Inside: Waxhaw annexes 91 acres • Page 3A
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Proposed senior community gets push-back from public by Kayla Berenson kayla@cmgweekly.com
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WESLEY CHAPEL – Some residents hope that a proposed age-restricted “cruise ship on the ground” development never sets sail. County commissioners held an Oct. 7 public hearing to discuss the development,
Cresswind. According to Kolter Homes Director of Development Ben Stevens, Cresswind would have a maximum of 615 age-restricted, single-family homes for adults ages 55 and older. Stevens said the development would compare to a cruise ship with food This concept plan shows how the 615 homes will be oriented on the 291 acres. Photo courtesy of Union County
see HOUSING, Page 3A
WAXHAW
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Party crashers Superheroes can liven up special events, 1B
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It’s really amazing. It’s the ability to take something that has been in one state and then manipulate it into something else.” Above: Billy Kiker is turning what was once a hobby in blacksmithing into a business he calls Stony Knoll Forge. Photo courtesy of Billy Kiker
Kiker forges business from blacksmith hobby by Lee Noles Contributor
MONROE – For years, Billy Kiker spent his days trekking across the United States to create economic opportunity for his engineering business. When conference calls, emails and long hours in airports became too much for the Union County native, he knew exactly what he wanted for
his second act. Kiker learned blacksmithing during those years, and the love for the artisanship propelled him to begin Stony Knoll Forge a little more than a year ago. “It’s really amazing,” said Kiker of the 3,000-year-old profession. “It’s the ability to take something that has been in one state and see BLACKSMITH, Page 4A
WAXHAW – Mayor Steve Maher will not seek re-election, leaving five candidates to campaign for his seat. Edwin Elam, Ericka McKnight, Jon Perdue, Bob Morgan and Ronald Pappas will be on the ballot in the town’s general McKnight election Nov. 5. Elam moved to Waxhaw with his wife after being the director of small business at the Memphis Chamber Elam of Commerce. Elam said he uncovered the town had not upgraded the sewer system in his area, the east side of Waxhaw, for 79 years. Since then, he said $6 million has been generated to upgrade the sewer system and has allowed people in the area to develop their property. He also noticed other issues. “Delving into that particular issue, you discover a lot of other issues that the town had not met by treating all citizens the same in its uniform development code,” Elam said. “You also see some bias in our town in departments. And only a person trained with a global eye like I’ve been trained can notice that.” Seeing these issues prompted Elam to run for mayor. “It was important to step up with the skill set we have to solve the challenges that Waxhaw faces, not only to correct some of the things that have been challenges, but we have a vision for the future,” Elam said. “That’s why I’m running for mayor. see MAYOR, Page 2A
Family fights to keep their body shop open County: Business is in violation of zoning ordinances by Kayla Berenson
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Madeline returns to local stage, 3B
INDEX Loud&Live.............................................................4B Classifieds..............................................................5B Calendar.................................................................... 2A Arts & Entertainment....................... 1B Sports.............................................................................. 4A Puzzles.........................................................................4B
This map shows land surrounding property zoned for single-family homes (yellow) and agricultural uses (green). Photo courtesy of Union County
INDIAN TRAIL – Neighbors rallied behind the owners of Whistle’s Body Shop, whose livelihoods were put in question after a zoning violation. In April 2018, the Burrows family, who own Whistle’s Body Shop, received a letter saying they could no longer operate their automotive body shop and parts yard on the residential property as it was a zoning violation. Raymond Burrows Jr. said they were given 10 days to move. The shop has been in operation out of the Burrows’ home on Ranch Drive since 1981, with no
complaints from neighbors. Burrows’ attorney James Allen Lee said the owners of the shop wanted a conditional rezoning that would include two separate residences with an auto body repair shop and an attached parts storage area. The Union County Planning Board and town staff voted to recommend approval of the proposal because the business has been around for so long. County commissioners held a public hearing on the matter Oct. 7. Several neighbors were at the public hearing to support the Burrows family. see BODY SHOP, Page 5A
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Page 2A • Union County Weekly • Oct. 18, 2019
MAYOR
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Charlotte couple Heaven & Michael are among pairs competing in this season’s “Battle of the Fittest Couples” on Paramount Network. The show debuted Oct. 15. Photo courtesy of Paramount Network
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• Business forged from blacksmithing hobby • VonCannon names top UCPS principal • Mompreneur’s rustic sign-making business takes off • Football: Weddington destroys rival Catholic • Gap year leads to major breakthroughs for graduate
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Because we have solutions that address all people when you are able to see things from both sides of the street.” McKnight has lived in Waxhaw for 12 years. She is running because she wants to help others experience all that she loves about Waxhaw. “I decided to run for office because I felt as though I can contribute to the city, meaning the quality of life, influence and just the freedom to enjoy all the benefits that Waxhaw has to offer,” McKnight said. McKnight announced her campaign for mayor in November 2018, making her the first of the candidates to start campaigning. “I hope that shows voters that this was a decision that was made so long ago,” McKnight said. “I am the candidate to be able to take our city to the next level and be able to give us that type of platform where other cities continue to admire what’s going on in Waxhaw.” Perdue is a 30-year resident of Union County and a 10-year Waxhaw resident. “It’s a great place to raise a family. My children are here. My grandchildren are in the area,” Perdue said. “I want to see Waxhaw flourish. I want to see Waxhaw do wonderful things, but I want to see Waxhaw keep its identity and that’s why I’m running.” Perdue sees Waxhaw’s identity as a small town with a family-centric environment. “Growth’s inevitable,” Perdue said. “We understand it’s going to happen. But we do need to keep that small-town feel … We want to continue that. People say, ‘I would love to move to Waxhaw. That’s where I would choose to raise my family.’ So no matter how big we get, I want people to be able to go downtown and know people and their neighbors and feel good about where they live.” All candidates see traffic and infrastructure as two of the biggest issues facing the town. Elam said he believes he can address some of the underlying issues of traffic and infrastructure from an inclusive perspective. “Waxhaw is one of those towns 31 miles southeast of Charlotte that never saw or planned for the kind of growth we’re experiencing,” Elam said. “People want to run from what it is that we should all be communicating with one another. And in America, there’s nowhere to run anymore. You have to make a stand and fight for the right issues that actually deal with all people.” Elam said an inclusive perspective will also be better for bringing businesses to the area
