridden the NYC subway, visited the Met, cools off on the bathroom hardwoods, and rides…
Nell Thomas·Aug 3, 2026
community
Meet Your Neighbors: The Barthel Family
Meet the Barthel family of Baltusrol Lane, who traded Sandy Hook, CT for Firethorne in 2016. Ron, Angela and their three sons on nine years of neighborhood friendships, a breast cancer journey, and…
Nell Thomas·Aug 1, 2026
community
The August Issue Is Here, and Stroll Firethorne Turns One.
The August 2026 edition of Stroll Firethorne is out and free to read online, marking one year of the magazine. Inside: the Barthel family cover story, Precious Pet Jacob the Pug, the Publishers'…
Nell Thomas·Aug 1, 2026
community
Out Here, Your Town Has a Vote on the I-77 Toll Lanes
Waxhaw, Weddington, and Marvin all have a vote on whether to revive the I-77 South toll lanes, and it comes September 23.
Nell Thomas·Jul 16, 2026
lifestyle
Precious Pet: JoJo the Goldendoodle
Meet JoJo, the Hix family's 4.5-year-old goldendoodle whose full name is Jolene. A Dolly Parton-approved emotional support dog with a Miley Cyrus bark, a habit of stealing ball caps, and a very big…
Nell Thomas·Jul 2, 2026
community
Meet Your Neighbors: Serving Together, Growing Together
The Marvin Chapter of the Young Men's Service League brings nearly 200 mothers and sons together to serve, logging more than 9,400 volunteer hours in barely two years across roughly 30 nonprofits.
Nell Thomas·Jul 1, 2026
community
The July Issue Has Landed, and the Whole Thing Is Online.
The July 2026 edition of Stroll Firethorne is out and free to read online. Inside: the Young Men's Service League cover story and its 9,400-plus volunteer hours, partner spotlights on Phoenix Dental…
Nell Thomas·Jul 1, 2026
community
Charlotte's Transit System Is Getting New Management. Here's Why It Matters Out in Marvin.
A new regional authority takes over Charlotte's transit system July 1. Firethorne sits in Union County, outside the Mecklenburg tax, but the regional rail map still points this way.
Nell Thomas·Jun 29, 2026
community
The June Issue Has Landed — and the Whole Thing Is Online
The June 2026 edition of Stroll Firethorne is out and free to read online. Inside: the pickleball cover story at the Country Club of the Carolinas, Precious Pets Berkeley and Roxy, partner spotlights…
Nell Thomas·Jun 2, 2026
community
Sip & Stroll Is Tonight at Ballantyne Country Club — Worth the Short Drive Up
Sister-publication territory: the 2nd Annual Sip & Stroll lands at Ballantyne Country Club tonight, Thursday May 28, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Nell Thomas·May 28, 2026
community
Charlotte FC's Road Trip Hit a Wall. From Firethorne, the Home Schedule Is the Reason to Make the Drive.
Two multi-goal road losses for Charlotte FC. The home schedule resumes May 9 against FC Cincinnati at Bank of America Stadium, and from out here the Saturday matches are the ones to circle.
Nell Thomas·Apr 26, 2026
community
Stage 1 Drought Hits the Catawba-Wateree Basin. What Firethorne Needs to Know.
The Catawba-Wateree Basin entered Stage 1 of its regional drought protocol Monday, triggering Charlotte Water's first voluntary restrictions since 2023.
Nell Thomas·Apr 26, 2026
community
Charlotte SHOUT! Starts Today — Here's What's Worth the Drive from Firethorne
Charlotte SHOUT! runs April 3–19 with 200+ mostly free events in Uptown. If you live in Firethorne, here's which weekends are worth the drive — from all-day jazz and barbecue to 20-plus art…
Nell Thomas·Apr 3, 2026
wellness
The Best Trails and Parks Near Firethorne
From Cane Creek Park to the Four Mile Creek Greenway, here are the best trails, parks and outdoor spaces within easy reach of Firethorne in Marvin, NC.
Nell Thomas·Mar 31, 2026
community
Wegmans Is Coming to Ballantyne: What Firethorne Residents Need to Know
Wegmans is opening its first Charlotte-area store in the Ballantyne Reimagined development. Here is what Firethorne residents should know about the timeline, location and what sets Wegmans apart.
Nell Thomas·Mar 31, 2026
lifestyle
From Firethorne to Blakeney: A South Charlotte Shopping Guide
A local's guide to the best shopping near Firethorne — from Ballantyne Town Center and Stonecrest to Blakeney, Waverly and the boutiques of downtown Waxhaw.
Nell Thomas·Mar 29, 2026
lifestyle
Firethorne Spring Events 2026: What's on the Calendar
From Beauty Night at The Modern Aesthetic to the annual Sip and Stroll at Ballantyne Country Club, here's what's on the Firethorne community calendar this spring.
Nell Thomas·Mar 28, 2026