Union County Weekly

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Vol. 11 No. 8 February 19, 2016

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www.unioncountyweekly.com Union Academy’s ‘character’ wins The Monroe charter school was one of four schools in N.C. recognized as a ‘School of Character.’ Page 7

Summer Camp Guide

Residents cope with development pressures Residents of neighborhoods in Weddington and Indian Trail are furious after construction of nearby developments caused damage to their roads, sidewalks and landscaping. Now, they’re reaching out to the town, county and state for answers.

Page 14

Looking for the perfect arts and theater camp for your child? Don’t miss this week’s Summer Camp Guide.

Page 10

Marvin swimmers repeat success Maverick girls captured the NCHSAA 3A state title in the pool, while the boys finished second place. Page 17

Opinion 4 | Crime Blotter 5 | News Briefs 6 | Education 7 | Faith 13 | Calendar 15 | Sports 16 | Classifieds 19

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The Weekly

Development Briefs Pair buys Waxhaw firm WAXHAW – JoEllen Plyler and Hillary Steere bought Waxhaw digital marketing company Neighborhood Guru, according to Bridge Mergers and Acquisitions.

Neighborhood Guru offers services, such as search engine optimization, website development, email campaign implementation and blog writing to small businesses.

Beth Anne Jackson founded the company in 2012. Diana Miles, of Bridge Mergers and Acquisitions, represented Jackson in finding a buyer and facilitating the transaction.

Plyler and Steere have a combined 20 years of marketing experience. They recently served Marvin Ridge High School marketing and business students.

“We look forward to taking the business to the next level as we expand business owners’ digital footprint and online presence in order to grow our clients’ revenue through laser-targeted campaigns that will increase our clients’ return on investment,” Plyler said.

Go to www.GuruNeighbors.com or www.

BridgeMergers.com to learn more.

Tyson Foods picks Monroe for manufacturing plant expansion MONROE – Tyson Foods announced plans to invest $5 million into its manufacturing plant a month after Union County and Mon-

roe leaders awarded a combined $225,000 in economic development incentives.

Tyson Foods has operated the Monroe plant since acquiring from Holly Farms in 1989.

“Tyson Foods is encouraged by the strong support the community has shown toward this project, and we are proud to announce we will be making this investment in Monroe” said Jonathan Edwards, complex manager for the Monroe plant.

Public can learn about new subdivision project in Marvin MARVIN – The village will hold public input meetings regarding the proposed Broadmoor subdivision at 1614 Waxhaw-Marvin Road.

Meetings will occur Feb. 25. The first is at 2 to 4 p.m. on the property, with parking along Stacy Howie Road. The second takes place 5 to 7 p.m. at Banks Fellowship Hall, 10012 New Town Road.

Carolina Development Services is behind the development.

New firms form in county Registered agents filed the following corporations with the N.C. Secretary of State from Feb. 5 to 11: Monroe • At Home With Verna Reed L.L.C. – Verna Reed, 2925 Rainwater Court.

• Brothers Tree Service NC LLC – Omar Gutierrez, 3705 Parkwood School Road.

• Crossway Plumbing Services L.L.C. – Nathan Guest, 3410 Helms Pond Road.

• M&S Land Services Inc. – Ken Simpson, 7005 Gus Eubanks Road.

• Quality Pools Group Inc. – Angel Tito, 2508 Devon Drive.

• Soul Deserts LLC – Ivy Kaufman, 2513 Julian St.

Five homes sell in Hunter Oaks WAXHAW – Hunter Oaks is off to a fast start in 2016, with five home sold in January, according to the Charlotte Regional Realtors Association.

Homes ranged from 300,000 to $425,000.

Hunter Oaks ranked ninth among area subdivisions in Union County Weekly’s look at the hottest-selling neighborhoods in 2015, with 33 sold through mid-November.

Community perks include three lighted tennis courts and a pool.

Other • Alcon Painting LLC – Rudy Martinez, 5821 Woody Grove Road, Indian Trail.

• 3ROM INC. – Ravi Vasireddy, 1105 Baltusrol Lane, Marvin.

• Sundev Hospitality Company LLC – Miloni Kamdar, 1036 Seminole Drive, Marvin.

• Harrington Hauling & Grading LLC – Joshua Harrington, 2911 Helen Drive, Mineral Springs.

• Blknight Enterprises LLC – Robert Engle, 4019 Blossom Hill Drive, Weddington.

• ERT Last House LLC – Mark Brock, 1304 Linden Glen Drive, Wesley Chapel.

Waxhaw tops list of family cities CHARLOTTE – Union County had four of the top five towns on NerdWallet’s list of North Carolina’s best places for families to live.

Waxhaw topped the list. The report mentioned the town’s Jamming By the Tracks concert series and production “A Christmas Carol.”

Other towns in the region to make the list included Marvin (2), Stallings (4), Indian Trail (5), Matthews (16), Charlotte (67), Monroe (70) and Pineville (110).

The financial website used factors such as home affordability, family friendliness, growth and educational quality, based on data from GreatSchools ratings and the 2013 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

NerdWallet considered 147 towns with at least 5,000 residents. Twenty-four towns weren’t on the list due to unavailable data.

Waxhaw • JC & Son LLC – Carmella Cannizzo, 9602 Royal Colony Drive.

• Lighthouse Aesthetics Inc. – Laura Skeen, 8409 Tintinhull Lane.

• Liquid Stone Concrete LLC – Daniel Herfrich Jr., 6610 Potter Road S. • Mayzlin LLC – Semen Mayzlin, 5105 Brynmar Drive.

• Nur Allah Cleaning LLC – Jocquill Bethea, 8426 Fairlight Drive.

• Saddle Up In Union County LLC – J. Groves, 9027 Yellow Pine Court.

• Sponsoon Inc – Issa Hall, 7807 New Town Road.

• Veterans Council of Union County (VCUC) – Kenneh Rogers, 7431 Mockingbird Lane.

• yangdds PLLC – Mengchi Yang, 2221 Deer Meadows Drive.

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We need to keep small business open An article I read this week grabbed my attention, and not for the reason you might suspect.

If you’re in the financial business, you read about the market. If you’re a lawyer, you read about big verdicts in periodicals. And if you’re in Jonathan McElvy the media business, you read about our industry’s bloodshed.

I have a friend who warns me about this, because, unless your business starts with the words Amazon, Facebook or Google, media stories aren’t kind these days.

Radio executives read about Sirius and Pandora and Apple Music.

Television honchos would just as soon take a sledgehammer to the knees of Netflix, Amazon (they keep popping up), Hulu and the modernday DVR, if that’s still such a thing.

And newspapers? Sheez. We’ve been writing an extended version of our obituary for the past two decades because we gave away our brains to save our bones.

Think about it: During the birth of the Internet, newspaper execs were so giddy about getting people to their websites that they freely tossed every story online in hopes of boasting about how big of an audience they had. We were a grocery store that gave away the steaks in order to sell more napkins.

In fact, the newspaper industry was so successful at being idiots with our important commodity (news) that we convinced the entire world that news, in fact, should be free. And that’s when those start-up companies like Google and Facebook attacked. They took our free content, merged it into news feeds and exquisite searches, and started selling sponsored posts and ad spots at the top. Today, Google’s revenue is greater than all the newspapers in the United States combined.

When young business majors study the dumbest industries in America, they will no doubt turn to the executives of the newspaper business and write masterful pieces of tragedy.

And that gets me back to the article I read earlier this week that deserves to be shared. The article was about a public newspaper company called McClatchy, which owns papers such as the Charlotte Observer, the Miami Herald and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

During McClatchy’s earnings call, CEO Pat Talamantes told investors that advertising revenues were down 11.7 percent over the previous year. That continues a slide that began somewhere around 2009 for most major newspapers, and as Talamantes said, the trends for this year “are not very different.�

But what really grabbed my attention from the article was not the plight of the newspaper business. Instead, Talamantes said print’s problem is that retailers all across the nation are feeling the same pinch newspapers have for almost a decade, and this won’t surprise you in the least.

The major retailers that have long been strong supporters of newspapers have lost their customers.

Think about how shopping has changed in

just the last three years. My wife and I have a son who still thinks the potty is a great idea, but not a necessity. When we need diapers, do you think my wife goes to the store and buys a mammoth box of Pampers? Nope, Diapers.com delivers them to the door free of charge. We just have to plan two days in advance.

When my wife wants shoes, she splits her time between stores (when she actually has time to brave traffic) and Zappos.com.

And let’s not forget the company that won’t stop – Amazon. Just three years ago, you could buy 1,000 shares of that company for $265,000.

Today, those 1,000 shares are now worth $521,000. Those are earnings of $256,000 in three years (you know, if you had the money to make the initial investment, which most all of us don’t.)

Amazon makes shopping for anything as simple as a few clicks and a refund policy, and in the process, I couldn’t stop thinking about all the local businesses in our area of town that must be feeling the same pinch our industry has felt over the past decade.

