Spring '21: Two Decades of Stories

Cabarrus CURRENT

MAGAZINE

CUTTING EDGE

CONNECTED

SPRING 2021

20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION

Two Decades of Stories

Healthy Living | Breaking Bread | Cabarrus Business | Business Resources

t n o r F Up with

Cabarrus MAGAZINE

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2 | Cabarrus Magazine

[ Publisher’s Notes ]

Word on the Street

2

0 years! Can you believe it? When we first began this publication, I was a young buck in my mid-20’s without a clue as to how we were going to pull this off. It is incredible when I look back at all the history of this community we have been able to chronicle. It has been such a privilege to be a part of it. It’s also a big blur! Where has the time gone?

In this 20th Anniversary edition, we would like to share with you some of our favorite stories we have been able to tell over the years, and some of our favorite covers. Of course, it was nearly impossible to choose which ones we would share, but we managed the best we could. After 20 years, we have assembled quite the collection!

I remember our original mission was to be a publication that brought our community together. Over the years, I feel we’ve done that. Even though we are just a small, family-owned business, I feel we have achieved what we set out to do – connect with people in a way no one else could. We have held fast to our principles to remain a positive influence in this region. Even though it meant sacrificing potential income, we have never allowed someone to buy their way on to our cover and we never will. If you end up on the cover of Cabarrus Magazine, it’s because you deserved to be there, not because you wrote us a check (and believe me, we have been offered this many times).

We hope you will enjoy this look back. For some of you, who have not been readers since the beginning, the stories will be new and fresh. For those who have been with us all along, we hope you will take a moment to reminisce about all we have come through together as a community.

After this issue, however, we hope you will join us in looking toward a bright future. And we look forward to all the stories that are sure to come as a result. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for two decades of allowing us into your homes and businesses. We hope to continue to serve this community for many years to come.

Sincerely,

Cabarrus MAGAZINE

Spring 2021 Volume 21 | Issue 1 PRESIDENT Pam Tolen PUBLISHER Jason Huddle ADVERTISING Kimberly Brouillette Jason Huddle DESIGN SPARK Publications CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jason Huddle CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Chad W. Mitchell Photography, Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, Biscuitville, Speedway Motorsports, City of Concord, Kannapolis Farmers Market, New Branch Real Estate, Chantelle Jordan, Scott Stiles Photography

Cabarrus Magazine is published by: CabCo Media Group 1025 Concord Parkway N Concord, NC 28027 PO Box 6265 Concord, NC 28027 For editorial inquiries, call 704-782-2353 or email them to Jhuddle@cabarrusmagazine.com.

For advertising inquiries, call 704-782-2353.

Visit us at cabarrusmagazine.com.

Jason Huddle

4 | Cabarrus Magazine

All rights reserved. ©2021, Comfort Publishing, Inc., 1025 Concord Parkway N, Concord, NC 28027.

Reproduction, in whole or in part, without permission is prohibited. Products named in these pages are trademarks of their respective companies. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of Cabarrus Magazine or Comfort Publishing, Inc.

[ Spring 2021 ]

20 Years of Cabarrus Magazine 16

FEATURES 6

Two Decades of Stories

16

Two Decades of Covers

22

Ready… Aim…

REGULARS 14 22

Breaking Bread: Chocolate Banana Cinnamon Toast

15

Cannon Pharmacy: A Donation that Can Give HUGE Dividends!

27

Cannon Pharmacy: CBD Oil for Appetite Stimulation in Older Adults

28

Cabarrus Business: On the Go

38

Business Resources: At a Glance

34 Spring 2021 | 5

[ Feature ]

Two Decades of Stories

6 | Cabarrus Magazine

[ Feature ]

BY

I

JA S O N

H U D D L E

t was a little over 20 years ago when my colleagues and I were sitting around a table, contemplating a new marketing campaign for the Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce. The Concord and Kannapolis Chambers of Commerce had just merged and there seemed to be a struggle to connect with members. As a result, companies were dropping their memberships rapidly. There was a desperate need to connect with the business community and that is where we came in.

At the time, we had a small, local advertising agency, and we were called upon to create a marketing campaign that would not only stop the mass exodus of members, but also bring the community together. This was no small task. Although Concord and Kannapolis were on the cusp of significant economic growth, the “old school” way of doing business in Cabarrus County still predominantly existed. Concord businesses did not typically do business with those in Kannapolis businesses and visa-versa. The Cabarrus County

Spring 2021 | 7

[ Feature ]

The late Jimmy Murphy dedicated his life to feeding everyone he could on Thanksgiving Day. We were honored to feature his story in our magazine.

8 | Cabarrus Magazine

Commission and Concord City Council were locked in constant conflict, even to the point of civil litigation. Concord Mills Mall had only been open a year and, while its success was evident, the surrounding area had yet to come to fruition, and the resulting economic boom was still on the horizon.

As part of this campaign, we recommended a business magazine to become a part of the Chamber’s communication with the area. Even though Cabarrus County was still largely considered only a “bedroom community” to Charlotte, the coming business growth was evident to many. In addition, there were still several large independent corporations based in Cabarrus County, including CTC (Concord Telephone Company), First Charter Bank (now 5/3 Bank), Philip Morris, and S&D Coffee. Incidentally, only one of those corporations, S&D, is still based in Cabarrus County today. The area was ripe for its own magazine in a time when digital information was still in its infancy.

To our surprise, despite the Chamber’s love for the marketing campaign we had created, they rejected the idea of a magazine for the business community. We felt so strongly about the necessity for this publication, we went back to the Chamber two more times to try to convince them to change their minds. We were unsuccessful. They were as resolute in the decision to forgo the magazine as we were that it was necessary.

