Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

Vol. 9 No. 13

March 25, 2016 www.matthewsminthillweekly.com

An answered prayer

Photo courtesy of Lorin Nicole Photography

Mint Hill Presbyterian Church pastor Richard Brueck and his wife, Kate, struggled with infertility for eight years. After a long road, the Bruecks decided to explore embryo adoption. Now, they're living life with a happy, healthy three-month-old baby girl. Page 4 County is Top 5 healthiest Mecklenburg County was named the fifth healthiest county in the state in the seventh annual County Health Rankings.

Page 3

Fullwood project draws criticism

Stallions overcome youth

Developers hope to make changes to the Fullwood Station subdivision, but its drawing criticism from the mayor and board. Page 5

Queen's Grant softball returns after a hiatus last year and, despite its youth, hopes to make a splash in the conference. Page 12

News Briefs 6 | Education 8 | Faith 10 | Calendar 11 | Sports 12 | Classifieds 15

Celebrate with us!

EASTER

Good Friday Service March 25, 7:00 PM With Senior Pastor Dr. John H. Munro and Calvary Worship Team

Sunday, March 27 | 9:00 & 11:00 AM 5801 Pineville – Matthews Road, Charlotte, NC 28226 | 704.543.1200

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Page 2 | March 25, 2016 | Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

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Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly | March 25, 2016 | Page 3

Mecklenburg is one of healthiest counties, could still use work

by Courtney Schultz courtney@cmgweekly.com

Mecklenburg County is among the Top 5 healthiest counties in North Carolina, but experts say there is room for improvement.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI) recently released its seventh annual County Health Rankings, comparing the health of nearly every county in the nation.

The local data allows each state to see how its counties compare on more than 30 factors that influence health, including education, housing, jobs, smoking and access to healthy food.

“The purpose of the rankings is to show where people live really matters to your health,” said Jan O’Neill, associate researcher at UWPHI. Mecklenburg County was the fifth healthiest county in the 2016 rankings, behind Wake, Orange, Union and Camden counties. Mecklenburg also was ranked fifth last year, and nearly missed Top 5 rankings in 2014 with a sixth place finish.

The RWJF and UWPHI rank counties on two lists – health outcomes and health factors. O’Neill describes the outcomes as “today’s health,” referring to a reflection of premature deaths and quality of life, and the factors as “tomorrow’s health,” referring to items people can “do something about,” such as health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors and physical environment.

The rankings look at aspects of counties that

might not directly relate to health, such as access to quality education, early childhood education, job training or area wages, rather than simply medical care.

Mecklenburg County is ranked 12th for health factors, compared to 14th in 2015.

The county saw a decrease in premature deaths, preventable hospital stays, sexually transmitted infections and violent crime, and saw increases in children in poverty, mammography screening, physical inactivity and diabetic monitoring. The number of uninsured individuals, adult obesity, alcohol-impaired driving deaths stayed the same.

This year, the ranking also took a closer look at the differences in health between urban, rural, suburban and smaller metro counties. Nationally, the researchers found rural counties not only have higher rates of premature deaths, but also nearly 1 in 5 rural counties saw rises in premature death rates over the past decade, while most urban counties have experienced consistent improvement.

Rural counties also have higher rates of smoking, obesity, child poverty, teen births and higher numbers of uninsured adults compared to large urban counties with lower smoking and obesity rates, fewer injury deaths and more residents who attended some college. Large suburban counties have the lowest rates of childhood poverty and teen births.

O’Neill said there was no single factor that explained the major differences between rural and urban counties.

The rankings also highlighted new measures, including residential segregation among blacks

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and whites, drug overdose deaths and insufficient sleep, and how they contribute to health, but they were not a part of rankings.

O’Neill said Mecklenburg County was in the middle range of residential segregation between whites and black, as well as non-whites and whites, compared to the nation.

She hopes the rankings and data help incite action within the community and start a conversation about ways to improve health.

Communities previously have used rankings to invite new partners to the table to support health, including businesses, governments, schools, community developers, nonprofits and philanthropists.

O’Neill pointed to Durham County as an example of using the county rankings to spur policy change. Durham started investing in the county’s racial and socioeconomic inequalities and started increasing access to health care needs, as well as job skills resources at the Holton Career and Resource Center.

O’Neill explained the RWJF provides an online resource to inspire ways communities can help improve its county’s health, as well as free health coaching to help enact better policies.

She also said the website can identify places of strength and improvement.

“When communities focus on adopting policy change, like a large career and resource center, big system changes and policy change, that’s going to improve the community,” O’Neill said.

“Having policy is what’s going to create longterm sustainable changes in the community.”

Visit www.countyhealthrankings.org for a more in-depth look at the County Rankings.

The Weekly

Restaurant Scores The Mecklenburg County Health Department inspected the following restaurants from March 14 to 20.

Lowest Score: • Azteca Restaurant, 9709 E. Independence Blvd., 28105 – 92 Violations included: Employee handled avocado with bare hands as it was placed onto a customer plate for service; oyster tags not in chronological order with no last date of sale; cooked salsa that has been cooling to improper temperature; foods without date marks; mild salsa cooling improperly; three-compartment sink faucet, three compartment sink spray arm and the spray arm at the dish machine leaking; no drain plug on the trash dumpster; and both cardboard and trash dumpster with open lids.

All Scores: 28105 • Azteca Restaurant, 9709 E. Independence Blvd.

– 92 • Beantown Tavern, 130-11 Matthews Station St. – 96 • Bonefish Grill, 10056 E. Independence Blvd. – 97.5 • Deep Sea Seafood Market, 10020 Monroe Road – 98.5 • Dorian’s Deli & Grill, 1240 Matthews-Mint Hill Road – 98.5 • Dunkin Donuts, 9005 E. Independence Blvd. – 95.5 • Moe’s Original Bar B Que, 111 Matthews Station St. – 95.5 • Thai Taste Matthews, 131 Matthews Station St. – 95.5

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• Taqueria El Burrito Express, 6927 Albemarle Road – 93

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Mint Hill pastor, wife adopt embryo

by Hannah Chronis hannah@cmgweekly.com

MINT HILL – As strangers pass Richard and Kate Brueck on the street, they stop to swoon over the couple’s three-month-old daughter Caroline.