And that’s when you start thinking to the future. One day, will we need Realtors to sell our homes, or will we just virtually list it and let a smart phone guide buyers through open houses?

Car lots are almost a thing of the past. One day, you’ll buy your car online, have it delivered to your home for a test drive, and you’ll either send it back or have the delivery driver leave in your old car.

Even doctors will change. It won’t be too long that we virtually visit a doctor, tell him/her/it our symptoms and get a prescription delivered to our house later that afternoon. We probably won’t have robots come to our homes to perform surgery, but general practice doctors will either become specialists or they’ll disappear.

The list goes on and on, and sometimes I wonder if small businesses all across our community understand how important these days are to maintaining a business that will last until the next generation.

I don’t have a solution yet. Instead, I’m doing something I’ve never before done in a column.

I’d like to ask readers, consumers and small businesses to begin sharing their stories with us.

Specifically, I’d like to know what small businesses are doing today to compete in a market that increasingly moves to tablets and smart phones.

Readers, are there stores you love to visit? If so, why?

Over the next month, I’d like to compile your answers and share them with our readers and other businesses.

Here’s what I know: Newspapers like ours haven’t finished our obituaries because we are intent to cover the communities we serve better than any other medium. I believe if we keep doing that, you’ll continue to read our news.

I also know that after neighborhoods and schools, small, local businesses are the cornerstones of communities. We need them to thrive.

We need locals to shop with them. And we ought to start discussing a way to keep real doors, rather than web addresses, open.

Email me your thoughts at the address below. jonathan@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

www.unioncountyweekly.com

The Weekly

Crime Blotter The Union County Sheriff’s Office reported the following incidents from Jan. 1 to 7:

Fairview Property Damage • Hopewell Baptist Church, 420 Hopewell Church Road: $2,500 damage to park grass and driveway. Feb. 5 Indian Trail Fraud • 9005 Magna Lane: Credit card fraud. Feb. 8 Home/Building Break-ins • 6700 block of Third Avenue: $2,000 dirt bikes stolen from home. Feb. 7 • U.S. Bank, 6101 Clearwater Drive: Break-in reported at business. Feb. 9 Other • 2000 block of Alice Flagg Lane: $100 damage to landscape materials. Feb. 7 • 200 block of Unionville-Indian Trail Road. Unauthorized use of motor vehicle. Feb. 9 Property Damage • 1000 block of Farmingham Lane: Vandalism to vehicle. Feb. 6 • 2000 block of Magna Lane: $30 damage to vinyl siding. Feb. 7 • 3000 block of Corrona Lane: Damage to vehicle. Feb. 6 • 7600 block of Indian Trail-Fairview Road: $100 damage to mailbox. Feb. 7 • 9000 block of Good Life Lane: $2,000 damage of yard. Feb. 11 • 6200 block of Gail Drive: $200 damage to vehicle.

Feb. 12 Property Theft • 13700 block of East Independence Boulevard: $180 light bar stolen from parking lot. Feb. 7 • Walmart, 2101 Younts Road: $239.18 merchandise stolen from store including sunglasses, Pikachu figurines, video games, Nicorette gum, jewelry and knife. Feb. 8 • Chinatown Buffet, 14039 East Independence Boulevard: $8.28 food stolen from restaurant. Feb. 8 Vehicle Break-ins • 1000 block of Trigger Drive: $20 phone charger and

Union County Weekly | February 19, 2016 | Page 5 $50 key stolen from vehicle. Feb. 6 Lake Park Vehicle Break-Ins • 3600 block of Kristofer Drive: $200 wallet stolen from vehicle. Feb. 9 • 3400 block of Mayhurst Drive: $500 drone stolen from vehicle. Feb. 9 Marvin Fraud • 400 block of Marvin Branch Court: $1,040 worth of video game equipment and $300 shoes stolen. Feb. 10 Property damage • 3000 block of Wheat Field Drive: $350 damage to mailbox. Feb. 10 Waxhaw Other • Cuthbertson High School, 1400 Cutherbertson Road: Weapon on school property. Feb. 10 Property Damage • 6200 block of Old Highway Road: $500 damage to residential buildings. Feb. 10 Weddington Robberies • 13600 block of Providence Road: Common law robbery at department store. Feb. 9 Fraud • Southern Evangelical Seminary, 3000 Tilley Morris Road: Obtaining property by false pretenses. Feb. 10 Wesley Chapel Fraud • 6200 block of Pumpernickel Lane: $273.27 obtained by false pretenses. Feb. 5 • 1100 block of Woodwinds Drive: $120 obtained by false pretenses. Feb. 7 Property Theft • Target, 6350 Weddington Road: $209.96 X-Box One games stolen from store. Feb. 8 • Target, 6350 Weddington Road: $199.98 wireless headsets and $33.48 beer stolen from store. Feb. 8 The Stallings Police Department reported the following incidents from Feb. 8 to 14: Fraud • 7000 block of Kidwelly Lane: Aid/assist fraud tax return. Feb. 10 Property Damage • 13400 block of East Independence Boulevard: Injury to personal property. Feb. 12 Vehicle Break-Ins • 3500 block of Pleasant Plains Road: Break-in from motor vehicle. Feb. 11

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Page 6 | February 19, 2016 | Union County Weekly

The Weekly

News Briefs 10100 Park Cedar Drive, Suite 154 Charlotte, NC 28210 Phone: 704-849-2261 • Fax: 704-849-2504 www.unioncountyweekly.com

Editorial Managing Editor Hannah Chronis Education Editor Courtney Schultz Development Editor Justin Vick Sports editor Ben Doster Faith Columnist Rev. Tony Marciano

Advertising Charlotte Conway Mike Gianpetro

Community shelter receives $2,500 gift from Food Lion MONROE – The Union County Community Shelter was awarded $2,500 from Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation, the philanthropic program of Food Lion, a grocery store with nine locations in Union County.

“We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support of the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation,” said Kathy Bragg, shelter executive director. “We provide more than 46,000 meals each year to shelter residents and other residents who need a meal. These funds help us with the cost of those meals.”

The shelter provides three meals every day, with churches, civic groups and businesses supplying most dinners and some breakfasts and lunches. Staff purchases food and prepares meals when donated food is not available.

Design

care ordinance, including an annual community forestry budget of at least $2 per capita and observing Arbor Day. “Tree City USA communities see the impact an urban forest has in a community first hand,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Additionally, recognition brings residents together and creates a sense of community pride, whether it’s through volunteer engagement or public education.”

CHARLOTTE – The annual Showcase of Woodcarvings, the largest woodcarving show in the southeast, will take place Feb. 20 and 21 at Marion Diehl Recreation Center, located at 2219 Tyvola Road.

Internationally known wood carver Tom Wolfe will lead the Tom Wolfe Carving Competition on Saturday and Sunday during the show.

Carving exhibit hours will be noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Vendors will be open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free Visit www.charlottewoodcarvers.com or call 704-5291748 for more information.

Business President Jonathan McElvy Publisher Kelly Wright Associate Publisher Frank Vasquez Business Manager Brent Epling

Letters to the Editor: hannah@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com Press Releases: hannah@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

Union County Weekly is published by Charlotte Media Group. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

Shelter Volunteer Edythe Davis sorts food that will be distributed to needy individuals in Union County.

Restaurant Scores The Union County Health Department inspected the following dining locations from Feb. 9 to 14.

Showcase of Woodcarvings slated for this weekend

Art Director Maria Hernandez Layout Editor Erin Kirby

Advertising: adsales@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

The Weekly

All Scores: 28173 • Fox’s Pizza Den, 407 E. South Main St. – 97 28104 • Papa’s Pizza To Go, 13649 Providence Road – 95.5 • The Friendly Moose, 4320 Potter Road – 98 28079 • Rossini’s Pizza Pasta, 13803-A Hwy. 74 W. – 98.5 • Wendy’s, 13810 E. Independence Blvd. – 97.5 28110 • Conference Center at SPCC, 4209 Old Charlotte Hwy. – 98.5 • Duke’s Grill, 1114 Concord Ave. – 97.5 • Firehouse Subs, 2319 W. Roosevelt Blvd.

– 98.5 • Goodtimes Bar and Grill, 1905 Dickerson Blvd. – 96 • Tienda Y Taqueria Romeros, 405 ½ Sutherland Ave. – 92.5 28112 • Hong Kong, 813-II E. Roosevelt Blvd. – 97.5 • Dasis of Monroe, 116 S. Main St. – 100

Last year’s ‘Best of Show’ winner

Waxhaw named ‘Tree City USA’ WAXHAW – The Arbor Foundation named Waxhaw a 2015 Tree City USA for its commitment to urban forest management. The program is in partnership with the United States Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

The town achieved the designation by meeting the program’s four requirements: installing a tree board or department, developing a tree

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Union County Weekly | February 19, 2016 | Page 7

Education

Union Academy shows its character, wins state award

Charter school named one of four in North Carolina to receive ‘character’ award

by Courtney Schultz courtney@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

Union Academy (UA) Charter School’s founders, Tim and Maureen Laniak, received validation this month, as the school was deemed the first charter school in North Carolina to be a North Carolina School of Character.

