Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

Vol. 9 No. 16

April 15, 2016 www.matthewsminthillweekly.com

Matthews Farmers’ Market opens

Daycare must overcome traffic concerns

by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com

The Matthews Farmers' Market will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year and open for the spring season on Saturday, featuring everything from local produce to natural soaps.

MATTHEWS – Despite addressing the town’s initial concerns about building a downtown daycare center, developers face a new set of challenges that could potentially stunt the project’s growth.

Matthews Parkway Corporate Center has been trying since last year to rezone 1.2 acres at 720 Park Center Drive to build a Primrose School that could serve upward of 185 children daily.

The center withdrew its application in December 2015 to change the site plan and building elevations to better align with what’s in downtown, said John Carmichael, an attorney representing the applicant.

New plans call for an L-shaped building up to 12,800 square feet to front North Ames Street and Park Center Drive. Parents would drive in on North Ames Street and have access to about 51 parking spaces, some of which are included as on-street parking.

“We think it would provide a service to the downtown area, not only to the work force but to the residential that would be coming to the downtown area in the future,” Carmichael said of the daycare.

Residents who live near the site spoke (see Primrose on page 4)

Baby Shower at Bright Blessings Nonprofit Bright Blessings hosted a Baby Shower to put together baskets for newborns and homeless mothers.

Page 5

Abundant Life opens new building

Covenant Day tennis wins big

Matthews-based Abundant Life Church hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and special service for its new building. Page 6

The Lions celebrated a big 7-2 win over perennial power Country Day in their quest to claim the conference title.

Page 13

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

SUMMER PLANS? SUMMER PROGRAMS! Over 250 camps for Rising Grades TK - 12.

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Page 2 | April 15, 2016 | Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

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Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly | April 15, 2016 | Page 3

The Asian Needle ant makes its way into Matthews’ garden beds

by Emily Shepherd Contributor

MATTHEWS – The injector makes its classic “thunk” sound, as the needle sinks into my thigh. The counter assault begins. My heart has been racing, racing, racing against time, heaving and fighting to maintain pressure. Red hives swell up onto my skin, Emily Shepherd and an overwhelming sense of doom sets in. I must... lie ...down, fading away to somewhere else in my mind; where, I do not know. The epinephrine surges out of the syringe, waging war, conquering mast cell foes and finally, bringing protection.

Surrender, retreat, and then, peace – until next time.

My first experience with anaphylaxis was after a paper wasp stung my left shoulder in May 2014. The word anaphylaxis means, “without protection.” Thankfully, my husband is a physician and was able to care for me until we reached an urgent care center. However, my second experience of anaphylaxis, in August 2015, was quite different in that there seemed to be no insect, at least as far as I could see.

I pulled on a pair of pants that had been hanging outside on the line to dry a week prior. I felt no sting, just an intense itching that grew on my

thigh and reminded me of a pack of chiggers. it can feast on its favorite meal of termites and When I checked out the source of the itch, the other protein food sources. It can live in colonies huge red welt stunned me, yet I could find no as small as 20 under a flower pot, or thousands insect. My heart began pounding as the venom under a wood pile. Its sting is not felt at first but reached my cardiovassteadily grows into an cular system and I knew itchy, red welt that can This ant lives in damp, that my body was at war shoot pain far beyond the dark locations where it again. I groped for the sting site. The ant might bed and quickly elevated be identified by its incan feast on its favorite my feet while my hus- meal of termites and other ability to climb smooth band injected the EpiPen. vertical surfaces such as protein food sources. It Within seconds, I gratea glass jar. The one that can live in colonies as fully had protection, and stung me was probably peace restored. small as 20 under a flower an alate, or flying female.

Later that day, I was re- pot, or thousands under a Mating is an aerial act and covering in my bedroom occurs May to August, when I noticed what wood pile. Its sting is not which means an ant can felt at first but steadily looked like the smallest unknowingly get caught wasp I had ever seen, hovin clothing or hair. grows into an itchy, red ering around the window.

There are two ironic welt that can shoot pain aspects It dawned on me that to my story. The perhaps that was what far beyond the sting site. first is I teach gardening at had stung me. But my schools and spend more allergist, at my next aptime outdoors than in. pointment, said it was probably a fire ant sting. The second is my backyard has a severe infestaI knew that could not have been a mere fire ant; tion of Asian Needle ants. At present, there are I have had many of those as an avid gardener. I no laboratories in the world producing the serum turned to Google to identify the insect that could needed for immunotherapy against an anaphyhave taken my life. What I found shocked me. lactic reaction to its sting. I am currently receiving An unintentionally introduced species, the immunotherapy for my other stinging insect alAsian Needle ant, or Pachycondyla chinensis, has lergies, but treatment for this one remains elusive. arrived on our shores. Imported around 1930 to Entomologists at Clemson and North Carolina the southeastern United States, it has stealthily State universities have helped me gain informasnuck into unsuspecting backyards everywhere. tion about the behavior of this ant, as well as how This ant lives in damp, dark locations where to eradicate them from my yard. Yet, as one ento-

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”

mologist put to me, “It’s here to stay.” Even if I rid my yard of most of them, they could be flying in a friend’s yard, or hiding at the school gardens.

The cease-fire of anaphylaxis lies within reach of all of us who have experienced its traumatic assault.

Contact me at ananaphylaxis@gmail.com if you have had an anaphylactic reaction to an Asian Needle ant sting. Let’s connect, network, and seek out the best weaponry our modern medical era has to offer, grateful to live in its healing touch.

Emily Shepherd is a Nature Study and Gardening teacher at Arborbrook Christian Academy in Matthews. She also gardens with students at One7 Academy, where she started a garden for refugee support services. Shepherd has lived in Charlotte with her husband for 14 years, and they have three children.

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Page 4 | April 15, 2016 | Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

Matthews HELP Center

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Vertical Bridge Land Holdings, LLC would like to place on notice the proposed construction of a telecommunications installation consisting of a 120-foot stealth clock tower telecommunications tower located at 35° 6’ 59.74” north latitude and -80° 44’ 36.31” west longitude at the approximate vicinity of 300 Pineville-Matthews Road, Matthews, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina 28105. If you have any concerns regarding historic properties that may be affected by this proposed undertaking, please contact Mr. Miles Walz-Salvador, The Lotis Engineering Group, PC, at walz-salvador@thelotisgroup.com or 6095 Clarence Lane North, East Amherst, NY 14051 or (314) 913-0505. In your response, please include the proposed undertaking’s location and a list of the historic resources that you believe to be affected along with their respective addresses or approximate locations.

A Look Back

Sustar Swimming Pool: 75 years of fun

by Paula Lester Contributor

Before air-conditioning became a way of life in the South, how did the folks keep cool in the summer? In Matthews, they went to the Sustar Swimming Pool.

Around 1920, Barnum Sustar and his family moved from Idlewild Road to a new house at 110 W. Matthews St. In 1923, Barnum and his son-in-law, Claude Neal, decided the large piece of land behind the house would be the perfect spot for a swimming pool. Digging began and the pool was filled with water from the many springs in the area. The pool quickly became a popular spot, especially with young people in the community.

When you think of a football field, you realize just how large the pool was. Measuring 140 yards end-to-end and 90 yards across, it was irregularly shaped to fit the existing terrain. Starting in 1927, Barnum, along with his identical twin brother James, joined with the Kuester twins, Faison and Clarence Jr., to sponsor an annual “Twins Picnic” for all twins in the Carolinas. Many twins came from other states to attend. The annual picnics continued until the 1940s and had quite a following with many people attending just to see and take pictures of the twins.

