“Newsies” opens at Blumenthal
Volleyball Player of the Year: Christina Goforth
page 16 Locally Owned & Operated www.matthewsminthillweekly.com
Volume 8, Number 2 • Jan. 8 to 14, 2015
Community matters by Josh Whitener editor@matthewsminthillweekly.com
Courtney Schultz/MMHW photos
Matthews residents get ‘fit’ into the record books by Courtney Schultz courtney@matthewsminthillweekly.com
MATTHEWS – Matthews residents jumpstarted their New Year’s resolutions by taking a leap into the record books last Saturday. Residents participated in health and fitness company ViSalus’s World’s Largest Simultaneous Group Workout on Saturday, Jan. 3, in Stumptown Park. Fitness expert and Matthews resident Beckie Saupé-Kohler led one of more than 2,000 locations across the United States,
Canada and Europe to encourage participants to focus on health. “We’re here to focus on good health and teach people to take baby steps,” Saupé-Kohler said. “Health is something that can never be replaced.” ViSalus was recognized in 2012 for the World’s Largest Simultaneous Flash Mob with Alfonso Riberio, who played Carlton Banks in “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” with the same message of increasing health.
Mint Hill welcomes Publix New site becomes company’s seventh location in North Carolina by Josh Whitener editor@matthewsminthillweekly.com
MINT HILL – Shoppers in and around Mint Hill now have a new option when purchasing their grocery, pharmacy and health-
care needs. Publix Super Markets, Inc. officially opened its seventh Publix supermarket in North Carolina at Mint Hill Commons on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 7 a.m. The 6828 Matthews-Mint Hill Road store provided a preview tour to town officials, representatives from local organizations, members of the media and more on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
If you had told me 15 years ago I’d be writing professionally someday, I’d have laughed. Writing was never a big passion of mine – until I hit a major turning point during my final semester in high school, thanks Josh Whitener to the help of two terrific English teachers. And although I give props to Mrs. Lisa Cable and Mrs. Myra Helms for their support in helping me develop a love for the written word, I also must give some credit to my assignments – I was finally writing things I wanted to write. The following years included several excellent college professors, a growing desire to write and, ultimately, a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. I’ve had the privilege of working for the Carolina Weekly Newspaper Group since 2010, which has fostered my love for one particular area of
(see Stumptown Park on page 5)
“We are excited to begin serving customers in Mint Hill and providing premier service, quality products and value – including a large selection of buy-one-get-one-free deals weekly,” Dwaine Stevens, media and community relations manager, said in a news release. “Additionally, we are looking forward to being an active and engaged partner in the community.” The 49,000-square-foot store employs approximately 150 associates. Store
(see Community matters on page 8)
manager Dave Moore has 23 years of experience working for Publix, the release said, and most recently served as store manager at the Publix at Perdido Key in Pensacola, Florida. The Mint Hill Publix contains a wide variety of grocery items including a number of products not sold anywhere else locally, Publix representatives have said. The Publix site also houses a deli, produce department, (see Publix on page 10)
INDEX: News Briefs, Scores, 6; Crime Blotter, 7; Education, 12; A&E, 16; Calendar, 18; Sports, 20; Classifieds, 23