But the Bruecks aren’t like the average family, running on a lack of sleep and figuring out how to become a family of three. For the new parents, Caroline is a miracle eight years – and perhaps even much longer – in the making.

Richard and Kate were college sweethearts who married in 2004, just before Kate’s senior year. After graduating college and serving in the mission field in Kenya for a year and a half, they knew it was time to start a family.

Despite both Richard and Kate desiring a large family, the couple found they weren’t an ideal combination for kids, and the chance of them becoming pregnant was slim to none.

“We struggled with this for eight years,” Richard, lead pastor at Mint Hill Presbyterian Church, said. “It was an 8-year journey of wanting kids and not being able to have them. It was a lot of long nights with raw emotion and tears. For Kate and me, it drew us together and we supported each other through the difficulty, but it’s such an intense trial that I could see how it could end a marriage. It’s not an easy thing. It’s hell.”

For Kate, their struggle was everywhere, as today’s culture of photo sharing and social media served as a constant reminder of their inability to have children.

“It was very difficult for me to be out in public certain days,” she said. “I couldn't talk about it very openly with a lot of people. It was a room in my heart that’s so dark and so heavy, I had to shut the door on it. I had to be careful about when I let myself look into that room.”

Even though the Bruecks couldn’t have children biologically, the desire to start a family never waned, and they soon began exploring adoption.

Kate recalled an article she read in “Good Housekeeping” nearly 20 years prior on snowflake adoption – an adoption process that allows couples to adopt a frozen embryo. Embryos often are donated to specialty clinics after being created, but not used, during in vitro fertilization treatments. It serves as an alternative to destroying an already created embryo, and allows couples to experience the pregnancy process.

“When I read that ‘Good Housekeeping’ article, even at a young age, I remember thinking, ‘What a cool way to give life to someone who

otherwise wouldn't have it,’ so when we started talking about adoption, that was at the forefront of my mind,” Kate said. “I wanted the experience of being pregnant, but ultimately, it gives life to someone who would’ve ended up in a freezer.”

The Bruecks first two attempts at snowflake adoption were unsuccessful, but Kate finally became pregnant in April 2015. On Dec. 13, 2015, their dream came true after years of waiting – Caroline was born.

Richard said their adoption of Caroline serves as a physical expression of their spiritual faith, and is a reminder of the importance of life at every stage.

“We care about life at the embryonic stage, and realized that Caroline, as an embryo, was life,” he said. “We wanted to give that embryo the possibility of growing into a little child. The Bible talks about how we’re adopted by God through Christ, and how we’re all sons and daughters of God now, and Caroline is an overwhelming expression of that.

“When you struggle with infertility, you struggle with knowing your genetic line stops… but looking at Caroline, raising her up to love God is a whole heck of a lot more important.”

As a healthy, happy three-month-old, the Bruecks know it won’t be long before Caroline starts comprehending, talking and asking questions. They plan on sharing baby pictures with their daughter, but also want to be open and honest about her adoption.

“It’s part of who she is,” Kate said. “It’s part of her story. When we first started thinking medically about this, looking back now, that’s when Caroline was created as an embryo. Through this whole process, she was there all along and God waited for the right time to bring her to us.”

Having Caroline has radically changed the Bruecks life – from their day-to-day routines to the way they love their daughter, and each other.

But it’s also allowed them to share their experience and compassion with couples who struggle with infertility. They hope their journey encourages other couples to not give up, explore their options, and know they aren’t alone.

“The desire to have children is a good thing, and it’s a Godly thing,” Richard said. “It’s something that should be mourned over, and it’s right to grieve over that. Having children comes in lots of different forms, though, and you can be a blessing to a child in a lot of different forms.”

Call Mint Hill Presbyterian Church at 704545-5199 to speak with Richard and Kate Brueck and hear their story.

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Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly | March 25, 2016 | Page 5

Commissioners vocal about Fullwood Station changes

by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com

MATTHEWS – The developer behind the Fullwood Station subdivision wants to change the contentious project’s year-old site plan, drawing sharp criticism from the mayor and board of commissioners.

Provident Land Services recently approached the town seeking changes, such as removing trees along South Trade Street and replacing housing elevations.

The Matthews Planning Board reviewed the request Feb. 23, but deferred the decision to the board of commissioners. Since that meeting, the developer came back with additional requests, including eliminating requirements for front porches and side-load garages.

Mayor Jim Taylor said March 14 there were too many variables for the town to make a decision, so leaders came to consensus on some of the items and directed staff to look into others by April 11.

“I’ll be honest with you,” Taylor told Thomas Waters, of Provident Land Services, “a lot of what you’re asking now to be changed, could have or should have been known early on.”

Waters said Provident Land Services sought more flexibility in garage and porch requirements due to the homebuilder changing from Live Well Communities to David Weekley Homes.

“They are looking to bring in a quality single family home to complement what they are doing at (Encore at) Eden Hall with the townhomes,” Waters said of David Weekley.

Waters said David Weekley didn’t have floor plans with garages that worked with narrow lots. Plus, not all of David Weekley’s elevations

include a front porch. Those that don’t will have a covered stoop.

Some commissioners wanted the developer to guarantee at least half the homes come with a porch. Others like Larry Whitley wanted more.

David Weekley hasn’t finalized elevations. Waters said that could take months.

The developer also wants to remove trees along South Trade Street in favor of installing a five-foot berm, which Waters said would enhance the corridor and block out sound from the road.

The developer told town staff that one-third of the tree save area had no trees and the remaining portions were pines, elms and gumball trees, with the pines posing a danger to power lines.

Beazer Homes wanted to build townhomes on the property back in 2006. The company later sought to build a subdivision for 36 single-family homes, but that didn’t pan out either.

The 19 acres remained untouched until Provident Land Services came with a proposal for up to 47 single-family homes at about 10,000 square feet each – one-third less than the average nearby home.

Fourteen people expressed concerns about the project, mostly traffic-related, during a December 2014 public hearing. The town approved the rezoning 6-1 two months later.

John Ross, who was that dissenting vote, said recent changes requested by the developer convinced him even more that the project wasn’t appropriate for Matthews.

“It’s frustrating to me that we have to have this level of conversation a year after it’s approved,” Ross said. “I get the builder has changed. That doesn’t change the original intent of this neighborhood.”

