MMHM Nov 2007

Matthews Mint Hill NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2007 • Volume 2/Issue 6 • ALSO Serving Weddington, Indian Trail AND stallings

Celebrate the Holidays in your Hometown A Victorian Christmas Matthews Holiday Haus Letters to Santa Seasonal Decorating And more!

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MAGAZINE

Contents Volume 2/Issue 6 • November/December 2007

BUSINESS (34)Avoid the Holiday Slump Chuck Mobley has some inspiration to keep your business on track

COMMUNITY (10)A Victorian Christmas Local organizations sponsor holiday events at the Reid House (16)Happenings Holiday season events fill the schedule for November and December (18)A Hometown Holiday Town of Matthews gets in the holiday spirit

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LEISURE (42)Angela’s Restaurant Authentic Italian fare, right here in southeastern Mecklenberg

(20)Word on the Street What’s on your holiday wish list?

(22)Dear Santa…

Matthews and Mint Hill postal officials field letters from kids to Mr. Claus

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MIND, BODY & SPIRIT (26)Forever Families Christian Adoption Services of Matthews brings children and parents together (30)Holiday Food Safety Tips to make your turkey and trimmings safe for your friends and family

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(38)Matthews Holiday Haus Downtown Matthews shop delivers holiday magic year-round

HOMESTYLES (46)Hearth and Home It’s time to light a fire, decorate a mantel, and revel in the delight of a warm fire ABOUT THE COVER Cover designed by Daniel Jordan.

Photo from Big Stock.

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Distribution Locations Matthews Area AlphaGraphics Beantown Tavern Best Western Carolinas Natural Health Center Charlotte EENT Dilworth Coffee – Matthews Grand Slam USA First Charlotte Fuddrucker’s Hampton Inn Jonathon’s Restaurant Kristopher’s Matthews Chamber of Commerce Matthews Childrens Clinic Matthews Community Center Matthews Library Matthews Recreation Center Matthews Presbyterian Hospital Monkey Joe’s Panera Bread Peak Fitness Picadeli’s PJ’s Restaurant Presbyterian Urgent Care Renfrow Hardware Showmars Siskey YMCA Sleep Inn SportClips Thai House Total Wine Township Grille Vinnie’s Raw Bar

UPS Store - Sycamore Commons Union Mail Stop

Stevens Mill, Idlewild Market Hoods Crossroads, Windsor Square, Sycamore Commons Bellacino’s Best China II Dick’s Sporting Goods Dilworth Coffee - Mint Hill Elliot’s BBQ Emerald Lake Levine Senior Center Pizza Spiga Outback Steakhouse Skinnyz The Divide SOHO Hero Suncom Wireless Store UPS Store - Stevens Mill

Indian Trail/Stallings American Community Bank Clara’s Choice for Herbs Extreme Ice Center Indian Trail Pharmacy Joe’s American Grill Trail’s End Restaurant Union Mail Stop

Mint Hill American Community Bank Big Guy’s Pizza Carolina Bagel Co. Cafe Charlotte Children’s Clinic Dr. Lawrence Sladek, DDS Hair-y Care-y Salon Jimmie’s Restaurant Lawyers Glen Retirement Home Mama’s Pizza Mini Mac Storage Mint Hill Family Practice Mint Hill Grill and Deli Mint Hill Library New Asian Cuisine Penny’s Place Rookies That’s Entertainment Seafarer Restaurant Showmars UPS Store - Mint Hill Pavilion Woof n’ Hoof Galleria/Sardis Rd.N. Monroe Rd, Arboretum Boardwalk Billy’s Cartridge World Camille’s Sidewalk Cafe Capt. Steve’s Seafood Greg’s BBQ Matthews Barber Shop

Weddington Covenant Coffee Papa’s Pizza-to-Go YMCA Satellite–Weddington UPS Store ADD YOUR BUSINESS! (704) 651-5020

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MAGAZINE

Volume 2, Issue 6 • November/December 2007 www.MatthewsMintHill.com (704) 846-0477, office • (704) 943-1506, fax PUBLISHER TODD WHITEHURST publisher@matthewsminthill.com

DIRECTOR OF MEDIA TECHNOLOGY DAVID DIPRIMA david@matthewsminthill.com

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR CYNTHIA CONROW

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS PAULA LESTER RICH LANGE SHARON MASON CHUCK MOBLEY DONNA WILLIAMS VANCE

GRAPHIC DESIGN ERIC HECHT DANIEL JORDAN

PHOTOGRAPHY RON DESHAIES DAVID DIPRIMA DANIEL JORDAN SHARON MASON ABBY WHITEHURST TODD WHITEHURST

carolina

MEDIA

publishing PRESIDENT TODD WHITEHURST publisher@matthewsminthill.com

GENERAL MANAGER ABBY WHITEHURST abby@matthewsminthill.com

ADVERTISING SALES TODD WHITEHURST publisher@matthewsminthill.com, (704) 651-5020

DISTRIBUTION MICHAEL WHITEHURST MATTHEWS-MINT HILL MAGAZINE is published by Carolina Media Publishing, LLC. 325 Matthews Mint Hill Road, Matthews, NC 28105 (704) 846-0477, office • (704) 943-1506, fax This publication copyright 2007 by Carolina Media Publishing, LLC. No part of this publication may be produced, in any form or by any means, without prior written permission of Carolina Media Publishing.

MATTHEWS-MINT HILL MAGAZINE cannot be held responsible for any unsolicited material.

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A

Victorian Christmas THE HISTORIC REID HOUSE GETS GUSSIED UP FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

By Paula Lester

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n 1890, Matthews businessman Edward Solomon Reid built one of the few Queen Anne-style houses in the area – what is today known as the Reid House at 134 John Street. The home was occupied by the Dr. Thomas Neely Reid family for almost 100 years, and the Matthews Historical Foundation took stewardship of it in 1987.