because they will be drawn to areas where people are treated the same way. McKnight does not see division as a townwide issue. “It is an individual issue,” McKnight said. “It’s not an issue for the citizens as a whole in Waxhaw because we are becoming very diverse, and so the goal is to implement certain activities to educate our citizens on the cultures that are coming into the area so therefore everyone will be accepted. Because everyone deserves to live in Waxhaw and so the more we educate people, the better it will be for everyone.” She also hopes to address infrastructure and transportation, along with the preservation of green space. “We want to bring more commercial businesses, so different restaurants for the ability for people to choose, different stores they want to shop at, fast food restaurants in addition to different types of businesses,” McKnight said. “The citizens want more options for family-related activities. A lot of people want to be able to enjoy their city.” While traffic and infrastructure are important issues to Perdue, he also would like to keep Waxhaw’s growth in check. “We need to have [a unified development ordinance] that encompasses the vision and input of the Waxhaw citizens and from that point, we can move forward,” Perdue said. “We just need to have a plan going forward and identify what areas need to be zoned which way. And it needs to come as much from the citizens as it does from the experts.” Perdue also wants to make town information more accessible and understandable to citizens. He said there is a database now, but it is outdated. He would like to see more information on social media with advancing technology. “We are in a different world with social media and advances in technology so we need to adapt with it and we need to improve,” Perdue said. “I’m not saying past boards and past city officials have failed in that, I’m just saying we need to take advantage of the technology we have and do the best we can as far as giving information out to our citizens.” Morgan and Pappas could not be reached for this story. Learn more about the candidates Edwin Elam: www.edwinelamcampaign forwaxhawmayor.org Ericka McKnight: http://erickalmcknight forwaxhaw.com/ Jon Perdue: www.facebook.com/Perdue 4Mayor/ Pub Poker Deuces Pub Poker presents Monday Night Pub Poker at Lounge 74. 704-494-9445 7-10 p.m.; 6443 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail
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Oct. 18
Stage Play Union County Playmakers presents “Nunsense” from Oct. 18 to 27 at Monroe Crossing Mall. Tickets range from $10-$15. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18, 19, 25 and 26, as well as 2 p.m. Oct. 20 and 27. www. unioncountyplaymak ers.org 7:30 p.m.; 2115 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe
Oct. 19
Bird Walk Wild Birds Unlimited holds its October bird walk at Six Mile Creek Greenway. The walk will be about two miles. 704-844-8426 8:30-11:30 a.m.; 17820 Marvin Road, Waxhaw Paws Awhile Children read to Pepper a therapy dog at the Union West Library. 704821-7475 1 p.m.; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail Stallings Fest The ninth annual Stallings Fest
includes fireworks, live entertainment, amusement rides and food at Stallings Municipal Park. 704-8210322 1-9 p.m.; 340 Stallings Road, Stallings Grand Opening Lounge 74 celebrates its grand opening with games and live music. 704-464-6338 6 p.m.-2 a.m.; 6443 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail
Oct. 23
Car Show Classic Cruisers of Monroe holds its Wednesday Nite Cruz In at Poplin Place. 6-9 p.m.; 2889 W. U.S. 74, Monroe
Oct. 24
Oct. 20
Walking Tour The Waxhaw Women's Club hosts a Downtown Waxhaw Historic Walking Tour led by historian Joyce Blythe. The tour begins at Waxhaw United Methodist Church. RSVP by emailing amyoriginal@yahoo.com. 10-11:30 a.m.; 200 McDonald St., Waxhaw
Oct. 21
Monster Math The Waxhaw Library presents Monster Math at American Legion Post 208. Children ages 3-5 engage in hands-on activities. 704-843-3131 10:30 a.m.; 801 E. S. Main St., Waxhaw
Pub Poker Deuces Pub Poker organizes Texas Hold'em games at The Trail House. 7 p.m.; 6751 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail
Team Trivia Team Trivia Charlotte presents team trivia at Hickory Tavern. 704238-9111 7-10 p.m.; 6455 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail
Want to submit? Send calendar events to justin@cmgweekly.com
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Union County Weekly • Oct. 18, 2019 • Page 3A
HOUSING (continued from page 1A)
The Howie property is outlined in turquoise. The 91 acres is located off N.C. 16 and Waxhaw-Marvin Road. Photo courtesy of Town of Waxhaw
91 acres could have allowed duplexes, mobile homes WAXHAW – The Town of Waxhaw recently annexed the Howie Property along N.C. 16 and Waxhaw-Marvin Road. Now town commissioners must assign a zoning designation to the property. When the 91 acres was under Union County's jurisdiction, its zoning allowed for multi-family residential homes as well as mobile homes. The property is now zoned through Waxhaw, so town staff recommended the initial zoning to be single-family residential. Planning Director Jeff Wells told commissioners Oct. 8 the previous zoning allowed for half-acre lots with duplexes and mobile homes. The proposed initial zoning would allow for low-density single-family homes. Wells said the initial zoning would not allow for much other than single-family homes with a minimum of two and one-third acre lots. “It is a somewhat common practice to zone a property to its lowest density district in order to preserve it for future development considerations,” Wells said. “A close example of a municipality that does do that is Matthews.” Wells also showed the Town’s Future Land Use Map from 2016, which describes the property as mixed-use and residential mixed in the intended growth sector. Wells said the proposed initial zoning would help the town preserve the property for future goals. “[This initial zoning] is the board’s best option to accomplish that goal, knowing that this property is in a vital location and it is imperative that the right mix of uses at the right density is ultimately achieved,” Wells said. The proposal will go to the planning board at their Oct. 21 meeting, where they will recommend action before it is presented to commissioners again. - Kayla Berenson