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Page 6 | March 25, 2016 | Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

The Weekly

P.O. Box 471083 Charlotte, NC 28247 Phone: 704-849-2261 • Fax: 704-849-2504 www.matthewsminthillweekly.com

Editorial Managing Editor Hannah Chronis Education Editor Courtney Schultz Development Editor Justin Vick Sports editor Ben Doster Faith Columnist Mark Harris

Advertising Mike Gianpetro Natalie Grendel Johane Hirschfield

Design Art Director Maria Hernandez Layout Editor Erin Kirby

Business President Jonathan McElvy Publisher Kelly Wright Associate Publisher Frank Vasquez Business Manager Brent Epling Advertising: kelly@cmgweekly.com Letters to the Editor: hannah@cmgweekly.com Press Releases: hannah@cmgweekly.com

Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly is published by Charlotte Media Group. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

News Briefs Visit www.matthewsminthillweekly. com for this week’s police blotter.

Notice of found property at Mint Hill Police Department MINT HILL – Mint Hill Police is sending out a notice of found property items in the departments procession. Items include: cellphones, chargers, firearms, purses, wallets, backpacks and drivers licenses.

Anyone who believes that the listed found property might be yours must have proof of that item by providing serial number verification and a photo ID. All inquiries are by appointment only. Contact the Mint Hill Police Department at 704-545-1085 for more information or questions on the property Mint Hill Police will accept appointments Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. No walk ins will be accepted.

Articles will be disposed of after 30 days.

Matthews forms mayoral task force for neighborhood schools MATTHEWS – After a unanimous vote last week by the Matthews Board of Commissioners supporting a resolution to affirm neighborhood schools, a “Mayoral Task Force on Education” has been formed.

Eight charter members have been selected and will start evaluating options for Matthews students to obtain access to neighborhood schools. Members include: Joanne Campbell, Mary Ciminelli, Landon Dunn, Ray Eschert, Angie Lee, Sandi Lee, Kress Query and Garnetta Smith.

A first meeting for the task force has not been scheduled.

Latter-day Saints hold Daddy Daughter ‘Spring Fling’ dance CHARLOTTE – The Church of Jesus Chri

Join Novant Health Matthews & the Levine Senior Center for Public Health Week with our

Senior Health & Wellness Expo

Tuesday, April 5th 9AM to Noon

Photos courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

of Latter-day Saints held a Daddy Daughter Dance on March 19 for approximately 200 fathers and their daughters, 8 to 11 years old.

The dance, held at Carmel Road meeting house, included dancing, refreshments and desserts made by the girls. The event was hosted by 10 Mecklenburg and Union area congregations of the Latter-day Saints.

Outside of the dance, Latter-day Saints girls participate in weeknight activities twice a month to foster unity and growth. CiCi Brown, 13, served as the DJ at the event.

Charlotte Radiology mobile unit to offer 3-D mammography Charlotte Radiology has expanded by adding a fourth mobile breast center to its fleet in response to increased demand for convenient access to early screening for breast cancer. The new unit will serve women in Mecklenburg, Gaston, Union and York counties.

The new unit will launch April 1 and will be the first in the Carolinas to offer digital breast tomosynthesis, known as 3-D mammography.

This program allows radiologists to look at different layers of breast tissue, which will reduce the amount of call backs for false positives.

“The mobile breast centers bring early breast cancer detection right to the workplace, allowing health-conscious employers the opportunity to provide their employees with a more convenient option for breast cancer screening,” said Katie Yarborough, Charlotte Radiology’s corporate health and

community relations manager.

Exams can be billed to insurance, and there’s no additional cost to the hosting organization.

Families Managing Media to host social media conference MATTHEWS – Families Managing Media, an organization aimed at helping families with kids struggling with video game addiction and too much screen time, will hold a meeting on April 7 titled “Kids’ Brains, Smart Phones and Social Media.” The meeting will take place from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Beantown Tavern, located at 130 Matthews Station St. The group will discuss the challenges of raising children in the digital age, when to get children a smart phone, setting limits, social media apps and texting and driving Visit www.familiesmanagingmedia.com for more information. RSVP at https://fm2apr. eventbrite.com.

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Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly | March 25, 2016 | Page 7

The Weaver, Bennett & Bland

Business Briefs

CPCC closer to new parking MATTHEWS – The town will consider a rezoning request April 11 from Central Piedmont Community College to build a parking lot with 360 spaces for a third classroom building planned at the Levine Campus.

The college will need the vacant 14-acre parcel off Interstate 485 rezoned from residential to business. Mecklenburg County considered putting a landfill there, but gave the property to CPCC in 2013.

Senior Planner Jay Camp told the board of commissioners March 14 that staff would have preferred structured parking, but was OK with the surface lot in the short-term given the pending right-of-way for the Independence Pointe Parkway extension over I-485.

CPCC might consider part of the property for future classroom space.

The parking lot will include a crosswalk to the main campus and two driveways.

CPCC will allocate money for a westbound left turn on future McKee Road near Matthews-Indian Trail Road.

No one spoke against the parking lot during the March 14 public hearing.

The third classroom building will consist of three stories and 90,000 square feet. It was part of a $210-million bond referendum approved by voters in 2013.

Publication ranks attractions MATTHEWS – The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh ranks as the state's most visited historic attraction, reporting 985,905 guests.

“The number of quality historic attractions and museums that are spread from one end of North Carolina to the other is amazing,” said Sam Rogers, president of Carolina Publishing and Associates of Matthews, which compiles the survey. “Very few states have such a large inventory of visitor attractions, which is why North Carolina's tourism industry continues to thrive."

Also making the list were Discovery Place (4), NASCAR Hall of Fame (25) and The Mint Museums (27).

Harris Teeter donates to schools MATTHEWS – Harris Teeter will donate $478,022.78 to schools this month through Together in Education fundraising program.

This is the second of three payouts it will make to schools during the school year. Myers Park High School ($2,639.37) and Charlotte Country Day School ($1,869.97) received payouts.

This brings the total donated since the program’s inception in 1998 to more than $23.8 million.

To receive a check in the final payout period, schools must have accrued at least $25 during the Together in Education school year. The Together in Education school year runs annually through May 31.