Though the Reid House offers us a glimpse of a Victorian Christmas, we can really only imagine what the holiday was like when the Reid House was new. We do know that the tree was central to the holiday–evergreens were a symbol of hope during the dark days of winter. In 1890, a few wealthy families might have selected their ornaments and decorations from a large store or a mail-order catalog. Others made ornaments from scraps of paper, ribbon and fabric. Greenery from the area – holly and mistletoe –was popular for decorating, as were oranges and apples, which often formed the centerpiece of the Christmas dining table.

F.W. Woolworth was largely responsible for the introduction of shiny glass ornaments imported from Germany. In 1880, he reluctantly tested the market with a $25 investment. The ornaments sold so rapidly he added them to all his Woolworth stores and Christmas decorating has never been the same. German glassblowers expanded their ornament output, and from the late 1880s to 1920s they made the figural glass ornaments that are highly valued collectibles today.

The family in 1890 would have lit their tree with small candles held onto the branches by metal clips. Because this was so dangerous, precautionary buckets of water were strategically placed near the tree. The first Westinghouse tree lights appeared in 1915, making it possible for American families to light their trees more safely.

Children in 1890 looked to Santa Claus for Christmas treats, hoping for an orange or handmade toy. The image of Santa Claus evolved from St. Nicholas, who was the inspiration for the gift-giving tradition brought to the United States in the 1600s by Dutch immigrants.

In 1822, Clement C. Moore added to the legend when he penned his poem “An Account of a Visit of St. Nicholas.” This is the same beloved poem we read year after year, only now it’s known as “The Night Before Christmas”. In the late 1800s, Thomas Nast began to portray Santa Clause as a jolly, rolypoly character instead of the thin, bearded St. Nicholas that had become familiar. In 1897,

Above and following page: The Matthews Women’s Club Service League hosts Victorian Christmas Teas at the Reid House. This year’s events are scheduled for November 29 and 30 and December 1 and 2.

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COMMUNITY

Victorian Christmas Teas and more: Holiday Events at the Reid House The Reid House is a whirlwind of activity at the holidays.

Starting at Thanksgiving, the Matthews Women’s Club Service League decorates the house, creating a pictureperfect setting for its popular fundraising events, the Victorian Christmas Teas. The teas will be held this year on November 29 and 30 and December 1 and 2. This year , the League will also host the Carriage House Boutique, with baked goods, holiday decorations and gifts.

eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote the New York Sun and asked the question “Is there really a Santa Claus?” She received a reply from the editor of the paper, firmly establishing the spirit of Santa Claus in the hearts of children everywhere.

This year will mark the 117th Christmas for the Reid House. Today it is used for community holiday events (see the box at top right.) But when the Reid family occupied the house, Christmas was a religious season highlighted by family gatherings. According to Margaret and Mary Louise Phillips, who have been Reid neighbors since the 1920s, “The Reid family, along with other Matthews families, celebrated Christmas visiting friends and relatives, taking time to enjoy the season. The Reid daughters were very musical and gatherings at their home always ended around the piano.” MMHM

Want to get involved?

The Matthews Historical Foundation is comprised of a team of dedicated, history-minded volunteers.

If you are interested in becoming involved with the organization, visit www. matthewsreidhouse.org.

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The remainder of December finds the Reid House a popular special events venue for Christmas parties, dinners, and an occasional holiday wedding or New Year’s Eve party. The Reid House is owned and operated by the nonprofit Matthews Historical Foundation, and is available for rent for special events and social occasions limited to 99 guests. - Paula Lester

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COMMUNITY

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COMMUNITY

November/December

Happenings NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

6 Election Day

1-2 The Nutcracker | Matthews Community Center Theater (704) 321-7275

8-18 Southern Christmas Show Charlotte Merchandise Mart www.southernshows.com 10 Veteran’s Breakfast Philadelphia Presbyterian Church Mint Hill (704) 545-9726

1 Senior Citizen Christmas Party Mint Hill Chamber Of Commerce (704) 573-8282

11 Veteran’s Day

7-8 Holiday Tea | Mint Hill Historical Society Carl J. McEwen Historic Village (704) 545-4928

17 Holiday Craft Show Crews Rd. Recreation Center (704) 321-7275

8 Red Cross Blood Drive Arlington Baptist Church (704) 568-1770

22 Thanksgiving Day

8 Breakfast With Santa Matthews Community Center (704) 321-7275

24 The Nutcracker Matthews Community Center Theater (704) 321-7275 25 The Nutcracker Matthews Community Center Theater (704) 321-7275 28 Chili Supper Matthews Women’s Club www.matthewswomen.org 29 Christmas Tree Lighting Mint Hill Town Hall (704) 545-9726 29- Dec. 2 Victorian Christmas Tea The Reid House, Matthews www.matthewswomen.org

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1 Hometown Holiday Celebration And Tree Lighting | Downtown Matthews www.matthewsfun.com

15 Breakfast With Santa Matthews Community Center (704) 321-7275 20 Matthews Concert Band Holiday Performance Matthews Community Center www.matthewsfun.com 29 Matthews Holiday Dance Crews Rd. Recreation Center (704) 321-7275 Courtesy of Paula Lestere

8 Matthews Concert Band Matthews Community Center www.matthewsfun.com

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A Hometown Holiday Step back in time and feel the holiday spirit in the air!

Compiled by Abby Whitehurst

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ou and your family are invited to join the Town of Matthews for the 9th Annual Hometown Holiday Celebration. Usher in the holiday season Saturday, December 1st, in Historic Downtown Matthews.