Before our final meeting on the subject, we had made a crucial decision. It was one that would not only dictate the direction of our company, but also change our lives as well. We had decided that, should the Chamber decide this time to forgo production on the magazine, we would produce it internally. With

[ Feature ]

the Chamber’s blessing, we did just that, and The Cabarrus Business Magazine was born – as an idea at least.

I recall pitching the magazine to potential advertisers before we had an actual publication to show.

With just a comp and a prayer, I would tell them of the need for this magazine and what it would eventually look like. Most were receptive to the concept. Still, I will never forget one prominent community influencer stating we would run out of stories in a year. It was a sobering statement at the time, but one I continued to use over the years as a challenge to prove that person wrong.

Finally, in January 2001, the first issue was released to the public.

Champagne was consumed, toasts were given, and well-wishes were received. Little did we know the reception to our new publication would be so positive, much less that we would be still publishing our magazine 20 years later.

Stories to Tell

There have been so many stories over the years, it would be impossible to regale them all in one article. However, there are a few favorites that come to mind.

Almost immediately after the announcement our magazine would be premiering, stories about businesses in our community, and the people behind them, began to come to our attention. In our very first issue, we told the story of Joe Panko, who survived a commercial jet plane crash in 1989, and how it changed his life forever.

“It was 10:30pm,” Panko told CM in that premier edition, “I was tired after a full day of work at IBM’s New York corporate offices. Just as the plane was rolling down the runway, after a 45-minute delay, the

Over the years, we have enjoyed telling stories with happy endings. The story of how the community came together to help save Ben Mynatt Family of Dealerships is one of our favorites.

Spring 2021 | 9

[ Feature ]

Dr. Austin Obasohan came from humble beginnings, living on the street, to leading students others had written off.

10 | Cabarrus Magazine

pilot abruptly reversed the engines.

Jerry Holmes, Vice President of Finance at IBM was sitting next to me. I yelled at him to get his head down. After 20 minutes of being unconscious, I woke up in a dark, empty plane. The waters of the East River were up to my chin. The plane’s fuselage had broken apart across the row just behind me, killing the two women passengers who had been seated there.” Holmes then helped to guide Panko out of the plane and to safety.

Not long after this terrible tragedy, Panko decided to open Classic Art, Inc. It is a business that primarily sells memorabilia and art at silent auctions for non-profit organizations across the region, as a way for those groups to raise funds.

It is still in business to this day.

A few years later, we told you the story of Dr. Austin Obasohan, a man who had previously found himself homeless and begging for money on the streets of Charlotte, NC, but was able to pull himself out of poverty to become the principle at the Glenn Center in Concord. “I was begging for money to ride the bus,” Obasohan told CM in August 2006. “This man stopped and said to me, ‘I’ll give you money to ride the bus, but I’m going to ride with you. I want to make sure you get where you’re going safely.’ And he did. That day changed me forever.”

Obasohan took that philosophy of “riding the bus” with his students, some of which were on the brink of expulsion, and lifting them up, just as that good Samaritan had done with him. Today, Obasohan is the superintendent of Duplin County Schools in North Carolina.

When the “Great Recession” hit this region in 2008, almost every business was affected. Few, however, were more publicly known than Ben Mynatt Family of Dealerships.

In the August/September edition of

[ Feature ]

2010, we highlighted their incredible story of rising like a phoenix from the ashes of defeat.

In 2008, Cyndie Mynatt, CEO of Ben Mynatt Family of Dealerships, received a letter from General Motors (GM) that she would no longer be able to order any new cars after a certain date the following year. In effect, GM was putting her dealership out of business. It was a letter many GM dealerships had received across the country in an effort to cut costs for the struggling auto giant in an era when many were not purchasing cars.

Devastated, but undeterred, Mynatt exhausted every effort to save her dealership. She pleaded with anyone she could at GM to reconsider, but to no avail. “We called everyone together, and I told them the situation…it was tough,” Mynatt related to CM in that issue.

But all was not lost. When the U.S. Congress passed a law that allowed dealerships cut off by GM to have their cases heard in arbitration, there was new life in the Mynatt business. The wind had once again begun to fill their sails.

The community rallied behind her in support. The Cabarrus Chamber passed a resolution of support for the dealership, which received between 1,700 and 1,800 letters of support as a result, which were forwarded on to GM. In May 2010, approximately 18 months after this ordeal had begun, Mynatt received word her dealership would be reinstated.

Almost 11 years later, her dealership is still a pinnacle of this community, and continues to set the standard for GM auto sales in the country.

A friend to this magazine and a huge supporter of this community, the late Sam Bass is revered in the hearts of many.

Celebrities on Our Cover

It didn’t take long for our publication to gain a good reputation in the region. Those with high profiles on a regional and

Spring 2021 | 11

[ Feature ]

A brief partnership with Carolina Panthers legend, Mike Minter, ushered in a new season for this publication.

12 | Cabarrus Magazine

national scale were all too happy to be on our cover and featured in this magazine.

The first of such personalities came in only our third issue, when the late Sam Bass, graced our cover.

At one time, Bass was known as the official artist of NASCAR. His drawings of NASCAR drivers, from the late Dale Earnhardt, Sr. and his son, to Jeff Gordon, became internationally recognized.

When we originally interviewed him, Bass was still reeling from the death of his good friend Dale Earnhardt, Sr. It was Dale who had given Bass his big break and helped to launch his career. He had just recently completed the designs for Earnhardt’s car and uniform that would have been used in that 2001 season. Tragically, Earnhardt passed away after a crash in the first race of the season at Daytona.

Nevertheless, Bass was gracious with his time and his words. He told us of how Bobby Allison was not only the first “big name” he ever saw race, but how he became a father figure later on. He spoke of his deep friendship with Earnhardt and his faith in God. It was a tremendous interview, and one we could not believe we were getting at such a young stage of our publication.

We would go on to interview Sam over the years several times.

Sadly, Sam Bass passed away in February 2019. His art and his enthusiasm for life are still missed in this community.