and activity options on site, making it less necessary to leave the property. Construction would happen in phases and all 615 homes would be developed by 2027. The proposed location is on Potter Road between New Town Road and Highway 54, with two access points along Potter Road. Stevens said the development would be gated and roads inside would be privately maintained. However, the developer is willing to contribute $1.1 million on road improvements for surrounding roads tied directly to this project and has spoken to NCDOT about changing the speed limit on surrounding roads to 45 miles per hour instead of 55. Board Chairman Richard Helms was unconvinced that changing the speed limit would make a significant impact. He had worries about putting senior citizens in danger as he has witnessed drivers speed down Potter Road. “It’s a beautiful community,” Helms said. “It’s just on the wrong road.” Stevens said Cresswind would not have a significant impact on traffic, as studies have shown that seniors tend to avoid rush hour. Residents disagreed with Stevens’ traffic claims in the public hearing portion of the presentation. Additionally, the planning board recommended commissioners deny the project as it would bring “too much traffic to already burdened roads.” “I don’t care what time of the day you’re going over there, whether it’s rush hour or if it’s when the traffic is not as heavy,” Union County resident Gwyneth Dale said. “You have to be very careful. It’s 55 miles an hour now, the speed limit. Dropping it down to
45 is not going to make a significant change. No one does 55 miles an hour there.” Dale also said that as a senior resident of Union County, she drives the roads often and does not stay at home as much as Stevens’ presentation claimed. “Every cruise I’ve been on, I’ve wanted to go on a shore excursion, which meant I didn’t want to stay on the ship,” Dale said. “So just because you’re a senior, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to have all the amenities that anyone would want and you’re not going to want to step out of that door.” Jennifer Campbell expressed concerns about Willoughby Road, where a proposed access point to the development would be. “I can’t even safely go to my mailbox,” Campbell said. “When we put the trash can out, we have a pile of probably 10 to 15 car side mirrors because they’re hitting the trash can and knocking them off because they’re driving 60 miles an hour down Willoughby Road and slamming on their brakes at that stop sign.” Another resident, Frank Capella, said the proposed development would not solve the problems along Potter Road, even with the help of NCDOT. “I have a newsflash for you,” Capella said. “DOT is broke. Potter Road is literally falling apart. If turn lanes and roundabouts aren’t going to fix this mess, then, where are we going to put, I don’t even know how many cars, where are we going to put them?” Stevens said that because the community is age-restricted, no children will be living there, leaving no impact on schools. “Age-restricted allows a lot of control and it’s a very, very low impact to the community,” Stevens said. Wesley Chapel Village resident Lori Bailey said even though no children will
be there, students will still be affected. “There is a tremendous impact to the students just by the increased traffic,” Bailey said. “Any road improvements will carve out from the school area, which is already crowded and a nightmare to navigate multiple times during the day because there’s an after school program there as well that extends into the evening.” Bailey reminded the board of other senior communities in the area. “There are already three retirement-age communities in and around Wesley Chapel and a new 84-unit apartment building the commissioners recently approved nearby so it’s not an underserved population by any stretch,” Bailey said. While most residents in attendance were against the development, one resident spoke in favor of it. “With all due respect, I think we have an opportunity here to get some tax dollars coming in,” James Helms said. “It’s going to bring in more commercial industry. We’ve already got good commercial industry in Wesley Chapel… I think it will just get better. Change is coming, guys. This is a good opportunity for us to put something positive in there to make some money for the county that everyone benefits.” Stevens said that while there will be an impact on the community, Kolter Homes believes it is presenting the best possible option. “No matter what happens here, there’s going to be an impact,” Stevens said. “But we feel like we’re bringing the best and most responsible use to this property, and we fully believe that … The seller is absentee. They’re going to do something regardless, so we would love to be a part of the solution. County commissioners will vote to deny or approve the development at a later meeting.
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Matthews 11100 Monroe Rd. 704-841-2025
OF THE
WEEK
MATT BENNETT MONROE FOOTBALL Bennett had quite the game this weekend as the Rebels beat Cuthbertson. The senior quarterback threw for three scores and ran for three more in the win. Are you a coach and know an incredible athlete you’d like us to feature? email us at Andrew@cmgweekly.com
Page 4A • Union County Weekly • Oct. 18, 2019
1. Weddington (7-0) Last week: No. 1 Result: Beat Piedmont 40-0 This week: Parkwood (5-2) The Warriors didn’t need much of their stars, as they got ahead early and put Piedmont away rather easily. It was another stellar performance from the Warrior defensive unit that is stubbornly allowing just under six points per game this season. In addition, the Warriors completed passes to eight different receivers in the win and nobody had more than one catch. This week, they will look to keep the train rolling right along against upstart Parkwood, who is coming off a surprise loss to Marvin Ridge. Weddington shouldn’t feel much resistance from the Rebels, though.
3. Parkwood (5-2) Last week: No. 2 Result: Lost 28-18 to Marvin Ridge This week: at Weddington (7-0) The Rebels had a great chance last week at validating their hot start. They didn’t play particularly poorly but lost to Marvin Ridge to end a four-game win streak that could be in jeopardy of turning into a multi-game losing streak with Weddington and Charlotte Catholic upcoming the next two weeks. Brock Cain was efficient (14-of-17, 113 yards and a touchdown), and the Rebels averaged 4.5 yards per carry, but the defense couldn’t get a stop when they needed it most. This week against unbeaten Weddington, the Rebels will likely try to lean on their run game and limit the Warriors time of possession. Beating them is a different story, however.