The on-street activities will begin at 2PM on Trade Street, btween John and Charles Streets. Santa will be greeting children, young and old, on Trade Street from 2 - 4:30 PM. Santa will be joined by the Shriner’s Steel Drum Band, playing holiday music. Matthews Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resource Department will sponsor a the Arts and Crafts Christmas Pavilion. The Little Choo Choo Train moves from the Community Center to Trade Street for rides from 2 - 4 :30p. m. Other activities cookie decorating, magicians, and inflatibles, etc.

drawn trolley will be available for rides. The trolley rides depart Matthews Town Hall from 2 - 4:30pm. Sounds of the season fill the air as costumed carolers stroll the streets and live music plays at Town Hall. The Caboose and Train Depot will be open for visitors from 2 - 4:30pm. Walk through the Depot to see Matthews history artifacts, along with Seaboard memorabilia. The Visitors Center/Museum shares the Depot with the Matthews Chamber of Commerce.

Join the Shriners’ Steel Drum Band for Holiday music.

On the Village Green

Children can visit with Santa from 2 - 4:30P.M.

Join the Matthews Historical Society for a Walking Tour of Historic Downtown Matthews, featuring costumed actors portraying early Matthews citizens. Lasting approximately 40 minutes, the tour departs from the Station Street Shops (near Dilworth Coffee), and walks the historic block of Trade Street. The walking tour is the perfect time to learn about the buildings you see as you drive through town.

Horses’ hooves will echo through the streets as the decorated horse-

The day continues with music and family fun activities at the Village Green, in front of Town Hall, where a large Christmas Tree has been placed in the circle, in anticipation of the Tree Lighting Ceremony. Starting at 3:30 pm there will be an ice carving demonstration. The Matthews Concert Band will be playing traditional holiday music starting at 4:30pm.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive between 4:30 - 5pm to greet the children. Magically at 5:30 pm, the Christmas Tree will come alive with lights. It’s a day with lots of photo opportunities, so don’t forget your camera.

Mark your calendar and join in the Hometown Holiday Celebration. MMHM

Want to go?

For more information, call the Matthews Community Center at 704-321-7275 or visit www.matthewsnc.com.

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COMMUNITY

Word on the Street What do you want from Santa?

by Abby Whitehurst

“PSP.” – Corey Heath Jr. “Playstation 3.” – Amon Chambers

“A clubhouse.” - Eli Atkinson “A new digital camera” - Alec Atkinson “A full eight inches of snow” - Emily Atkinson

“Snow.” – Regan Waters

“Dirt bike.” – Jacob Johnson “Dirt bike.” – Stephen Menefee “Panthers jersey.” – Clay Bigham “Four wheeler.” – Caleb John 20

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Dear Santa Neither snow, nor rain, nor lack of ZIP code keeps letters from getting to the North Pole

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By Rich Lange

ll over Matthews and Mint Hill, children are preparing their Christmas wish lists. Ever wonder how those letters addressed simply to “Santa Claus, North Pole” actually get to Santa? I know from experience that when I gave my dad my Santa-ready list, he’d take it to the post office and almost all my holiday wishes came true. So I – along with many other grown-ups and today’s kids – have the United States Postal Service to thank. And the holiday magic starts right here in our community, all because of the hard work of our local postal workers.

“The Post Office leaves it up to each local office to decide how they’ll handle the Santa mail,” explains Maryanne Wright, Communications Coordinator for the U.S. Postal Service. And the local Matthews and Mint Hill postal employees take pride in being part of this holiday season tradition.

The Matthews Station doesn’t keep statistics on how many Santa letters they receive each year, but Hammond says every letter gets very special service. “Employees see that each letter addressed to Santa Claus gets a personal response,” says Matthews Station Manager Betty Hammond.

Mint Hill Station Manager John Greiner recently relocated from Longwood, Florida. “In Florida, all Santa letters are forwarded to the post office in Christmas, Florida,” Greiner says. There, each letter gets a personal response from Santa, too. Greiner and his staff are ready to manage the unique relationship that exists between Santa and the post office here in Mint Hill.

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In the Charlotte area, many of the local post office facilities band together. “At the Charlotte mail processing facility, postal workers and community volunteers get together each year to make sure that over 1,200 letters get a personal answer from Santa Claus,“ says Maryanne Wright.

Technology has taken some of the burden off the local post offices.

Free e-mail services like www.emailsanta.com allow kids to send their electronic message directly to Mr. Claus.

The USPS can also help boys and girls get a letter back from Santa.

Kids can write their Christmas list out for parents to mail to Santa, then, on a separate page, parents can “help” Santa craft a response letter. Both letters can be sent together, along with a stamped envelope addressed to the child, for Santa’s reply. (Santa appreciates a little help writing response letters and a little help with the postage!) Once the letter reaches the North Pole post office, the postal elves will postmark Santa’s reply with a special North Pole mark, and mail the letter to the child. The response letter(s) should be placed in a larger, properly stamped envelope addressed to:

North Pole Christmas Cancellation Postmaster 5400 Mail Trail Fairbanks, AK 99709-9998

PHOTOS FROM BIG STOCK

Matthews and Mint Hill children who write to Santa can be assured that local postal officials will handle their letters with care.

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North Pole postmark requests must arrive in Fairbanks before December 15. Maryanne Wright suggests that those requests leave Matthews and Mint Hill no later than December 10. After that date, use Priority Mail.

So kids, get your list together. The local post office is ready to deliver your letter directly to Santa Claus. And remember: if you’re nice more often than you’re naughty – and you treat your post office employees well – you just might find some of your holiday wishes waiting under your tree this Christmas morning. MMHM

He’s checking it twice. Be sure and get your letters to Santa mailed early!

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COMMUNITY

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The Dobbins family – Sonya and Scott, with sons Steven and Silas – live in Indian Trail and have built their family through adoption.

CHRISTIAN ADOPTION SERVICES OF MATTHEWS

Helping Children Find Forever Families

By Donna Williams Vance

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ll children are gifts from God, whether they are the fruit of one’s own womb or adopted. And a local adoption agency, Christian Adoption Services of Matthews, is helping as many Christian families as possible experience God’s gift of children.