Three reappointed to Matthews adjustment board March 14 MATTHEWS – The Matthews Board of Commissioners re-appointed three members to its board of adjustment on March 14.

Jim Jiles, Cecil Sumners and Peter Tuz were appointed to their second terms through Jan-

uary 2019. Tuz is serving as an alternate.

Members serve two terms.

Franchise puts out welcome mat CHARLOTTE – Welcomemat Services has opened its first franchise in Charlotte, serving areas such as SouthPark, Montford Drive, Ballantyne, Cotswold, Dilworth, Myers Park and Matthews.

While Welcomemat Services was founded in Charlotte in 2003 before moving to AtErin Hunter lanta, this marks its first franchise in Charlotte. The firm gives new families a gift certificate package to local businesses.

Erin Hunter owns Welcomemat Services of Charlotte. She worked in marketing and sales for Welcomemat from 2006 to 2008.

“After seeing firsthand how Welcomemat Services started and where they grew, I’m excited to be back with this company in an ownership role and to be part of its continued growth,” Hunter said.

Hospital system names exec CHARLOTTE – Carolinas HealthCare System recently welcomed Dr. Gary Little as vice president and chief medical officer of Carolinas Medical Center.

Little will partner with Dr. Eugene Christian, chief medical officer of Carolinas Medical Center-Mercy, to oversee medical staff interactions and initiatives.

Little has served as medical director for George Washington University Hospital sing 2009.

Gary Little “I am inspired to join a large, integrated healthcare system that is aspirational in its goal of becoming a leader in the transformation of healthcare delivery – not only in the U.S., but in the world,” Little said.

Schools want less bike parking MATTHEWS – Central Piedmont Community College and Matthews Charter Academy are asking the town to reduce a requirement for 10 bicycle parking spaces for every classroom.

CPCC wants one space per classroom since its Levine Campus is located off the interstate. The charter school is seeking the change due to narrow roads without paved shoulders or sidewalks, town staff said.

Commissioner John Urban said during the March 14 public hearing that he didn’t find the charter school’s argument as compelling as CPCC’s, considering the school will be a catalyst for further development.

Bicycle parking spaces were among several potential changes to the town’s Unified Development Ordinance. Some of the changes are required by new laws or court decisions.

Three legal tips to protect your business

by Matthew Villmer Contributor

No business owner plans to be on the receiving end of a lawsuit, and scrambling to protect your business after a lawsuit is filed is often too late. Here are three tips to protect your business from legal trouble.

First, whether you run fruit stand on the weekends or a large manufacturing company, make sure you form a formal business entity, like an LLC or a corporation. Creating one of these entities serves a crucial role: protecting your personal finances and property from creditors and lawsuits.

Without an LLC or other similar entity, a disgruntled employee who sues your company will likely be able to take your home, your personal car, or the money in your retirement funds or savings accounts to satisfy any judgment. The simple act of properly creating a business entity shields your personal assets from these types of collection efforts.

Second, a business deal formed through just a handshake is fine—that is, until there’s a future disagreement over the deal.

It’s incredibly important to put all of your agreements in writing. And before you say, “I don’t want or need all that legal mumbo jumbo,” let me agree with you. There’s a huge issue in our society with “over-lawyering” transactions, but, putting just a few important terms down on a piece of paper can save you from a lawsuit.

For every business transaction, make sure

to have in writing at least the following: the parties’ names, the services or products being purchased, the price and payment terms, and signatures and a date. Documenting these simple items can ensure there aren’t any future misunderstandings, and with any complex contract, you should seek experienced legal counsel.

Third, what do seasonal workers, independent contractors, and full-time employees have in common? They all need to sign an employment agreement that protects your business from potential lawsuits, and it gives both you and your workers a written outline of your expectations.

In addition to outlining number of hours worked, pay, benefits, and other terms, a well-crafted agreement can be used to prevent unfair competition. A reasonable non-compete clause can keep your employees from opening a competing business by stealing your clients or contacts, and a confidentiality clause can prevent employees from spilling the beans about your proprietary business practices.

Matthew Villmer is a business and civil litigation attorney at Weaver, Bennett & Bland, P.A. Contact Matthew at Weaver, Bennett & Bland, P.A. at (704) 844-1400.

The information contained in this article is general in nature and not to be taken as legal advice nor to establish an attorney-client relationship between the reader and Matthew Villmer or the law firm of Weaver, Bennett & Bland, P.A.

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Education

Discover

CMS receives accreditation despite leadership challenges

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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has once again been accredited by AdvancED, a national accrediting organization for Pre-K-12 schools, the district announced last week.

AdvancED’s review team evaluated the entire district to determine how well CMS educates its students, as well as identified areas of improvement. Mark Elgart, AdvanED CEO and lead member of the review team, said the lack of consistency with superintendents adversely affected the district.

Accreditation is voluntary and occurs every five years. CMS has undergone the process since 2005, when it became the first large urban district in the country to be accredited.

“We are very pleased to have our district’s achievements and the hard work of our amazing teachers, principals, support staff and community partners recognized by AdvancED,” said Superintendent Ann Clark. “The process of earning and maintaining accreditation gives us important feedback on what we’re doing well and where we can improve to maximize learning for every student.”

AdvancED spent March 13 to 16 in the district visiting 48 schools and interviewing board

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of education members, administrators, teachers, support staff, parents, community and business partners and students. More than 1,100 stakeholders were interviewed.

Accreditation distinguishes schools that adhere to a specific set of educational standards, and districts must meet standards in five areas, including: purpose and direction; governance and leadership; teaching and assessing for learning; resources and support systems; and using results for continuous improvement.

AdvancED gave CMS an Index of Education Quality (IEQ) composite score and three subscores rated the district's teaching and learning impact, leadership capacity and resource utilization.

CMS received a 276.78 for its IEQ on a scale of 100 to 400, a score of 271.62 on teaching and learning impact, 290.00 on leadership capacity and 270.50 on resource utilization. The district claimed the scores were all within the norm when compared to AdvancED network average IEQ scores, which reflect 34,000 institutions worldwide, including small, wealthy suburban and urban school districts.

The AdvancEd team will issue a full written report on its findings and evaluation of CMS within 30 days. The full report will be made public on the CMS website.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools renovated its policies regarding excess real estate to gain greater financial stability in an era of limited budgets.

