The Other Carolina

By Debbie Lagestee • Photos by Valerie & Ed Photography

Chase and Joanne Price are from Carolina, the other Carolina to the north. Chase was raised in Shelby, NC, and Joanne grew up in Charlotte, NC. They met while attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as Undergrad students. They had many mutual friends, and their paths frequently crossed as they both shared a passion for cheering on their beloved Tar Heels. They have unforgettable memories of their days together at UNC, including traveling to Detroit in 2009 for the NCAA men’s basketball championship. There, they witnessed Carolina defeat Michigan State University, claiming the National Championship title. Their love for each other grew as deep as their love of Carolina.

While planning their wedding, they agreed Chapel Hill, nearest and dearest to their hearts, would be where they would take their vows. It was Joanne’s wish to be married outside. They chose Chapel Hill Country Club as a tribute to Chase’s love of golf. They were married on the first tee on a beautiful, sunny September day in 2016.

Chase majored in business administration at UNC and then continued his education in dental school at the University of Maryland in Baltimore on a scholarship from the US Air Force. After graduating from dental school, he was an Active Duty Air Force dentist for nearly 8 years. Through the Air Force, Chase completed a 1-year general dentistry residency at Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, LA.

They spent 4 years at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, AL, and then at Chase’s request, he was granted an assignment for 3 years at Joint Base Charleston. Chase and Joanne loved Charleston and were reluctant to relocate again. They decided they were ready to settle down and plant their roots here. So, Chase separated from Active Duty and is now practicing in a privately owned general dentistry practice called Stono Dental Care. Chase loves working alongside Charleston native and owner Dr. Andy Game at the practice.

Chase says, “It’s a great family-owned office where we really care about our patients.” Chase gives back to the community by volunteering his dentistry skills. At Stono Dental Care, the dentists host a volunteer day where they extract teeth for a number of military veterans at no charge to them. Chase continues to serve his country as a dentist in the Air Force Reserves. He serves one weekend per month at Joint Base Charleston. He considers it an honor and loves to still have a tie to the military.

Joanne majored in exercise and sports science at UNC. After graduation, she stayed in Chapel Hill and completed her doctorate in physical therapy at UNC. Joanne worked for Duke Hospitals, Drayer in Alabama, and Results Physiotherapy in Charleston. While working at Drayer, Joanne kept a full caseload while also managing the clinic. She then worked between various Results Physiotherapy clinics in the area after moving to Charleston. Earlier this year, Joanne moved out of the corporate physical therapy industry and began working at Private Therapy Services. PTS is a privately owned local clinic established and run for 20+ years by Charleston resident Dr. John Kelly. The clinic prides itself on top-notch one-on-one care.

The change to working at a privately owned clinic has renewed Joanne’s love of outpatient care. She explains, “Being able to give one-on-one care puts the importance on the patient, and that is very rewarding.”

Joanne and Chase have two children. Morgan is almost 3 years old, and she is the daredevil of the family. She is strong, loves to climb, and can often be found at the top of the slides on the playground. Morgan recently started a gymnastics class and is excelling in it. She loves to read and will sit still for as long as someone is willing to read to her. Her true passion is taking care of her stuffed animals. She goes above and beyond feeding, changing them, and giving endless hugs.

Davis is 1 year old. He is constantly on the move and gives his best effort to keep up with his big sister. He follows her wherever she goes. He, too, has taken a liking to climbing. Davis is following in his dad’s footsteps with his affinity for golf. He walks around carrying and swinging his golf club at all times. Joanne and Chase called him their “angel baby.” He was the sweetest, most chill, easy-going baby. Now that he is toddling around, he is super opinionated, loud, and strong-willed with no fear of danger. “He would run into the road if we let him,” says Joanne.

The kids are on opposite ends of the spectrum regarding their size. Morgan was only in the 10^th percentile when she was born, and Davis was in the 95^th percentile weighing in at 8 lbs. 15 oz. He is well on his way to catching up to Morgan.

Domino, their 6-year-old dog, completes their family. They believe he is a border collie mix but are unsure since he was a rescue. They got him as a foster when he was 5 weeks old after he was dropped off at a local animal shelter in Alabama. He is great with the kids and doesn’t mind being used as a jungle gym.

Sports is Chase’s biggest passion. While at Carolina, he was a JV basketball manager. He worked with the team and had the opportunity to sit courtside at the home games. He loves playing golf and basketball but enjoys competition in most sports. Joanne loves her workout classes and is a regular at Burn Boot Camp. Fitness is important to Joanne, and she is already instilling that in Morgan, who mimics her mom by doing her own workout.

The Price family enjoys watching Tar Heels basketball and football and the Panthers. Morgan loves to cheer for the Tar Heels, and her primary goal is to ensure the team mascot “Rameses” is happy. The second word Morgan spoke was touchdown. Chase and Joanne taught her that is what a Zebra (aka referee) says, and she would hold up her arms like a touchdown signal. She also gives her best effort cheering the Carolina Panthers to victory, although lately, she has fallen short. They try to attend at least one game yearly and love to take the kids back to Chapel Hill.

Once Chase and Joanne knew the military was moving them to Charleston from Alabama, Joanne began searching for homes online. She repeatedly found houses in Carolina Bay that they really liked, so the neighborhood became a contender early on.

They chose their home in Saltgrass partly because they loved the backyard with privacy and a view of the pond off the back deck. They also love the mature trees in Saltgrass, albeit raking season is challenging. They were excited to move to an area they both were familiar with. Growing up, Chase and Joanne spent time in Kiawah and Pawleys Island, respectively. Moving to Charleston also brought them closer to their families who remain in North Carolina.

The Price family loves the neighborhood because it is kid, family, and dog friendly. They enjoy golf cart rides and can not go past the park without stopping to play. They have fun at food truck Fridays and participate in events in the park. They have made great friends in the neighborhood and appreciate getting together, grilling out, or hanging out at the pool.

Joanne and Chase are grateful the military brought them to Charleston and feel this is where they are meant to be. They enjoy their professions working in physical therapy and dentistry. They are happy to help their neighbors with an injury or a toothache, especially after hours or on weekends. Let them know if you need a house call. They always enjoy meeting neighbors, but keep in mind when they say “Carolina,” they mean the other Carolina in Chapel Hill.