James Woodward, the agency’s executive director, said Christian Adoption Services (CAS) started some 28 years ago, placing children from El Salvador with families in the United States. CAS expanded over the years and now coordinates adoptions from Korea, China, Philippines, Russia, Kazakhstan and Guatemala, as well as domestic adoptions. Now CAS helps complete some 45 or so adoptions per year.

Being a Christian family ranks above all of the agency’s standards and requirements for prospective adoptive parents. Prospective adoptive couples must submit letters of reference from their pastor.

However, birth parents do not have to subscribe to any certain faith.

One of the many area families who’ve adopted through CAS is the Dobbins family of Indian Trail. Sonya and Scott Dobbins welcomed their first son, Silas, in 2002 through another agency, and CAS helped them adopt Stephen last year. Silas is now five and Stephen is a year old. When Scott and Sonya went to the CAS office, they said they “knew right away that this was where we needed to be.”

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Adoption requires a lot of paperwork, home interviews, medical exams, and personal recommendations. “The list can seem endless,” Sonya says. She describes the process as “overwhelming at times,” adding “while other moms were waiting at the OB-GYN to hear their baby’s heartbeat, I was at the courthouse getting criminal background checks. You have to find the humor in that!”

But, Sonya said, since they had been through the bureaucratic grind once, having CAS facilitate the second adoption eased the pain. “The process is much less intimidating the second time around; you just have to be very methodical.”

Now Sonya shares her wisdom and her family’s experience with others in an online support group that she participates in, along with adoptive parents from around the country who have also adopted through CAS. Both of the Dobbins’ adoptions are open adoptions. This arrangement, which is touted by many adoptive families and adoption advocates, means the birth parents and the adoptive parents know each other and interact at some or all stages of the process. Sometimes they maintain contact throughout the child’s life.

The Dobbins family maintains connections with both of their sons’ birth families. In fact, they take Silas to visit his birth family several times a year – including at Christmas – and they attend a family

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reunion every March. “We adopted Silas, “ Sonya says, “And (his birth family) adopted us!”

“Most people don’t really understand our connection with Silas’ and Stephen’s birth moms, but we really feel that the relationships we have established will benefit all involved in the future!” says Dobbins.

“Thanks to open adoption,” echoes Stephen’s birth grandmother Barbara Mott, Stephen will know his birth mother instead of wondering about her.

It is quite possible that the special relationship that the Dobbinses were able to forge with Silas’ birth mother spurred their decision to continue to build a family. After they found CAS and completed a home study, the Dobbinses were approved for placement. CAS then called them in for an interview. The birth mother wanted an open adoption and the photo album the Dobbins family presented showed their commitment to such openness. This meeting cleared the way for Stephen Josiah’s arrival into the Dobbins family. He would become their second son.

Christian Adoption Services helps complete about 45 adoptions per year.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE DOBBINS FAMILY

“I prayed constantly for God’s will to be done for Stephen’s life,” says Mott.

“My daughter (who was 14 at the time) decided that if we could find the right family for Stephen, then adoption would be the choice.

My daughter and I both felt strongly that only open adoption was acceptable for Stephen’s well being, as well as our own. We could not give up knowing this child,” she says.

It is no doubt that CAS’ regard for the birth mother’s welfare is another of the agency’s appealing aspects. CAS services include free pregnancy counseling, respite care, referrals for housing, referrals for prenatal care, financial assistance and post-adoption counseling, among other things. After the adoption, CAS provides updates on the child’s progression, sends birth parents photos and letters, and provides continued support.

But the CAS mission remains “finding Christian families for needy children. You see,” says Woodward, “we are required to defend the orphan and be his advocate.” MMHM

Above: One-year-old Steven joined the Dobbins family last year with the help of Christian Adoption Services of Matthews.

Below: Stephen cuddles with five-year-old Silas, who was adopted in 2002.

Want to know more?

Christian Adoption Services is a private, non-profit organization and is licensed in the state of North Carolina by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Visit the agency’s website at www.christianadopt.org.

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MIND, BODY, & SPIRIT

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MIND, BODY, & SPIRIT

Let’s Talk

Turkey PREPARATION AND FOOD SAFETY TIPS FOR A HAPPY AND HEALTHY HOLIDAY MEAL

By Pamela C. Outen

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ne of the most enjoyable things about the holidays is gathering with family and friends to enjoy festive meals and celebrations.

Preparing food can be a real source of pleasure – or a source of stress!

A few simple steps can make it easy to prepare a safe and delicious meal. Advance planning is key. First of all, you may want to reconsider how many menu items to prepare.

Do you really need two (or more) desserts?

Focus on a few favorites so you’ll have less to prepare. Plan your menu ahead so you can shop before the last-minute rush. And while you can save precious holiday time by getting a head start on prep work, remember that cooking too far ahead can decrease the quality and safety of your food.

According to Dr. Angela M. Fraser, Food Safety Specialist at the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, “Food-borne illness is more common than most people realize.

About 76 million people get sick with foodborne illness in the United States… Improper hygiene practices or eating contaminated food or drink is what causes most cases of food-borne illness.

The good news is that food-borne illness is nearly 100% preventable if food is handled safely from the time it is received until the time it is used.”

Unless food will be frozen, it’s safest to start preparing most perishable foods no more than a day before a meal. For example, you can assemble a vegetable casserole a day in advance, then refrigerate it. Pull it out and bake it the day of your dinner; just plan 15 to 20 minutes of additional heating time to fully heat the cold casserole.

Cut washed fruits and vegetables within a day of your meal for salads and relish trays.

Store in covered containers or plastic bags in your refrigerator. Store fresh-cut produce above raw meat, poultry, fish, and below cooked items. Avoid leaving cut and peeled fruit and vegetables at room temperature for more than two hours.