The school was founded in 2000 with character education as a foundational component to the school, which included eight character traits students are taught to follow. “It (started) with an idea shared by a lot of people with the same purpose and commitment,â€? said Tim Laniak. â€œâ€ŚUA started because someone wanted something that was all good.â€?

Laniak said he and a group of founding parents wanted the school to create more well-rounded students and have a school that not only focused on academics, but character development.

The designation from Character.org lays out resources to measure the climate and culture of the school that make it conducive to academic achievement, according to Fay Gore, chief K-12 social studies, state character education coordinator. Schools are evaluated against 11 principles that the site defines as necessary components to carry out long-term character development in kids.

The school was required to submit more than 11 essays discussing each of the principles and

how they’re established in the school. They also must explain how the school builds a community and culture of character within students, teachers and parents.

Kelly Brun, a high school guidance counselor, who submitted the application for the designation, said UA had no problem demonstrating its strong community of caring while high parental involvement through volunteering, as well as data that showed UA gave back to the community. UA high schoolers volunteered more than 17,000 service hours last year, she added, along with every elementary school class exhibiting a community service project.

Brun worked in Florida public schools before UA, where she said the schools were mostly focused on test scores. But at UA, the academic component comes secondary to ensuring the children become good citizens.

UA is one of four schools in North Carolina – and one of 68 schools nationally – to earn the distinction.

Gore said the school demonstrated a proven commitment to character development that shapes the school, as well as the community. She said data showed most students at UA felt safe and a connection to adults in the community, such as counselors and teachers, as well as demonstrated academic achievement, as evidenced by the school’s graduation rate. “It’s not necessarily a typical award,� Gore said.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;It really shows that if a school is deemed a state school of character that really means character is the foundation of that school and is embedded throughout. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just from the student perspective, but from the adult perspective, the parent perspective and for the community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not so much an award, but a recognition that this school has character embedded.â&#x20AC;?

Brun believes the recognition verifies that the Laniaksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dream came true. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m just so proud because this award isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t about my work, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not about (Headmaster) Dr. Ann Walterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s work, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about everyone of those teachers that are in there and all of those kids that give back,â&#x20AC;? Brun said.

Brun said the foundation of the school was to make children â&#x20AC;&#x153;better people, better citizens,â&#x20AC;? and she feels theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve achieved that. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Could we ask for a better award? That really is the ultimate dream in a school is to create a community that when the kids leave are making their world better,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what we try to do.â&#x20AC;?

UA will now move on to the national level criteria in hope of becoming a national School of character, which could include a visit from Character.org. In the meantime, Walters hopes to continue developing students into â&#x20AC;&#x153;good citizens.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Utilizing components of character education is a large part of our student and staffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s daily rou-

Union Academy charter school earned a state award for its commitment to character education. Courtney Schultz/UCW photos

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tines,â&#x20AC;? Walters said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are eager to carry this distinction for years to come and are hopeful our example will lead other schools in North Carolina to participate in this program in order to enhance studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives statewide.â&#x20AC;?

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www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 8 | February 19, 2016 | Union County Weekly

Now Enrolling! Charlotte Catholic High School

Education

Commissioners want timely budget info from Board of Education

by Courtney Schultz courtney@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

100% Graduation Rate Engineering Biology Music AP Classes Journalism

Faith Athletics Dance Acting Honors Calculus Marketing Spanish Art Friends

7702 Pineville-Matthews Road 704.543.1127 Shannon Fortin Director of Admissions

www.gocougars.org 704.370.3273

Now Enrolling! St. Matthew Catholic School

Educating Saints & Scholars Faith Science History Spanish

TK - 5th Grade Art Math Service Technology

11525 Elm Lane 704.544.2070 www.st-matts.com Shannon Fortin Director of Admissions 704.370.3273

The Union County Board of Commissioners (BOC) hopes to receive information from the Board of Education (BOE) more quickly, to increase communication between the two boards.

Within the past few months, commissioners required the BOE to physically attend commissioners meetings for any dollar amount of budget transfers. The BOE has complied with the request, as well as participated in a joint meeting. Many BOE members, including Michael Guzman and Kevin Stewart, have previously spoken out against the increased requirements for budget transfers, particularly as the district moves forward with overages from roofing projects due to increased construction costs.

BOE member Melissa Merrell attended the commissioners Feb. 15 meeting to request another transfer of about $11,000 from savings generated from the Porter Ridge High School roofing project for an overage for the roofing project at Prospect Elementary School. The bid had an expiration date of March 12.

Merrell said attended the February meeting because commissioner Richard Helms requested the BOE make transfers ahead of the expiration date to accommodate the need for additional information.

County Manager Cynthia Coto and county staff also tacked on an additional component to the budget transfer request that requires the BOE ask to be placed on the agenda at least 10 days prior to the meeting.

“In order to ensure that the Union County Public Schools understand some of the timeframes that we have in trying to complete an agenda, we’ve added a second element to this particular item,” Coto said. “That is to direct staff consisting with existing agenda procedures to require Union County Public Schools to submit agenda items and supporting documents not later than 10 business days prior to the BOC meeting … unless UCPS can establish the need for emergency consideration.”

Coto said the timeline would give county staff time to review the information and submit the request to commissioners for questioning.

Jeff Yates, executive director of county administrative services, had not received a formal request from the BOE for the transfer until Feb. 12 from Deputy Superintendent Mike Webb.

Merrell explained both she and Webb were out of town the day of the agenda meeting, so she called BOC Chairman Stony Rushing to see if someone was presenting on Prospect Elementary’s roofing project. Commissioners previously discussed keeping a placeholder in the BOC’s agenda for UCPS requests, but the placeholder wasn’t on the Feb. 15 agenda.

Merrell also shared UCPS has acquired about $500,000 of savings from projects at Porter Ridge High School, Central Academy of Technology and Arts and Wingate Elementary School that they plan to keep in reserves to accommodate any future overages from roofing projects.

The board unanimously approved the roofing project transfer for Prospect, as well as the additional time requirement.

Commissioners also approved a resolution that will set actions in motion for the district’s upcoming budget.

Cynthia Coto Coto explained during last year’s budget talks, the commissioners discussed they wanted more information from the BOE regarding their operating expenses, current expenses and capital budget. Per state law, commissioners can request the BOE Richard Helms make all books, financial records and audit reports available to them to show the “financial operation” of the local school administrative unit.

To further increase communications about the budget, the resolution also requested a joint Melissa Merrell televised meeting with the two boards to discss funding allocations for UCPS. BOE members included a joint meeting with the BOC in their budget timeline at their January meeting.

The resolution also requested Jerome McKibben, Stony Rushing of Demographic Research, who presented a population forecast at the BOE’s Dec. 1 meeting, also conduct his presentation to commissioners, as it relates to the school board’s capital requests.

BOE member Kevin Stewart said at the BOE’s Feb. 2 meeting that district staff was already reevaluating the UCPS capital plan based on the McKibben report, and staff would present results at the BOE’s Facilities Committee meeting on Feb. 23.

Helms said the process the resolution laid out were similar to the processes of other districts.

“They communicate, they work together and work out the details,” he said.

Commissioners unanimously approved the resolution and will meet next on March 7.

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | February 19, 2016 | Page 9

The Weekly

Education Briefs Parkwood cheerleaders raise awareness of dating violence MONROE – Parkwood High School’s varsity cheerleaders sparked conversations among their peers in honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. One of our every three cheerleaders sported an orange bow to represent the statistic that one out of every three teens is in an abusive relationship.

schools.

Law firm Charles G. Monnett & Associates honors a teacher each month in Mecklenburg, Lincoln, Catawba, Iredell, Cabarrus and Union counties for their service in public education.

Community members nominate a teacher and vote at the firm’s website, www.carolinalaw.com/ hometown-hero-teacher-appreciation-program. aspx.

Carmel Christian middle schoolers give ‘special’ service Carmel Christian School’s Middle School Beta Club students served at the Special Olympics Mecklenburg County bowling event last month.

The Beta Club sponsors this event each year at Blake Hotel and works with students from Metro School and Mecklenburg County.

Photo courtesy of Jamey Harlow

Wesley Chapel Elementary teacher named Hometown Hero WESLEY CHAPEL – Wesley Chapel Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Michele Rigney was awarded the January Hometown Hero award, which includes a $240 gift card for classroom supplies and a pizza party for her students.

“I am shocked and overwhelmed,” Rigney said in a news release. “I really love my job and I appreciate the support.”

Rigney has been teaching in UCPS for 18 years.

