OCTOBER 2026

THE BEACON

Proudly Serving the Carolinas since 2008.

The Beacon Article

Remote Notarization – A Statute About Nothing?

Hello again readers. I hope everyone enjoyed the last few weeks of summer and is ready for some cooler fall weather. It seems that your Sellers have decided to take that one last end of summer vacation because I have been getting quite a few questions about notary issues where a Seller is out of the country. I addressed some of the ways to get your Seller documents notarized in foreign countries in the January 2026 Beacon article, but a new wrinkle has been added that I think merits a follow up article: What about Remote Online Notarization? NC’s laws on this topic are still in flux, but I read all of Chapter 10B of the NC General Statutes so that you don’t have to and we’ll discuss the implications here today.

There are really two issues to address here: Electronic Notarization (e-Notaries)/Remote Electronic Notarization and Emergency Video Notarization. Emergency video notarization under N.C.G.S. § 10B-25 does not require any special licensing and can be performed by any currently licensed NC notary. In brief, it requires real time video conference technology be used to allow the notary to verify the identity of the principal and witness the principal sign the document. After signing, the principal sends the document to the notary, and the notary applies their signature and notary stamp.

Why the “Emergency” designation? This section was originally passed into law in 2020 at the height of the COVID pandemic when people were unable or unwilling per state and federal mandates to meet in close proximity for signing documents. The EVN bill was passed as a stopgap to allow business to proceed until further laws could be enacted to address this on a more permanent basis. Unfortunately, those laws and regulations have yet to be completed (more on that later) and so a bill has been passed every year since extending the EVN provision until July 1 of the following year. N.C.G.S. § 10B-25(n) from 2025:

Sounds useful for our travelling Seller, right? It would be, but note that there is one major limitation to the use of EVN in subsection (c) of §10B-25..."

Click HERE to continue reading...

September is Hunger Action Month

HCT & Feeding Charlotte thanks you for your support!

Throughout the month of September, Harbor City Title partnered with Feeding Charlotte, a local nonprofit that rescues prepared food and gets it into the hands of neighbors facing food insecurity. By sending your title orders to Harbor City Title this month, you have contributed to us being able to donate a portion of our September proceeds to Feeding Charlotte. Thanks again for partnering with us for Hunger Action Month and helping support this wonderful cause.

Take a moment to learn about all of the incredible things Feeding Charlotte is doing in our community, and don't hesitate to ask us about our partnership or how you can get involved.

Every order helps. Every meal matters.

Meet the Team:

Lana Hawkins, Commercial Title Coordinator

Meet Lana “Banana” Hawkins, our Commercial Title Coordinator, who joined the Harbor City Title team in July 2026!

Let's Get to Know Lana

What is your favorite musician/band, book or movie?

"Aerosmith! I grew up listening to their music and even owned the Guitar Hero: Aerosmith Wii set. The best part is that I got to see them live in 2019 when they performed during the Super Bowl festivities in Atlanta, Georgia!" 🎸

What is your Team Member "style" or "superpower”?

"Checklist Queen! I love having a clear breakdown of what needs to go out and when, whether it’s a reminder on my calendar or a sticky note on my monitor. It helps me stay organized and ensures nothing slips through the cracks."

What is a day in the life of Lana like?

"It depends.

Weekdays: My mornings usually start with my go-to pick-me-up, a double shot of espresso and a protein shake over ice, before making the trek through Charlotte traffic. Once I’m at work, my days are a mix of emails, updates, requests, and keeping in touch with our teammates, clients, abstractors, and attorneys. No two days are exactly alike, which keeps things interesting! After work, I head home, fit in a little light yoga, cook a simple dinner, and recharge for another day.

Weekends: These days are my chance to slow down and recharge. I enjoy getting out and doing something fun, whether that’s grabbing brunch, going to a concert, taking a spontaneous adventure, or spending time outdoors whitewater rafting, dirt bike riding, or camping. And, of course, there’s always room for good food, takeout, and the occasional “we’ll just watch one more episode” turning into an entire afternoon on the couch. I like keeping my weekends a good mix of getting out and enjoying myself while also having plenty of time to relax and reset for the week ahead."

What is your favorite office snack or drink?

"An ice-cold Diet Dr. Pepper or a Bloom “Crisp Apple” energy drink."

A Quote or mantra you live by?

"I love to remind myself and others, 'We can only go up from here.' Everyone has their peaks and pits, but knowing that we’ve made it this far and we’re still moving forward and thriving reminds me that we’re still headed in the right direction."

What's on your desk?

"A Simple Modern water bottle, an HCT coffee mug, a fan, Dr. Teal's Hand Cream, and a pile of neon-colored sticky notes."

The Beacon Recipe

Summer's Cream Corn Tailgate Dip

"My Granny used to make creamed corn for us when I was little and I've never quite been able to replicate it. But, her recipe inspired this dip that I created and it makes me think of her. It's sweet and yummy and could be served as a side dish too!"

Ingredients:

1 cup Cream Style Corn
1 can Corn drained
1 cup Gouda Cheese shredded
½ cup Cream Cheese softened
½ cup Sour Cream
¼ cup Green Onions chopped
¼ cup Red Bell Pepper chopped
½ tbsp Jalapeno, seeded and diced
¼ tsp Smoked Paprika
A pinch of Salt and Pepper or to taste

Instructions :

Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray.
Shred the cheese and chop the green onions, red bell pepper and jalapeno.
Combine all ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Stir until completely combined.
Transfer the corn mixture into your greased baking dish and smooth the top layer with your spatula.
Bake for about 30 minutes, until hot and bubbly and the edges are golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let it sit out for 10-15 minutes before serving so the dip can set.
Serve warm with crackers, tortilla chips or Fritos.

NOTE: Don’t skip letting the dip set. Because of the cream-style corn, the dip will come out of the oven slightly runny. If you let it set for 10-15 minutes before serving, the consistency will be perfect!

Area News & Updates

Fall Fun in Winston

The Carolina Classic Fair returns to Winston-Salem this October from the 2nd through the 11th for 10 days of fall fun ! Think amusement park rides, classic fair food, live music, livestock exhibits, family-friendly entertainment—and yes, even Twiggy the Water-Skiing Squirrel. Come hungry, stay for the nostalgia, and enjoy one of the Triad’s favorite fall traditions.

Fall Fun around CLT

Nothing says fall in the Carolinas quite like a trip to the farm. Two fall must visits are Carrigan Farms in Mooresville, complete with hayrides and pumpkin patches, and Windy Hill Orchard in York, SC with pick-your-own apples and their famous apple cider donuts. Grab the family (and a sweater) and make an afternoon of soaking up one of the best fall activities around Charlotte!

New Show Rec

We are loving the new show, Rooster! Steve Carell brings his signature dry humor to this smart new comedy about family, reinvention and the complex relationship between parents and their grown children. Carell plays a successful author who unexpectedly lands a job at a New England college where is daughter is a professor. Rooster is funny, warm and relatable!

Did You Know?

That ‘LOL’ used to be an acronym for ‘little old lady.’

"Long before anyone laughed out loud on the internet, “LOL” was in use by virtue of a different phrase: “little old lady.” The acronym was popularized by San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen in the 1960s. Caen used the abbreviation “LOL” in many of his works to refer to a “little old lady.” In his 1960 book, Only in San Francisco, he described an outfit that included a tricorn hat topped with..."

Click HERE to read more about the 1st and 2nd origins of LOL!