If you want to get a head start on your baking, remember non-perishable foods such as cakes and cookies can be prepared a few days in advance or even frozen for longer storage.

Many of us enjoy pumpkin pies at fall celebrations. A pumpkin pie contains eggs and milk, so it must be kept in the refrigerator at 40° F or cooler. Foods that contain eggs or milk and have a high moisture content must be kept refrigerated to prevent bacteria growth. Avoid leaving a pumpkin pie out at room temperature for more than two hours.

And finally, there’s one of the most popular holiday foods: The turkey! Cooking a turkey can give rise to anxieties and questions.

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) is there with answers, five days a week from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and with a Thanksgiving Day hotline from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Simply call (888) 674-6854.

Or visit www.fsis.usda.gov/Factsheets for additional information.

The USDA offers these hints to ensure you enjoy a safe holiday turkey: FRESH OR FROZEN? If you choose to buy a frozen bird you may do so at any time – just be sure you have space in your freezer.

If you buy fresh, purchase it only one to two days before cooking. Do not buy a pre-stuffed fresh turkey.

HOW TO THAW IN COLD WATER:

If you forget to thaw the turkey or don’t have room in the refrigerator for thawing, don’t panic. You can submerge the turkey in cold water and change the water every 30 minutes. Allow about 30 minutes defrosting time per pound of turkey. Cook immediately after thawing.

THE DAY BEFORE YOUR MEAL:

Make sure you have all the ingredients and equipment you need, including a roasting pan large enough to hold your turkey and a food thermometer. Wet and dry stuffing ingredients can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated separately. This may also be done the day of your meal. Mix ingredients just before placing the stuffing inside the turkey cavity or into a casserole dish.

THE BIG DAY:

If you choose to stuff your turkey, stuff loosely. The stuffing should be moist, not dry, since heat destroys bacteria more rapidly in a moist environment. Place stuffed turkey in oven immediately.

TAKE THE BIRD’S TEMPERATURE:

A whole turkey is safe cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 165° F throughout the bird. Check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast. All turkey meat, including any that remains pink, is safe to eat as soon as all parts reach at least 165° F. The stuffing should reach 165° F, whether cooked inside the bird or in a separate dish. When turkey is removed from oven, let it stand 20 minutes, then remove stuffing and carve turkey.

STORING LEFTOVERS: Cut the turkey into small pieces; refrigerate stuffing and turkey separately in shallow containers within two hours of cooking. Use leftover turkey and stuffing within three or four days, or freeze.

Reheat thoroughly to a temperature of 165° F or until hot and steaming.

Following these tips will help ensure your family has a safe holiday. MMHM

Pamela C. Outen is a Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s Cabarrus County Center.

HOW TO THAW IN THE REFRIGERATOR:

Place frozen bird in original wrapper in the refrigerator (40° F or below). Allow approximately 24 hours of thawing time per four to five pounds of turkey. A thawed turkey can remain in the refrigerator for 24 to 48 hours.

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Year-end

Business Strategies MAKE THE MOST OF OPPORTUNITIES DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND ALL YEAR LONG

By Chuck Mobley

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We would know if we moved forward – or not – on a daily basis. We could then adjust our efforts as needed.

How do we ensure forward progress as we approach the year’s end?

IDENTIFY THE OPPORTUNITY. Keep a running list of your best opportunities. Beside each one, identify why this is a good opportunity and what it would mean for you to catch it.

LIST THE OBSTACLES. What stands in your way? How much ground do you need to cover to catch it? Most problems can be solved. Your products and services are designed to deal with such problems. The real problem is something is in your way.

You must identify what that is, specifically, and deal with it.

PLAN. Get out your own set of Sharpies and blank paper. Think, write and come to terms with this thing that must be dealt with.

If it is a lack of commitment or decisionmaking ability on the part of your potential customer, address it. Come up with a plan.

Break it down. Identify one tangible step that can be measured and executed!

MAKE THE CALL. Call the potential customer and identify the obstacle directly.

“Mr. Smith. Thank you so much for allowing me to look into this solution for you. I think we have a problem that we

need to address. You have been honest with me about the fact that your boss makes the decision. How can we get him to make a well-informed decision about this? I really need to understand this process before I can go any further. Can you help me?”

KEEP SCORE. If you successfully identify your opportunities and obstacles on a daily basis, if you effectively plan and deal with the real obstacles, you will be able to keep score and move forward, or abort.

Here’s an example: Today I need to find out if XYZ Corp. has the funds to do what they want to do. I need to find out if they have the funding available before I spend any time or resources on generating a quote or proposal. If they don’t, I need to help them see what the ramifications will be by not funding this project. If they decide they can afford not to move forward, that’s ok, as long as I deal with this issue today.

Instant feedback!

Do this everyday and your business will move forward, regardless of the date on the calendar.

Now, go play some catch. The harder it is, the more ground you must cover, and the greater the reward. Or, play with Sharpies and see what you come up with – and let me know. MMHM Chuck Mobley, Business Development Specialist, is with Sandler Sales Institute. He can be reached at (704) 363-9131 or chuck@sandler.com. You may also visit him online, www.heidrich.sandler.com

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he publisher of this magazine posed a question to me over a burger: ”How can folks keep their businesses going through the holidays, while everyone is putting things off until January?”

That is an excellent question, and if we were in a very large warehouse filled with boxes and boxes of information, I’d say, “Follow me!” (Hang in there; we are going to make some twists and turns).

I was recently playing with Sharpie markers.

I was inspired by the new Sharpie marketing campaign that I’ve seen on television where everyone is abandoning his or her traditional pens for very colorful Sharpie markers with the tag line, “Write Out Loud!” So, with a handful of new Sharpies and blank paper I began to ponder what I get excited about.