Until the mid-1960s, the bottom and sides of the pool were made of wood. Every year, the wooden floor was recovered with fresh sand brought in from Lumberton. Children could go to the pool and entertain themselves all day. There were swings in the water, a cable line ride, and a large float, which was a surplus section of a float-

Primrose (continued from page 1)

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against the project during the Monday, April 11, public hearing.

“I’m certainly not against daycare facilities,” Jack Dailey said. “I think there’s a great need for them, but I think this particular property is not the right location for this given the restrictions at Ames Street.”

Dailey, who lives directly across from what would be the daycare’s driveway, believes North Ames Street is just too small to handle the kind of traffic the project will generate. He and his neighbors have grown accustomed to seeing large trucks cut corners and pizza delivery drivers speed on the narrow road.

Cecil Sumners, who lives nearby, said most of the Primrose School franchises in the Charlotte area are located in strip malls.

He didn’t know of any in residential areas.

“Ames is not ready for something like this,” Sumners said. “There’s too much traffic already. We need to address this before we let something like this go in.”

Carmichael contends the site won’t remain undeveloped forever and that any use is going to generate traffic. This project ensures a diversity of uses, helping make the community more sustainable, he said.

Town staff anticipates the tax value from

ing bridge used by the Army in World War II. When the sun went down, the jukebox turned on and teenagers came ready to dance. Sustar’s Pool was a big entertainment attraction, not only for Matthews, but the entire area.

Barnum, with his white beard and mustache, was a colorful figure in Matthews. Often referred to as Santa Claus, he carried a pocketful of pecans from the trees in his backyard, giving them to children. Barnum died March 13, 1951, at 89 years old. The Neal Family continued to operate the pool until 1999. In the early 2000s, the pool property became part of the townhome development behind Walgreen’s, at the corner of Matthews Township Parkway and Sam Newell Road.

Visit the Matthews Heritage Museum, located at 232 N. Trade St, to see the pool exhibit and hear recorded stories.

The Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Email historic Matthews photos to info@ matthewsheritagemuseum.org.

Photo courtesy of Matthews Heritage Museum

the property to increase from $621 to $5,780 if developed with a daycare.

Town commissioners had their qualms about the project.

Commissioner John Urban, an architect, described the project elevations as boring.

He encouraged the developer to think of incorporating more of a urban design into the concept.

Urban also compared a proposed fourfoot fence along the front of North Ames Street and Park Center Drive to something out of 1313 Mockingbird Lane – a reference to the creepy 1960s television show, “The Munsters.”

The town board also had concerns about neighbors being disturbed by slamming car doors as early as 6 a.m. and how many vehicles could queue in the parking lot during drop-offs and pick-ups.

The developer also sought approval to build up to 20,000 square feet of office space in the event a child daycare center doesn’t get built at the site.

Commissioners were not only concerned this would weaken their ability to influence the project, but also Urban and Chris Melton said they didn’t want to get stuck with another single-story office building in downtown.

The planning board will review the request April 26. Town commissioners will consider approval May 9.

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Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly | April 15, 2016 | Page 5

Bright Blessings host shower to benefit babies, mothers in need Staff Report

MATTHEWS – Volunteers from the community came together April 10 to hold a “baby shower� and open house to benefit homeless mothers and children in need through Matthewsbased nonprofit Bright Blessings.

The family-friendly open house included tours of The Giving Village, service projects, refreshments and cake, raffle prizes and music by K-LOVE. The shower helped educate attendees on the increasing number of babies in the community being born into homelessness; Bright Blessings has seen an increase in its baby program by 30 percent in the last year, which equates to nearly 400 additional babies. The shower also served as an opportunity to help provide these babies with a healthy start to life through donations of critical care items. Guests helped fill “Blessing Baskets� with baby essentials including diapers, receiving blankets, lotion and bottles. “So many little ones across our community are starting life in poverty and homelessness, and our goal is to help make sure that each precious child is blessed with the care and support they need,� said Cindy Mueller, coordinator for the Bless-aBaby program. “Not only does this program provide much-needed support for needy babies, but it also gives hope to new mothers, and we want them to know that there is love and light even in the midst of dark times.�

Contact Heather Williams at 704-497-0056 or visit www.brightblessingsusa.org for more information.

Photos courtesy of Heather Williams

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Page 6 | April 15, 2016 | Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

The Weekly

PO 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 Rev. Tony Marciano

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

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.

HomeStyles A

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Matthews Rotary Club to hold annual spaghetti fundraiser MATTHEWS – Matthews Rotary Club will hold its seventh annual Spaghetti Dinner and raffle drawing April 29, a Friday, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Levine Senior Center, located at 1050 Devore Lane.

Tickets cost $10 for dine in and carry out, and include spaghetti with choice of sauce, Caesar salad, Texas Roadhouse yeast rolls, dessert and a drink. Tickets for dinner and the raffle are available through local Rotarians, and will be offered at the door. Raffle prizes include restaurant gift cards, sporting goods, home and garden supplies. The final draw for the night will feature a Sharp 55-inch Class AQUOS 4K Ultra HD Smart TV. Raffle tickets cost $10 each.

Live entertainment will feature singer and dueling pianist Jennifer Siebenaler.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the local and international mission of the Matthews Rotary Club. Designated 2016 beneficiaries include: Matthews Free Medical Clinic, Christ Our Shepherd Kids, Inner Wheel, Matthews Help Center and Covenant Day School.

The Rotary Club meets for lunch and fellowships Mondays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Levine Senior Center.

Mint Hill to hold ‘Shred It’ event MINT HILL – Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce and Mint Hill Police Department will hold a free community Shred It event on Saturday, April 16, from 9 a.m. to noon at Mint Hill Town Hall, located at 4430 Mint Hill Village.

Guests are limited to five standard-size bank boxes.

Advertising: kelly@cmgweekly.com

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News Briefs

R Y

& Specialty Shops

Girls Night Out

Matthews Community Farmers’ Market returns this weekend MATTHEWS – Matthews Community Farmers' Market will hold its Spring Opening Day

Join us for an evening of new Spring fashion, appetizers, wine tastings, prizes and special sales throughout the store!

Fifty Unique Thursday, April 21, 2016 • 5:00pm - 8:00pm Boutiques Under HomeStyles Gallery 4-573-1510 One Roof!

11237 Lawyers Rd. •ex70 it 47 off I-485 Downtown Mint Hill

Boutique Clothing • Jewelry • Fashion Accessories • Monogramming Furniture • Christian Gifts • Home Furnishings • Garden Flags Baby & Children’s Specialty • Linda’s Children’s Shoppe, formerly of Matthews

on Saturday, April 16, from 8 a.m. to noon.

Opening Day will feature local spring produce, mushrooms, naturally raised meat and poultry, herbs, flowers, honey, cheese, sweets and more.

Luca Annunziata, chef and owner of Passion8 restaurant, will perform a cooking demonstration using what farmers have brought to market at 9 a.m. Live music will be provided by singer songwriter Brian Howard. The event will be held rain or shine. No dogs are allowed.

Visit www.matthewsfarmersmarket.com for more information.

in Mecklenburg County. Document shredding will be available and Goodwill Services will be on site for donation drop-offs. The celebration also will include food vendors, live music and items for raffle.

