Publisher’s Perspective; May 2026

photos by: JODIE BRIM CREATIVE

Happy Mother’s Day! I’ll start by sending love and appreciation to my amazing mama. Having a mom like her has been such a blessing. We love her dearly and thank the Lord for her presence in our lives. Her grands, and great-granddaughter, love her to the moon and back.

May is such a big month for us and for so many in our community. Lake season is officially here, and our family is beyond excited! With graduations, celebrations, and gatherings filling everyone’s calendar, it feels like the perfect time to highlight this month’s cover story featuring Cooke Rentals.

They truly showed up for the photo shoot, and we had an absolute blast! Be sure to check it out starting on page 28. From weddings and graduations to birthday parties and everything in between, they have just about anything you could possibly need to make your celebration unforgettable.

Speaking of celebrations, don’t miss The Serve Pickleball + Kitchen story starting on page 18, they truly have it all for gatherings big and small.

I also want to bring your attention to our friends at Estate Jewelers in Lincolnton. They carry gorgeous vintage jewelry and so many one-of-a-kind pieces. It’s such a charming town, make a day of it while exploring all the lovely local shops.

We had the most amazing time on our Lake Norman Favorites: Denver Tour! If you aren’t following us yet, go check out @lknmagazine on Instagram! We’re featuring several of the shops from the tour in this issue, and we’re so grateful to play a part in sharing their stories with this incredible community.

You’ll also find Whitlyn’s Boutique featured on page 44, Twisted Tulip on page 48, and Magnolia Bath & Soap on page 68. Be sure to tell them you saw them in LKN Magazine, we truly appreciate our readers and the support you show these small and local businesses.

I’ll leave you with a little sneak peek into all the goodness packed into this issue. None of this would be possible without our amazing readers and advertising partners, we are truly blessed!

Photo Caption:
Brooke, my mom, and me at the amazing 2026 Women on the Move Conference, this may be my favorite photo of the three of us!

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Keela Johnson

Hello! I’m Keela Johnson, the founder and publisher of Forsyth Magazines, a family of three publications that began in 2005 in Forsyth County, NC. After living in Clemmons for 30 years, I "retired" to Lake Norman and discovered a vibrant, active community filled with friendly people and new hobbies like paddle boarding, walking, and gardening. But with publishing in my blood, I quickly recognized an exciting opportunity to engage further with the wonderful Lake Norman community. Now, as the publisher of LKN Magazine, I’m thrilled to be part of a growing platform that celebrates the Lake Norman area. My daughter, Brooke Eagle, now co-owner and publisher, has been instrumental in helping take our family of magazines to new heights, and together, we’re continuing to share stories and promote local businesses in meaningful ways. At the heart of everything we do is the belief in the power of community. We’re passionate about creating a platform where local businesses can grow organically and meaningfully, and we’re excited to bring that same vision to the Lake Norman market. LKN Magazine proudly serves Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg counties, from Statesville to North Charlotte. In addition to print and online advertising, LKN Magazine offers a comprehensive range of services to help tell your story—including editorial features, social media promotion, and a monthly newsletter. You can subscribe to our newsletter at lkn-magazine.com to stay connected with all that’s happening around the Lake Norman community. We’re so grateful to be part of such dynamic communities in Forsyth and Lake Norman, and I’m honored to continue this journey with you. Let’s keep sharing stories, supporting local businesses, and building something meaningful together. Here’s to many more years of growth, connection, and celebration!

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