In late 2007, CM attracted the attention of former Carolina Panther, Mike Minter. He appreciated the magazine so much, he entered into a partnership with our company in order to increase the awareness of the publication.

Minter would go on to be on the cover of several issues of the magazine during his partnership,

[ Feature ]

which lasted until August 2009, and even pulled some of his sport celebrity friends, like Mike Rucker (also a former Panther all-star) to join him.

With Minter’s partnership came a name change for the magazine, CB&L (which stood for Cabarrus Business & Lifestyles) became Cabarrus Business. The moniker stood until May 2013. On our final cover as Cabarrus Business, we were privileged to have national recording artists, The Avett Brothers, on our cover. I do not think I’ve ever seen our photographer, Michael Anderson, so giddy as the day I told him I had arranged for him to take photos of the group when they would be playing a gig in their hometown of Concord. The charity event was used to help raise funds for a non-profit group that helps victims of sexual assault, child abuse and domestic violence.

All the Tales In Between

There have been so many articles over the past two decades that have chronicled important moments in our community’s history, like following the journey to have Concord recognized as an All-America City in 2004, to showcasing the University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s entrance into college football in 2013.

We have turned personal tragedies like the loss of a family member to suicide into creating awareness for mental health issues, in May of 2019.

We have celebrated the opening of local breweries and re-openings of restaurants after the shutdown, due to COVD-19, last spring.

We have been through it all with this community over the past 20 years and we appreciate you coming along for the journey. As we embark on this next decade of our history, we look forward to all the stories we have yet to tell.

International recording artists, and Concord natives, The Avett Brothers, graced the final cover of this magazine under the “Cabarrus Business” moniker. The following issue, we became “Cabarrus Magazine”

Spring 2021 | 13

[ Breaking Bread ]

Prep time: 10-15 minutes Yield: 2 pieces toast INGREDIENTS: • 2 slices cinnamon raisin bread • 3 tablespoons Sabra Dark Chocolate Dessert Dip & Spread

14 | Cabarrus Magazine

• 6 banana slices, plus additional for serving (optional) • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon powder • 1 tablespoon maple syrup • Fresh strawberries (optional) • Powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS: 1. Toast bread to desired doneness.

2. Using spoon, swirl to spread 1 1/2 tablespoons chocolate spread on each slice of toast.

3. Add banana slices to one slice of toast and sprinkle with cinnamon.

4. Top with second slice of toast.

5. Slice in half diagonally. Add to plate with extra sliced banana and fresh strawberries, if desired.

Drizzle toast with maple syrup and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

timquo / Shutterstock.com

Chocolate Banana Cinnamon Toast

[ Healthy Living ]

A Donation that Can Give HUGE Dividends!

D

id you know there is a donation that is just as important as a tax write-off donation, but many forget this investment until they need a return on it? In fact, it provides huge returns for both you and others all over the US. You will not need a receipt for the donation, but it may etch a permanent mark in someone’s heart that receives it.

What are your feelings on blood donation? Do you donate blood regularly? Understandably, there are personal or religious reasons that prevent people from donating blood, but there are others who simply are not sure if they should give or not.

Research demonstrates that donating blood provides other individuals a chance to survive life or death situations. Those with health problems blood people receive from donors like you can also improve quality of life. It seems obvious that the receiver will benefit from getting blood, but did you know that donating blood can also be beneficial for you?

By donating blood, you can mentally and emotionally feel good knowing that you are helping others, and there is a scientific reason for this.

As we help others, our body releases hormones, such as dopamine that gives us a boost in our mood. Often runners experience this after they perform a long run and as athletes win games.

According to sources such as the Florida Department of Health, there are physical benefits similar to those of exercising. These include maintaining heart health, burning as many as 650 calories for donating a pint of blood, and lowering the risk of cancer.

It is important to remember that not everyone can donate blood. There are times that certain medical conditions or medications prohibit your ability to give blood. As always, check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if donating

blood can compromise your health.

Take your medical conditions and medication list with you when you

BY AMANDA BUCK

decide to give blood, and they will guide you in making the best decision for donations.

Spring 2021 | 15

[ Feature ]

16 | Cabarrus Magazine

[ Feature ]

Two Decades of Covers BY

JA S O N

O

H U D D L E

ver the past 20 years, we have been blessed to have had some incredible people to grace the front of our magazine, as well as some beautiful covers too. We wanted to share with you some of our favorites from over the years and some of the stories behind them. Enjoy!

Spring 2021 | 17

[ Feature ]

JANUARY 2001

A Vision of Balance (Premier Issue Cover) Our very first issue was released in January 2001. Designed by Kimberly Brouillette, it was like nothing this community had seen before at the time.

Design: Kimberly Brouillette

JULY 2004

Concord All-America City This cover depicted a time when the entire community came together to help Concord be recognized as an All-America City. It was an issue that highlighted both the history of the city, as well as celebrated its bright present and future. After the long process of achieving this distinguished title, we were excited to feature it on our cover in July 2004.

Design: Kim Cassell

APRIL/MAY 2008

The Business of Racing Anyone who is familiar with the owner of Charlotte Motor Speedway, Bruton Smith, knows he is not a man who is easy to pin down, let alone be willing to be on the front cover of a magazine. So, we were particularly proud when he agreed to be on ours.

The issue also featured a candid feature article about Smith’s career and his somewhat ruthless rise to the top, written by XM Radio’s Claire B. Lang.

Design: Barnhardt Day & Hines Cover Photo: Scott Stiles

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[ Feature ]

APRIL 2014

For the Love of Cars SEPTEMBER 2013

JUNE 2011

Biotechnology Built on the site of Cannon Mills’ Plant 1, the beautiful new core lab building on the Kannapolis Research Campus had just been completed and we wanted to mark this important shift in the area’s history. No longer dominated by textiles, the future of Kannapolis lay in biotechnology. It was a term many were unfamiliar with and we were excited at the opportunity to educate the public on this industry that would ultimately change the face of Kannapolis.