Prior to teaching at Wesley Chapel, she taught at Western Union, Rock Rest and East elementary

Photo courtesy of Carmel Christian

Sun Valley NJROTC looking to attend inaugural parade INDIAN TRAIL – Cadets of Sun Valley High School Navy JROTC are fundraising to attend and participate in the 2017 Presidential Inaugural Parade.

For the past two years, the cadets were invited and honored to march in the 2014 and 2015 Pearl Harbor Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii. They were invited back again for 2016 and also will march in the 2017 D-Day Parade in France.

The school’s NJROTC relies completely on fundraising, volunteers, and sponsorship donations for the operation of its organization, according to the group’s GoFundMe page.

The cadets hope to raise $10,000 through their page at www.goo.gl/fOf4aO.

Anglers to host workshop MONROE – The Scholastic Anglers will host its next workshop on Thursday, Feb. 18, at Boater’s Marine, located at 1829 Williams Road in Monroe.

Student-anglers in six through 12th grade can attend the workshop, which will feature “Ladies Night Out.” The Anglers have Megan O’Neill, of Porseen greater partici- ter Ridge Fishing, has pation for female anstarted earning her glers, including Mespot on the Anglers’ leader board. Photo gan O’Neill, of Porter courtesy of Brian Ridge Fishing, who is Booth. working her way up the Scholastic Anglers Challenge Leader Board.

All student-anglers can earn attendance points from attending workshops and can help secure their spot on the leader board. Brian Booth, of Scholastic Anglers, recommends attendees extra lawn chairs for ample seating.

Contact Booth at 703-315-7071 for more information.

UCPS Communications Office wins awards of excellence The Union County Public Schools Communication Office took home top honors, receiving 15 North Carolina School Public Relations Association awards of excellence.

The awards are the highest level of recognition given out by the state association, recognizing excellence in digital media engagement, writing, electronic media, image/graphic design, marketing, photography, print and electronic publications, and special events and programs.

The team received seven gold awards, four silver and four bronze awards, the second highest number of awards given to a school district in North Carolina and the highest the group has ever received, according to the release.

The gold awards were for excellence in electronic media, and excellence in writing, photography and special events/programs. The silver and bronze awards were in the digital media engagement, writing, photography and publications categories.

Libraries to enter contest Author Jan Brett is hosting her sixth annual Like Jan Brett contest, in which schools and media centers can win a visit from the author.

Schools can enter nominations for their school and the school with the most nominations wins the visit and schools in the Top 100 will receive a prize from Brett.

Schools can visit www.janbrett.com/ contest_2016/2016_free_school_or_library_ visit.htm and enter their school’s information for a chance to win.

Send education news to courtney@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

Queen’s Grant High School

CAMPUS TOURS Every TUESDAY and THURSDAY 10:00 am www.queensgranthigh.org 10323 Idlewild Road, Matthews, NC 28105 Phone (704) 545-0736

Nurturing the Desire to Learn

I’m Ready for Preschool Saint Margaret’s Preschool • • • •

Private, Part-Day Preschool 100% Certified Lead Teachers Lowest Student to Teacher Ratio Ages 2 to 4 Years Old

Serving the South Charlotte Area: Weddington, Marvin, Waxhaw, Blakeney and Ballantyne

(704) 288-3430

8515 Rea Road, Waxhaw

saintmargaretspreschool.net

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 10 | February 19, 2016 | Union County Weekly

Summer Camps

KidzArt Matthews Summer Camps!

FULL-DAY, HALF-DAY, PRE AND POST CARE at The McDowell Arts Center, Matthews, NC

REGISTER TODAY through the Matthews Community Center at www.matthewsfun.org or call 704-321-7275 www.matthews.kidzart.com | facebook.com/kidzartmatthews.com

2016 Summer Camp Guide This week, we're featuring some of the most popular arts and theater camps in the area. Stay tuned for our next summer camp issue, out March 4, which will feature area sports camps.

Arts Delivered July 4 to 8; Aug. 8 to 12; or Aug. 22 to 26

Bugs & Flowers Mixed Media Camp

$140 for Matthews residents or $150

Aug. 8 to 12

Rising first- through eighth-graders will learn about North Carolina and South Carolina ceramics history and infuse coils, slabs, extrusions, the pottery wheel and glazes into functional projects at the McDowell Arts Center. The last day of camp will include a video montage of the week and a student art exhibit.

Contact Ricky Crowley at 704-618-2222 or artsdelivered@gmail.com. www.artsdelivered.com

$105 for Matthews residents or $115

Road Trip USA! June 20 to 24; June 27 to July 1; July 11 to 15; July 25 to 29; or Aug. 1 to 5 $155 for Matthews residents or $165

CHARLOTTE LATIN SCHOOL

SUMMER PROGRAMS

KidzArt will feature a half-day session using mixed media and techniques, in which campers will explore the USA. Camps will be offered in the morning or afternoon during specific sessions. www.matthews.kidzart.com

Maria Tavares will teach campers 6 to 12 years old about a fundamental technical approach to making representational art.

Projects focus on composition, observation, drawing, color mixing, paint application techniques, chiaroscuro concept and critique. www.matthewsfun.org

Art Around the World

June 20 to 24; June 27 to July 1; July 11 to

Maria Tavares will guide campers 6 to 12 years old around the world to become inspired by different cultures. Projects will emphasize in techniques, such as beading, applique, yarn painting, dot painting and suminagashi. www.matthewsfun.org

Cats, Dogs, & Co: A Mixed Media Camp June 20 to 24 $105 for Matthews residents or $115 Maria Tavares will teach campers 6 to 12 years old about pets and wild animals while using their creativity. Each project, based on different animals, will emphasize techniques, such as yarn painting, dot painting, applique, papier mache, drawing, acrylics and batik. www.matthewsfun.org

Under the Sea Mixed Media Camp Aug. 1 to 5

Early Bird Discount ends February 26, 2016.

$105 for Matthews residents or $115

$105 for Matthews residents or $115

$155 for Matthews residents or $165

CHARLOTTELATINSUMMER.COM

June 13 to 17

Caribbean Adventure!

KidzArt will feature a half-day session using mixed media and techniques, in which campers will explore the Caribbean. Campers will explore pirates, seahorses, mermaids and more. Camps will be offered in the morning or afternoon during specific sessions. www.matthews.kidzart.com

JUNE I3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; JULY 29, 20I6

Canvas Creations

June 27 to July 1 or Aug. 15 to 19

15; July 25 to 29; or Aug. 1 to 5

20I6

Maria Tavares will teach campers 6 to 12 years old about how to create art inspired by nature through observations of flowers and insects. Projects focus on techniques, such as collage, batik, acrylics, watercolors, papier mache and printmaking. www.matthewsfun.org

$105 for Matthews residents or $115 Maria Tavares will teach campers 6 to 12 years old about a variety of hands-on projects inspired by nature through observation of marine creatures and seascapes.

Students use mixed media techniques, such as assemblage, diorama, collage, papier mache, batik, acrylics, water colors and printmaking. www.matthewsfun.org

Fun Weaving June 27 to July 1 or Aug. 15 to 19 $105 for Matthews residents or $115 Maria Tavares will introduce campers 6 to 12 years old to the art of weaving, providing them with basic concepts, techniques and ideas that allow them to create a variety of projects, focusing on upcycling and repurposing.

Materials include paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, beads, used clothes, twigs and more. www.matthewsfun.org

Art Journaling June 13 to 17 or Aug. 1 to 5 $105 for Matthews residents or $115 Maria Tavares will give campers 6 to 12 years old and 12 to 16 years old a chance to express their creativity through a combination of arts and words. They will voice feelings through mixed media and printmaking techniques.