Email Debbie Foster at fostdebbie@gmail. com for more information.

Send news briefs to hannah@cmgweekly.com

The Weekly

Restaurant Scores The Mecklenburg County Health Department inspected the following restaurants from April 4 to 10.

Matthews to hold Earth Day Celebration with HAWK April 23 MATTHEWS – The town will partner with Habitat and Wildlife Keepers (HAWK) to celebrate the 46th annual Earth Day on April 23, a Saturday. The day will be dedicated to learning how to improve the environment around the town in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Celebrations will take place at Stumptown Park, located at 120 S. Trade St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Various exhibits from wildlife, animal and environmental groups will be displayed.

Visitors also are encouraged to participate in “HAWKcycling” by bringing aluminum pull tabs, corks, egg cartons, printer cartridges, cellphones and eyeglasses to recycle.

Matthews Police Department also will have a drop off site for unused and expired medications, along with information about CharMeck Alerts, a free notification service for both emergencies and non-emergencies

Lowest Score: • C Town Express Restaurant, 7012 Albemarle Road, 28227 – 92 Violations included: No certified food protection manager on site; employee coffee on cutting board of slip top unit and screw top lid soda on preparation counter; raw shell eggs stored above cooked beef in reach-in cooler; multiple foods at improper temperatures; and build-up of crumbs and food debris in gaskets of low preparation cooler.

All Scores: 28105 • IHOP, 9253 E. Independence Blvd. – 95.5 • La Cancha Restaurant, 11329 E. Independence Blvd. – 97 • Oishi Café, 4709 Margaret Wallace Road, suite 108 – 93.5 28227 • Big Al’s Pub & Grubberia, 9306 Albemarle Road – 97 • C Town Express Restaurant, 7012 Albemarle Road – 92 • Daphne’s Bakery, 7609 Matthew-Mint Hill Road – 99.5

Abundant Life Church dedicates new building Staff Report

MATTHEWS – Abundant Life Church celebrated the dedication of its new church building on Sunday, April 10, with a special service and ribbon cutting ceremony.

The church is located at 3321 MatthewsMint Hill Road.

www.matthewsminthillweekly.com

Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly | April 15, 2016 | Page 7

The Weaver, Bennett & Bland, P.A.

Business Briefs

Publix customers give back CHARLOTTE – Publix Super Markets will distribute more than $261,000 to nonprofits in the Carolinas and $3.73 million to nonprofits across its southeastern footprint through its Food For All 2015 fundraiser.

The annual campaign distributes money to support programs that fight hunger and advocate for self-sufficiency. The campaign funded more than 175 charities across the Southeast this year.

Customers and associates contributed by buying $1, $3, or $5 coupons Dec. 3 to 24, 2015, that were scanned during checkout.

Publix has stores in the McKee Farms Shopping Center at 3110 Fincher Farm Road and Mint Hill Commons at 6828 Matthews-Mint Hill Road.

Fit to Fight named champion CHARLOTTE – Fit to Fight LLC was one of 103 winners of The American Small Business Championship hosted by SCORE and sponsored by Sam’s Club.

Fit to Fight began offering free Active Shooter Defense classes to the public after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December 2012. The firm has trained hundreds of people how to survive an active shooter event.

Champions will each receive a $1,000 Sam's Club gift card, an all-expense-paid trip to a regional training event, SCORE mentoring for one year and publicity throughout the year.

It’s eligible to receive a grand prize of $25,000.

The company is located at 9129 Monroe Road.

MoRA promotes Monroe Road MATTHEWS – As residents huddled around maps April 5 looking at options for the LYNX Silver Line, Dean Brodhag walked around Matthews Town Hall handing out fliers on behalf of the Monroe Road Advocates.

The grassroots group, dubbed MoRA, advocates for the rebirth of the Monroe Road corridor.

“We’re just trying to get people aware and to meetings like this,” Brodhag said.

Group activities include organizing community improvement projects, hosting entertainmentbased events and collaborating on public art installations.

Visit www.moraclt.org to learn more.

Pizza joint hosts business leaders MATTHEWS – Mario’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant and John’s Place are opening their doors to the Matthews Chamber of Commerce for the organization’s Business After Hours networking event.

John and Martha Fisichello own both restaurants. They brought Marco’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant to its current location in February 2015 after several years in Charlotte. John’s Place is designed to be a more mature environment.

The chamber networking event takes place April 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the restaurant, located at 2945 Matthews-Weddington Road. Chamber members are encouraged to register by calling 704-847-3649 or www.matthewschamber.org.

Learn more about the restaurants at www.eatmariospizza.com.

FirstLight under new ownership MATTHEWS – FirstLight HomeCare of Charlotte is under new ownership.

Ken and Mary Ellen Fleming, of Charlotte, acquired the in-home care business, which offers a companion and personal care services to Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Rowan and Union counties.

The FirstLight HomeCare office is located at 1135 Four Lakes Drive. It serves area seniors, new mothers, those recovering from surgery and other adults in need of assistance.

FirstLight caregivers are available to help with many needs – from personal hygiene and household duties such as cooking, cleaning and running errands, to mobility assistance and dementia care.

Visit www.Charlotte.FirstLightHomeCare.com for details.

County jobless rates ticks up RALEIGH – Mecklenburg County’s unemployment rate increased slightly from 5.2 percent in January to 5.3 percent in February, according to stats from the N.C. Department of Commerce.

Some 30,025 of Mecklenburg County’s 571,082 workforce were out of work in February. The 5.3 percent rate was the same as February 2015.

The unemployment rate decreased in 32 counties and increased in 30.

New firms form in county Registered agents filed the following corporations with the N.C. Secretary of State from April 1 to 7: Matthews • Carolina Cabling Solutions LLC – Jason Wiskow, 131 Dunraven Court.

• Catoe Heating and Cooling Inc. – Bill Knight, 4017 Weddington Road.

• Central Management Services Inc. – A. Simmons, 7900 Stevens Mill Road, suite 185 D. • Comexi North America Inc. – Thomas Cusack, 4006 Camrose Crossing Lane.

• Global Signature Services Agency LLC – Jeffrey Kahl, 1121 Yarrow Road.

• h1binvestments LLC – Narsing Padma, 9939 Karras Commons Way. • Innovative Building Services LLC – Ricardo Torres, 817 Park Center Drive, apt 204.

• JRRRV LLC – F. Weaver, 196 North Trade St. • Little Angels Development Center LLC – Anemone Ndanu, 3659 Melrose Cottage Drive.

• Matthews Medical Properties LLC – Eugene Sangmuah, 101 East Matthews St., suite 200.

• Neo Builder Inc. – Suk Chang, 3409 Weddington Road.

• Pop the Top Craft Beer Shop LLC – Ketan Patel, 1718 Cross Point Road.

• Ultimate Property Solutions LLC – F. Weaver, 196 North Trade St. Mint Hill • Ants Enterprises LLC – Danielle Williams, 5704 Copper Creek Court, apt. 5.

• Duarte Cleaning Services Inc. – Soraia de Menezez, 4807 Stoney Trace, apt F. • Fathers House People Inc. – Yuliya Tishin, 8600 Crown Crescent Court.

• G&F Painting Services LLC – Delmis Rivas, 5653 Ebley Lane.

• MT Commercial Maintenance LLC – Michel Thonissen, 14915 Oregon Oak Court.