Are You Ready for Some Football?

The journey to have a football team at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte had been a decades-long road. Finally, the team was ready to take the field and we were invited to meet the team at a press event.

It was a momentous occasion and one we were proud to celebrate with the community.

Not only was the Ford Mustang turning 50, but the celebration would be taking place at Charlotte Motor Speedway that month. It was a great opportunity to highlight this historic event for car-lovers. Featured on the cover is a 1970 fastback Ford Mustang, owned by Kevin Jewell of Mount Pleasant.

Design: Kim Cassell Cover Photo: Michael A. Anderson Photography

Design: Kim Cassell Cover Photo: Michael A. Anderson Photography

Design: Kim Cassell Cover Photo: Michael A. Anderson Photography

Spring 2021 | 19

[ Feature ]

MAY 2014

No Place Like Home In the very next issue came one of our favorite covers to date. It features Cabarrus Convention & Visitor’s Bureau CEO, Donna Carpenter and former Cabarrus Chamber of Commerce President, Patrick Coughlin having some fun at Charlotte Motor Speedway. We were finally coming out of the great recession and tourism was taking over as this county’s predominate industry. Carpenter had lots of reasons to celebrate.

Design: Kim Cassell Cover Photo: Michael A. Anderson Photography

FEBRUARY 2015

Here Comes the Bride One of our most breathtaking covers, “Here Comes the Bride” was a new area for us to cover – weddings.

Photographer Michael Anderson brilliantly captured the beauty and elegance of this bride and, when we saw the cover for the first time, we were literally taken aback. After this cover was released, Anderson began to be a photographer in demand, not only in this area, but across the country.

Design: Kim Cassell Cover Photo: Michael A. Anderson Photography

DECEMBER 2016

Experience Cabarrus Another unique attraction came to Cabarrus County when Southern Grace Distilleries took over the abandoned prison near Mount Pleasant, NC. The irony was not lost on anyone that a facility that may have once housed inmates for making moonshine, now served as the distillery itself. Founded by the late Leanne Powell, Southern Grace almost immediately began winning awards in their industry and became a popular tourist attraction.

Drew Arrowood took over for Powell after her unexpected passing in July of 2019. She is sorely missed in this community, but her legacy lives on.

Design: Kim Cassell Cover Photo: Michael A. Anderson Photography

20 | Cabarrus Magazine

[ Feature ]

AUGUST 2020

The New Face of Education JUNE 2019

For the Love of Cars MAY 2019

Special Issue on Mental Health This cover is an example of turning tragedy into a positive for someone else. In October 2018, we lost our family member, Kelsey Brouillette, to suicide due to mental illness. We determined shortly after that we would dedicate an issue the following year to her memory and to educate others on the importance of getting help. As May is national Mental Health Awareness Month, we thought this would be the perfect month to highlight Kelsey’s story. The outpouring of support and thanks we received for this issue, along with a two-episode series dedicated to the subject on our podcast, Up Front with Cabarrus Magazine, was unlike anything we had seen before or since.

Although we had featured cars before, this particular cover makes us especially proud. After the latest redesign by our new design firm, Spark Publications, this issue was submitted for an award and won the Gold MARCOM (Association of Marketing Professionals) award for design! After almost 20 years, we could finally say we were an award-winning publication.

Design: SPARK Publications Cover Photo: Jason Huddle

One thing we have prided ourselves on over the years is covering the news of the time. There has been no larger continuing story than that of the Corona Virus and how it has affected our lives in so many ways. We had originally planned for this issue to be all about highlighting the new schools in Cabarrus County set to open, and, while we still were able to feature those facilities, the overall focus of the issue became much more intense. Still, we are proud to consistently ask the questions others do not.

Design: SPARK Publications Cover Photo: Michael A. Anderson Photography

Design: SPARK Publications

Spring 2021 | 21

[ Feature ]

Ready…

Aim…

BY JASON HUDDLE

22 | Cabarrus Magazine

[ Feature ]

I

t has been a long year for the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. The beginning of 2020 started with such promise. The single-A, minor League Baseball team, once known as the Kannapolis Intimidators, had a new name, and the finishing touches were being put on its new ballfield, located in the heart of downtown Kannapolis. Game schedules had been printed. Season tickets

were selling out. The stage was set for a record-breaking year in terms of attendance.

Then, just like that, it was all put on hold.

The beautiful stadium was done and eager to welcome guests that were not coming.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire world shut down with professional baseball right along with it. “It was like being a kid on Christmas Eve, where you have all the

Spring 2021 | 23

[ Feature ]

“It was like being a kid on Christmas Eve, where you have all the presents set out and you’re ready to tear into them, and then your parents tell you, ‘We’re going to put Christmas on hold right now, so we’re going to put the presents away. But stay excited!’”

—Matt Millward, general manager of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

24 | Cabarrus Magazine

presents set out and you’re ready to tear into them, and then your parents tell you, ‘We’re going to put Christmas on hold right now, so we’re going to put the presents away. But stay excited! You’re going to be able to open them at some point. We just don’t know when that time is going to come,” said Matt Millward, general manager of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers. “We held out hope that we would be able to play at least a shortened schedule until about May (2020), but, after that, we kind of knew (the season) was over.”

The fact remained, however, the ballfield was still ready and that meant there were still expenses associated with maintenance and, of course, the staff as well. Millward immediately began to brainstorm

with his team on how they could generate revenue in a non-baseball year, keeping in mind that all events had to be “COVID-safe.”

One of the first things the team staff began to do was to get out in the community and volunteer for local non-profits. Millward said it was then the Cannon Ballers management realized a great need in the community and began to think of ways they could assist.