The 12 to 16 year olds will participate in the first session and the 6 to 12 year olds will be in the second session. www.matthewsfun.org

Multi-Media Art Exhibition June 13 to 17 or Aug. 15 to 19 $125 with 10 percent sibling discount Rising first to eighth-graders will explore vari(see Summer Camps on page 11)

SouthCLTSummerProgramsAd.indd 1

2/2/16 12:51 PM

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Summer Camps (continued from page 10)

ous mediums of art, as well as North Carolina clay history, at the Belle Johnston Community Center in Pineville. Children are encouraged to “dress for a fun mess” and pack snacks. artsdelivered.com

Union County Weekly | February 19, 2016 | Page 11 create a unique experience, featuring some of the most beloved stories about friendly monsters. Camp will conclude with a showcase performance on the final day of camp. www.ymcacharlotte.org/branches/morrison

The Art Experience Camp July 5 to 8

Happily Ever After

$180 (members) or $200

June 13 to 17 or June 20 to 24

Rising kindergarteners to eighth-graders can visit the Ballantyne Arts Center for an art sampler that includes painting, theater games, improvisation, choreography and more. Visit the center’s Facebook page to see videos and photos of what’s in store. www.ymcacharlotte.org/branches/morrison

$165 (members) or $185 Stories come to life as campers 3 to 6 years old experience popular fairytales through acting, art and dance led by professional teaching artists. Camp will conclude with a showcase performance on the final day of camp. www.ymcacharlotte.org/branches/morrison

Give a Preschooler a Paint Brush Aug. 22 to 26 $165 (members) or $185 Professional teaching artists will give 3 to 6 year olds a chance to explore dance, theater, visual arts and music through their favorite tales from Laura Numeroff. Camp will conclude with a showcase performance on the final day of camp. www.ymcacharlotte.org/branches/morrison

Monster Sillies June 27 to July 1 or July 11 to 15 $165 (members) or $185 Children 3 to 6 years old will get their “giggles out” making new monster friends. Teaching artists will combine acting, art and dance to

Broadway’s Best June 20 to 24 $265 (members) or $285 Rising third- to eighth-graders can join one of the YMCA’s most popular camps, featuring new musical numbers each year. Campers will rotate through acting, music and dance each day led by professional teaching artists, rehearsing an original script with some of the songs and characters of popular Broadway shows. Camp concludes with a showcase performance in the Blackbox Theatre on the final day of camp. www.ymcacharlotte.org/branches/morrison

Disney’s Aladdin Jr. Aug. 1 to 5 and Aug. 8 to 12 or Aug. 15 to 19 and Aug. 22 to 26 $525 (members) or $550 (see Summer Camps on page 12)

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 12 | February 19, 2016 | Union County Weekly

Pinterest. www.charlottelatinsummer.com

Summer Camps (continued from page 11)

Picture This! Photography

Rising third- to eighth-graders can experience producing a show in two weeks. Campers will rehearse Disneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Aladdin Jr., working with a professional director, choreographer and vocal coach. Camp concludes with a ticketed performance on the last day of camp at 4 and 6 p.m. Participants receive two complimentary tickets to the show. www.ymcacharlotte.org/branches/morrison

A classic day camp A classic day camp format with themeformat with themebased weeks, canteen, based weeks, canteen, and Friday skits! and Friday skits!

Be a part of Camp Prep where summer means Be a part of Camp Prep where summer means friendships, memories, and fun! friendships, memories, and fun!

CHARLOTTEPREP.ORG/SUMMER CHARLOTTEPREP.ORG/SUMMER

June 20 to 24 $175 (Charlotte Latin Families) or $190 Campers 7 to 10 years old will explore their surrounding and capture special moments with digital cameras. Photos will be printed and arranged in a personal scrapbook.

Children also are encouraged to bring their favorite printed photos from home to place in the scrapbook. www.charlottelatinsummer.com

101 Dalmatians Kids Musical June 13 to 17; June 27 to July 1; July 18 to 22; or Aug. 8 to 12

Art Around the World

$280

July 11 to 15

Rising third- through seventh-graders will rotate through acting, movement and art activities daily. The week concludes with a final camp day performance for family and friends.

With a high-spirited score and the most adorable heros, students will set their paws on stage in Disneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popular canine tale. www.ctcharlotte.org

$175 (Charlotte Latin Families) or $190 Children 7 to 11 years old will take an artistic trip to places around the world to become inspired by different cultures. Projects will emphasize techniques, such as applique, yarn painting, dot painting, doll making, beading, collage, suminagashi and batik. www.charlottelatinsummer.com

Pinterest Parties!

June 13 to 17 or June 20 to 24

Cats & Dogs: Mixed Media Art

$175 (Charlotte Latin Families) or $190

July 25 to 29

Campers 7 to 10 years old will make do-ityourself art projects throughout the week, taken from the popular idea website, Pinterest. Whether they are new to pinning or a veteran, they will enjoy creating new crafts.

They will learn how to create a pin board and how to search for and pin favorite ideas. Each day campers will create a new craft from

$190 Children 7 to 11 years old will explore facts about pets and wild animals while using their creativity. Each project, based on different animals, will emphasize techniques, such as yarn painting, dot painting, applique, drawing, acrylics, batik and more. www.charlottelatinsummer.com

Enroll Your Kids for

Vet Camp 2016 Week-long camps from June 13th-August 19th 8:45-1:15pm Daily!

Rising 2nd-5th Graders & 6th-8th Graders Kids will get hands-on experience Dr. Burtis showing Middle Schoolers a dental procedure

Campers will:

s /BSERVE DOCTORS TECHNICIANS IN PET EXAMS s %XPERIENCE COMPONENTS OF 6ETERINARY MEDICINE SUCH AS ULTRASOUND

X RAYS WOUND CARE DENTAL CARE s /BSERVE AN ACTUAL SURGERY s ,EARN HOW TO IDENTIFY PARASITES UNDER A MICROSCOPE s ,EARN 0ET &IRST !ID s )NVESTIGATE OTHER ANIMAL RELATED CAREERS Join our interest list by emailing: wahvetcamp@gmail.com

Registration opening soon -- We will 601 N. Church St. - Waxhaw email you an invitation.

Also accepting New Clients - Call Today to Make an Appointment 704.843.2269 or visit www.WaxhawAnimalHospital.com

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | February 19, 2016 | Page 13

Faith

The Weekly

I never buy my wife flowers for Valentine’s Day

by Tony Marciano tonym@charlotterescuemission.org

This June, I will be married 35 years.

I’d like to tell you I have figured out my wife. I haven’t. Thirty-five years later, I am still learning that the most roRev. Tony Marciano mantic thing I can do is to understand my wife and love her from her perspective, not mine.

Her love language is acts of service. Taking out the garbage or covering up the food in the microwave makes her swoon and weak at the knees. Washing the pots in the sink and unloading the dishwasher gets her in the mood. Go figure.

Another way I learned to be romantic involves making our bed in the morning.

You need to know I could have played Matthew McConaughey in the movie, “Failure to Launch.” You know the scene.

He gets out of bed and goes into the bathroom. His mother comes into his bedroom and makes up the bed. He’s an adult who never made his bed. I never

made my bed growing up. Since I was a commuter student in college, I didn’t leave home until I was years old. For 21 years, I got up and left the bed unmade. I never wondered how my bed got made; it just happened. Each day of my life I went to bed with my bed having been “magically” made.

Fast forward to marriage and I am sad to report I did the same. Since I got up before my wife did, I left the house without making my side of the bed. I never wondered about it until one day she looked at me and said, “I am not your mother. I am not making your side of the bed. You will make your side of the bed.”

It became a respect issue. I didn’t want her to think I would treat her the way I allowed my mother to “enable” me. Yes, each morning I make the bed. She is still sleeping while I try to make it without waking her.

I never buy my wife flowers for Valentine’s Day. It’s just “too expected.” Everyone does it. Instead, I buy her flowers all year long. She is not a rose person. She prefers daisies. I work hard to find her daisies. My job is to get her the flowers she wants, not what I prefer. If I know someone is coming over to the house, I am sure to buy her flowers before they arrive so they know how special she is to me.

I’ve been told that a man can be told by his wife on his wedding day that she loves him. He is good for 30 years before he needs to hear it again. A woman is more like Drew Barrymore in the Adam Sandler movie “Fifty First Dates.” Each morning she wakes up and doesn’t remember anything about her past. Adam Sandler makes her watch a movie that shows her life with him. I’ve been told that a woman needs to be told each day that the man in her life loves her and if he had to choose again, he would still choose her again.

There is a scripture verse that says, “God’s mercies are new every morning.”

Maybe that’s God’s way of saying, “Even if you messed up yesterday, I still love you.

I’m giving you a chance today to start all over. I choose you again today.”

Flowers and candy are nice for Valentine’s Day. There are 364 other days of the year that she needs to know if the opportunity presented itself, you would still choose her again.

I’ll be back in two weeks. Until then, live well my friend.

Rev. Tony Marciano is the executive director of the Charlotte Rescue Mission. He is available to speak to your group. Find more information at www.charlotterescuemission. org.

YOU’RE INVITED

Senior Speed Dating Friday, February 26th 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Meet a new friend or companion at our Senior Speed Dating event. This will be a fun way to for adults age 70+ to meet like-minded singles — or friends — without worries or commitment. It’s a great opportunity to get to know a variety of interesting people in a series of short, one-on-one chats.

Seating is limited. RSVP today!

P ROVIDENCE

(704) 753-7045

Faith Briefs

Soutbrook Church collecting prom dresses WEDDINGTON – Southbrook Church is collecting dresses, shoes and accessories for its 7th annual “Beautiful You” prom closet. The sale will take place March 12, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., and features guest speaker Anna Burgess, Southbrook worship director. Junior and senior high school students who will benefit from receiving a free prom dress are invited to attend. More than 600 dresses will be available.

All donations are tax deductible and can be dropped off at Southbrook Church’s main office Monday to Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visit www.theclosetpromevent.com/#sthash.6Q3wvDCH. dpuf for more information.

Southbrook Church is located at 5607 Monore-Weddington Road.

