Emily Maynard wedding details

When Charlotte reality TV celebrity Emily Maynard of “The Bachelorette” fame married her beau Tyler Johnson in a surprise ceremony at his family’s farm last weekend (guests thought they were attending an engagement party), she picked People magazine to exclusively cover the event.

In the magazine’s write-up about the wedding, which is out on newsstands now, you’ll see a lot of Charlotte businesses mentioned.

Ivy Robinson Events planned the reception along with John Lupton Events. The magazine described the decor as “rustic glam.” Guests ate a menu of Maynard’s favorite Southern foods including pickled shrimp, fried okra and mini cheese tarts, macaroni and cheese, fried green tomatoes and pulled pork. Wow Factor Cakes created the four-tier wedding cake.

For party favors, guests were given burlap bags filled with Neet's Sweets pies in a jar and all-natural cookies from Helen's Kitchen.

The magazine also reports that back in May, Emily had a White Trash Bash bachelorette party in Nashville. Her female friends including fellow reality star and country singer Jessie James Decker of the TV show "Eric & Jessie," drove around Nashville in a pink Hummer limo while dressed in crazy outfits that included a lot of trucker hats, camo and Daisy Duke shorts. 

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"Matters of the Heart" book signing

Carol Fore Injaychock of Charlotte will sign copies of her new book, "Matters of the Heart: A Cancer Journey," from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 14 at Park Road Books, 4139 Park Road. 

It tells the emotional journey of her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment through short essays. She wrote it to give insight into what a cancer patient endures, the impact it has on their family and in her case, how her faith was strengthened through it all.

The book also includes quotes, scriptures and the author's own poetry. 

Details: www.carolforeinjaychock.com. 

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Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon

Organizers of the 12^th Annual UNCF Maya Angelou Women Who Lead Luncheon on June 28 at the Westin Charlotte say the event will continue as planned, despite the renowned poet’s recent death. It will now become a tribute dedicated to remembering her life and commitment to education.

Angelou was a volunteer with the United Negro College Fund for more than 25 years. She always participated in the popular luncheon named for her that’s held annually in Charlotte and has raised more than $1 million since its inception 11 years ago. 

It’s usually sold out, but for information on ticket availability, call Marilyn Richards at the UNCF Charlotte office, 704-377-8625. 

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Rock out with Daniel Coston in June

If you follow the Scene & Heard social column I do for the Charlotte Observer and the Swirl social column I do for SouthPark magazine, then you're familiar with photographer Daniel Coston. I always tell him I could not do my job without him.

Daniel is a freelance photographer, so he has many other clients. He's also one of the most interesting people you'll meet because he's always involved in fascinating projects.

On June 12, Daniel and his co-author Jake Berger will give a presentation on Charlotte’s 1960s rock and roll history during a celebration of the release of the second edition of their book "There Was a Time: Rock & Roll in the 1960s in Charlotte, North Carolina."

Daniel will lead a talk about the music, people, and the impact of the Charlotte music scene throughout the state. The evening will conclude with a short set by the Mannish Boys, led by Jake. It's from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Charlotte Museum of History, 3500 Shamrock Drive. Admission is free, but registration is required: www.charlottemuseum.org.

On June 21, there's a big party in honor of the book at Neighborhood Theatre. It features music from the Mannish Boys, Young Ages, Good Bad & The Ugly (GBU) and The Dirtybeats. Tickets are $15: www.neighborhoodtheatre.com 

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Read more here: http://events.charlotteobserver.com/charlotte_nc/events/show/370737622-history-talks-lecture-series#storylink=cpy

My signature salad

I have a signature salad. Don't you? I never thought of blogging about it before until one of my favorite colleagues, reporter Mark Price, suggested I share it with the world.

So, watch out world, here's the exciting details about my favorite lunch.

Let me begin by saying I rarely, if ever, go out to lunch. I bring my lunch from home and I can eat the same thing almost every day, which is how my signature salad was born.

I use a mix of dark, leafy greens. Then I throw on a handful of pecans, a handful of blueberries and top it off with blue cheese. For my dressing, I drizzle on Brianna's Dijon Honey Mustard Dressing. During the winter, I mix it up by using dried cranberries instead of blueberries. I know, I'm out of control.

I must admit that my signature salad does generate a lot curiosity. Co-workers comment on it all the time because it looks pretty, it's fairly healthy and they're amazed (or maybe disturbed) that I can nibble on it and make it last all day.

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Joan Zimmerman and The Daring Dozen

Last week I devoted my Scene & Heard column in the Style section to the Stiletto Swagger, a fun part of Dress for Success Charlotte's annual Power Walk fundraiser at Freedom Park.

It had wonderful photos by Daniel Coston of the 12 successful businessmen who were invited to participate in the Stiletto Swagger where they promenade in heels in front of the Power Walk participants to raise even more dough for the nonprofit's programs that help disadvantaged women achieve economic independence.

The morning my column ran, I received the nicest email from one of favorite female business leaders, Joan Zimmerman. She has always been a strong supporter of Dress for Success Charlotte, and she was so taken by The Daring Dozen as she called them, that she donated $100 to the nonprofit for each of the participants. That's $1,200! I know they were thrilled when they found out.

If you're inspired by Joan's generosity, you have until June 15 to go to the event's donation page and make a donation to one - or all - of the 12 men who really put themselves out there for a good cause. Here's the link:

http://www.dressforsuccess.org/affiliate.aspx?sisid=120&pageid=1

It's not every man who can step out of their comfort zone and step into a pair of heels, so it's great when they get a lot of support and a lot of donations.

The Stiletto Swagger dudes were:

Kendall Alley, Charlotte president for Wells Fargo; Louis Amico, president of L.A. Management Company; Tim Barber, a partner in King & Spalding; Charles Bowman, Charlotte president of Bank of America; Glenn Burkins, editor/publisher of Qcitymetro; Riley Fields, director of community relations for the Carolina Panthers; John Paul Galles, publisher of Greater Charlotte Biz; Tom Lane, the COO of the Center for Intentional Leadership; Garrett Lucas, an account executive with Adams Outdoor Advertising; Pete Marco, COO of Luquire George Andrews; Mark Miller, a senior vice president with Accenture; and Tim O’Connor, a senior vice president of First Citizens.

Let's hear it for the boys!

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Party in the Park postponed

The third annual Party in the Park on the lawn of the Mint Museum Randolph that was scheduled for tonight (May 29) has been postponed until June 3 because of the threat of thunderstorms.

The family-friendly event has been moved to 6:30 p.m. on June 3. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic and blanket to spread out on as they enjoy live music, outdoor activities and the film "How To Train Your Dragon" that will be shown on a large screen outdoors.

If you don't feel like packing a picnic, a food truck will be on site as well as offerings from e2 and a cash bar.

The party is free, although a suggested donation of $10 is appreciated. Registration is required.

For more details and to register, go to www.mintmuseum.org/happenings/477/third-annual-party-in-the-park

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