Stroll Grove Park One Year Anniversary
CELEBRATION!
do not use EXAMPLE ONLY GRAPHICS one year anniversary:
The People behind the Pages
One year ago, Stroll Grove Park was a vision ~ fast forward 12 months with many coffee conversations, photo shoots, deadlines, new friends, new business partners, new connections, fascinating story content and dog introductions, bit by bit every detail played a part in the birth and growth of the publication.
A strong foundation which Stroll N2co corporation has established for 24 years made the vision become a reality. What a wonderful year it has been, building something bigger than the pages. Most of all, I am excited for all of the future possibilities, and we could not be happier!
Gratitude to the Grove Park - Sunset Mountain neighborhood association for their continued encouragement and support. If you are a resident and not yet currently a member, we warmly encourage you to consider joining, Participation is essential for the community’s continued growth and success.
Every month readers see a beautiful, finished Stroll product. The polished pages. The cover. Now a little glimpse into the team that is behind the pages!
Leslie Thompson, Publisher
Where to start, it has been a long and winding road. A Southern California native, then spent 38 years in Naples, Florida where Tim and Leslie built Malibu West Interiors, Interior Design Firm. Design and construction projects were very complex, extremely luxurious in exclusive addresses, and entirely rewarding. Ready for the next chapter, the Asheville area quickly became the home they envisioned, 3 years ago.
One word that comes to mind for this transition, is Discovery. The unexpected layers of realization that there is more yet to explore, become and discover.
If you know Leslie, you may know Daisy the Samoyed, she is Leslie's bestie and knows the art of selective hearing and side eye!
@strollgrovepark
Tim Thompson, Account Manager
A business owner in the home improvement industry, Tim began carving out time for his passion—helping wildlife at The Conservancy of SW Florida. home to one of the top Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospitals in the country.
Tim spent 16 years volunteering at the hospital, becoming a go-to for large raptor rescues and shorebird rehabilitation. Containing injured eagles on busy highways, riding lifts and climbing extension ladders to rescue ospreys and pelicans tangled in fishing line.
Tim spent four summers as an Audubon Shorebird Steward in Naples, helping raise awareness among beachgoers about flocks of migratory nesting shorebirds.
Tim's involvement with local philanthropic organizations expanded in the booming SW Florida, Tim worked the inaugural Naples Winter Wine Festival and continued supporting many of its annual charity events. Over the last 25 years, the NWWF has raised a staggering $366 million for underprivileged children in SW Florida, transforming lives through record-setting philanthropic auctions. Today, the NWWF is recognized as the number one charity wine event in the country.
“Working at the NWWF left a powerful impression on me regarding what is possible when extraordinary communities come together with a shared commitment..” Tim reflects.
Grateful to have grown up along Florida's beaches, Tim cherishes the natural beauty of the coast and is proud to now call WNC his home.
Anna Garza, Photographer
Originally from Poland, Anna spent years in Naples, FL as a film producer with features in international festivals. Two years ago, her family found their forever home in Western North Carolina.
A natural storyteller, Anna brings her artistic vision to life through photography, videography and emerging media as a digital marketing professional. Highlighting stories for Stroll Grove Park, Real Estate Agencies and product manufacturers in ways that resonate. Her skill set includes the complex logistics of producing videography as a drone operator. Often exploring creative avenues, Anna recently designed and built a podcast production studio, widening her vision into the world of audio storytelling.
"When you build something you love, even the longest days have a purpose".
@anna_honorata
Ariel Shumaker, Photographer
Ariel (she/her) is a North Carolina based clinical therapist and and international photographer. As a therapist, Ariel primarily supports couples navigating life's challenges. As a photographer, she loves telling the story of people, through individual portraits, events, and lifestyle family photography. All of Ariel's work is informed through her passion for human rights.
Ariel currently lives in beautiful WNC, with her wonderful husband and three wild mountain babies.
Ariel Shumaker, MPH/LCSW
@arielshumakerphoto
Darrell Cassell - Photographer
Darrell Cassell is an Asheville-based photographer specializing weddings, editorial, commercial and real estate work. With over nine years behind the camera, along with his wife, Darrell has built a reputation for honest, documentary-style imagery. Darrell's photography has been prominently featured by Garden & Gun magazine to document exclusive regional events.
@darrellcassell
Steve Atkins, Photographer
Steve Atkins is a WNC photographer with decades of experience capturing magical moments in nature, with families around Asheville’s vibrant music and art scene. His work has appeared in several publications, including Rolling Stone, the Laurel of Asheville, Wildlife of North Carolina. Steve has worked with local author Amy Cherrix on her book, Backyard Bears. Steve is an experienced, internationally known Photo Tour Guide and can be hired for wildlife, nature, landscape and waterfall photography.
Photo Adventures with Steve Atkins
@photoadventureswithsteveatkins
Molly Pritchard - Contributor
What started as a love of beautiful containers and gardens has blossomed into Wild By Design, my gardening business dedicated to creating beauty that gives back to nature—one backyard at a time! I’m so grateful to Stroll and to Tim and Leslie for giving me a way to share that message, inspiring me to start the Grove Park Garden Guild. Helping bring neighbors together around a common love of nature and community is what inspires me!
@wildbydesignwithmolly
Sarah Barkley, Contributor
Artist, LCSW Therapist for women, and a lover of fuzzy beasts. Once a Colorado resident, now turned Asheville local. An admirer of beautiful paint, intriguing wallpaper, and all things with personality. FBI consultant, and an endlessly curious student of the human spirit. Forever drawn to the unexpected!
@sarahbarkleyart
Margaret Barkley, Contributor
Margaret, 11 years old, became a writer for Stroll Magazine after her family was approached to be their first featured family! She volunteers weekly and fundraises for Sister Kitten. Margaret creates art postcards out of her Mom's River Arts Studio, with proceeds donated to Sister Kitten. The Barkley clan loves all things ballet, bikes and entertaining!
Jack Templeton, Contributor
Jack is currently an oyster shucker at Jettie Rae's. Jack grew up in Asheville as well as the low country of South Carolina. He is a graduate of Eckerd College with a Bachelors of Art Degree in Cultural Anthropology with an interdisciplinary food minor as well.