Ideas like a pumpkin patch, hosting the “Field of Honor” to show honor to veterans and “Trees of Hope” at Christmas time, all became reality. In addition, to these events, the team also hosted some blood drives as well. These events not only were used to benefit local non-profits organizations, but were also integral in endearing this team,

[ Feature ] trying to brand its new identity, to the community. “The response to these events was overwhelming,” said Millward. “If there was a silver lining, it was the community began to learn what our brand was all about.”

In mid-May, a decision was made to open up one of the park concessions stands to the public that would serve to generate some income and also show off the new park to the public. They did so on a Thursday, expecting a smallto-moderate crowd. What they received was a line of people down the concourse. It was at this point, Millward remembers, the team was “onto something.”

Things quickly escalated from having only one stand open to allowing several to open around the park, including a food cart, located on the concourse at centerfield, where the team could try out new foods and judge public reaction.

The park quickly became a place where the public could enjoy some time outside, together, and it did not seem to matter there was no game in progress.

“It wasn’t long until we decided to open a restaurant,” Millward explained. The team set to converting the newly-built “Kinetic Club,” located at the stadium, into a fully functioning restaurant, with gourmet food and plenty of demand. “There were some growing pains with that…We pushed ourselves to the limit from day one and it’s been nothing but positive.”

Now, as the stadium prepares to host its first Cannon Ballers game, the focus is shifted back to a gameday operation model.

Unfortunately, what gamedays will look like is still a very fluid subject.

As of press time, the stadium will be allowed to open up to 50 percent of its seating capacity to fans. However, by opening day on May 4, that could change either way.

The team is also navigating rules instituted by Major League

Matt Millward

baseball (which governs Minor League Baseball teams as well).

These restrictions will dictate travel protocols, as well as rules and regulations designed to keep players and team personnel safe. “We’re still learning new regulations every day,” explained Millward. “So,

“The response to these events was overwhelming.

If there was a silver lining, it was the community began to learn what our brand was all about.”

—Matt Millward, general manager of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers Spring 2021 | 25

[ Feature ]

“On a normal season, preparing for it is like putting together a 10-piece jigsaw puzzle that you know like the back of your hand every year. This year, it’s like putting together a 100-piece jigsaw puzzle and you don’t know what it’s going to look like until you get it all together.”

—Matt Millward, general manager of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers

26 | Cabarrus Magazine

preparing for this season is like none other, without a doubt. On a normal season, preparing for it is like putting together a 10-piece jigsaw puzzle that you know like the back of your hand every year.

This year, it’s like putting together a 100-piece jigsaw puzzle and you don’t know what it’s going to look like until you get it all together.”

Still, the season is coming and Millward can’t wait to hear the crack of that first hit. “It will be like I’m that kid on Christmas, finally getting to open his presents,” Millard exclaimed. “But, I will feel like that for our fan base, the city of Kannapolis, Cabarrus County and all those who worked for years to bring this stadium downtown and make it a reality.”

Millward said he is fortunate because he gets to open up the stadium and finally see the dream become a reality, but it’s the people who worked tirelessly, long before he became a part of this community, who deserve the credit. “I want them to feel like kids at Christmas on opening day (as well).”

As to what fans can expect from the team itself, Millward agrees that’s difficult to gauge in any year when it comes to Single-A Minor

League Baseball. Because members of the team can get moved up to a higher level of play or be traded on a weekly basis, it is hard to say what personnel that made up the team at the beginning of the season will still be there at its conclusion.

Usually, Millward does not concern himself with the win-loss column because his job is all about creating a great fan experience. However, this year, Millward said, is special.

“Because of all that we’ve been through and this new stadium, I think it would be special to bring home a championship to this area at the end of the season,” he gleamed.

No matter what the outcome of the season is, the team and this community have waited long enough. It is now time for the Cannon Ballers to take flight.

CBD Oil for Appetite Stimulation in Older Adults

C

BD oil has become increasingly popular over the past several years as an over-the-counter supplement for all age groups. We have evidence that it is safe and effective for conditions like sleep disorders, pain, inflammation, and Parkinson’s disease. Did you know it was also proven useful for stimulating appetite, particularly in older adults? Let’s review some common questions about CBD oil and take a closer look at its use for appetite stimulation.

appetite-promoting effect of CBD oil is thought to be mediated by the cannabinoid receptors in the brain responsible for appetite control. CBD oil can also relieve nausea and calm the digestive tract, which generally increases appetite as well.

[ Healthy Living ]

BY ASHLEY WILHELM

Always consult a healthcare professional before incorporating CBD oil into your medication regimen. They can advise which strength and formulation may be right for you, as well as give information regarding side effects and drug interactions.

Is CBD the same as marijuana?

No! Marijuana contains two active chemical compounds: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) & Cannabidiol (CBD) which are very different. THC produces mild-altering effects which is why it is illegal in most states. CBD does not alter the mind when used, but it does provide numerous medical benefits.

How does CBD work?

CBD attaches to receptors in the brain and immune system called cannabinoids.

CBD also encourages your body to use its own cannabinoids. Interaction with these receptors affects the release of neurotransmitter chemicals in the brain. These chemicals relay information between cells regarding pain control, immune function, stress, sleep, and appetite.

How is CBD used?

CBD can be taken orally or used topically.

Capsules, liquids, gels, and creams are all very common. The formulation you choose should match the reason for use. For example, a person with painful arthritis would most likely want a topical preparation to apply directly to the arthritic area.

How can CBD oil increase appetite?

There are many health conditions which make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight. Cancer, eating disorders, and depression are just a few of them. The Spring 2021 | 27

[ On the Go ]

WHAT’S NEW IN CABARRUS COUNTY

New Biscutville a Popular Destination in Concord

B

iscuitville Fresh Southern® recently celebrated its Grand Opening at 3060 Derita Road near Concord Mills in Concord. Biscuitville is open from 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sundays.