2. Charlotte Catholic (3-3) Last week: No. 4 Result: Beat Sun Valley 20-0 This week: Piedmont (1-5) The Cougars rebounded from their beatdown at Weddington two weeks ago by methodically shutting out Sun Valley, 20-0. The Cougars aren’t lighting up the scoreboard the way they have in years past, but Paul Neel (13 carries, 105 yards) and Jimmy Brewer (17 carries, 125 yards) have their ground game up to speed. The problem has been the passing game, but Catholic was able to complete five passes against Sun Valley. This week won’t present much of a challenge, either, but the Cougars will have tougher tests coming.
4. Metrolina Christian (5-3) Last week: No. 5 Result: Bye This week: Cabarrus (1-7) The Warriors got a week to get physically prepared for the stretch run and should be fresh coming back onto the field. Cabarrus is a team comprised of Cannon School and Concord First Assembly and coached by former Marvin Ridge and Union Academy coach Brad Hoover, who has struggled this season. The Warriors’ explosive offense should have a field day in this one, and Metrolina will have little trouble stopping an offense that comes into this game averaging just 15 points per game.
Super 7 football rankings
5. Porter Ridge (4-3) Last week: No. 4 Result: Lost 32-18 to Independence This week: Garinger (1-6) Porter Ridge was averaging about 200 rushing yards for a three-game stretch, but they’ve struggled to run it over the past two weeks. Last week, the Pirates ran for 122 yards, but averaged under four yards per carry. That puts too much pressure on quarterback Mason Cox, who had a nice game against Independence, but is best when he can pick and choose his moments and the run game can dominate. The Pirates have a chance to get back up and running this week with Garinger and next week with winless Rocky River before unbeaten Myers Park awaits.
look to try to put an end to Sun Valley’s three-game win streak in this series.
6. Monroe (4-3) Last week: No. 6 Result: Beat Cuthbertson 48-21 This week: Sun Valley (1-6) Quarterback Matt Bennett had a big night against Cuthbertson. The senior threw for three touchdowns and ran for three scores as the Redhawks snapped a two-game slide. Sophomore star receiver Shaleak Knotts caught six passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns to lead that unit and the Redhawk defense limited the Cavs to just 195 yards of total offense. Now, the Redhawks could be set up with Sun Valley and Piedmont next on the docket as one-win teams presenting winnable games. The Redhawks will start this week with the Spartans as they
Also receiving votes: Marvin Ridge (4-3)
BLACKSMITH (continued from page 1A)
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then manipulate it into something else.” Kiker wasn’t sure if he wanted to pursue the artform after hearing the difficulty and cost that came with creating a piece. His thoughts changed when a YouTube video inspired Kiker to buy a brake drum forge to hold coals and a hairdryer to supply air for the heating process. Kiker quickly learned the complexity of what he was doing when he placed a piece of metal into the drum for the first time. The drum’s temperature hovered at 2,200 degrees, causing the metal to melt in 10 minutes. “That got me hooked,” Kiker said of seeing the outcome. “It just amazed me to take a brake drum, some coal and three and a quarter inch by three and a quarter inch piece of metal and melt it.” Undeterred, Kiker worked on his craft.
7. Cuthbertson (4-3) Last week: No. 6 Result: Lost 48-21 to Monroe This week: Marvin Ridge (4-3) The Cavs went into Monroe thinking they had a good shot to extend their win total, but fell flat offensively against a Redhawk team that had been struggling on that side of the ball and let one get away. Marvin Ridge comes in fresh off what has to be considered an upset win over Parkwood last week and want to get their way back into the Super 7 after falling out a few weeks back. The Cavs have been in the rankings for seven consecutive weeks but will need a win to stay here.
Must-see games
Marvin Ridge (4-3) at Cuthbertson (4-3) Quarterback Sully McDermott is putting up huge numbers in the Marvin Ridge offense and the team has rallied behind him for two straight wins. Cuthbertson had a shot at an upset last week at Monroe but came up short. This is one of their last chances with Weddington and Charlotte Catholic among their final three games. Winner: Marvin Ridge Parkwood (5-2) at Weddington (7-0) Parkwood had a chance to go into this game with a ton of momentum, but couldn’t get past Marvin Ridge last week. Weddington had their starters out of the game by halftime as they continue to dominate everyone in their path. Winner: Weddington
He started by trial and error before taking a class from David Burress at the Calerin Forge Custom Iron and School of Ancient Craft in the North Carolina mountains. It was there Kiker learned the ins and outs of being a strong blacksmith. The biggest lesson wasn’t how to hammer, which requires the person’s dominant hand, but holding the tong and moving it around the anvil with a person’s off hand. Kiker compares it to trying to write or draw with your opposite hand. “That’s one of the hardest things to do,” Kiker said. Kiker mainly made things for his wife, Shelly, but he started to get requests from friends to create bottle openers, cooking utensils and tools. It was then he began to think about starting a business. “They were telling me ‘you should sell this or make this,’” Kiker said. “And that is what sort of got me more interested.”
Kiker’s talent has even drawn national attention. He said representatives for the History Channel's “Forged in Fire” contacted him to participate in the competition. The TV show has craftsmen recreating weapons used throughout history. Kiker, however, doesn’t consider himself a bladesmith and turned down the show not once, but twice. “And my answer is probably never,” he said if approached again. “I’m a blacksmith.” Kiker’s passion for his artwork runs so deep that he even got a tattoo on his left bicep of an anvil similar to the 340-pound one he uses to create his work. “It will never leave me,” Kiker said. Where to find his work Billy Kiker’s work can be found at 47K Marketplace in Monroe. He can be contacted at divembk@gmail.com, as well as Facebook and Instagram.
