Betty Lane Cherry poses on an airport tarmac with boxes labeled “South Carolina Peaches,” showcasing the fruit during a promotional tour in the 1950s. | Photo via Richland Library Digital Archives
Before “influencer” was a job title, there was Betty Lane Cherry — Miss USA, runner-up for Miss World, and “Miss Fruit Salad,” as she was dubbed on national TV. A fitting nickname for a person with the last name of Cherry from Orangeburg, SC, who’s pushing peaches.
A Columbia College grad, Cherry spent years representing the South Carolina Peach Council across the Northeast and later served as Peach Queen for the National Peach Council, promoting peaches nationwide through interviews, events, and media campaigns.
She even appeared on South Carolina roadmaps and postcards that dubbed the Palmetto State as “The Real Peach State.” Her tour included stops on shows like “The Don McNeill Breakfast Club” — where her “Miss Fruit Salad” nickname was born — and the “Today” show, where she famously kept her composure when the show’s chimpanzee crawled on her to grab a ripe peach.
Cherry’s travels weren’t just a Peach Queen’s victory lap — they coincided with one of the largest coordinated peach advertising campaigns of the time.
Wednesday Movie Night | 7:30 p.m. | Blinders Sports Lounge | Free+ | Enjoy “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” while savoring a themed dinner and drinks.
Charlotte FC vs. D.C. United | 7:30 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium | $14+ | The Crown is looking to take the win at home — cheer them on.
Thursday, July 17
Career Fair | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Ayrsley | Free | Learn about new job openings and meet with hiring managers to open new possibilities.
Exhibition Opening Reception: “Nature Remains” | 6-8 p.m. | McColl Center | Free | Join fellow art lovers to meet Barbara Schreiber and explore paintings that balance humor and reality.
Friday, July 18
Gordgeous Pumpkin Ale Release | 3-10 p.m. | NoDa Brewing Company | Cost of purchase | Fall has come early — sip on one NoDa’s most popular brews, with hints of allspice and pumpkin puree.
Free Live Glassblowing | 6-9 p.m. | Hot Glass Alley | Free | Visit the gallery for free glassblowing demonstrations + drinks are provided.
Sundown Sounds: Too Much Sylvia | 7:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. | Ramsey Creek Beach, Cornelius | Free | Bring a lawn chair or blanket to jam to live music at the park.
Let’s jam. Hardy Boys Records’ second location in South End will open on Saturday, Aug. 9. The music store will host giveaways like signed CDS and records, concert tickets, and gift cards to neighboring businesses starting at 10 a.m.
Suitsupply is expected to open at SouthPark Mall in the coming months. The retailer offers in-store tailoring and ready-to-wear suits, tuxedos, and knitwear. An exact opening date is TBA.
Real Estate
Looking for a new home? ZIP code 28203 — or South End and Dilworth — was the hottest housing market in the Queen City, according to The Business Journals’ analysis of the country’s hottest housing markets. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Development
Charlotte-based Dixie Dog Investments applied to rezone land on North Dobys Bridge Road to create a waterfront event venue. The Town of Fort Mill’s planning commission will hear the annexation request on Tuesday, July 22 + a final decision is expected in September. (The Herald)
Number
$2.2 million. That’s how much Charlotte-based Franzy raised in seed funding to build a dedicated online marketplace for buying and selling franchise businesses. Franzy matches buyers with brands using AI, coaching, and in-depth profiles. The company expects to hit $1 million in revenue by the end of the year. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Biz
Novant Health is expanding its graduate medical education program in Charlotte. The medical system is adding an urban family medicine track, along with new residencies in general surgery, internal medicine, neurology, and OBGYN at Presbyterian. Novant hopes to have 100 residents training in the Queen City by 2032.
Travel
American Airlines will open a new version of its Admirals Club at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. Provisions by Admirals Club will boast open space with high-top tables and minimal furniture + is expected to open later this summer in Concourse A. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Try This
Don your best boots, denim, and hat to celebrate Country Fest Brunch on Saturday, July 19, at Sycamore Brewing. For $35 per ticket, you can savor an all-you-can-eat curated brunch, sip from the mimosa bar, and jam to country music.
Cause
From Hearts 2 Home Carolinas, a Gaston County-based nonprofit, helps families transition from being unhoused to building a comfortable home by providing furniture and home essentials. Since 2024, the organization has served over 125 families, delivered 200+ beds, and collected more than 1,000 pieces of furniture. (WCNC)
Sports
Can Matthew Wright or rookie Ryan Fitzgerald fill kicker Eddy Piñeiro’s shoes? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Health
Behind every treatment at OrthoCarolina is something powerful: research, conducted by the same doctors delivering your care. Through the OrthoCarolina Research Institute, innovation happens in-house. Discover how better research means better care.*
Try This
Your next big event could use some attention. Get a crowd in the room by letting us help you spread the word. Our self-service ad portal can put you event in front of our highly engaged local audience in a matter of two days. Get started now.
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🍑 Sweet treats
You’ve picked (or picked up) your peaches. Now what? | Photo by GVLtoday
A celebration of sweet, savory, and sippable peach creations — from cocktails to cobblers. We’re featuring recipes from top chefs and local restaurants to celebrate our very first Peach Week.
🍑 SC Peach Council | Start your day with browned butter grilled peaches and cinnamon.
🥗 Alcove Market, Charleston, SC | Toss up peaches, tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella for a sweet-savory salad.
🔥 Husk, Charleston, SC | Fire up the grill for pork chops with grilled peaches.
🥃 The Ansonborough Hotel, Charleston, SC | Sip on a peach and bourbon cocktail for a seasonal happy hour.
🍨 Greenville, SC + Charlotte, NC | And don’t miss the showstoppers: homemade peach cobbler or peach toffee cheesecake — a recipe by L’Ostrica Pastry Chef Sam Ward.
From breakfast to dessert, these simple recipes celebrate everything we love about the season’s star fruit. Tap below to see each full recipe — then grab your apron and let’s get peachy.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
From having a top-seeded professional women’s soccer team to hosting the FIFA Club World Cup, it’s an exciting time to be a soccer fan in the Queen City. I’ll be at the MLS announcement this morning, so keep an eye on your inbox for an upcoming newsletter with all the All-Star updates!
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