CMS staff receives frequent inquiries concerning the status of “real property,” which the new policy refers to as land and any building structures and equipment permanently attached or fixed to land owned by the school system.

Mostly nonprofits, charter schools and faithbased institutions have been looking at CMS’s excess property.

Staff chose to almost completely alter the “Disposition of District-Owned Real Estate” policy to better accommodate those inquires.

“The intention of this revised policy is to set forth the process and procedure for the board of education after an annual review to declare property surplus is if it deems appropriate and what procedures will be followed in the event that property is declared surplus,” said Peggy Hey, executive director of facilities planning and management.

Staff felt CMS needed a policy to provide to individuals who are interested in CMS’s surplus property and how they can find which properties are considered surplus.

The new policy will require CMS staff to annually provide the BOE with a list of real property that is be not being used and could be sold or leased. Hey suggested the annual list be presented in February or March, along with the capital needs review, and to give the BOE time to consider its options, particularly regarding student assignment circumstances, which are decided in November.

The new policy also lays out how the board

will determine if real property should be declared surplus and whether the land should be sold or leased, as well as provides recommendations for the factors and process to sell the property and the guidelines for terms, lease provisions and process. There are recommendations for land, cell tower or building leases.

“The intention is to provide the board of education with as much flexibility as possible to reuse property, depending on whether there’s a new program or new use that’s identified,” Hey said.

The policy also sets forth a few decisions initially made or recommended by the superintendent, which regard lease agreements or the board potentially delegating easement authority, Hey added, but the board must approve those recommendations and the sale or lease of any property.

Hey said the new policy does not change the approval process the board uses to lease or sell real property, but provides parties interested in the land more information throughout the process.

Superintendent Ann Clark said on March 10 the new policy also gives flexibility to the board in case they needed real property back for “unexpected needs,” with leases on a year-to-year basis.

CMS already reneged its lease with Veritas Community School last year after reluctantly leasing a vacant elementary school building to the charter school and realizing they’d need it again next summer. This policy gives CMS the “nimbleness” to retain property for urgent needs, Clark added.

The full board heard the policy on March 22 and will host a public hearing April 12 for community input, with the expectation to vote on the revised policy on April 26.

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The Weekly

Education Briefs UNCG names Butler student to Teacher Education Fellows MATTHEWS – Butler High School student Kristiana Alvarado was named a recipient of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Teacher Education Fellows scholarship, from UNCG’s School of Education.

Teacher Education Fellows is a campusbased scholarship and enrichment program aimed at developing the teacher “as a servant leader with a diverse and global context,” according to a news release.

Students engage in service, leadership, diversity and global awareness activities.

Alvarado will receive a $20,000 scholarship, awarded incrementally over four years, as well as access to other benefits, including early internships, integrated seminars, community engagement and networking events.

Fellows also participate in a semester abroad as part of the global focus of the program.

Visit oss.uncg.edu/teaching-fellows or email teacher.fellows@uncg.edu for more information.

Carmel Christian students earn top marks at competitions MATTHEWS – Multiple Carmel Christian School students earned top spots at their respective competitions, earning them opportunities at the state and national levels.

Sixth-grader Eva Vega took the top spot at

Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly | March 25, 2016 | Page 9 the 2016 Charlotte Observer Spelling Bee, after correctly spelling “bailiwick” and “elegy.”

The spelling bee had 27 contestants from 13 North Carolina counties, who were champions from private, public, parochial and charter schools.

Eva Vega Eva was the runner-up last year, after misspelling “stymieing.”

She received an all-expenses-paid trip for two to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C., compliments of The Charlotte Observer; a Webster's Third New International DicZan Scarfato tionary, courtesy of Merriam-Webster; the Samuel Louis Sugarman Award; 2016 United States Mint Proof Set; and a one-year subscription to Encyclopedia Britannica online, courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica.

Eva also qualified to compete in the overall ACSI Regional Spelling Bee in Atlanta, after a first place finish at the ACSI North Carolina Spelling Bee. Eighth-grader Zan Scarfato qualified to compete in the state level competition of the National Geographic Bee. The North Carolina bee will be held April 1, a Friday.

Champions from each state are qualified to compete in the National Geographic Bee Championship, which will be held in Washington, D.C. May 22 to 25.

Carmel Christian middle schoolers also took top marks in the ACSI regional Math Olympics.

The following students placed overall in the competition: eighth-graders Bennett Southerland – computation, first place; Ivan Basora – computation, second place; Ross Blong – computation, third place; Hudson Carpenter – reasoning, first place; Carolina Furman – reasoning, second place; and Zan Scarfato – reasoning, third place; seventhgraders Savannah Powers – computation, second place; Krystal Uzomba – computation – third place; Max Thomas – reasoning, first place and Witt Miles – reasoning, second place; and sixth-graders Ethan Yen – computation, first place; Zach Pharr – reasoning, first place; Artistotle Bernard – reasoning, second place and Ty Murphy – reasoning, third place.

Lower school students also took marks in the competition, including fifth-grader Gus Medieta, who took first in reasoning, and third-graders Abhishek Avind and Reily Anderson, who took first places in computation and reasoning, respectively.

New charter school to start conversation about college MATTHEWS – Matthews Charter Academy, a new K-6 charter school opening in August 2016 and managed by National Heritage Academies, a for-profit school management company, will offer a college-bound curriculum designed to help students meet academic goals.

The school will enact the CollegeBound Scholars program, which encourages students and their parents to think about college choices while still in elementary school.

The program is a resource for families to learn not only about college options, but the admissions process, available financial aid and scholarships and decision questions.

“Students, even at a young age, benefit from early discussions about college readiness,” said founding Principal Christy Morrin.

“These discussions help students realize that college is an attainable goal.”

Teachers will shape critical thinking skills based on each child’s academic growth goals in math, reading, science and social studies in order to carry out the curriculum.

“All students will benefit from our individualized instruction, which challenges them on a daily basis,” said Morrin. “Individualized instruction allows teachers to evaluate student growth and ensure they are reaching their full academic potential.”

The CollegeBound program encourages students to make college goals when they’re young to start preparing for higher education.