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Union County Weekly • Oct. 18, 2019 • Page 5A
BODY SHOP (continued from page 1A)
“These are the best neighbors that you could ever imagine,” Bridget Baker told commissioners. “That’s why so many people are here in support of them. At the planning commission, the person who stood in opposition does not live in that neighborhood. And the person who filed that complaint does not live in that neighborhood. The neighbors support them. They are a valued part of our community.” Raymond Burrows Jr. is one of the shop's co-owners. He tearfully told commissioners he was shocked by the letter. “I spend hundreds of dollars a year just to try to make a living here and to try to
make that decent, like it should be,” Burrows said. “My dad’s 80 years old. He can’t do it anymore. It’s just me and my brother, and he doesn’t get to help full time. You don’t even know the shop’s there... unless you come up there behind the house to see it, then it’s behind the fence. If there wasn’t a sign, you wouldn’t even know it’s there. We try to do the right thing… and then I get this thing that says we’ve got 10 days to move.” Burrows said his family was unaware of the zoning violations and thought they were following the correct procedures when they opened the body shop. “When we started this thing, we thought we were doing the right thing,” Burrows said. “We got a license. We’re not trying to hurt anybody else. We’re just trying to make
a decent living and support our family and the county that we live in.” He also said he and his family have made a conscious effort to not disturb their neighbors. “We don’t work on Saturdays and Sundays. We don’t work at nighttime. We don’t make loud noises,” Burrows said. Other neighbors don’t have a problem with Burrows either. “I bought property 41 years ago behind Raymond,” Coby Honeycutt said. “I’ve got six rental properties. I’ve never had one person tell me, ‘I don’t want to rent your property because you’ve got a junkyard on the corner.’ Every one of them, he’s helped. And most of them have moved to come back and do business with him.” Lee said the Burrows family held a neigh-
borhood meeting to address any concerns they had. Lee said one community member had concerns about the continuation of the parts storage area and asked if there could be a berm or vegetation screening between the properties, to which the Burrows family agreed. Burrows said he does not expect the County to go “around the law” to help him, but he will do whatever it takes to keep his business running. “We’ve been doing this for a long time and it’s like all of a sudden, we can be thrown to the side at the drop of a hat,” Burrows said. “I’m just asking for some help ... I was always told to work and get what you earn, but I didn’t know it could be stricken away so easily. I’ll do anything I can do to make this work.
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Union County Weekly • Oct. 18, 2019 • Page 1B
BIG SCREEN MAGIC
Carolina Characters brings superheroes, princesses to life
Listen to our podcast “Coffee with a Candidate” on Anchor, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
by Karie Simmons karie@cmgweekly.com
CHARLOTTE – Imagine you’re a kid and your favorite web-slinging superhero shows up to your birthday party. Mind. Officially. Blown. Well, Carolina Characters is turning those imaginations into reality. The Charlotte-based entertainment company has around 40 characters available for parties and events within an 80-mile radius of the Queen City, sometimes further. Maybe you’ve seen a few of them around the region. There’s Snow Queen, Mermaid Princess, Island Princess, Wonder Hero, Bat Superhero, Panther Superhero, Iron Superhero, Spider Superhero, Captain Jack and The Dark Lord of the Galaxy, among others. You might even catch the three witches from the wellknown Halloween movie “Hocus Pocus” out and about. Sure, they’re popular guests at children’s parties, but many of the characters have also made appearances at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, Carolina Cobras games in Greensboro, the Winston-Salem Symphony, Matthews Alive and Wake Forest University. They can also be seen entertaining crowds at charity events or cheering up patients at local hospitals. Wherever they are, you can thank 29-year-old Moriah Thomason. She founded Carolina Characters after studying acting at Boston University and trying to break into the film industry. At one point, she even worked as a birthday party clown and princess-for-hire. Thomason moved to Charlotte from Wilmington in 2015 to be
closer to Atlanta, which had a booming film industry at the time. She worked part-time jobs in between gigs but wasn’t feeling fulfilled. Her boyfriend suggested she start her own entertainment company and soon after, Carolina Characters was born. Thomason started small with a just a few characters like Snow Queen and Mermaid Princess. She taught herself how to sew the costumes and style the wigs. “It was a crash-course lesson,” she said. “A big part of the beginning was just the hustle.” Thomason did everything she could to help spread the word about her budding business, from handing out flyers to offering free appearances and trades for advertising. Her boyfriend even helped play some male characters like Spider Superhero, Captain Jack and The Dark Lord of the Galaxy, but it quickly became too much too handle. Thomason said they got so busy they had to turn down gigs because they didn’t have enough actors. Now, that’s not a problem. Thomason has about six actors who work for her and most are required to play multiple roles. They are all extremely familiar with the characters they play down to the backstories, personalities, voices and movements because they have to stay in character at all times during appearances. see CHARACTERS, Page 2B
Top to bottom: Spider Superhero, Mermaid Princess, Wonder Hero and Female Bat Hero are just a few of more than 40 characters available for parties and events through the Charlotte-based entertainment company Carolina Characters. Photos courtesy of Moriah Thomason
Halloween events around the region by Kayla Berenson kayla@cmgweekly.com
From costume contests to haunted houses, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween around Charlotte. Charlotte: SCarowinds While some go to amusement parks for the thrill of the rides, SCarowinds visitors will get an additional thrill. Carowinds transforms into a “scream park” for Halloween with mazes and scare zones like CarnEvil, Bone Brigade and Depths of Darkness, along with scary characters roaming the park. Admission is charged. • When: Select nights through Oct. 27 • Where: Carowinds, 14523 Carowinds Blvd. • Details: www.carowinds.com/scarow inds
