Union County Weekly

Metrolina Christian AD Ronnie Pyler is this week’s guest picker Page 20

September 25, 2015 Vol. 10 No. 39 Twitter @ucweekly www.unioncountyweekly.com Native American culture in Indian Trail

Not in my backyard

Indian Trail’s annual Cultural Arts Festival and Pow Wow celebrate the town’s rich history this weekend.

Page 13

Parkwood cheerleaders spread spirit Rebel cheerleaders volunteered with Waxhaw American Legion to support veterans in Union County. | Page 14

Monroe keeps winning The Redhawks upset Weddington, decimated Anson and are off to an unblemished 5-0 start. | Page 20

Plans for a gas station near the Cureton subdivision in Waxhaw backfire as more than 560 residents sign a petition to prevent the development from coming to fruition.

Page 11 Photo illustration by Erin Kirby

News Briefs 6 | Opinion 7 | Crime Blotter 9 | Education 14 | Faith 17 | Calendar 18 | Sports 20 | Classifieds 23

Page 2 | September 25, 2015 | Union County Weekly

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Union County Weekly | September 25, 2015 | Page 3

Indian Trail incumbents prepared for heavy field of competition

by Justin Vick justin@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

INDIAN TRAIL – David Cohn, David Drehs and Christopher King face eight challengers in their efforts to be re-elected to the Indian Trail Town Council, but they’re not worried.

"It doesn't bother me," King said. "There could be 100 people on that ballot."

Last week, Union County Weekly focused on the challengers. This week, we focus on incumbents.

David Cohn

Mayor Pro Tem David Cohn sees the election as a simple choice: Do you prefer political insiders or leaders who listen to the people? Cohn said he sides with the people.

He points to the town council’s recent decision to build an $8.5-million town hall project. The issue prompted several people to run for town council in this election.

Cohn wanted the proposal to be put in front of voters to decide, but he couldn’t convince the council.

He believes developers are part of the problem, offering candidates and councilmembers support to do their bidding. Cohn said he “won’t take a penny” from one.

Cohn added he believes leaders should work with the people and listen to what they want.

Cohn said he left up his campaign page on Facebook from four years ago, so people could see he did everything he said he was going to do.

“I’m not the smartest guy in the world. I might be the dumbest one of them all, but I will say it’s easy to do the right thing,” Cohn said. “Dumb people have to do the right thing. I’m not smart enough to tell lies and remember what I said. I don’t even have to think of a lie.”

He’s proud of the council’s support of the sheriff’s office. Charlotte news stations replayed Cohn’s impassioned plea for Mayor Michael Alvarez to vote with his heart and against a decision to form a town police department.

“Someone accused me of being a frustrated person,” Cohn said. “I am, but it’s not bad to be a frustrated person, because if you’re a frustrated person, you care. I care a lot.”

Cohn, a manufacturing representative for a meat company, has lived in Indian Trail for about 10 years.

Christopher King

Cohn waited until the end of the Sept. 9 meeting to bring up King’s absence just in case he arrived late, but he never showed.

No one on the council was sure why King wasn’t there.

King told Union County Weekly he forgot about the meeting due to Labor Day throwing off the schedule. He was in Washington, D.C. for work.

“I have a very demanding job for Time Warner (Cable),” King said. “My attendance record isn’t the best by any means.

I’m a grown man. I know when I need to be there.”

King said he’s very proud of the work

he and the council have done in getting Crooked Creek Park finished, as well as bringing the Chestnut Parkway project back to life.

He’s helped initiate some signage, such as the Indian Trail sign on Interstate 485, as well as proposing the capital investment/reduction fund to support capital projects like parks, roads and a community center.

If given a second term, he’d like to complete phase two of Chestnut Parkway to help clear up congestion on Indian Trail and Wesley Chapel-Stouts roads.

“The DOT has completely failed it in terms of keeping up with the roads,” King said. “Sitting back and waiting for DOT to help us out with lateral connectors to get from one side of the town to another, you’re stuck with two options: do it yourself or deal with it. I’m not one to just sit back and deal with it.”

He’d also like to continue working on downtown development projects that could inject millions of private dollars into the town.

King, a business analyst for Time Warner Cable, has lived in Indian Trail since 2009.

King said this would be his last term serving on the commission. He would like to shift to state or federal issues after accomplishing his Indian Trail goals.

David Drehs

David Drehs was the third-place finisher in the 2013 election, falling one position shy of a seat. Commissioners appointed Drehs to the council in 2014 to fill a vacancy.

So will having experience on the board

help Drehs over the election hurdle? Or will being a councilmember hurt him in the minds of voters?

Several challengers say they feel councilmembers don’t listen to the collective voice of “the people.” Drehs contends “the people” don’t always tend to agree on what they want.

“All 37,000 people who live here have a voice,” Drehs said. “The closer you live to something, the more I’m going to listen.”

He encourages residents to voice concerns about town council business at public hearings.