‘College Unplugged’ at First Baptist Indian Trail INDIAN TRAIL – First Baptist Church Indian Trail will hold “College Unplugged” for college students and young professionals on Feb. 27, a Saturday, from 6 to 9 p.m. The event will include games, but electronics, including cell phones, are not allowed.

Contact Sommer Wilson at 704-882-1005 for more information.

The church is located at 732 Indian Trail Fairview Road.

First Baptist Monroe collecting food for kids MONROE – First Baptist Church of Monroe is collection nonperishable food items for its food pantry, which will be donated to children in need at Rock Rest Elementary School who otherwise would go hungry on the weekends. Canned soups, spaghetti, ravioli, fruit cups, macaroni and cheese, granola bars, cereal and oatmeal all are need. A bin is placed in the church’s Gathering Area for donations.

First Baptist Monroe is located at 109 W. Morrow Ave.

Church Directory Advertise your church

HERE! Contact us to learn more.

11945 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC 28277 www.Waltonwood.com www.facebook.com/waltonwoodseniorliving

704-849-2261

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 14 | February 19, 2016 | Union County Weekly

Residents cope with development pressures

by Justin Vick justin@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

WEDDINGTON â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Â Residents of Providence Acres are exploring all avenues to help repair damage caused by the harvesting of about 20 acres of nearby trees.

A neighbor contracted a firm to cut down the trees. Residents took issue with the contractors putting in a roadway through Cottonfield Circle instead of using a more direct route to Rea Road, damaging adjacent properties and infrastructure. Home values around Cottonfield Circle range from the $200,000s to $500,000s. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The devastation is beyond your imagination, especially for those neighbors who live alongside or across from the 21 acres of absolute destruction with no concern for the fact that this is a neighborhood of proud owners who take pride in the ap Craig pearance of their properties,â&#x20AC;? said Bohlen, president of the Providence Acres Homeowners Association.

The neighborhood is seeking help cleaning roads, paving Cottonfield Circle, restoring the berm and planting seedlings along the right of way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Affected residents have also experienced severe run-off of water into their

properties that had not occurred prior to the tree harvesting,â&#x20AC;? resident Thomas Yi said.

"

Bohlen contacted the Union County socialized.

Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office, but officials didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t deem â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a state program, so we have to inthe damage as a crime. The sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office vestigate and see what we can do as a mureferred residents to contact the county or nicipality to try to protect our residents town. from this,â&#x20AC;? Deter said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re also looking Yi reached out to county commissioners at the other parcels in Weddington trylast month. County Manager Cindy Coto ing to determine which of those parcels emailed him back, explaining the site is in are currently under the state forestry harWeddingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jurisdiction and the county vesting program, so we can look down the doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have authority over timbering. road and see where potential issues can He hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t heard back from State Rep. be.â&#x20AC;?

Craig Hornâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s office.

Bohlen hopes the town can find a soMayor Bill Deter, Councilwoman Jan- lution â&#x20AC;&#x153;before the next quiet residential ice Propst and Town Planner Julian Bur- neighborhood is invaded and desecrated.â&#x20AC;? ton have visited the site to talk with resiSuburban struggles with nearby condents and see the damage. struction arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t exclusive to Weddington.

"Although our town planner has atResidents of the Ashe Croft subdivision tempted many times to converse with have appealed to Indian Trail leaders to the contractor or consultant over the last help with excess water from a neighboring month or so, these attempts have failed to development flooding backyards and progain any response to date,â&#x20AC;? Bohlen said. ducing excess mud, sludge and dead fish.

Deter said leaders plan to discuss the Ashe Croft resident Arthur Spurr com#

issue during the townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual retreat. pared the neighborhoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plight to the Deter describes the two-day retreat as the itsy bitsy spider (the one that famously councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s roadmap for the coming year climbed up the water spout). with growth issues and budget planning â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our town and our little subdivision as the big topics for discussion. is like that spider, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re stuck in the The retreat spans from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. drain, being flooded from the top and Feb. 18 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 19 at plugged from the bottom and nobody the Firethorne Country Club, located at wants to take responsibility for it,â&#x20AC;? Spurr 1108 Firethorne Club Drive in Marvin. told Indian Trail Town Council.

The state forest harvesting program is Indian Trail leaders have said itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a slated to come up at 10 a.m. Feb. 19. state problem theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll help residents work Deter has concerns the program allows through. profit to be privatized and the cost to be

Posts

Union County residents have a lot to say on social media about both the community and current events. Keep checking in and tagging Union County Weekly on Facebook and Twitter to have your posts featured in the paper!

Erin Saysâ&#x20AC;Ś @ErinAddison313 Feb. 10 You know you live in Weddington when all the litter on the side of the road is ChickFil-A bags and Starbucks coffee cups.

Cameron Dion @cam_dion11 Feb. 15 Yooo shoutout to the Waxhaw cop who just pulled me because I backed out of Savâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s driveway without my lights on :) Kirsten @kirstmb_ Feb. 12 @ Mother Nature please snow a lot on Monday in Waxhaw, NC, so that I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have school for a few days because I really need a mental break.

Amb @ummmmber Feb. 12 Wow is it snowing in Waxhaw?? I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tell by the 509 tweets.

Jonathan Greenfield @BigJohn Feb. 16 Everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so jolly in Wesley Chapel. #ILoveIt @ucweekly facebook.com/Union CountyWeekly

National Youth Art Month Student Art Exhibit

$20 Preregistration required

Safari Sunset Adult Paint Party Feb. 20, 6 p.m. !

Social Media

!

Treat yourself to a night out!

E FRE

The Weekly

Poems, Stories, Laughter, Limericks & Tales

Open Mic Night March 12, 6:30 p.m.

Power of Art E! Opening Night E R F March 3, 4-7 p.m. "

Celebrating ITâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s founding

History Exhibit ~ Olde Tyme Games E! ~ Fun ~ Refreshments ~ FRE And More!!!

March 6, Noon to 4 p.m.

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Just a peak of some of what there is to enjoy in

Questions about one of these events or information on future exhibits, activities or events? Call 704-821-2541 or email sdidier@admin.indiantrail.org.

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The Weekly

Calendar February to 18 Introduction Finding Funders Adults can learn how to get started using Foundation Directory Online to find potential private investors for their nonprofit. Contact Gypsy Houston at 704-283-8184 or ghous ton@union.lib.nc.us to register.

3 to 4:30 p.m.; Monroe Library, 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe

Yourself!

18 Express Glow-in-the-Dark Art Tweens 10 to 12 years old are invited to make a personal work of art that will glow in the dark. Space is limited.

4 to 5 p.m.; Monroe Library, 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe

18 Cartooning Club

The Union County Public Library welcomes children of all ages to come join the cartooning fun. No registration required.

5:30 p.m.; Union West Regional Library, 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail

20

Watercolor Painting

Created in the Carolinas will host a watercolor painting demonstration by local artist Marilyn Evans. CITC is a co-op of local artisans in downtown Waxhaw featuring many types of art.

Marilyn Evans will work on a painting and demonstrate various watercolor techniques.

The demo is free and starts at 11:30 a.m. Contact Evans at mevans5021@gmail.com for more information.

11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Created in the Carolinas, 216 W. North Main St., Waxhaw.

Religion, and the 20 Race, Pulpit: A Book Talk Julia Marie Robinson, an associate professor of African American religion at UNC Charlotte and an ordained Presbyterian minister, will discuss her book.

Contact Gypsy Houston at 704-283-8184 ext. 232 or ghouston@union.lib.nc.us for more information.

3 p.m.; Monroe Library, 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe

20 Destroy Your Obstacle

Ken Heptig will teach attendees how to destroy obstacles with yoga poses.

Many obstacles are created in the mind and the workshop seeks to alleviate them and “transform your life.”

The workshop costs $20 for YMCA of Greater Charlotte members and $45 for program members.

Call 704-716-4200 for more information.

Noon to 2 p.m.; Siskey Family YMCA, 3127 Weddington Road, Matthews

Promise Gala 20 Warrior 2016 Weddington High School will host a fundraising evening with dinner and silent and live

Union County Weekly | February 19, 2016 | Page 15 auctions.

The event will fund the Weddington Warrior Promise Capital Campaign that was created to identify and finance athletic complex improvements across the greater Weddington campus.

Participants can attend the dinner or have a dessert-only option. Tickets for dinner and dessert cost $100 and dessert only costs $50.

Cocktail attire is preferred.

Visit goo.gl/phV5qW for more information.

6 p.m.; The Club at Longview, 8801 Longview Club Drive, Weddington

20 Speaker Mary Medford

Ordained Apostolic Prophetic Minister Mary Medford, of International Breakthrough Ministries and Generals International, will speak at the Monroe Aglow. Medford is the founder of Strategic Alliance International Inc., which has a mission to equip, release and establish apostolic-prophetic ministries and provide spiritual covering and accountability for strategic level prayer leaders and intercessors.