Indian Trail: Halloween Spooktacular Halloween is on a school night this year, making it hard for kids to stay out late trickor-treating. Luckily, Halloween Spooktacular in Indian Trail takes place on the Friday before Halloween, allowing for a full night of fun and enough time to sleep in the following day. Kids will be able to go “trunk-ortreating,” and there will be contests and DJs. • When: 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25 • Where: Chestnut Square Park, 315 Matthews-Indian Trail Road • Details: www.indiantrail.org/132/ Community-Events Marshville: Halloween on Marsh Street Parents will not have to wonder if there are designated trick-or-treating areas in Marshville as the town hosts its own celebration for Halloween. Kids in attendance will be able to enjoy free hot dogs, pump-
kins, hayrides, games and a DJ playing music throughout the event. • When: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 • Where: Main Street, Marshville Matthews: Haunted Trail Those who are not afraid of being scared will enjoy the Haunted Trail presented by Matthews Playhouse. Visitors will be able to walk through the trail in the woods behind the Matthews Community Center and get spooked by actors in costumes, who will scare them when they least expect it. There will also be food trucks and desserts for guests, along with a Not-So-Spooky see HALLOWEEN, Page 2B
Right: Whether you like your Halloween activities spooky or not, there's plenty to choose from. UCW file photo
Now I’m listening Editor gives in to podcasts by Karie Simmons karie@cmgweekly.com
There’s nothing worse than driving to work in the morning and listening to talk radio, especially when I’m sleepy from staying up too late watching reruns of “Parks and Recreation.” I need music to wake up and get pumped for the day, not a bunch of guys huddled around a microphone gabbing to one another and taking calls from strangers. I thought podcasts would be the same – like NPR, but less informative and somehow more boring – so I avoided them for years. I thought if I put my hands over my ears and screamed “La La La La La” loud enough they would just go away, but I was wrong. If anything, the trend is only growing stronger. It seems like everyone has a podcast from actors, comedians and authors to journalists and reality TV stars. We even started an election podcast at the Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly called “Coffee with a Candidate.” More than a dozen episodes, ranging from seven to 15 minutes, can be found on Anchor, Google Podcasts and Spotify. So what’s all the hype about? On a recent road trip to visit my grandparents in Virginia, I decided to find out. After all, there’s only so much music to fill the air on a fourand-a-half-hour drive. see PODCAST, Page 6B
BROUGHT TO YOU BY HALLOWEEN (continued from page 1B)
hour for children. Discounted presale tickets are available online and at the box office until Oct. 23. • When: Oct. 25 to Oct. 27 • Where: 100 E. McDowell St. • Details: www.matthewsplay house.com Matthews: Not-So-Spooky Halloween Kids can get ready for Halloween without getting scared at Not-SoSpooky Halloween hosted by the Town of Matthews. Little monsters can enjoy face painting, carriage rides, sweet treats and an appearance by Curley the Clown. There will also be a pumpkin-carving contest and a showing of the film, “The Haunted Mansion.” • When: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 26 • Where: Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade St. • Details: www.matthewsnc.gov Monroe: Halloween Happenings Those looking for a daytime Halloween event can look no further than Halloween Happenings in Monroe. Along with arts and crafts,
Union County Weekly • Oct. 18, 2019 • Page 2B
games, bounce houses, food and candy, visitors also have the opportunity to ride a mechanical bull. There will also be a costume contest. • When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 19 • Where: Main Street in Downtown Monroe • Details: www.monroenc.org Pineville: Halloween Bash in the Park Pets can get in on the Halloween fun at this Pineville event with a “Howl-o-ween” pet costume contest. There are fun activities for humans too, including a hayride, bounce house and a cupcake walk. Tickets are $5 cash only. • When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 25 • Where: Jack Hughes Park, 513 Main St. • Details: www.pinevillenc.gov Waxhaw: Fright Night The whole family can enjoy the weekend before Halloween at Fright Night in Waxhaw. Along with trickor-treating in the business district, kids and their families can enjoy spooky carriage rides, a haunted maze in the park and a scavenger hunt. • When: 4 to 11 p.m. Oct. 26 • Where: Downtown Waxhaw • Details: www.waxhaw.com/669/ Fright-Night
No children were harmed during the Matthews Playhouse’s Haunted Trail. UCW file photo
CHARACTERS (continued from page 1B)
“I want them to be good with kids and I want them to provide that magic,” Thomason said. “I want the kids to feel like, ‘I just stepped into Walt Disney World or I just walked into my favorite movie and met my favorite character and it was real.’” Thomason is not making her own costumes anymore, either. She puts a lot of the money she makes toward elevating the appearance of characters so they’re as real as possible. That means purchasing high-quality costumes, wigs and fabrics (the Bat Superhero costume is screen-accurate). Over the years, Thomason has noticed some characters get booked more than others depending on the season and when a new movie is released. She also said parents are booking more than just princesses for their young girls now, which is refreshing. “I love that little girls are inviting superheroes to their birthday parties,” she said. “I love being a princess, but I really love when little girls are like, ‘I want Wonder Hero at my party. I want Bat Superhero or The Dark Lord of the Galaxy.’” Although she can play all of the female characters, Thomason enjoys dressing up as Wonder Hero, Harlequin Hero, Galaxy Princess, Mermaid Princess and Beauty Princess (her favorite) the most. She said the best part about playing a character is when she arrives at a birthday party and the kids freak out and hug her. “It’s important for them to have this joy…to
Top: Spider Gwen hangs out with a new friend. Above: Beauty Princess joins a birthday girl’s celebration. Photos courtesy of Moriah Thomason
meet superheroes or movie characters in real life,” Thomason said. “It fuels your imagination as a child. Their imagination needs to be stimulated in a world where technology rules.” Want to learn more? Find Carolina Characters on Facebook or visit www.carolina-characters.com for party and event packages and booking information. You can also see additional pictures of characters on Instagram @carolina-characters.