“We know that there has been a desire to bring Biscuitville to this area for some time, and we are thankful that Concord (has) its very own Biscuitville,” Biscuitville President & CEO Kathie Niven said.

In conjunction with the opening of the new Concord restaurant, Biscuitville has partnered with Habitat for Humanity Cabarrus County to support several families who have recently moved into new Habitat homes in Concord.

Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with the community to mobilize resources and eliminate substandard housing in communities throughout the country. Through this

28 | Cabarrus Magazine

partnership, Biscuitville will determine the areas of greatest need for the selected families and help support them where they need it most.

Biscuitville, which has 62 restaurants in North Carolina and Virginia, has remodeled dozens of its existing locations during the last three years as part of a growth phase, and is known for biscuits made fresh every 15 minutes TM, As part of its new signature design, Biscuitville features a large biscuit window, which allows guests to view the biscuit-making process. This feature is so iconic to Biscuitville’s brand, the company proudly posts Home of the Biscuit Window Since 1966® in front of its biscuit makers. In addition to the biscuit window, other highlights of the new restaurant include: • Exterior features resembling a reclaimed southern barn, with a tin roof, barn doors and gooseneck lights • Interior features that combine a modern look and feel with

[ On the Go ] southern heritage through industrial hardware, blue painted ceilings inspired by southern porches, and mixed materials like wood, metal and tile • Large photos and artwork that capture scenes of the local Concord neighborhood and community • An enhanced beverage area with expanded drink options, including Salisbury-based Cheerwine® • Conveniences such as free Wi-Fi and electrical access for devices

Speedway Motorsports Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Mike Burch. “Under Jason’s direction, Speedway Motorsports has been able to combine previously separate data sources, implement new technologies, and gain deeper insights of our customers, resulting in the best possible end-user experience for our fans. I look

forward to his continued leadership in the future.”

A native of Lancaster, Ohio, Bowling attended High School in Grapevine, Texas before earning his Bachelor of Science in Sports Management degree from The University of Texas at Austin.

Following internships with the Texas Rangers, Bowling began his career

For more information about Biscuitville Fresh Southern®, visit the company’s website at biscuitville.com.

Speedway Motorsports Promotes Jason Bowling A fixture for more than two decades at Speedway Motorsports, executive Jason Bowling has been promoted to senior vice president of ticket and marketing information, officials announced today. In this role, Bowling is responsible for overseeing all consumer experience platforms including; CRM, ticketing, email and mobile applications for Speedway Motorsports facilities.

Jason Bowling

“Jason’s leadership and experience through the years have been pivotal to keeping Speedway Motorsports at the forefront of the entertainment industry,” said

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[ On the Go ]

“I have been fortunate to be a part of the Speedway Motorsports family for most of my career. Not only has this allowed me to work with some of the best people in the sports and entertainment business, but it has also afforded me the chance to be involved in motorsports during dynamic years requiring new and creative solutions.”

— Jason Bowling

Seen here is a depiction of the the former Concord City Hall Anne after renovations are completed.

in sports with the Dallas Burn (now FC Dallas), before joining Texas Motor Speedway as its credential coordinator in 1999. He spent 10 years in the role of director of tickets for Texas Motor Speedway before

being named Speedway Motorsports’ vice president of ticket and marketing information in 2014.

“I have been fortunate to be a part of the Speedway Motorsports family for most of my career,” Bowling said.

“Not only has this allowed me to work with some of the best people in the sports and entertainment business, but it has also afforded me the chance to be involved in motorsports during dynamic years requiring new and creative solutions.

I am excited to continue my career in this new role with Speedway Motorsports as we continue to drive innovation in motorsports to improve the fan experience.”

City of Concord to Open Non-Profit Center; Lease Applications Available A full-service business technology solutions provider serving clients across the Carolinas since 1968. Applying our workflow experience, state-of-the-art hardware and software, quality paper handling equipment, and robust technology support, technology means business for you.

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30 | Cabarrus Magazine

The former City of Concord City Hall Annex building located at 66 Union St. S is currently under renovation, with a lower level dedicated to assisting local non-profits.

The City expects the space to be ready for occupancy by May 1, 2021.

In August 2019, the City of Concord sold the City Hall Annex building to RCG SE, LLC., who plan to redevelop the main level of the building as three commercial bays and the second level as professional office space. The City entered into a five-year lease with RCG for the lower level of the

[ On the Go ] building to create non-profit office space downtown.

“On behalf of Mayor Dusch and the City Council, I am excited about this new collaboration with our local non-profits, who invest in our community daily,” stated City Manager Lloyd Payne. “They are vital to delivering services and goods to our citizens and, as such, deserve an affordable office space for their administrative functions.”

The new addition to the City will feature office spaces ranging from 128 SF – 317 SF., with allinclusive lease rates, including the cost of utilities and Wi-Fi. Rates are dependent upon the square footage of each office ranging from $285 - $710 per month. The non-profit center will feature new HVAC, carpet, paint, wiring, and lighting. Occupants will have access to a new elevator and common conference room.

Interested non-profits may now apply. The city will give priority to Concord-based non-profits and second priority to Cabarrus County non-profits. Office spaces will initially be limited to three offices per non-profit applicant to provide more spaces for smaller and newer non-profits that need a space to get established. Applications are considered on a first-come, firstserve basis.

Eligible 501(c) non-profits that benefit the general public and contribute to the city’s cultural, social, and economic vitality are encouraged to apply by visiting www.concordnc.gov/NonProfitCenter.

Kannapolis Farmers Market Seeking Vendors for Summer The Kannapolis Farmers Market is popular destination for residents and visitors each weekend during the summer.

The Kannapolis Farmers Market is looking for vendors. If you are a farmer, artisan, crafter or baker,

Spring 2021 | 31

[ On the Go ]

Vendors pay an annual membership fee of $30, and a weekly rental fee of $10 per 14’ space. we would love for you to participate in the market.