Wheels-n-Motion will collect the following items during the event: toilet paper, facial tissue, paper towels, detergent, body wash and hair conditioner. Attendees also are encouraged to bring their “favorite sweet treat” to share.

Contact 980-298-0647 or visit monroea glow.org for more information.

9:30 a.m.; Monroe Aglow, 3405 Old Charlotte Hwy., Monroe

21 Down Memory Lane

The winter meeting of the Union County Historical Society will be able about you. The society has asked attendees to bring a personal memento to share with others.

Dues cost $10 for the group and can be sent with an email address to Treasurer Sherry Thomas at P.O. Box 397, Monroe, NC, 28111.

Contact Virginia Bjorlin at vaskb@wind stream.net for more information.

Business 22 Small Essentials The South Piedmont Community College Small Business Center will present a free lunch and learn seminar, Small Business Essentials, presented by the North Carolina Department of Revenue and Secretary of State.

The NCDR and SOS will cover basic requirements to help businesses in North Carolina understand the laws and obligations necessary.

Contact Lisa Rolan at 704-993-2424 or lrolan@spcc.edu for more information or register at www.ncsbc.net/workshop. aspx?ekey=480360006.

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; South Piedmont Community College Small Business Center, 4209 Old Charlotte Hwy., Monroe

23 Dave the Potter

In celebration of Black History Month, children 7 to 12 years old can listen to “Dave the Potter” and work with clay, creating their own pinch pot. No registration required.

4:30 p.m.; Union West Regional Library, 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail

Send calendar events to courtney@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 16 | February 19, 2016 | Union County Weekly

Sports

Lady Warriors still run the Southern Carolinas

by Ben Doster ben@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

The thought was the rest of Union County would finally catch up with Weddington’s girls’ basketball team once Stephanie Watts graduated, but that hasn’t been the case.

The Warriors (21-2, 10-0 Southern Carolinas) finished the regular season conference slate undefeated for the third consecutive year.

“I’m sure they’re tired of us winning at this point,” Weddington coach Ryun Cook said.

Weddington has kept from letting a sense of complacency set in. Recent history has created an expectation to win, and they’ve responded well to it.

“We’ve been fortunate to have a nice mix of experience,” Cook said. “Every year we may lose a couple to graduation, but we’ve had good leadership over the last three years. I think it’s kind of a tradition these girls have built. It really impresses me as a coach to have them come out ready every single night and not have that letup.”

Fortunately for the Warriors, they have several players who are capable of lighting up the scoreboard on any given night. In fact, Weddington has had four different girls lead in the scoring column at different times this season.

Junior forward Remi Roberts (13.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, 2.5 spg and 1.6 bpg) and sophomore guard Erin Addison (12.3 ppg, 3.9 rpg, four apg and 3.8 spg) have emerged as signifi-

cant contributors on a consistent basis, giving Cook an inside, outside duo he can depend on.

They also have stepped up defensively.

However, opponents can’t key exclusively on them. Senior forward Molly Mann (12.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.2 spg and one bpg) is a proven force to reckon with.

Junior forward Elanna Peay (4.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.7 spg and 1.5 bpg) is known for her contribution as a rebounder and defender.

Cook expects the Warriors will be a No. 5 seed in the state playoffs, which guarantees at least three home games if they can last that long.

Cook likes the way his team is playing, especially in terms of its consistency on the defensive end and balanced scoring.

“You can always have an off shooting night, but as long as you come out and play defense hard the way our girls do, I feel like we should be able to be consistent and I think that’s what it takes to beat these good teams in the state playoffs,” Cook said. “It’s a fun team to coach.”

The brackets with the state playoff pairings won’t be out until Saturday, Feb. 20, but Weddington will begin postseason play Tuesday, Feb. 23.

Weddington will face host school, Marvin Ridge (9-16, 2-8 Southern Carolinas) in the semifinals of the conference tournament Thursday, Feb. 18 at 4 p.m. The winner will advance to face the winner of Piedmont and Sun Valley.

Forest Hills boys breeze through regular season

by Ben Doster ben@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

The Yellow Jackets laid waste to the Rocky River 2A Conference, cruising to a 10-0 record in league play and 22-2 overall. They have yet to meet their match, and might not until the later rounds of the state playoffs.

“I’m just tickled to death for our players,” Forest Hills coach Matt Sides said. “I’m so proud of them. They really amazed me this year.

I’m happy for the senior class, because they’ve sacrificed so much over the last four years to get here. But I’m happy for all the other guys, because they’ve sacrificed and dedicated and they put in time in the offseason.”

This team is certainly buoyed by its seniors – guard Jordan Blakeney, forward/guard Desmond Lindsey and guard Zaccheus Rorie – but Forest Hills’ depth of talented contributors extends outside them; the Yellow Jackets nearly had six players average double-digit points during conference play, giving Sides a litany of weapons at his disposal.

Freshman combo guard Nasione Tyson has not let the lights, physical play and up-tempo style that comes with competing at the varsity level overcome him in his rookie campaign. In fact, he led the Yellow Jackets in scoring against Rocky River opponents at 14.1 ppg on 50-percent shooting from the field, and is averaging 7.1 rpg.

“He hasn’t let the moment be too big for him,” Sides said. “He’s not scared.”

Junior point guard Tyrese Barbour and sophomore guard Shamon Ratliff also provide

Weddington boys steamrolling to postseason

by Ben Doster ben@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

The notion going into the season was a 7-3 record in league play could win the Southern Carolinas Conference, which proved to be the case. The Warriors, however, shattered that with a 9-1 finish against conference foes on their way to an 18-5 overall record. Weddington finished with a three-game edge over Cuthbertson and Marvin Ridge to claim the conference crown.

Weddington coach Gary Ellington said it’s a tribute to how hard his players work.

What’s most impressive is how well the Warriors bounced back from their 48-33, road loss to the Mavericks Jan. 29, which ended up being their only blemish in league play. Weddington has since reeled off four straight wins.

“Marvin played really good that game,” Ellington said. “Offensively, we were just off. Our defense has been great all year. It’s the offense that’s been on a little bit of a roller coaster ride. If it took that game to kind of get us refocused and playing at a high level, then as a coach you take that loss all day long.

“I think the guys were definitely upset at the way we lost, only scoring 33 points. Marvin is a good team, so it’s not losing to Marvin. It’s losing and only giving up 48 points. If you keep a team under 50 you should have a really good chance of winning. Only scoring 33 points I think that’s what our guys were upset the most about.”

That loss has had a galvanizing effect on the Warriors.

Weddington will always hang its hat on its suffocating defense; it’s making strides offen-

sively, but still has room to improve.

If the Warriors can get their offense at or near the level of its defense, they will be a nightmare matchup in the postseason.

Junior guard Ryan Schwieger (17.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.5 apg and 1.5 spg) and senior forward Tucker Snyder (9.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg and two apg) remain Weddington’s primary options on the offensive end, but the Warriors are getting more production from their supporting cast.

Ellington sat down with some of his players following the loss to Marvin Ridge. Junior guard Timmy Havens was one of the players. Ellington told him he needs to be a more consistent scorer. Havens responded well to his coach’s challenge, and has made a more concerted effort to take advantage of scoring opportunities that come his way.

Havens, sophomore guard Corey Davis and senior guard Tyler Glass are averaging a combined 21 points a game.

“To be a decent offensive team you need to have at least three double-digit scorers,” Ellington said. “Between the three of them, we’re going to get a double-digit scorer. I guess in that way having that extra double-digit scorer is by committee.”

Ellington expects his team to get the No. 4 seed in the state playoffs, which guarantees the Warriors three home games if they can survive and advance.

The Warriors will face Sun Valley (15-10, 5-5 Southern Carolinas) in the semifinals of the conference tournament at Marvin Ridge. The winner will advance to play the winner of the Mavericks and Cuthbertson.

Monroe, Parkwood girls tie for league crown meaningful contribution.

“The biggest thing that I think has been special is the guys have figured out their role and how they can help our team win, and everybody’s bought into that,” Sides said.

Forest Hills will either get the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the state playoffs, awarding them a four-game home stand if it can emerge victorious for that duration.

“I don’t want it to end,” Sides said. “I get the sense from our guys at practice and being around them every day they’re really enjoying it. I want it to go as long as it can for our guys, because we’re certainly having a ball.”

The Yellow Jackets will play West Stanly (13-12, 5-5) in the semifinals of the conference tournament Thursday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. at Mount Pleasant. The winner will advance to face the winner of Monroe and Parkwood.

by Ben Doster ben@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

Rocky River 2A girls’ basketball has been one of the more exciting conferences in the area, while Monroe (17-4, 9-1) and Parkwood (19-4, 9-1) duked it out for a first place tie.