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Page 3B • Oct. 18, 2019 • Union County Weekly
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
‘The Adventures of Madeline’ comes to the stage by Kayla Berenson kayla@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Audiences can take a two-hour trip to Paris at the Matthews Playhouse production of “The Adventures of Madeline” through Oct. 20. The show is based on an award-winning children’s book series by Ludwig Bemelmans and comes to life in this production, according to administrative manager Marie-Michelle Darcy. Through the detailed set design, audiences will watch characters “jump off of the page.” “With this production of Madeline, it’s sort of a combination of the six Madeline books, and so our set designer has designed this unit set,” production manager Cassie Prodan said. “It’s all very bright colors and we’re incorporating projections of some of the illustrations from the books. It looks like the characters are coming off of the page, so they’re real and they’re in front of you. It’s very beautiful, very detailed.” The story follows Madeline, who attends a boarding school with 11 other girls. Despite being the smallest of the group, she takes on the role of the leader. She is outspoken and good at getting into trouble. However, Madeline is also good at solving problems, and audiences will see if everything works out for her in the end.
Prodan said Madeline is a very relatable character. “I hope kids see that and go, ‘Oh, she’s like me,’ or ‘That reminds me of my friend,’ and they can relate to it even though it is an older story,” Prodan said. The cast of Madeline, primarily comprised of children, has been rehearsing for about five weeks, according to Prodan. They have blocked the show, developed their characters and worked with the lights, set, sound and props to put the production together. Vanessa Davis is one of the few adults in the cast. She plays the schoolteacher, Ms. Clavel, whom she described as a stern, yet caring, motherly figure to the children. Davis has been in many shows at Matthews Playhouse over the years, but said she was particularly attracted to this story. “I think ‘The Adventures of Madeline’ is just a beautiful, classic kids story,” Davis said. “I was also excited about working with the director. And I love Matthews Playhouse. It’s an awesome place to participate in theater. Now that I’ve gotten to know all of the children in the cast, they are amazing.” This is the first time Davis has worked with a cast that is mainly children. “It’s been different in a good way,” Davis said. “I love seeing them explore and learn because they have been into it since day one.
They’re all about this show.” Davis said her favorite part of the rehearsal process is the week leading up to the performance when the cast rehearses with the lights, sound, set and props. She said the kids’ faces light up when they see the show coming together. Audiences will experience a range of emotions throughout the show, Davis said. She looks forward to hearing their vocal responses as she and the cast perform. “[This story] really touches you,” Davis said. “It’s got a little bit of comedy, it’s heartwarming, there are parts that you might cry. It’s the vocal reaction from the audience that I love.” Prodan said those who are familiar with the books and those who aren’t can both take away something from the performance. “This is a book that’s been around since
1956,” she said. “I hope that audiences who are familiar with it look at what we have on stage and say, ‘Oh, it’s just like I read it in the book. This is just how I remember it,’ and those who haven’t seen it, who are experiencing Madeline for the first time, see it on stage and go, ‘I wonder how it’s different from the books.’” Davis said the story will appeal to all audiences, regardless of age. “It’s a beautiful story for adults and children alike,” Davis said. Along with the five public performances of the show, the cast will also perform private shows for local elementary schools in Matthews and Union County. The show is recommended for children ages 5 and older. Tickets cost $14 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. They can be purchased at www.matthewsplayhouse.com.
You may see some familiar faces in the production, including actors from prior plays and Union County residents: Magnolia Godshall (Isobel the Tiger), a fifth-grader at Kensington Elementary School; and Sebastian Pawlik (a zebra), a sixth-grader at Weddington Christian Academy. Kayla Berenson/UCW photo
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The New York Times Syndication Sales Corporation 620 Eighth Avenue, New York, 10018 UnionN.Y. County Weekly • Oct. 18, 2019 • Page 4B For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Thursday, February 28, 2019
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Oct. 19 • Coyote Joe’s: Jimmie Allen • Evening Muse: Pierce Edens & Rob Baird; Xoxok • Moochies Tavern: Action Jaxxon • Pineville Tavern: Shotgun Saints • Pizza Peel: Drake Freeman • Southern Range: The Stark Reality Acoustic Trio • Southern Roots: RoshambeauX • Steady Eddy’s: Danny Platt • Stooges Pub: Smilin’ Dogs • Trail House: Flashback
Oct. 20 • Neighborhood Theatre: Talking Fish • Visulite: The Black Lillies
ACROSS
• Underground: Maxo Kream
Oct. 18 • Beantown Tavern: Jade Moore; Coconut Groove Band • Belle Grill: Band Clazz • Evening Muse: Eliot Bronson; 49 Winchester • Fillmore: Melanie Martinez • Goodtimes Bar: Ginger & TARGeT • Neighborhood Theatre: Elizabeth Cook + Will Hoge • Ovens Auditorium: Ray LaMontagne • Steady Eddy’s: Abraham Staten • Stooges Pub: Right Turn Clyde • Sweet Union: Nate Randall • Trail House: GrooveMachine • Treehouse Vineyards: Local Honey Band • Underground: Lil Tjay • Vintner’s Hill: John Woodall • Visulite: C2 & The Brothers Reed
Pink
Oct. 21 • Underground: Matt Maeson
Oct. 22 • Fillmore: Sabrina Claudio • Moochies Tavern: Shannon’s Jam • Neighborhood Theatre: Augustana • Underground: Bea Miller
Oct. 23 • Beantown Tavern: Chuck Johnson Duo • Evening Muse: Katie Toupin • Maxwell’s Tavern: Tanner Long • Neighborhood Theatre: Noah Gundersen
Oct. 24 • Bistro D’Antonio: Will Lee • Evening Muse: Stoop Kids • Lake View Grill: Jade Moore • Neighborhood Theatre: Tyler Hilton • Queens South: Lipstick on a Pig • Seaboard Brewing: Tanner Long
Venues Charlotte • Coyote Joe’s: 4621 Wilkinson Blvd. • Evening Muse: 3227 N. Davidson St. • Fillmore: 820 Hamilton St. • Ovens Auditorium: 2700 E. Independence Blvd. • Visulite: 1615 Elizabeth Ave. • Underground: 820 Hamilton St. Indian Trail • Sweet Union: 13717 E. Independence Blvd. • Trail House: 6751 Old Monroe Road Matthews • Beantown Tavern: 130 Matthews Station St. • Belle Grill: 3022 Weddington Road • Lake View Grill: 9750 Tournament Drive • Moochies Tavern: 15060 Idlewild Road • Pizza Peel: 110 Matthews Station St. • Seaboard Brewing: 213 N. Trade St. • Steady Eddy’s: 2216 E. John St. Mint Hill • Stooges Pub: 13230 Albemarle Road • Vintner’s Hill: 7427 Matthews-Mint Hill Road Monroe • Goodtimes Bar: 1950 Dickerson Blvd. • Southern Range: 151 S. Stewart St. • Southern Roots: 350 E. Franklin St. • Treehouse Vineyards: 301 Bay St. Pineville • Pineville Tavern: 314 N. Polk St. Waxhaw • Bistro D’Antonio: 3909 Providence Road S. • Maxwell’s Tavern: 112 E. S. Main St. • Queens South: 1201 N. Broome St.