• Paradise Shaved Ice LLC – Joanne Mellichamp, 8217 Willhill Road.

• Tacos El Regio Corp. – Jesus Cruz, 8829 East W.T. Harris Blvd., suite 108.

Getting Separated or Divorced?

Talk to Your Estate Planning Attorney, too.

by Eran L. Weaver Contributor

While a separation agreement or equitable distribution order can help untangle your assets from your ex-spouse’s, a review of your assets, agreement or order, and estate planning documents with an estate planning attorney can help ensure how your assets are handled or disposed of, if you become incapacitated or die during the separation proceeding or after divorce. The following isn’t a complete list of what you should review with an estate planning attorney; however, it’s a good start: • Your separation agreement or equitable distribution order: These documents will inform the attorney of a division of assets that has taken place or which need to be accomplished.

• Previously signed estate planning documents: If you named your former spouse as a fiduciary (e.g., executor, trustee, health care agent, attorney-in-fact, etc.) or beneficiary, provide copies of those documents to your attorney for review. For example, the separation agreement or court orders may not revoke your former spouse as the named attorney-in-fact in your financial power of attorney.

• Assets which have beneficiary designations: Make sure you change your designations.

Unfortunately, for qualified retirement plans such as a 401(k), you can’t change the beneficiary designation from your ex-spouse without a qualified domestic relations order (“QDRO”), or a consent document signed by your ex-spouse.

• Lists of assets and debts: Separate lists for

yours and your ex-spouse’s. Often, you and your ex-spouse have become jointly and separately liable on debts (e.g., mortgage), and court orders and/or separation agreements rarely change your liability on those debts; although they may require attempts to refinance the debts.

• Guardianship of minor children: Try to come to an agreement with your ex-spouse regarding who will be the guardian of your children if something happens to you both, to avoid argument between your and your ex-spouse’s families.

• List of primary and secondary fiduciaries: Decide who will handle your health and financial decisions (during your lifetime and after) for you and your beneficiaries. You may need a personal representative for your estate, trustee for any trust, guardian for any minor children, health care agent under a health care power of attorney, and attorney-in-fact under a financial power of attorney.

It’s important to seek an experienced attorney for legal advice regarding updating your estate plan while you’re handling your separation and/ or divorce.

Eran L. Weaver is an estate planning, estate administration and business attorney at Weaver, Bennett & Bland, P.A. Contact Eran 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 attorneyclient relationship between the reader and Eran L. Weaver or the law firm of Weaver, Bennett & Bland, P.A.

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Page 8 | April 15, 2016 | Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

Education

www.matthewsminthillweekly.com

CMS guidelines draft retains neighborhood schools

by Courtney Schultz courtney@cmgweekly.com

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools parents can rejoice as district staff released a draft of the guiding principles for student assignment that both retain home schools and alleviate concentrations of poverty.

“We are talking about the ‘what’ and not the ‘how,’” Board of Education Chair Mary McCray told the full board on April 12 before Superintendent Ann Clark read the drafted guidelines.

Earlier in the meeting, speakers from both sides of the controversial topic – those pushing for home schools, designated by green shirts, and those urging for greater equality along socioeconomic lines, who wore orange shirts – plead their cases during public comment.

“There is no such thing as a neighborhood that owns a school. These are public schools. We all own these schools,” said Laura McCormack, an 11th-grade English teacher at Garinger High School.

One speaker simply asked the board to bring “clarity” and “leadership” to the issue. He received his answer with a policy that McCray hopes brings the green and orange shirts together.

Clark said the guidelines create guardrails for staff – and a possible consultant – that provide “healthy tensions” between area concerns.

The drafted guidelines establish a home schools policy that considers facility capacity, travel distance, keeping neighborhoods attending the same school, population density and keeping feeder patterns.

The drafted guidelines also include a provision regarding “ensuring equitable access to highquality schools” that would establish a priority in school options lotteries and transfers processes for children in chronically low-performing schools, and would implement partial magnet, targeted turnaround program and specialized academic options in underperforming schools.

The guidelines also include provisions regarding school option and “operational efficiency,” which reflects the district’s increasing capital needs.

The guidelines urge that the board will ensure “every home school is a high quality and viable school choice.”

“There is a lot of talking and this document shows that there has been a lot of listening,” said BOE member Rhonda Lennon. “Everything that was said tonight (during public comment) is reflected in this document.”

Multiple members commended that the document effectively reflected the public’s request and captures the diverse point of views.

District 5 member Eric Davis encouraged the “orange and green shirts” to start coming together and engaging in conversations.

He said he wanted to help his district understand what it’s like to live in other districts.

The board’s next step is a public hearing of the drafted principles, which will take place April 20, a Wednesday, at 6 p.m. in the board chambers.

The board plans to vote on the principles at its April 26 regular meeting.

Superintendent pushes for $22.9M increase from county

by Courtney Schultz courtney@cmgweekly.com

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Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Ann Clark and staff presented a proposed $1.47-billion 2016-17 budget at the school board’s April 12 meeting, a 2.1 percent increase from the 2015-16 budget.

The proposed budget included $1.37 billion allocated to operating costs, as well as a recommended $425.1 million county appropriation – a $22.9-million increase from last year.

“This budget request focuses on strengthening our core operations," Clark said. “As a large and growing district, CMS must strategically invest in the people, facilities and operations services that are the foundation of a high quality education for all students.”

District staff pointed to increased needs in operation from increasing student enrollment of an estimated 504 more students; increased operating costs; benefits cost increases; increased charter pass-through costs; greater capital needs and a potential teacher salary increase.

Clark said the $22.9-million increase is mostly from the charter school pass-through and the anticipated salary increase, tallying about $17.3 million. She explained some of CMS’s teachers are paid through county funding, so the district doesn’t want any discrepancies between state- and county-paid teachers.

At-large BOE member Elyse Dashew said she heard Gov. Pat McCrory is urging for a 10-per-

cent teacher salary increase, rather than the 3-percent increase laid out in the proposed budget.

Clark explained staff included a 3-percent salary increase for all CMS employees, not only teachers.

The remaining $5.3-million of the increase would go toward school resource officer contract increases; local supplements for teacher for firstgrade classroom reduction; an increased transportation plan for magnet programs; benefits cost increases; additional staff and facility operating costs; and expenses to support the estimated population increase.

Staff also pointed out the recommended operating budget increase from the county to fund two “critical” funding needs – an immediate $22.9 million operating need to cover rising costs and an immediate $805 million for capital needs to expand choice options and relieve overcrowding.

Clark also noted the county’s per-pupil funding, which is $16 lower than it was in 2009.

Mecklenburg County continues to rank the highest in property taxes collected across the state, but is ranked eighth in percentage of total county expenditures going to schools. Most the CMS per-pupil funding growth is from federal funding – its least flexible source.

The board will move forward with the budget process with community meetings on the budget on April 25, 27 and 28, as well as a public hearing of the budget at its April 26 meeting.

The board plans to vote on the 2016-17 budget request at its May 10 meeting.

www.matthewsminthillweekly.com

Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly | April 15, 2016 | Page 9

Education

Board of Ed meets with search firms, decision to come

by Courtney Schultz

courtney@cmgweekly.com

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board will soon select a firm to facilitate its superintendent search, after meeting with four finalists during a work session April 12.

Chairperson Mary McCray said the board would announce its decision after the board’s attorney finalized a contract.