The market is looking for people who offer a wide variety of fresh, local produce, as well as cheese, ice cream, honey, baked goods, spices, jewelry, soaps, candies, crafts, pottery, hand crafted wood items, art and more.

Vendors pay an annual membership fee of $30, and a weekly rental fee of $10 per 14’ space.

The market is open May thru September and operates every Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at the corner of Vance Avenue and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard.

For more information on the Farmers Market visit www.kannapolisnc.gov/ farmersmarket. If you are interested in being a vendor, please contact Irene Sacks at isacks@kannapolisnc.gov or 704-920-4326.

Kannapolis Honored for Communications Work The North Carolina Association of Government Information Officers has awarded the City of Kannapolis first place for its work in branding and promotion of the West Avenue Streetscape and Downtown Revitalization Project.

The city was recognized with the Excellence in Communications Award for its strategic communications plan to brand, promote and market the West Avenue Streetscape and Downtown Revitalization Project during the planning, construction and opening of the streetscape.

The Communications Plan included engaging city residents in the process through news releases, social media, email newsletters, maps, photos, a dedicated website, public meetings, hard hat tours, signage, and a huge opening event in the fall of 2019. The goal was to engage and educate the public as the project evolved from the design phase to actual reality. As the design process began residents were asked to give input on the featured components of the downtown and as the project moved forward into the construction phase residents were kept abreast of what was happening. Throughout the multiyear process residents and potential investors in downtown were able to follow the construction process on the city’s website which featured a dedicated page to the downtown project with

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• Your hot-linked logo on every page • A Premium Business Listing page • One Online Sponsored Content per Month

With Up Front with Cabarrus Magazine Weekly Podcast: • One :30 second spot to air during podcast • Mentions at beginning and end of podcast

[ On the Go ]

The City of Kannapolis is getting statewide recognition for its West Avenue revitalization project.

live camera webcam feeds of the construction, regular updates from elected officials and staff, hard hat tours, news releases, email updates and more.

During the process, the city also targeted potential private investors and businesses with specific messaging using social media advertising, media coverage, news

releases, a targeted email newsletter and many other promotional avenues. A map detailing every block of downtown and the revitalization plan for the area was also used and updated regularly. The work also included developing a brand for West Avenue and ensuring it worked cohesively with the city’s overall brand.

“We are pleased to be honored by our peers for our work in this arena. The Downtown Revitalization Process and the West Avenue Streetscape Project is a team effort with elected officials and city departments working collaboratively together to make it a reality. To be able to document it and share it with our residents over the last five years has been an amazing journey,” said Annette Privette Keller, director of communications for the city of Kannapolis.

Spring 2021 | 33

[ On the Go ]

(Left) Kannapolis’ historic Swanee theatre, as it appeared shortly after it opened (circa 1940). (Right) The Swanee Theatre building, as it appears today, will soon be a entertainment center once again.

Kannapolis Sells Former Swanee Theatre as Downtown Revitalization Continues Kannapolis City Council recently approved the sale of the former Swanee Theatre to West Avenue Entertainment, LLC. The new ownership group, which includes Kent Gregory and Ken Lingafelt, plans to renovate the building, and open it as an entertainment venue.

The Swanee Theatre was built in 1940 and was one of four single screen movie theatres in Kannapolis.

It remained open until 1971. Since then the building was used as a visitor center and a workforce training center for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College but has been vacant in recent years.

“We are looking forward to seeing this building come alive again. Many of our residents have memories of the wonderful times spent at the Swanee being entertained with a movie. Now, the building will be restored and once again we will be able to visit it to be entertained with live performances,” commented Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant.

“The Swanee Theater, an iconic building in the heart of downtown Kannapolis is a structure we have to preserve and bring back to life for the community. Our goal is to reopen the Swanee in the late third 34 | Cabarrus Magazine

“We are looking forward to seeing this building come alive again.

Many of our residents have memories of the wonderful times spent at the Swanee being entertained with a movie.

Now, the building will be restored and once again we will be able to visit it to be entertained with live performances.”

— Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant quarter of this year and provide a venue for live music & performances.

With a capacity of approximately 500 it delivers a perfect setting for performers to truly connect with their audience. The Swanee will also be available for other community uses”, commented Gregory and Lingafelt.

The parcel is located at the corner of West Avenue and Cannon Ballers Way and will be sold for $567,000.

The city will also provide a

construction loan of up to $950,000 to the buyer to finance the cost of the renovations to the building. The property was initially purchased by the city in 2015 as part of the Downtown Revitalization Plan when the city bought 50 acres (eight blocks of downtown buildings) and over 700,000 square feet of commercial space.

The city has now sold five of the downtown blocks and one of the outer parcels (the former Plant 4 site). A number of new businesses have opened including restaurants, a brewery, boutiques, hair salon and a barber, a cycle shop and much more.

RCCC Program Chair, Billings, Recognized With National Award Dr. Jenny Billings, program chair of Curriculum and Developmental English and ACA at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (RCCC), was recognized at a recent meeting of the College’s Board of Trustees as a 2021 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award recipient.

For more than 30 years, the NISOD Excellence Awards have honored extraordinary faculty, administrators and staff whose service to their students, colleagues and community deserves special

[ On the Go ]

“I am so honored and humbled by this recognition. When the email arrived in my inbox, I was so surprised and moved that I cried.

I thank the College for supporting me, believing in me, and being willing to recognize me for my efforts.”

— Dr. Jenny Billings

recognition. The annual awards celebrate excellence in teaching, learning and leadership development.

“I am so honored and humbled by this recognition. When the email arrived in my inbox, I was so surprised and moved that I cried,” Billings said. “I thank the College for supporting me, believing in me, and being willing to recognize me for my efforts.”