Through several ink-filled pages, I realized, I like to play catch. I love to throw and catch stuff: Balls, Frisbees, rocks. I love to throw a Frisbee into the wind at the beach and chase it down. I love it! Why? It took me a few more colors and pages but I came up with the answer: Instant feedback! You know right away if you’ve done it right. If you didn’t, you get a good idea of why you failed.

I think there is major power in this concept.

Think about it: We go through the motions of our workday, and most of us stay really busy. But we can find ourselves way behind

by December 31. What if we had something tangible to pursue, with instant feedback?

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www.MatthewsMintHill.com Go online, PRINT COUPONS, and save big!

Pie Safe pies are now available at MATTHEWS MOTOR COMPANY Carolina Bagel Co. café on weekends.

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(704) 845-3070

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Limited availability while they last

7102 Brighton Park Dr. #500 Mint Hill, NC 704 545-2788 Special Orders Available

4 rounds for the price of 3 Monday – Friday only!

Call (704) 573-1000 to make your tee time.

Discount Floor Coverings 3607 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Suite 9, Matthews, NC 28105 (704) 846-2755

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Christmastime,

Anytime

MATTHEWS HOLIDAY HAUS DOES SEASONAL BUSINESS YEAR ‘ROUND

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here’s no snow on the ground. It’s not even cold outside. So it’s hard for a Northerner to believe it’s Christmastime – let alone be able to get into the Christmas spirit.

But being in the Christmas spirit is really no problem for Connie Kleinberg, who owns and operates the Matthews Holiday Haus on Trade Street in downtown Matthews.

Every day is Christmas for this former New Yorker.

The Matthews Holiday Haus is a winter wonderland housed in a 19th-century building. The aroma of cinnamon fills the air, decorated trees dot the floor, and 38

ornaments – old and new, classic and kitschy, plastic, glass, wooden and whimsical – adorn everything. One almost expects to see elves and fairies dart from behind columns.

The shop has the feel of a traditional, Dickens-type Christmas. Holiday Haus more of a shop than a store; it’s cozy, traditional, and warm. It’s a quaint property, pleasingly cluttered with old-world charm.

Though Kleinberg is about 700 miles from New York and the big city-style holiday she grew up on – with its elaborate Christmas windows and holiday pageantry – she aims to bring some of the fanfare of the Big Apple to Matthews, “in my little way,” she says.

“We do special windows every year,” Kleinberg beams. She covers the windows for two days, and the anticipation builds for the festive displays that lie beneath. “We always try to make them special,” she says.

“We also decorate the stores and the buildings on our side of the street,” she adds.

“We’re a sponsor of Matthews Hometown Holidays, where we close off the street and have games, and take pictures with Terri’s trees.”

“Terri” is Terri Green, Holiday Haus’ designer who does “fabulous work,” boasts Kleinberg.

“We give out presents to the children.

PHOTOS BY RON DESHAIES

by Donna Williams Vance

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PHOTOS BY RON DESHAIES

Santa Claus is out there … and the lighting of the Christmas tree at Matthews Town Hall.”

The entrepreneur, who followed her dream as she opened the shop 10 years ago, said she knew “nothing about business” but that “I knew I loved Christmas and pretty things.”

The Holiday Haus inventory is a testament to that. Customers will find decorations of every sort, plus linens and other items to create tablescapes and festive interiors and exteriors. The shop also features silk flowers, Greenleaf oil diffusers, and various candles.

However, a business cannot live on ornaments alone. Other items like wedding gift ideas, gift baskets, novelty items marking the birth of a baby, and even some specialty foods, help keep the business going.

Which answers the question: “How does a store so specialized thrive throughout the year?”

“We do every holiday,” says Kleinberg. “Half the store stays Christmas all year, but the other half of the store changes with the seasons: Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day … the whole nine yards.

In the fall, the store goes 90 percent Christmas.” Beginning then, ornaments and holiday goods make up about 85 percent of all sales, she explains.

“People who like Christmas will buy Christmas all year,” Kleinberg says. In non-Christmas months, Christmas items still make up 20 to 25 percent of the store’s sales.

Kleinberg has a Web site: www.matthewsholidayhaus.com. She says her online business is good and growing every year. What’s on her Internet site is but a sampling of what’s in the Haus. People request things they may not see online, and Kleinberg says that usually she can get them.

She says she aims to please, providing the common and the unique.

“You always have to reinvent yourself. I have to … have different things than the other guy. You always have to market yourself. ” Word of mouth, e-mail, radio and print ads helps her get the word out about Holiday Haus. And it’s by way of mouth that Kleinberg invites locals to approach her with their projects. In the past, local craftspeople have made proposals about selling their creations in her store, but they came at the wrong time of year, she says. She advises them to come to her in early January. That’s when she does budget allocations, and that’s when she can give the products more attention.

Right now, though, she does carry works by local artist Prudy Weaver.

Perhaps Kleinberg wants contributions from locals because she has affection for the community; loving thy neighbor. “Christmas is inside of you,” she says. “There’s goodness in everybody, all the time.

December 25 just brings it out.” Kleinberg shows her good will toward men with projects like sending 100 trees to Iraq veterans in Virginia hospitals.

So despite the fact that there’s probably not going to be a white Christmas in Matthews, all the time is the most wonderful time of year for Connie Kleinberg and the Matthews Holiday Haus. MMHM

Opposite page and above: The Matthews Holiday Haus specializes in Christmas ornaments and decorations. The shop also carries items for other holidays and general gift-giving occasions.

Ready to shop?

MATTHEWS HOLIDAY HAUS 159 N. TRADE ST., MATTHEWS STORE HOURS: 10 A.M. – 5 P.M. MONDAY – SATURDAY, PLUS TWO SUNDAYS IN THE HOLIDAY SEASON: NOVEMBER 25 AND DECEMBER 23.