The board received RFIs from about 10 firms looking to conduct the search that were narrowed down to four by the superintendent search committee, comprised of committee chair Rhonda Lennon, Elyse Dashew and Thelma Byers-Bailey.

North Carolina School Board Association

All N.C. school boards are part of the NCSBA, but Allison Schafer, the director of policy/legal counsel, and her staff take on superintendent searches across the state.

The search firm currently is conducting about seven other searches, including neighboring Union County, and believes their legal background could help CMS manage the search.

Although NCSBA would not serve as the CMS board’s counsel, they believe their familiarity with state laws and background checking laws could help the search process.

Schafer laid out a multi-step plan that included advertising across the nation; gathering stakeholder input through surveys and forums; an ap-

plication sorting procedure; an interview process; background checks and finalist processes.

She said NCSBA schedules and staffs the interviews, but does not sit in on the interviews to allow the board to make its choice and opinions without outside input.

NCSBA said they work with the board to develop specific surveys for both community members and school staff, as well as filters the candidate applications into an “experience chart.” They didn’t encourage personality tests, but would administer them if asked.

She also offered services after the search was complete with training and policy expectations.

Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates

HYA boasts it’s the “nation’s largest education executive search firm” based in Illinois, with a history of superintendent search firms for large districts.

Ted Blaesing, a HYA senior associate, and a fellow associate would lead the search and looks to establish a timeline and confidentiality standards from the start.

Lennon said confidentiality was an issue with the last search, when members met superintendent finalists at an airport meeting room, but said members of the media purchased airline tickets to discover who they were.

Bill Adams, east coast regional president with ECRA Group, HYA’s parent company, said they could create multiple meeting locations for finalists, as well as engage in Skype interviews to increase confidentiality.

Adams also said the board can determine the level of confidentiality and could make the finalist public.

HYA doesn’t offer superintendent training programs, so they aren’t connected with any candidates. They don’t take any fees, and use community surveys and board input to create a leadership profile. Personality tests are utilized if requested.

HYA also said they spend at least one hour with each candidate before presenting semi-finalists to the board, Adams said.

Blaesing added HYA boasts retaining frequent communication with candidates to establish appropriate relations and reputations of the firm and the school board.

HYA also will repeat the search if the candidate leaves within the first year.

McPherson Jacobson

MJ owner and CEO Thomas Jacobson, a former superintendent, said he’s conducted multiple urban superintendent searches, including Las Vegas, Orlando and Wake County.

MJ offers its search for $34,500, which includes a public input process at the beginning and end of the search process; application, advertising and promotional brochure development; vetting processes and interview procedures; reference checks; and post-selection services.

Jacobson said he prides MJ’s vetting process, which often engages in tertiary references looking for consistency in answers. MJ also will work

with board based on the level of confidentiality.

The public engagement piece will include MJ meeting with stakeholders to develop a leadership profile and a representative group of stakeholders with finalists to provide input.

MJ also boasts services to come back and work with the district for one year to help set goals and markers for achieving those goals.

They also offer a two-year guarantee, which would only include expenses.

Coleman Lew

Charlotte-based CL brings a stark contrast to the other contenders, as it’s an executive firm not strictly involved in the education sector.

President Ken Carrick said he saw their corporate clients holding the firm to higher standards than the education sector, so he sought to provide a rigorous process to superintendent searches.

“We have to understand what you want – we’re not the decision makers, but the partner in the process,” Carrick said.

However, Coleman is highly involved in the advisory process throughout coaching and preparation. Carrick said the firm will engage in some of interview processes and advise which candidates are closest to the board’s profile.

Carrick said CL utilizes proactive recruiting and sources to find candidates, but they’re persistent with candidates they find fits the board’s criteria.

Shannon Plott, CL managing director, said the firm’s location is an advantage as they won’t set maximum visit and have greater accessibility.

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Page 10 | April 15, 2016 | Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

Faith

I’m Tony, I’m codependent; and everyone said, “Hi Tony”

by Tony Marciano tonym@charlotterescuemission.org

One of the most incredible privileges I have as executive director of Charlotte Rescue Mission is attending alumni meetings of our graduates. Let me pause and explain who our graduates are.

Every man and woman who enters Charlotte Rescue Mission – either our Rebound men’s or Dove’s Nest women’s program – come to us because of an addiction to drugs and alcohol. They lost their jobs, their family and their children. We provide them with a free, Christian, comprehensive residential substance abuse recovery program. Ultimately, we want them to graduate, become gainfully employed and have a place of their own. Enough explaining – let me get back to the story.

At our Rebound men’s alumni event, George led the program. He is a graduate who comes back regularly to encourage the men at the Mission. He once sat in the same seat they occupy. Prior to the Mission, his family disowned him. Today, he is reconnected to his daughter.

Our women’s Dove’s Nest alumni event is a “hoot.” It is almost 100 women who graduated from the Mission. The energy in the room is electric. The woman who leads it is a graduate. Today, she has well over five years sobriety. I listened to women

share their stories of how their lives had crashed and burned. They lost custody of their children. They lost jobs. They couldn’t stop abusing drugs until they came to the Mission. One woman talked about her 20-year Rev. Tony Marciano journey of abusing drugs and was finally clean and sober.

When she finished, all the women in the room shouted for joy, celebrating that she had finally “got it together.”

Then the leader of the program said, “Tony, c’mon up and tell your story.”

I walked to the podium. The room was silent. Would I reiterate one of my workshops I taught every one of them? Would I encourage them? Or would I be honest about my own journey? I could almost hear God say, “Be real.”

I looked at the crowd and said, “My name is Tony and I’m codependent.” They all said, “Hi Tony.” I went on to tell my story. The most I had in high school was two beers on one senior night. I never smoked pot. I never drank or did drugs in college. Yet, I understand their story.

While I didn’t grow up in an alcoholic fam-

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ily, I grew up in a rageaholic family. My father could verbally assault a waitress leaving her in a puddle of tears. They grew up in similar homes.

I went on to say how it affected my life.

I became a people pleaser. I desperately needed approval and affirmation. I had a hard time finishing projects I started. I could be very impulsive. These are all the characteristics of an alcoholic. Even though I never abused alcohol, I resonated with everyone in the room.

I finished my story explaining that, for more 20 years, God has been doing a work of grace in my heart and life, transforming me from the inside out. I’m not where I used to be, but I’m not where I want to be either. It’s been a fantastic journey of transformation where God has walked with me the entire time.

I’ve learned I only need God’s approval, not others. It’s OK to be honest. It’s OK to say, “I’m not perfect.” It’s OK to say I’m an unfinished work in progress. It’s OK to know that God isn’t finished with me yet.

It’s OK to be real.

If you’d ever like to attend an alumni event, call me. I’ll have you come as my guest. Your life will never be the same.

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

The Weekly

Faith Briefs

First Baptist Matthews Church to hold ‘Free Shopping Day’ MATTHEWS – The Closet Ministry of First Baptist Church Matthews will hold a Free Shopping Day on April 23, a Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 185 S. Trade St. The Closet, whose mission is based on Acts 20:35, will offer free clothing to anyone facing economic crisis. Shoppers will receive a “Closet Card/ Dollars” upon arrival for each family member to spend, while supplies last. Parking and entrance to the event is located in the back parking lot and building of the church. Contact 980-307-1506 for more information.