“Hearing students as young as five years old talk about college is extremely rewarding,” said Morrin. “I look forward to watching our students at Matthews Charter Academy set their own academic goals and pursue the CollegeBound Scholars program.”

Find more information about the school at www.matthewscharteracademy.org.

Send education news to courtney@cmgweekly.com

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Page 10 | March 25, 2016 | Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

Faith

The promise of a politician and the hope of Easter

by Mark Harris mark.harris@charlottefbc.org

This week I had a unique opportunity to hear four of the five presidential candidates from both political parties live at the American-Israeli Political Action Committee convention in Washington, D.C. What was so interesting about this opportunity was that each candidate clearly knew the agenda of the organization hosting the conference, so each addressed the major issues of concern to conference delegates. These issues concerned the relationship between the United States and Israel, as well as broader concerns about Iran and Isis. In other words, each and every candidate made the same promises to the crowd.

This causes me to think about the concept of a promise. Much has already been written about this election cycle and its game-changing qualities. Voter turnout is higher than it has been in years. Driven by the excitement of the young, the disgust of the old, and the fury of the public in general, a 74-year-old socialist and a 69-yearold high rolling businessman are commanding crowds by the thousands with their promises to mold our nation into their individual visions of what constitutes a “great” America. Again, this causes me to think about the nature of a promise.

Can these grand visions be achieved? What about all those promises made to thousands of groups in thousands of meeting halls like the one I attended this week? Do these politicians have the power to keep these promises? Do they even have

the intention of keeping them? Which individual is most likely to actually achieve what he or she promised?

It was interesting to discuss these questions after the meetings with a diverse group of conference delegates.

The concept of promise, or covenant, Mark Harris is central to the Bible and Christian theology. The Hebrew word “berit,” which can be translated “promise” or “covenant,” occurs 280 times in the Old Testament.

The Jewish Virtual Library describes this concept as “the most profound and brilliant concept of the Hebrew world.” The Greek word “diatheke,” also translated covenant, or testament, is used 33 times in the New Testament. The very words “New Testament” could be also rendered “new covenant” or “new promise.”

To promise something is to assure the one promised that the promise-giver will do, give, or arrange something. Our most important cultural promises are sealed with both rhetoric and ritual. The promise of fidelity in marriage is sealed with the costly, serious, and celebratory ritual of a wedding. A couple makes a series of promises surrounded by family and friends who witness the promise and offer support to the couple as they embark on a life together. A certain social

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pressure is, or should be, inherent in the wedding ritual. Your promise has been sealed, or to use the old-fashioned word, solemnized, and you owe it to society to keep it. This promise is important. It is a big, big deal.

Yet today, even our most sacred promises get cast aside all too easily. Is it any wonder that we have an increasingly cynical society? How can I believe a political candidate’s promise when nothing improves? How can I believe in marriage when half the people who marry divorce?

As cynicism has taken hold, sadly, many live without hope and without belief in a God who does keep His promises.

For the believer, Easter is the celebration of the ultimate in God’s promise-keeping: that He would send a Messiah, a Savior, who would suffer, die, and rise the third day, making atonement for our sins and conquering death.

The last acts of Jesus on earth were to make promises. Before His crucifixion, he promised His disciples that if He went away, He would make a way for them to be where He was. On the cross, He promised a thief paradise. After His resurrection He promised that there would be power given from God to follow and serve Him. Before His ascension He promised to be with His followers always, even to the end of the age. He is the groom that is every-faithful, the leader who never disappoints. He is the way, the truth, and the life. Easter reminds us that He is able to fulfill all that He has promised, today, tomorrow, and forever.

The Weekly

Faith Briefs

Ministry Development Services to host Rev. Roy Oswald May 17 MATTHEWS – Nonprofit Ministry Development Services will host Christian author and teacher Rev. Roy Oswold during an “Emotional Intelligence” workshop May 17 for pastors and church leaders. Registration must be completed by April 17.

The workshop is part of the organization's Resilient Ministry Leadership Development and Effectiveness Workshop Series. The class will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall at Mt. Harmony Baptist Church, located at 2817 Mount Harmony Church Road. Cost is $150, which includes lunch and materials.

Register online at www.ministryds.org or email Kathy.Hudspeth@presbypsych.org for more information.

Human trafficking program at Matthews United Methodist MATTHEWS – Matthews United Methodist Church will hold a presentation by Justice Ministries, a local nonprofit aimed at combatting sex trafficking, on April 1, a Friday, at 7 p.m. Matthews Police Chief Rob Hunter will serve as the event’s emcee as Justice Ministries talks about crimes against humanity, and what’s being done to fight the injustice. The discussion will take place in the sanctuary.

Matthews UMC is located at 801 S. Trade St.

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The Weekly

Calendar March

24

Pajama Storytime

25

Page to Screen

Pajama-clad families have fun with literacy through songs and activities. Call 704416-5200 or go to www.cmlibrary.org.

6:30 to 7 p.m.; Mint Hill Public Library, 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road.

Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly | March 25, 2016 | Page 11 vance. Call 704-416-5000 or go to www.cm library.org.

2 to 4 p.m.; Matthews Public Library, 230 Matthews Station St.

28 Spring Break Camp

Matthews Parks & Recreation doesn’t want children to spend Spring Break bored. The town department is offering ages 7 to 12 a half-day ($15) or full-day ($30) worth of activities. Register in advance. Visit www. matthewsnc.gov for details.

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Crews Road Recreation Center, 1201 Crews Road, Matthews.

29 Wilderness Preparation

Teens and adults watch a presentation on the life of Theodore Dreiser and then the 1951 film, “A Place in the Sun” starring Elizabeth Taylor.

Register in advance. Call 704-416-5000 or go to www.cmlibrary.org.

1:30 to 5:30 p.m.; Matthews Public Library, 230 Matthews Station St.

Catherine Goodnight Robertson, the environmental educator from the McDowell Nature Center, will introduce topics such as planning ahead for a trip, navigation, leave no trace and outdoor cooking. This is part one in a four-part series. Attendees must be 18 years old or older.

Registration is required by calling 704-416-6600.

6 p.m.; South County Regional Library, 5801 Rea Road

25 Food Truck Fridays

29 Film Screening

A dozen food trucks are stopping by downtown to tickle taste buds with southern comfort, international, seafood and TexMex treats. Celebrate the town’s popular food truck program by sticking around to listen to acoustic music.