A rubber match in the conference tournament final Friday, Feb. 19 would make for an epic way to handle this dispute for the top spot in the league after the Redhawks and Rebels split in the regular season. However, both teams still have unfinished business before talking about a rematch.

Parkwood faced the tournament’s host, Mount Pleasant (9-16, 3-7 Rocky River) in one semifinal game at 6 p.m. on Feb. 17, after Union County Weekly’s press deadline,

while Monroe played Forest Hills (15-10, 6-4 Rocky River) in the other at 7:30 p.m.

Parkwood has the advantage in the post with twin towers Brittany Autry (17.1 ppg and 13 rpg) and Baylee Morton (12.6 ppg and 10.7 rpg) roaming the paint. But Monroe has superior guard play with Tanaja Stevenson (16 ppg) running the perimeter and driving the lane.

The Redhawks have the advantage if the game turns into a track meet, but if the Rebels can control the tempo and the boards, it will be to their favor.

A conference tournament meeting might not even be the last time these ballclubs face one another. Depending on the draw and if they make it far enough in the postseason, a playoff matchup between the Rebels and Redhawks could be looming.

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | February 19, 2016 | Page 17

Sports

Marvin Ridge girls’ swim and dive team three-peats as state champions

by Ben Doster ben@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

It’s safe to say coach Melissa King-Pierce and Marvin Ridge’s girls’ swim and dive team have built a dynasty. The Mavericks won their third straight N.C. High School Athletics Association 3A state championship Feb. 12 in King-Pierce’s fourth year at the helm, burying runner-up, Chapel Hill, 374 to 271.5 and third-place Weddington (167).

“The girls are a powerhouse right now,” King-Pierce said. “We’ve got some fast girls. Our culture and environment we are in, we are constantly motivating. I start the season off with no win is a guarantee, and it’s not. Anything can happen. Nothing is guaranteed.”

Nothing is guaranteed, but the Mavericks’ deep pool of talent gives them a chance to win every time it enters the water. That realization gives the Mavs the confidence it takes to be a champion, but more importantly, they've kept from growing complacent and have maintained that drive to win.

“None of those kids have entitlement,” King-Pierce said. “They do go into it very positive, but between prelims and finals, I usually have one of my athletes that’s not swimming do my point range and he was pretty dead on this year with where the points were going into finals.

“But I swear him to secrecy, ‘You’re not to tell those girls anything, because I don’t want them going into finals thinking, ‘I’ve got this,’ because that other team is going into it, ‘I want this.’”

Marvin Ridge set the tone from the getgo when junior Caroline Hauder, senior Alex Bonfilio (Naval Academy signee), junior Katie Rivers and junior Ashley Baum won the 200-yard medley relay, finishing it in 1 minute and 47.11 seconds.

Hauder also emerged victorious in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 1:58.85. Bonfilio placed second in the

Photo courtesy of Marvin Ridge

event (2:05.53). Hauder won the 100-yard breaststroke, completing it in 1:02.15.

Junior all-American Nikki Canale continued her diving dominance with a score of 499.7, edging her closest competitor by 162.65 points. Marvin Ridge sophomore Addie Whitehead placed third in the event.

Freshman Ellie VanNote overcame the lights of the big stage with a second-place finish in the 100-yard butterfly, completing it in 57.47 seconds. VanNote, junior Kate Marshall, senior Samantha Bitter and Baum joined forces to cruise for the win in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:39.65), while Bonfilio, Marshall, VanNot and Hauder ran away with the 400-yard free-

style relay (3:33.34).

“It’s kind of unbelievable we have this good of a team, we have the depth, all the girls work so hard,” Bonfilio said. “It was kind of like they all did it not just for us, for the seniors, so we could win our last year, but for them to it was awesome.”

Bitter said it was “bittersweet.”

“As great as it was and as amazing as it’s been, it’s my last high school meet, and it’s the last I’m ever going to be able to do something that incredible and have such a strong team there where we all support each other the way we do,” she said.

After an epic junior campaign, Hauder will back to make her crescendo.

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“It’s been quite a ride,” Hauder said.

“I’ve been a part of the winning atmosphere since the beginning. I’m just looking for another state title next year for our team. That would be great to have a state title every year.”

Marvin Ridge returns a talented stable of swimmers and divers to defend its crown and continue its dynasty.

“I think it’s the atmosphere at Marvin Ridge, you come here and everyone’s on a team,” Hauder said. “People play all these different sports and you want to be a part of that, so when we have a swim team as strong as we do we want to boost our whole athletics department and bring home state champs.”

Weddington freshman Katie Corbi showed off her speed in the 50-yard freestyle, taking first place with a time of 24.27 seconds. Corbi also finished third in the 100-yard butterfly, finishing it in 57.90 seconds. Warriors’ freshman Maddy Flickinger swam the 100-yard backstroke in 57.28 seconds to snag the runner-up spot.

The Marvin Ridge boys fell short of a title, finishing as the runner-up to Chapel Hill, 295 to 252.

Mavs’ junior Jeffrey Murray won the 200-yard freestyle (1:42.23), while junior Peter Dwyer finished second in the 100yard butterfly (50.41).

Murray, Connor Charette, Charles Rothenberger and Dwyer teamed for a second-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:28.61). Murray, Nat Utesch, Adam Fisher and Dwyer claimed the top spot in the 400-yard freestyle relay with a time of 3:12.43.

“That’s crazy fast,” King-Pierce said.

“They’re getting stronger and stronger.”

Fortunately for Marvin Ridge, they return a talented group, and won’t lose any points.

“Without coming back to bite me in the butt, I think they can do it next year,” King-Pierce said. “If they’re going to do it, next year’s the year.”

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Page 18 | February 19, 2016 | Union County Weekly

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Nonshower!

Contact us for a free consultation commission.

Looking for established Call TubCut! and quote. stylists to join our team of experienced, $1295 to $1495.

704-807-5949 or 862-266-3633. fun, no-drama group. We’d LOVE (704)609-7341 prestigerenovation.rs@gmail.com to have you on board! GREAT Discount Painters—Affordable atmosphere to WORK!! $175 week.

Flooring Experts: tile, showers, backsplash, carpet. Commercial & painting services! $80.00 per room. Check out our fb page: Salon One Residential hardwood, laminate, vinyl Our services include painting, sheet 10 in Matthews, 1118-A Sam Newell vct. Insurance and 100% warranty free rock, installation, popcorn removal Road. estimates. Call Francisco Escobar and repair, wallpaper removal, $50 finders fee for hired stylist; $100 pressure washing, handyman, off 1st month’s rent!! with Anything Custom Construction The Newlight York Times Syndication Sales Corporation plumbing and electrical.

704 977-7859.

620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 The New York Times Syndication Sales FREE Corporation We appreciate our clients.

For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 ESTIMATES: (704)995-9206.

For Release Monday, 15, 2016 For Information Call:February 1-800-972-3550 For Release Tuesday, February 9, 2016 SERVICES

For Sale

Cemetery Lot - $2,500. Forest Lawn East, Garden of Chimes II. Two spaces, one vault, perpetual care, prime location. 704-882-4225 5,000 watt Husky generator— purchased in 2010 for $648.00.

Never used. Now selling for $400!

Call (704)841-7647 or (704)957-1736.

Troy-Bilt rear-tine tiller; Super Bronco Honda GC 160 engine. Excellent condition.

704-617-1037. In Farmwood in Mint Hill. New in 2008, used three years.

Help wanted

Online and Mobile UI Developer.

Wirepath Home Systems, LLC DBA SnapAV. Charlotte, NC. Design/ build/maintain Web sites, using authoring/scripting languages/ content creation tools/mngmnt tools/ digital media. Reqs a MS in Comp Sci/Engg/rel/equiv & 4 yrs exp or a BS in Comp Sci/Engg/rel/ equiv & 6 yrs of exp incl: UI dvlpmnt exp utilizing a variety of coding options; dvlpmnt of prototypes through production; & support for multiple platforms from web to tablet to phone. Must submit to a pre-employment drug screen.

Apply:http://snapav.com/t-careers. aspx. Ref#92627 Diane’s Cleaning Service I am in search of about 7 women who are personable, very neat, hardworking and full of energy to join my cleaning crew. You must be able to pass a drug test and background check as well as understand and speak English.

Also, a North Carolina driver’s license and Social security number are a requirement.

If you are interested in applying for a position, please call the number below and set up an appointment.

Diane Howard (704)-517-7926 Drivers: CO & O\Op’s: Earn great money Running Dedicated! Great Hometime and Benefits. Monthly Bonuses. Drive Newer Equipment! 855-582-2265

PART-TIME NEWSPAPER DRIVERS NEEDED Candidates must have a clean driving record, proof of auto insurance and be able to lift 50-75 lbs. Additionally, the ideal candidate can work Thursday, Friday, or both and can make a long-term commitment to grow their workload and earnings.

For more information, please contact: Brent Epling brent@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

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Page 20 | February 19, 2016 | Union County Weekly

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