Philadelphia Presbyterian Church to publish cookbook MINT HILL – The women of Philadelphia Presbyterian Church plan to publish a cookbook this summer and request submissions from community members. All types of recipes are needed, including: traditional, Paleo, gluten free, vegetarian and specialty recipes.

The church hopes to receive recipes from women, men and children. Deadline for submission is June 1. Email recipes to Patti Nofsinger at pnofsinger@carolina.rr.com, or drop them by the church office, located at 11501 Bain School Road.

Cookbooks will be for sale by Sept. 15.

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The Weekly

Calendar April

14 Tap Takeover

16 Children’s Theater

The Matthews Playhouse School of Theatre presents “The Tempest,” a William Shakespeare tale of how the Duke of Milan tries to elevate his daughter to royalty. Tickets cost $9-$10. The play also occurs 2 p.m.

April 17. Go to www.matthewsplayhouse.com or call 704-846-8343.

7:30 p.m. 100 McDowell St. E., Matthews

Suite Nectar Salons donates a portion of proceeds to Safe Alliance, a nonprofit that helps victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Visit www.suitenectarsalons.com for details.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 7928 Council Place, suite 106, Matthews

15

19

Food trucks pull into downtown to tickle taste buds with culinary delights. Celebrate the town’s popular food truck program by sticking around to listen to acoustic music.

Pets and alcohol are prohibited. The series continues Fridays through Sept. 30.

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

15 Children’s Theater

The Matthews Playhouse School of Theatre presents “Pirates Penzange,” a comedy about an orphan on the fast-track to being a superior pirate. Tickets cost $9 to $10. The play also occurs 2 p.m. April 16. Go to www.matthewsplayhouse.com or call 704846-8343.

7:30 p.m. 100 McDowell St. E., Matthews

16 Spring Farmers’ Market

The Matthews Community Farmers’ Market launches its 25th spring season. Stock up on locally grown or produced foods. Call 704-821-6430 or go to www.matthewsfarm ersmarket.com for more information.

8 to noon; 188 N. Trade St., Matthews

16 Shred Event

The Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce and Mint Hill Police Department are sponsoring a free community shred event. Go to www.minthillchamberofcommerce.com for details.

9 a.m. to noon at Mint Hill Town Hall, 4430 Mint Hill Village Lane

16

Lacrosse Clinic

Carolina Crush Lacrosse offers a beginners clinic for girls in second through eighth grades Saturdays, April 16 to May 7.

Equipment will be available for use. Sessions cost $10. On-site registration is available. Call Sandy Barnett at 704-491-9897 or visit www. carolinacrushlacrosse.com for details.

10 a.m. to noon; 6335 Wilson Grove Road, Charlotte

16 Egg Drop

Teenagers participate in the Egg Drop Challenge, which involves dropping an egg to the ground and trying to prevent it from cracking upon impact. Students employing the best designs will advance to an egg drop April 20 at ImaginOn. Register in advance. Go to www.cmlibrary.org or call 704416-5000 for details.

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

6th Annual

Spring Bazaar Saturday, May 7th

9:00 AM—3:00 PM 6i ` ÀÃÊUÊ > iÊ-> iÊ Ê-> iÊUÊ >Ã iÌÊ,>vyiÃ

17 Mini Makeover Day

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

Food Truck Fridays

Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly | April 15, 2016 | Page 11

Everyone Welcome!

Levine Senior Center

1050 DeVore Lane, Matthews • 704-846-4654

Coffee with a Cop

The Matthews Police Department invites the community to discuss safety issues over coffee.

2:30 to 3 p.m.; Publix, 3110 Fincher Farm Road, Matthews

19 Ribbon Cutting

The Matthews Chamber of Commerce helps Good Life Chiropractic PA celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

5 to 6 p.m. 855 Sam Newell Road, suite 202, Matthews

19 Open Mic

Are you a singer/songwriter in need of getting your words off the page and onto the stage? Shannon Lee hosts Shannon’s Jam Open Mic Tuesdays at Moochie’s Tavern. All genres are welcome.

7 p.m.; Moochie’s Tavern, 15060 Idlewild Road, Matthews

10th annual

19 Ladies Night at the Y

Personal trainers, nutritionists and health vendors will share with women what the YMCA has to offer. Call 704-716-4200 for details about the free event.

6 to 7:30 p.m.; Siskey Family YMCA, 3127 Weddington Road, Matthews

20 Car Seat Check

The Matthews Police Department and Safekids of Charlotte-Mecklenburg will make sure child car seats are secure within vehicles. Get valuable safety tips at this drivein clinic. Call 704-847-4069 for details.

8 to 11:30 a.m.; 1201 Crews Road, Matthews

21 Girl’s Night Out

Girl’s Night Out offers hors d’oeuvres and wine as shoppers look for Spring fashions, home and garden furnishings, and unique gifts. There will be special sales throughout the store and hourly prize giveaways. Members of Bright Blessings will collect baby items for their “Bless-A-Baby” program. Call 704-573-1510 or visit www.brightblessingsusa.org for details.

5 to 8 p.m.; HomeStyles Gallery, 11237 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill

22 Food Truck Fridays

Food trucks pull into downtown to tickle taste buds with culinary delights. Celebrate the town’s popular food truck program by sticking around to listen to acoustic music.

Pets and alcohol are prohibited. The series continues Fridays through Sept. 30.

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

Saturday, April 23rd

10am-2pm

Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade Street



   

HAWKcycling: CFLs, aluminum pull tabs, corks, egg cartons, printer cartridges, cell phones/tablets, eyeglasses, sponsored by: Wildlife and animal exhibits Operation Medicine Drop and CharMeck Alerts – Matthews PD Food vendors, t-shirts, raffles Document shredder 11am-2 pm sponsored by:



Eco-friendly businesses, environmental groups, county services Live music, GB & ME, sponsored by:



Kids Corner, sponsored by:





Ranger Rick, National Wildlife Federation mascot, sponsored by:

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Page 12 | April 15, 2016 | Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

Sports

Independence girls’ soccer enjoying best season in years

by Ben Doster ben@cmgweekly.com

Independence girls’ soccer team hasn’t made the state playoffs in at least the better part of two decades, but the Patriots are well on their way to a postseason berth following a 9-4 (4-1 Southwestern 4A) start to the season.

Only eight games remain on the Patriots’ regular season schedule, which gives them plenty of time to bolster their resume. However, the road won’t be easy for this team, which is tied with Porter Ridge for second place in the conference, and is a game-and-a-half behind Myers Park in the league standings.

“I think there’s been tremendous improvement,” Independence coach Tyler Gibson said. “We’ve added some new players to a pretty solid core we had coming back from last year. I was a little worried about how we would come together and mesh.”

Gibson, who is in his fourth year with the program and second as the head coach, added Independence wants to compete for a conference championship, while making the playoffs is one of its major goals along with building a positive team culture.

“The culture has improved every week, and I think every week has been better than the last with this group of girls,” Gibson said. “I credit a lot of the success we’ve had to that.”

On a roster of 18 players, seniors are impor-

tant, and the Patriots have five them – Teysie Bonilla, Kiana Jasper, and captains Darrien Bruner, Reagan Dennis and Mariel Guns.

“The seniors have all been leaders, they’ve all stepped into their roles, and the girls know what needs to happen to be successful,” Gibson said. “This senior group they haven’t really had a lot of success in terms of wins and losses, but they kept buying into the process.

“This year we’ve coupled with having this group of older girls and this talent we’ve had come and that’s been coming in certainly over the years. It’s really starting to show this season.”