Don’t bring pets or alcohol. The series spans Fridays through Sept. 30.

5 to 9 p.m.; Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade St., Matthews.

25 Live Music

Rock Machine, a Burlington-based band that touts the ultimate arena rock experience, performs live music.

The group is slated to perform April 23 at Mebane’s Dogwood Festival. Call 704-5454084.

8 p.m.; Stooges Pub & Grub, 13230 Albemarle Road, Mint Hill.

26 Winter Farmers’ Market

The Matthews Community Farmers’ Market opens its winter market rain or shine. Stock up on locally grown or produced foods.

Call 704-821-6430 or go to www.matt hewsfarmersmarket.com for more information.

8 to 10 a.m.; 188 N. Trade St., Matthews.

26 Stallings Egg Hunt

The town of Stallings will hold its annual Egg Hunt. The hunt begins at 11 a.m.

Pick up tickets in advance from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at town hall, located at 315 Stallings Road.

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Stallings Elementary School, 3501 Stallings Road, Matthews.

26

Book Club

Teens discuss the literature at a book club. Check with the circulation desk to find out what book will be discussed. Register in advance. Call 704-416-5200 or go to www. cmlibrary.org.

11 a.m. to noon; Mint Hill Public Library, 6840 Matthews-Mint Hill Road.

26 Streaming Media

Teens and adults can learn how to check out library resources with mobile devices. Bring a smartphone. Register in ad-

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Children munch on popcorn while viewing the PG-film “Minions.” Register in advance. Call 704-416-5000 or go to www.cm library.org.

2 to 4 p.m.; Matthews Public Library, 230 Matthews Station St.

29 Open Mic

Shannon Lee, a singer and songwriter from Charlotte, hosts Shannon’s Jam, an open mic night for all ages and genres.

Sign-ups start at 7 p.m. Call 704-893-2157 to learn more.

7-11:30 p.m.; Moochies Tavern, 15060 Idlewild Road, Matthews.

31 Tap Takeover

Carolina Beer Temple hosts tap takeovers throughout the month featuring some of the state’s best homegrown brews.

Lazy Hiker Brewing, based out of Franklin, is scheduled to have at least four beers on tap.

Call 704-847-2337 for details.

6 to 10 p.m.; Carolina Beer Temple, 131 Matthews Station St., Matthews.

Ongoing Photo Exhibit Mint Hill Arts presents its latest exhibit, consisting of a judged photography competition, Wednesdays through Saturdays this month.

Call 980-226-532 or go to www.minthillarts. org for details.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Mint Hill Arts, 11205 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill

Run for God 5K Training Matthews United Methodist Church will host “Run for God” 5K, 10K and half marathon training on Sunday afternoons from Jan. 24 to April 17. Diana Monago will lead the training, which is open to beginners and experienced runners. Cost is $17. Register at www.matthewsumc.org.

2 to 3:30 p.m., Sundays; Matthews UMC, 801 S. Trade St., Matthews

Send calendar events to justin@cmgweekly.com

FREE Family Event with over 150 vendors, kids playground, demonstrations, dog rescue groups, food trucks and live entertainment.

Special guests: • Meet & Greet with Author, Fred Levy • Caution! Blind Driver on stage • Magician Bryan Saint • Aerial CLT Dog Walk around lake at noon

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Page 12 | March 25, 2016 | Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly’s

Sports

2016 boys’ swimming Super Team swimmer of the year Tice Wilkerson Covenant Day

Wilkerson, a senior, provided integral leadership as the team captain, and was equally impressive in the pool. Wilkerson fought his way to a third-place finish in the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard breaststroke at the CISAA meet, and claimed seventh place in the 50-yard freestyle and sixth place in the 100yard breaststroke at the NCISAA 3A state championship meet.

William Macurda Covenant Day

Ikenna Eruchala Charlotte Latin

Covenant Day sophomore William Macurda was key to the Lions success in the water. He placed fourth in the 100-yard butterfly and sixth in the 100-yard freestyle at the CISAA meet, and took third in the 100-yard freestyle at the NCISAA 3A state championship meet.

Junior Eruchala won the 100-yard butterfly at the CISAA meet and NCISAA 3A state championship meet (state record 49.58 seconds) and the 100yard backstroke at the CISAA meet and NCISAA 3A state championship meet (51.61 seconds). He earned the Charlotte Performance of the Year Award, all-conference and all-state honors.

Payton Graham Butler

James Hardy Charlotte Latin

Butler sophomore Payton Graham made a splash as a sophomore. He won the 200-yard individual medley, and was runner-up in the 100-yard freestyle at the Southwestern 4A Conference meet. Graham placed sixth in the 50-yard freestyle and seventh in the 100-yard freestyle at regionals.

Charlotte Latin senior James Hardy finished runner-up in the 200-yard individual medley at the CISAA conference meet and the NCISAA 3A state championship meet and the 100-yard butterfly at the CISAA meet and the NCISAA 3A state championship meet. He earned team MVP, all-conference and all-state honors.

Austin Spaeth Butler

Tyler D’Allaird Charlotte Latin

Butler junior Austin Spaeth won the 100-yard breaststroke, claimed third in the 500-yard freestyle at the Southwestern 4A Conference meet. Spaeth finished 17th in the 100-yard breaststroke and 15th in the 500-yard freestyle at regionals.

Junior Tyler D’Allaird finished runner-up in the 100-yard freestyle at the CISAA meet, and won the event at the NCISAA 3A state championship (1:45.68). D’Allaird was runner-up in the 100-yard backstroke at the CISAA meet and the NCISAA 3A state championship meet (52.77 seconds). He made the all-conference and all-state teams.

Coach of the Year Amanda von Thron Second Team Butler Alan Clymer Providence Day Blake Frasier Charlotte Christian Tyler Sherrill Providence Day Sam Mahoney Charlotte Latin Cole Von Cannon Charlotte Christian Roman Gray Charlotte Christian

Jackson Dickey Charlotte Latin Daniel Li Providence Teddy Perelli Providence

Thomas Groenhout Providence Day Groenhout, a senior, finished his campaign being named team MVP. He also finished as runner-up in the 100-yard breaststroke and third in the 200-yard individual medley at the CISAA meet.