(704) 849-7098

www.MatthewsMintHill.com

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41

LEISURE

ENJOY OUTSTANDING PIZZA, PASTA AND MORE AT ANGELA’S

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By Rich Lange

PHOTO BY TODD WHITEHURST

Authentic Italy A in Mint Hill

ngela’s is old-world Italy at its best. The brand-new building in the shopping center may be deceiving. At first, you just see a new restaurant. A tile floor, dark wood bar, and a well-designed layout of 20 tables and three booths fill the space. But trust me, the real Italy is in there. Angela’s is all about old family recipes, fresh ingredients, and handson hard work by the owner.

Pietro Iannuzzi owns and operates Angela’s, but it’s not his first restaurant. For years after moving from Italy, Pietro and his brothers owned and operated restaurants in New Jersey. Like many of our newer neighbors, Iannuzzi felt it was time for a change. “I was tired of the weather in New Jersey. It was time to get out of the snow,” says Iannuzzi. Lucky for us, he chose to set up shop in Mint Hill.

Angela’s has been open for about a year on the corner of Margaret Wallace Road and Idlewild Road. They serve authentic Italian specialties, and everything is delicious. “It all starts with fresh ingredients. In my kitchen, the only thing that comes in a can are the tomatoes. Everything is made fresh from scratch every day,” says Pietro. And he means everything. There is nothing frozen or boxed in the kitchen. The lasagna, the pizza dough, the bread, the soups – all of it is made fresh.

Angela’s menu features a wide array of choices: Appetizers, salads, soups, pastas, entrees, and subs. A variety of made-fromscratch sauces include vodka sauce, made of tomatoes, cream, and a hint of vodka; the spicy arabiatta; clam sauce and more. You can choose your pasta, too, from ziti, shells, manicotti or ravioli.

But it is the pizza menu that is most interesting. First, Angela’s pizza is built on a crust that’s relatively thin, and crisp on the bottom, but has just the right amount of chewiness. In a word, the crust is perfect. This is what “New York-style pizza” is supposed to be. Then there are the toppings. There’s no skimping on the ingredients at Angela’s. The pizzas are loaded with both toppings and cheese. Every bite is full of flavor. Order the typical favorites like pepperoni, sausage or veggie, or try a specialty pizza like Hawaiian, Margarita, or the White Pizza. I always like to custom-build my pizzas, but Angela’s list of gourmet pies had me ordering right from the menu. For those who love the dish Penne a la Vodka, Angela’s has a pizza version. The Chicken Vodka Sauce pizza comes covered with a pink, creamy sauce. Add the chicken, and lots of melted cheese, and you‘ve got a

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winner of a pie. Angela’s offers pizza versions of other popular dishes, too. If Eggplant Parmesan is your thing, try the pizza version.

The crust is covered with fresh eggplant, tomato sauce, and ricotta and mozzarella cheese. Chicken Scampi, Chicken Marsala, Chicken Parmesan, and Cheese Steak all appear on the pizza menu, too. The pizzas are available in three sizes. A Sicilian-style square crust is also available.

Prices at Angela’s are very reasonable. A large cheese pizza (16-inch) is $11. Add two toppings, and your own creation is $14.50.

The 10-inch pizza starts at $6.50, and the 14-inch at $9.50. At dinner, pasta dishes and entrees run $9.75 to $14. Eleven-inch subs are priced between $6.25 and $8. At lunchtime, pastas and entrees are a few dollars less. A kid’s menu is available, too.

Choices include a variety of pastas, chicken fingers, and more priced at $5.50 or less.

Desserts are another source of pride for Pietro Iannuzzi. “All of our desserts are shipped in from the Bindi dessert company in New York. They are the best Italian desserts in the world,” he says. The dessert selection changes daily, and includes favorites like tiramisu, cannoli, and a variety of cakes. continued on p. 38

Angela’s is in the Mintworth Commons Shopping Center at Margaret Wallace and Idlewild Roads.

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Angela’s serves up real Italian specialties right here in Mint Hill. At left: Angela’s owners Pietro and Linda Ianuzzi. Above and right: Angela’s features a variety of pasta dishes, pizzas and seafood. The restaurant only uses the finest ingredients and fresh-made sauces; they even fly in desserts from New York.

continued from p. 37 Angela’s offers a full bar with mixed drinks and domestic and imported beer. Wine is available by the glass or bottle. The restaurant does not offer delivery, but the full menu is available for pick-up.

Whether you need a casual night out for the family or a quiet dinner for two, Angela’s will not disappoint. It is great food, fair prices, and a touch of authentic Italy right here in Mint Hill. MMHM

ANGELA’S IS LOCATED IN THE MINTWORTH COMMONS SHOPPING CENTER AT THE CORNER OF MARGARET WALLACE AND IDLEWILD ROADS. HOURS ARE TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY FROM 11 A.M. TO 10 P.M., SUNDAY FROM 11 A.M. TO 9 P.M. THE RESTAURANT IS CLOSED ON MONDAYS. SEATING IS ON A FIRST-COME BASIS, AND RESERVATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED. Call for information or take-out orders at (704) 573-2737.

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PHOTOS BY RON DESHAIES

Want to go?

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November/December 2007

PHOTOS BY RON DESHAIES

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Home & Hearth

Fireplaces and mantels offer warmth and decorating oppurtunities for the holiday season.

By Sharon Mason

PHOTOS THIS PAGE FROM BIG STOCK: OTHER PHOTOS BY SHARON MASON

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uring our southern winter, when the sky is gray and there’s a chill in the air, there’s nothing more inviting than a cup of hot cocoa in front of a roaring fire. We could put on another sweater or turn up the thermostat, but who can resist the warmth and comfort that the glow and crackle of a real fire provides?

Today’s modern conveniences have relegated the fireplace to decorative status and high fuel prices have required many homeowners to be more judicious in their use of gas logs. Nevertheless, it would be hard to find a home in our area without one.