Junior goalie Annelise Kempka has been stellar this season, denying opponents shots

from going in and recording 109 saves. Guns compliments her at center back, as the anchor to Independence’s backline. This duo has made the Patriots quite suffocating on defense.

“She’s really stepped up big and made a lot of timely saves,” Gibson said. She’s stepped up when we needed her to in close games.

She (Guns) just dove right into it. There were no questions. She just accepted it. She’s been playing fantastic.”

Offensively, the Patriots are led by a strong influx of young talent. Freshman Annaliese Shelley (13 goals) and sophomore Kelsey Esquivel (11 goals) lead the attack. They’ve combined for half of the team’s goals.

Sophomore center mid Hope Hunter and freshman center mid Hannah McClain also have been solid thus far.

“They’ve grown up very quickly and played well,” Gibson said.

Bruner has provided leadership and experience in the middle, which has been vital to Independence’s success. She brings versatility to the lineup, because of her ability to play in the back, too.

The Patriots picked up two crucial league wins last week – a 3-0 win over Butler April 5 and 1-0 win over East Meck April 8.

“I think winning those games really showed the girls what they are capable of accomplishing this year,” Gibson said. “I think we’re really hitting our stride at a good time, and I think if we keep playing well we’re going to keep our team culture positive, making sure we focus on the little things at practice.

“We’re doing a good job at creating scoring opportunities. I think we created more opportunities this season than we have in the previous three seasons I’ve been a part of the program at Independence. (We’re) really just taking advantage of those chances of making sure we’re finishing those chances and making sure we have the strength to finish games.”

The most important thing Independence can do is to continue focus on finishing games and improving in that category, which it has come a long way in. The way that happens is to play a full 80 minutes, and not let up.

Southwestern 4A baseball turning into three-horse race

by Ben Doster ben@cmgweekly.com

The Southwestern 4A conference receives plenty of recognition on the football field, but the league is arguably just as impressive on the baseball diamond. It’s at least just as competitive in recent years with Butler, Independence and Myers Park vying for that top spot.

Currently, the Patriots (13-4, 6-1) sit in first place in the conference standings with a half-game advantage over the Mustangs (6-9, 5-1), who claim the head-to-head tiebreaker over Independence. The Bulldogs (11-5, 6-2), who sit in third place, won their first meeting with Myers Park, but fell to Independence before picking up a 12-6 loss to East Meck April 12.

“We’ve beaten each other,” Butler coach Rick Sambrotto said. “There’s no real dominant team I don’t think. Everybody’s got a pitcher that can beat the other guy.”

Independence coach Daniel Cooke thinks it’s going to come down to pitching for the Patriots. He likes where their defense is at, and believes if they can get those timely twoout hits to put runners in scoring position and bring them home, then it would make a significant difference in a positive way.

Senior Cooper Devine, who is Indepen-

dence’s No. 1 pitcher, has thrown at a high level. He pitched all seven innings in the win over Butler, yielding only one run.

With nine seniors in the fold experience and veteran leadership have played meaningful roles in Independence’s improvement from a year ago till now.

Independence had six one-run losses in 2015, which is why Cooke said last year's team would have found a way to lose this season's first meeting with Butler. The Patriots have gotten significantly better at finishing games, which is where their veteran experience has made the greatest impact.

Senior catcher/infielder Cole Faulk has been stellar behind the plate and in the three-hole as a hitter with a .430 batting average. Senior shortstop Justin Williams also is playing at a high level. Junior Noah Hais-

Photo courtesy of Pam Fandel

lip gives the Patriots another strong arm on the mound, as the team’s No. 2 pitcher. He also plays second base, and bats fourth in the lineup.

Junior third baseman Cooper Fandel is hitting the ball well, and senior Sam Kudeviz has played well at first base.

“They like each other,” Cooke said.

“They’re playing for each other a lot more than maybe years past. That’s helping a ton.”

Butler, on the other hand, is reeling. The Bulldogs have lost five of their last six games, but still remain in the mix for a shot at the league crown and is arguably through the toughest part of their schedule.

“I think we’ve just tried to reemphasize some things that you can’t take for granted against better teams,” Sambrotto said.

“Some of the mistakes that maybe we had made earlier in the season that might not have hurt us were going to hurt you, and better teams are going to take advantage of it.

“That will be what the playoffs are like.

Hopefully we can use that experience to get better by the time the playoffs come around.

We’re looking for some big hits when we need them to pick up some extra runs. Our pitching has been fine.”

Senior first baseman Luke Novak is playing at a high level for Butler. He is consistent on defensive, and does a nice job of finding ways to get on base when he’s at bat. Sophomore left fielder/catcher Johnny Hummel has emerged a key contributor, and has even seen action on the mound.

Butler seniors Kobe Phillips, a catcher/ shortstop; Brady Cottom, a center fielder; J.R. Darnell, a third baseman and Kameron Stinson, a pitcher also give the Bulldogs meaningful production.

Much baseball is left to be played for the Bulldogs, who appeared to be wounded, but don’t leave them for dead. Instead, expect them to fight out of the corner they’re in.

A conference title is a possibility, but Independence, Myers Park and the rest of the Southwestern 4A are going to make them fight for it.

www.matthewsminthillweekly.com

Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly | April 15, 2016 | Page 13

Sports

Covenant Day names Kapelar athletics director

Lions’ tennis upsets Country Day

by Ben Doster ben@cmgweekly.com

Covenant Day’s boys’ tennis team is off to a strong start, best seen in their defeat of perennial power Charlotte Country Day, 7-2, on April 11. “I think thus far this was a real high point in the season,� Covenant Day coach George Wolbers said. “I say ‘thus far,’ because there’s not a team on our schedule this season we don’t respect. “But I was most pleased overall with our serving and returning in doubles and our overall physical shape facing them only a day off in between contests with Latin, Cardinal Gibbons and Cary Academy.

This was a real test. The score doesn’t illustrate the war. We can only savor the victory for a moment, because there’s more ahead of us.�

Wolbers said Country Day is an excellent team, and the Buccaneers exhibited their toughness by forcing the Lions to extended sets and tiebreakers in five of the six singles.

Covenant Day senior Allan Lock picked up a ma-

by Ben Doster ben@cmgweekly.com

jor singles win, defeating Luke McClelland in two sets, 7-6 and 7-6. This was especially significant, because Lock had just lost to Cary Academy’s Alex Yang in two sets, 6-0 and 6-1, who McClelland beat. “That was huge for him individually and for our team believing in each other,� Wolbers said.

Senior Caleb Keaton, on the No. 6 line, needed three sets, but managed to beat Kent Carroll, 10-8, in the deciding set.

The Lions gave themselves quite a cushion by sweeping the three doubles matches, which alleviated pressure going into singles. That enabled them to play loose the rest of the way.

Covenant Day is arguably one of the hottest teams in the area after knocking off Country Day, following dominating wins over Cannon, Providence Day, Charlotte Latin and Cardinal Gibbons along with a narrow 5-4 loss to Cary Academy.

The Lions appear to be a contender for the CISAA title at the very least, and are a legitimate state championship contender. However, they will have their work cut out for them moving forward.

Covenant Day announced April 12 Sherry Kapelar will be the school’s next athletics director, marking the end of a nearly four-month long search to find a replacement for Mark Jones.