He won the NCISAA 3A state championship in the 100-yard breastroke, and claimed the state runner-up spot in the 200-yard freestyle.

Queens Grant softball endures growing pains

by Ben Doster ben@cmgweekly.com

There are usually obstacles in the early stages of starting something new, especially a new sports program at the high school level. Queens Grant’s softball team has certainly figured that out.

The Stallions took a year off from the sport because they didn’t have enough girls interested in playing. Now, they’re back on the diamond, but it hasn’t been easy as they’ve struggled to a 3-3 (0-2 Uwharrie) start.

Coach Joe McCauley has only four girls who have played organized softball, so he’s teaching them the basics and fundamentals of the game.

The experience is compounded with youth. Nine of the Stallions 14 players are freshmen.

“I am excited about where we can get to,” Joe McCauley said. “The first two games we did great, and then we faced the tough competition. They put us back in place. It’s a building process.”

Queens Grant will certainly have some growing pains left to endure, but the influx of youth, including talented freshmen Jenna McCauley and Laikyn Berry, make for a promising future for the program.

Jenna McCauley has been impressive from the mound in her rookie campaign at the varsity

level, handcuffing opposing batters with a 3.89 ERA. She’s better at catching than pitching, but Queens Grant needs her on the mound.

“She is a complete package ballplayer,” Joe McCauley, her coach and father, said. “I think no matter where she would go to school, she would be an asset to any team.”

Berry, a natural center fielder, brings versatility and speed to the table. She’s a utility player, who can play nearly every position, and can make it to first base in 2.6 seconds.

Joe McCauley said Berry should be running track, but he was fortunate to get her to play

softball instead. He added she is getting stronger, which enables her to hit the ball with a high average and power.

“I put her where I need her,” Joe McCauley said. “If I see that most of the girls are hitting the ball at shortstop, she plugs in at shortstop.”

The only thing Berry doesn’t do is pitch, but she’s caught and played nearly every position in the infield and every outfield position.

“Usually, I only play in one position, but he knows that my abilities are big and that he can trust me to be anywhere,” Berry said. “It makes me feel good that he puts me anywhere.”

Queens Grant sustained a major blow when senior Zaria Hamilton tore her Achilles tendon in the second game of the season, forcing her to miss the remainder of her final year.

Her injury takes a powerful bat out of Queens Grant’s lineup, but the Stallions have persevered.

The Stallions biggest downfall isn’t their pitching, but defensively, they struggle to field the ball.

Queens Grant will be a different team once it gets that ironed out. The Stallions also need to make strides at the plate when it comes to swinging the bat. They do a good job making contact, but they need to be more aggressive and hit the ball harder.

Joe McCauley said the girls are making progress as hitters, and his goal for Queens Grant this season is to finish with a .500 record, and build from there next season.

“Looking at the schedule I think it’s very within reason with the teams we have left to play,” Joe McCauley said. “I know we’re going to have some tough teams that we’re going to face.”

“For me, we’ve already achieved what I thought we were going to achieve,” Jenna McCauley said.

“That makes me really happy, but also going up against different teams, different coaches, different girls playing, different levels of softball it’s definitely really hard, but I think we’re getting a lot better as the season goes on.”

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Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly | March 25, 2016 | Page 13

Sports

Rocky River track and field struggles without Sidberry

by Ben Doster ben@cmgweekly.com

Rocky River’s girls’ track and field team appeared to be on the upswing following its Southwestern 4A Conference championship during indoor season over the winter, but the Ravens have lost their sense of direction without coach Antoine Sidberry at the helm. “I’ve had some conditions at work that have caused me to sit the season out,� Sidberry said. “It was nothing to do with athletics. It was school-related issues. It’s been hard. We worked for the last five years to get the program to where it’s at. “It was a little hard on me and definitely hard on the kids. We hugged, we cried, but I did encourage them. A lot of them said they weren’t going to run, but I encouraged them and said, ‘Look, we have started something, we’ve built a good thing. Don’t let this situation determine how you spend the season, because you can’t get the season back.’�

Sidberry said he wants his runners to work like he was with them. He said at the end of the day they know what their goals are and that they are the only ones who can keep themselves from reaching those marks.

He expects to coach Rocky River’s track team next season, but the school’s athletics director Jonathan Lamb said he couldn’t comment on the matter or on whether or not Sidberry would return as the Ravens’ track coach next season.

Donnie Taylor, Shatori Jones and Ebenezer

Lancerio have filled in for Sidberry, and are coaching the team by committee.

Rocky River is only four meets into its season.

In those four meets, the Ravens have finished last twice, sixth out of eight and seventh out of 21. “It’s been tough, because the kids were used to his style of coaching and everything he did for the program,� Taylor said. “He did a lot of work behind the scenes that a lot of people didn’t see.

Now, we’re trying to pick up that slack. “The whole time we’ve been saying that this is a team that can win conference and contend for state. We’ve been saying that all along. We still have that same mindset. That possibility is still there. They’re doing what they’re supposed to do, but they can still get better.�

Sophomore Kenya Livingston said they haven’t gotten the proper training without him, and said she doesn’t have anyone to work with her on her jumps due to his absence. “It’s a challenge without Sid, because the training is not the same,� sophomore Mariah Atwater said.

Livingston and Atwater said the team has shown heart and everyone is working to get better despite the circumstances.

Only time will tell if the Ravens can remedy their struggles on the track in order to make a run at the Southwestern 4A or a state title. The talent is certainly there. The sky is the limit once everybody gets on the same page and the athletes start running, jumping and throwing at the level they are capable of.

Photo courtesy of Covenant Day

Covenant Day’s McCue scores 100th goal Covenant Day junior forward Alina McCue is known for shredding defenses, and she did just that when she scored two goals to reach her 100th career goal in the Lions’ 2-0 win over Clinton in the Brittany Showcase in Wilson, N.C. March 11.

The Mercer University commit has scored six goals this season, and is a key component to Covenant Day’s (4-1-1) success on the pitch. McCue, a two-time allconference and all-state player, is only five goals shy of the school record set by Sara Stiles, which has stood for eight years.

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Page 16 | March 25, 2016 | Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

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