Denver Toth and her husband, Tom, use their gas fireplace more to set a mood than for heat. “We like to kick back with the kids and light a fire,” she said. “We drink hot chocolate and watch a football game. The fire is more for comfort than function.”

Home redesigners Angie Gatton and Jill Gilliam know the importance of a fireplace as a design element. They specialize in creating a new look with a homeowner’s existing furniture and possessions to give a room a fresher, more stylish look. They are often called upon to accessorize a mantel to make a room look more “pulled together.”

“The first thing we do is look for something you have already. You don’t need to go buy anything right away,” says Angie. “We start with the wall using a large piece such as a painting, a large wreath or a wall hanging.

Then we find pieces that harmonize.”

The pair also recommends changing items on the mantel seasonally. For instance, use fresh flowers in the spring, seashells in the summer and pinecones in the fall and winter.

In a contemporary room, use simple items with clean lines, slick textures and muted colors, but don’t be afraid to mix different styles. “Everything is more eclectic these days,” Jill notes.

Many homes now have two-story family rooms, which make the fireplace a challenge to accessorize. Keeping everything in scale is important so that the room is still warm and inviting.

More and more, families are hanging large, flat-panel televisions over their fireplaces and Jill and Angie have ideas for how to handle that, too. “If you have a choice, leave some space underneath when you mount the TV on the wall. That gives you room for some family photos or a tray of faux fruit. Tall items like florals or topiaries on the sides frame the TV, soften hard edges and disguise

This fireplace and hearth display, styled by home redesigners Angie Gatton and Jill Gilliam, reflects the homeowner’s personality. The snowshoes are a memento from the homeowner’s time spent living in Alaska.

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the brackets and wiring,” advises Angie.

DVDs are available that display images on the TV screen, which makes it more of a frame for artwork than a gaping black expanse. Choose from classic artwork, beach photos, or novelty scenes to make the TV look less imposing.

NO FIREPLACE, NO PROBLEM It used to require lots of work and expensive remodeling to add a fireplace to an existing home. Now two new types of fireplaces can be installed without a chimney.

One type of ventless system uses canisters filled with isopropyl alcohol to produce a very realistic flame. Each canister provides a 3,000-BTU flame that lasts for up to three hours. The units are portable, weigh less than 100 pounds and can be set up almost anywhere using only a screwdriver.

Kim Norwood of Kim’s Curtains and Decorating plans to set up a portable fireplace among the shop’s eclectic mix of decorative accessories, window treatments and custom upholstered furnishings at its new location in downtown Matthews. She’s found this type of fireplace to be very popular with her clients. “We’ve used them in a lot of different areas, bedrooms, sunrooms. They have mantel styles to go with any type of décor and they really put out a lot of heat. We can’t keep them in stock.”

A more permanent solution is a ventless gas fireplace hooked up to a natural gas or propane line. These systems burn very efficiently to minimize the amount of carbon monoxide produced by the flame. There are

Home redesigners Angie Gatton and Jill Gilliam offer some advice for decorating your mantel: If you don’t have artwork that you love, do the unexpected. Hang a beautiful set of plates, a sculpture, or a collection of meaningful items on the wall.

Your mantel should reflect your personality. Use family photos or vacation souvenirs: The kinds of things that mean something to you rather than items that look attractive but are really not interesting.

Vary the heights and textures of the items on the mantel for visual interest.

Pull color out from elsewhere in the room and carry it through to the mantel’s artwork, floral arrangements or accessories.

Always have something green or organic such as plants, pine cones, seashells, or seed pods.

If you use a mirror, be sure it reflects something interesting. MMHM

Kim Norwood of Kim’s Curtains and Interiors and her partner, Bruce Smith, feature portable fireplaces like this one in their new showroom in downtown Matthews.

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some limitations to where a ventless fireplace can be installed. According to Gabe Buzzelli of Lowe’s Home Improvement Center in Matthews, floor models are generally designed for use in spaces 1,100 square feet or larger. They also cannot be installed in a bedroom or bathroom and must be installed by a plumber or HVAC technician certified to work with gas lines.

Colors like platinum, copper and bronze- plus citrus and earthtones -have arrived.

DECK THE HALLS During the holiday season, many homeowners pay particular attention to decorating the fireplace. Festive ribbons and boughs of greenery, collections of angels, nutcrackers or stocking holders embellish the hearth in merry splendor.

Susan Kooiman of the Peppermint Forest Christmas shop near Carolina Place Mall recommends using Christmas ornaments that harmonize with your home’s décor.

While red and green continue to be favorite holiday colors, the earth tones are finding their way into holiday décor. Platinum, copper and bronze metallic accents are taking a place beside traditional silver and gold.

Hues ranging from subtle taupes to vibrant citrus colors have arrived to harmonize with everyday furnishings.

Some tips for a stunning Christmas mantel presentation: Wind a piece of luminous fabric such as a table runner, a scarf or a remnant of chiffon or lamé through a length of garland, then use small finishing nails in the top of the mantel to attach the garland to the mantel. Place groups of candleholders, add a vase of glass balls or bead garland and finish with several large bows or florals at the corners for a dramatic look. Green pipe cleaners or wire can help anchor the fabric and embellishments in place. MMHM

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Peppermint Forest, a year-round Christmas shop near Carolina Place Mall, features seasonal decorations in different shades of green in this mantel display.

Angie Gatton and Jill Gilliam, home redesigners, can be reached at (704) 844-8533.

Kim’s Curtains and Interiors is a full-service custom design firm located at 110-1E Matthews Station in downtown Matthews. Call (704) 708-9368.

Peppermint Forest has a website at www.peppermintforest.com, or visit the shop at 11729 Carolina Place Parkway in Pineville.

Directions: Take Exit 44 from 485 (Highway 218), go east one mile, Plantation Falls Estates is on the left.

Site Plan for Plantation Falls Estates