Jones, who served as the school’s athletics director 19 years, will step down in May, and Kapelar, who has been the athletics director St. David’s School in Raleigh since 2014, will start at Covenant Day July 1. “I’ve known Covenant Day for a long time,� Kapelar said. “I’ve known Mark Jones for a long time. I’ve watched Covenant Day. I’ve seen a lot of success there. I’m just excited to come in and be a part of it and to get to know a great community. “I'm excited to join Covenant Day in the first year of football. Friday evening football games are exciting for the school and community, so I'm happy to be part of building a football program that will have Friday games in a couple of years. Fielding football teams will help the entire athletic program in many ways so I look forward to seeing that growth.� Kapelar, a native of Charlotte and an Independence alum, played college basketball at Wingate, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting

Photo courtesy of George Wolbers

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before going to North Carolina for a master’s degree in recreation administration.

She joined the staff at Country Day in 1997, where she Sherry Kapelar worked for 17 years as the school’s assistant athletics director and associate athletics director later on. “I know the CISAA,� Kapelar said. “I know as much about that league as I know about the league I’m in right now. I’ve just been around it so much.

I’ve just been involved with it. It really is sort of a homecoming to come back to Charlotte.�

St. David’s, which competes at the N.C. Indepednent Schools Athletic Association 2A level, has won the Wells Fargo Cup five of the last six years. The school also added four new sports teams during her tenure in Raleigh.

Kapelar also served as the president of the GCMSAA (middle school athletics conference) from 2008 to 2014, and officiated women’s college basketball for nine seasons.

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Page 14 | April 15, 2016 | Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

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Compassion Church New Church Planning Focus I John 4:16 God is love Tired of Hateful Political Culture?

All races, religions, ages, socioeconomic levels, abilities & the disappointed - Welcome Planning meeting: Matthews Library Community Room – SATURDAY APRIL 16 – 10AM TO NOON Pastor Ann pastoranncompassionchurch@gmail.com

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Page 16 | April 15, 2016 | Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly

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Recreational Memberships Supporters: 131 Main (Restaurant) of Charlotte 803 Elizabeth Lane Bed & Breakfast AAA Car Care Abbey Rose Florist of Mint Hill Active Logix, LLC Applebee’s Avante Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation B J’s Warehouse Beantown Tavern of Matthews Best Tek Support Computer Company of Matthews Bob Lucas - All State Insurance Mint Hill Bonefish Grill Boston Market Brad Corriher - State Farm Insurance Mint Hill CMIT Solutions Candice Wood Photography Carolina Funeral and Cremation Center Carolina Underwriters of Matthews Carrabba’s Charlotte Eagles Soccer Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Cheuvront Clinic of Chiropractic and Sports Medicine Chili’s Choice Hotels, International Clear Creek Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Coca Cola Bottling Company Consolidated Collins Cleaners Commissioner Tina Ross Costco of Matthews Cottage Care House Cleaning Courtyard Marriott Hotel of Matthews Cynthia Richards-Donald & HF Financial, Certified Financial Planner D & M Products Daphne’s Bakery of Mint Hill Davies, Goldstein & Associates, CPA’s Deanne, Heckle and Hill Insurance Services Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Dilworth Coffee Dina Braun - Allen Tate Realtor Dog’s Day Out Donald Haack Diamonds & Fine Gems Dr. Stephen & Janice Ezzo Dry Clean City of Matthews E-Z Customs

Edward Jones Advisors - Joe Marano Edward Jones Investment - Dessi Dufresne Elevation Church Matthews Essential Therapy, LLC F&H Taxi (Union & Mecklenburg Counties) Family Martial Arts of Matthews Fifth Third Bank Firebirds Food Lion of Mint Hill Four Points Sheraton Hotels Fusion Salon of Matthews Harris Teeter of Mint Hill Healthcare Essentials Hibachi Grill & Buffet of Matthews Holiday Inn Express Hotels Home Depot Honest 1 Auto Care Huck’s Sportswear Idlewild Family Dentistry Jerry Rhyne Auto Repair Jimmie’s Restaurant of Mint Hill John Sullivan & State Farm Insurance Company of Matthews Joy Christian Fellowship Church King’s Jewelry of Matthews Lawyer’s Glen Nursing Home Long Horn of Matthews Lowe’s of Matthews MCT General Contractors Maid Pro of South Charlotte Malak Jewelers Mario’s of Matthews Mathers Realty Matthews Internal Medicine Matthews Playhouse Matthews United Methodist Church Matt’s Lawn Care of Matthews Meridian Senior Living Metrolina Nephrology Associates Military Officer’s Association of Charlotte Mint Hill Barbershop Mint Hill Police Department Moe’s Original Bar B.Q. of Matthews Moments by Donna Morningstar Lutheran Church Mount Harmony Baptist Church Mrs. Sally Bailey

Novant Hospital Matthews Novant Hospital Mint Hill Olde Sycamore Golf Club On The Border Mexican Grill Osborne Paper Products Outback Steakhouse of Matthews Panera Bread Papa John’s Pizza of Mint Hill Peniston Deason Attorneys Photo Vision, Inc. Piedmont Natural Gas Company Planet Ballroom & Dance of Matthews Publix Super Markets, Inc. Quality Inn & Suites Hotels Red Lobster of Matthews Red Rocks Café of Charlotte Regal Entertainment Group Renfrow Hardware of Matthews Rim Shop of Charlotte Rolyn Companies Disaster Recovery Sam’s Club Savvy Solutions Real Estate Scott-Clark Toyota SendOutCards.com Showmars of Mint Hill Simmons YMCA of Charlotte Simpson, Younce & Tedder CPA’s Siskey Family YMCA Sleep Inn of Matthews Standing Ovation Barbershop of Matthews Technocom Texas Roadhouse The Balance Body Center The Good Life Chiropractic The Matthews Women’s Service League The Matthews-Mint Hill Inner Wheels Club The Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce The Sales Office, Inc. The “G” Consulting Agency Town of Mint Hill Truliant Credit Union Unlimited Possibilities Vulcan Construction Materials Walking By Faith Community Church Weaver, Bennett and Bland Attorneys at Law Yadkin Bank

Blessed Assurance Adult Day and Health Care Services is a non-profit entity established 16 years ago by local residents to serve the day time needs of our community’s senior and disabled adult population. Through the joint efforts of local churches, businesses, civic groups and individuals; thousands of caregivers and their dependent loved ones have been empowered to live productive lives while managing the adverse effects of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Cerebral Palsy, Down’s Syndrome, ALS, Multiple Sclerosis, Diabetes, Dementia, Hypertension, Cardiac Irregularities and various other diseases of the elderly.

We thank the patrons above for supporting this year’s Charity Golf Tournament to benefit our community’s Disabled Veterans and Senior Adults at Blessed Assurance Adult Day and Health Care Services. If you want to support your community’s special needs population by playing in this tournament, sponsoring a golf hole or if you would like to contribute in some way, please contact Nate Huggins, CEO, at (704) 576-4754/(704) 845-1359. You can also donate and keep up with the mission and activities of Blessed Assurance Adult Day Care on Facebook, LinkedIn and the web at WWW.Blessedadultcare.Org.

Golf Memberships Full Family Memberships Executive Memberships Junior Memberships (ages 21-40)

Spring Promotion Call our Membership Director, Danielle Landers, to schedule your tour and see why Pine Lake is so special!

704-545-4513 5504 Lebanon Road, Charlotte NC 28227 www.pinelakecountryclub.com