Edited by Will Shortz
Crossword 1 First U.S. color TVs 5 Shooter’s need 8 Believers in oneness
37 British record label
71 Revenue-raising measure
41 “I’m out”
72 “Neato!”
14
44 Unlikely source of a Top 40 song
73 Branch of Islam
17
45 Popular Greek dish
14 “Spamalot” lyricist
50 Ottoman
18 Frame of reference
53 ___ beetle
57 Call to reserve?
20 Follower of “My country”
59 Calrissian of “Star Wars”
22 Raiding grp.
63 Traffic enforcement device
23 It can make an impression in correspondence 29 Lacking a mate
66 Adoring looks seen 10 times in this puzzle’s grid
32 Fit for a queen
69 Curfew, maybe
34 Key
70 Lickety-split
26 Risk-free
R I V E T
S C A B S
S A D L Y
A T A L L
S T R O N G L E M A W A V E N
B A E P L S I V E E O F L Y E N A P E P W U P H E N D M E I T T S
R E T R A I N S M E E M A W
C R A Y O N S C A R R A C E
S H P A R N A D D N E G B U S A T E N N T T E E M N E U N X A I S T
O W I E
T A X R E T T A U C R N R A G T R T I A M N Y
5
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7
8
15
9
10
11
12
13
39
40
61
62
16 18 20
23
2 Sing sentimentally
29
3 Work whose title character is buried alive
5 Rabblement 7 Annual spring occurrence
E L K E E D L E T O N
K R E W E
M A T E S
A L O N E
30
24
31
34
32 35
21
22
9 Homer’s path
26
27
28
33
36
37 42
44
38
43
45 46 51
47
48
49
52
53
56
8 Instrument that opens Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring”
25
41
50
6 In a bad way
63
57 64
65
54
58 66
69
70
71
72
55
59 67
60
68
73
10 “I bet!”
PUZZLE BY STU OCKMAN
11 To the stern
35 Ones pumped up for a race?
48 Sierra Nevada product
60 When doubled, a taunt
13 Several lines of music?
36 “That’s beyond me”
50 Side
61 South Asian living abroad
15 “Bonne ___!”
38 Dressed
21 “___ ever …”
39 Sam of R&B
24 Playfully roguish
40 Not know from ___ (be clueless about)
12 “Same here!”
ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE C L O D S
4
19
4 Equipment in an ice cream shop
56 Clay, after conversion
19 Professor to Harry Potter
3
1 Guns
49 On the blue side, for short
17 One stuck abroad?
2
DOWN
46 Surrounds
16 Post-flood locale
1
No. 0124
25 Where photosynthesis occurs 27 ___-slipper (flower) 28 Commoners 29 Eight: Prefix 30 Wilt 31 Superserious
42 Some deer 43 Closet-y smell 47 Freon, for one
51 “C’est magnifique!” 52 Competitor of Citizen 54 Standoffish 55 Iona College athletes 58 Cry after a hectic week
62 Org. for some inspectors 64 ___ Air, carrier to Taiwan 65 Supporting letter, informally 67 A Chaplin 68 Gossip
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33 Grabs (onto)
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Union County Weekly • Oct. 18, 2019 • Page 5B
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BROUGHT TO YOU BY and binge-worthy TV shows, this was right up my alley. I guess my sister and I are related after all. Listening to “Crime Junkie” made two hours in the car feel like two minutes, which was great until I needed to pee. I pulled over at a highway rest stop and, to my horror, there was only one other car in the parking lot. My mind went back to the episode I just heard about a girl who walked out of work and into a crowd in broad daylight. She was never seen again. I had visions of going into that bathroom alone and thought about all the ways it could go wrong. The stalls would be empty, the room quiet and my attacker would be standing on top of the toilet, lying in
PODCAST (continued from page 1B)
I started with a podcast recommended by my sister, who has been a true-crime fanatic ever since she was old enough to follow the plots of shows like “CSI” and “Law and Order: SVU.” She told me about “Crime Junkie” – currently the No. 1 true-crime podcast – hosted by Ashley Flowers and her sidekick Brit Prawat. Every Monday, they delve into a different case, each one more mysterious than the next. The storytelling is captivating, suspenseful and keeps you guessing until the very end. As a fan of psychological thrillers
Union County Weekly • Oct. 18, 2019 • Page 6B
wait. No one would hear me scream. I’d be the main character in the next episode of “Crime Junkie.” Why did I do this to myself? I had a great life before I succumbed to this whole podcast trend. Now, I was fearful of deserted rest stops and about to pee my pants. I couldn’t let the podcast win, so I mustered up enough courage to push open the bathroom door and yell, “Hello?” As it turns out, the other car in the parking lot belonged to a sweet elderly woman. She was cleaning the bathroom and I scared the crap out of her when I shouted. I clearly needed a break from “Crime Junkie.” Good thing there are thousands of other podcasts to choose from. I wanted something more lighthearted, so I switched to a podcast by one my favorite stand-up comedians, Chris D’Elia, called
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