Billings has led numerous projects while at Rowan-Cabarrus, including the Office Hour Initiative, an innovative concept to make faculty available to students online and

Dr. Jenny Billings

during non-traditional hours, and to help at-risk students stay on track for success. She also led the college’s nomination for a national Bellwether Award for inclusive access.

Billings holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Wake Forest University, a master’s in Creative Writing in Poetry from Queens University, and a doctorate in Higher Education Executive Leadership with a community college focus from Wingate University. She co-manages the Read Across Rowan & Cabarrus Counties (RARCC) book drive, during which volunteers blanket the community each year to read and present books to school children.

Billings will be invited to attend NISOD’s virtual annual conference in April.

“Dr. Jenny Billings is a dedicated instructor, program chair and student advocate, and I am proud and appreciative of her efforts,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus. “She is always looking for creative ways to help our students succeed.”

Peck Wins Concord 2021 Alignable Local Businessperson of The Year Contest Kristina Peck was recently named the winner in a national competition celebrating hometown business heroes, by Alignable.com.

The award, given by the online networking platform, celebrates local business leaders who have gone “above and beyond to help peers during the COVID Crisis”.

Alignable network honored Kristina Peck, of KP Business Marketing, LLC, from Concord, NC its 2021 Alignable Local Business Person Of The Year. Over 86,000 votes and recommendations about hometown business heroes were cast to determine the winner.

This is the third year Alignable has hosted this contest, and the participation levels for 2021’s competition topped 2020’s by a

Kristina Peck

monumental 800%, according to Alignable officials.

“During a time where at least two-thirds of small businesses have regularly reported suffering negative effects from COVID issues, it is clear with this outpouring of support just how much small business owners wanted to recognize the extraordinary efforts of their peers,” said a statement from the company. “This frenetic level of participation is a testament to the strength of the business relationships forged and reinforced over the past year.”

“During a time where at least two-thirds of small businesses have regularly reported suffering negative effects from COVID issues, it is clear with this outpouring of support just how much small business owners wanted to recognize the extraordinary efforts of their peers.”

— A spokesperson for Alignable Spring 2021 | 35

rawf8 / Shutterstock.com

[ On the Go ]

Alignable’s 2021 Local Businessperson of The Year Contest was conducted between January 6 and February 5, 2021.

Its members, totaling more than 6 million, were invited to vote for their favorite peers. In all, 2,962 local businesspeople emerged victorious across North America, after more than 61,000 votes were tallied and 25,000 recommendations were reviewed.

Accepting the award, Peck said, “Thank you again and I am extremely humbled.”

Rental Assistance Approved for Thousands of Cabarrus Residents COVID-19 has put thousands of Cabarrus County households on 36 | Cabarrus Magazine

Through the Cabarrus County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), households with financial hardship due to COVID-19 can apply for payment of overdue rent and utilities dating back to March 13, 2020, and through the remainder of the year or until funding runs out. the verge of eviction. For thousands more, the threat of utilities being cut off looms. However, they may be able to now receive help.

Through the Cabarrus County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), households with financial hardship due to COVID-19 can apply for payment of overdue rent and utilities dating back to March 13, 2020, and through the remainder of the year or until funding runs out.

To be eligible, a renter household that has a household income cannot exceed 80 percent

of the area median income (examples: $46,800 annually for a household of one, $66,800 annually for a household of four and $88,200 annually for a household of eight) and at least one or more individuals living in the household must either qualify for unemployment or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19, or can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability

[ On the Go ]

If the applicant qualified for another federal or state program, such as HOPE, and has needs beyond the months covered by that program, they may still qualify for the ERAP program.

New Branch Real Estate Advisors Hire New Director of Property Management in Concord

The process requires documentation of need, including financial, housing and utility verification. Applicants who complete the application online can submit scans or photos of the documentation. Paper copies of documentation are required for the paper application.

If the applicant qualified for another federal or state program, such as HOPE, and has needs beyond the months covered by that program, they may still qualify for the ERAP program.

The county has until December 31, 2021 to distribute the $6.5 million allocated to the fund.

Additional information about the ERAP program and the application process can be found at erap.cabarruscounty.us. For information on the County’s work to develop and administer the ERAP program, visit https://cabarruscounty.us/resources/ emergency-rental-assistanceprogram-admin.

In response to the boom of industrial and commercial development in Cabarrus County, New Branch Real Estate Advisors (New Branch), a Concord-based commercial real estate firm, has hired a director of property management and enhanced its property management services.

Will Henderson will serve as director of property management for New Branch, as the firm assumes property management responsibilities for the Meadows Corporate Park, a recently developed industrial park in Concord, N.C. “Concord is a desirable location for national and regional businesses because of its proximity to Charlotte, excellent labor force and access to two airports and Interstate 85,” said Doug Donia, partner and broker, New Branch Real Estate Advisors.

“Our firm is better positioning itself to meet the growing demand for professional property management services, and we are pleased to take on the Meadows Corporate Park as our newest assignment.”

A North Carolina native, Henderson grew up in Concord. He attended Cabarrus Academy (now Cannon School), Northwest Cabarrus High School and Wingate University. A family interest in commercial real estate inspired

Will Henderson

Henderson to pursue a career change. For nearly two decades, he has been involved with property management, leasing, tenant relations and all the administrative responsibilities that accompany those duties. As property manager for New Branch, Henderson will be responsible for tenant relations, oversight of buildings and grounds maintenance, and general property operations. “As an experienced property manager and leasing agent, Will understands how the right property and location can contribute to the success of an enterprise,” said Donia. “He will be proactive in upholding the high corporate park standards that the tenants at all of our properties have come to expect of New Branch.”

“Concord is a desirable location for national and regional businesses because of its proximity to Charlotte, excellent labor force and access to two airports and Interstate 85.”

— Doug Donia, partner and broker, New Branch Real Estate Advisors Spring 2021 | 37

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