Drehs is proud of the Miracle League of Indian Trail receiving support from the town.

He serves as president of the organization.

He’s also proud of helping secure more deputies for the town through the Union County Sheriff’s Office. After the county allocated money to buy more deputies, he learned the sheriff’s office had yet to hire them. He worked through town, county and sheriff’s office red tape to find out what needed to happen to get deputies hired.

Drehs moved to Indian Trail in 1996 after retiring from the Army. He owns a company called Carolina Network Solutions.

He remembers the town talking about widening Monroe Bypass and Chestnut Parkway since he got there. He’d like to focus on Chestnut Parkway in his next term.

“There’s so many roads in the town that are state roads and we can’t do a lot with.

We can yell and scream and call Raleigh bad people, but it really isn’t going to do anything,” Drehs said. “But Chestnut is our road, so I want that to happen.”

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The Weekly

Business Briefs Allen Tate names new branch leader for Wesley Chapel Office WESLEY CHAPEL – Allen Tate Company recently named Wendi Hensel as branch leader for the company’s new Wesley Chapel office.

Hensel will oversee branch operations, management and training of more than 25 Allen Tate agents and staff at the 6630 Wendi Hensel Weddington Road, suite A-2, office, according to a news release.

Hensel has worked with Allen Tate for more than 17 years, serving most recently as a regional career counselor. She’s also held positions as home services sales and marketing manager, real estate broker and business development manager for Allen Tate Relocation.

Prior to her work with Allen Tate, Hensel worked as an event coordinator for several organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Easter Illinois University, is a member of the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association and serves on the board of directors for the Matthews Alive Festival.

“Wendi’s career with Allen Tate has touched so many areas – real estate, recruitment and our Family of Companies services,” Pat Riley, Allen Tate Companies president and CEO, said in the release. “I can’t think of a better base of experience to prepare her for this new role as branch leader at Wesley Chapel.”

Hensel lives in Matthews with her two children, Natalie and William, and their three dogs. She enjoys walking the Four Mile Creek Greenway, watching her children play sports and spending time with family and friends, the release said.

Allen Tate is the leading real estate company for the Carolinas. Find more information at www.allentate.com.

Indian Trail nonprofit promotes sports for people with disabilities INDIAN TRAIL – The Miracle League of Indian Trail recently teamed up with Charlotte business The Hartford to promote sports of individuals with disabilities.

The Indian Trail nonprofit and Charlotte insurance company hosted an event on Wednesday, Sept. 23, in which Miracle League players visited The Hartford’s office to demonstrate wheelchair basketball and baseball.

U.S. Paralympian Jeff Glasbrenner and U.S. Paralympic hopeful Natalie Bieule were scheduled to share their personal stories of overcoming obstacles by “focusing on their abilities, not physical limitations,” according to a news release.

The Miracle League of Indian Trail has partnered with the town of Indian Trail and is working to raise funds to build an accessible, inclusive baseball field and playground for individuals with disabilities at Crooked Creek Park. Find more information at www.themiracleleagueofindiantrailnc.org.

Jeff Caton named executive director of community services MONROE – Union County Manager Cindy Coto announced the hiring of Jeff Caton as executive director of community services on Sept. 21. Caton will oversee Parks and Recreation, the public library system, cooperative extension and Soil and Water Conservation.

Caton most recently served as director of Parks and Recreation for the city of Columbia, South Carolina. He also spent 15 years working with Spartanburg County, and before that, was employed by the Department of the Navy as the recreation director at the Naval Weapons Station in Charleston, South Carolina.

Caton has a degree in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management from Clemson University. He is a certified Parks and Recreation.

Professional and received the 2003 Professional of the Year award by the South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association.

Make It in Union County aims to celebrate local manufacturing To celebrate manufacturing in Union County, Sept. 28 to Oct. 2 has been declared Make It in Union County Manufacturing Awareness Week.

Union County is home to more than 150 manufacturers, making “everything from appetizers, belts and chemicals to xylophones, yarn and zinc,” according to a news release from the Union County Chamber of Commerce.

Make It in Union County, an initiative of Monroe-Union County Economic Development now housed at the Union County Chamber of Commerce, sponsors the week’s events. The initiative’s mission is to raise local awareness of manufacturing in Union County and to promote manufacturing as a career choice, the release read.

The week will begin with Media Day on Monday, Sept. 28, featuring day-long posts on social media highlighting interesting facts about manufacturing in Union County. Open House Events are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 29 and 30, in which five manufacturers – ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems, Vanguard Pai Lung, Greiner Bio-One, Goulston Technologies and Scott Safety – will open their doors for presentations and tours of their facilities. In addition, Charlotte Pipe and Foundry—Plastics Division will host field trips for area high schools.

A Manufacturing Showcase is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 7 p.m. at South Piedmont Community College (SPCC). This event will feature tabletop exhibits from more than 40 manufacturers, as well as exhibits from Union County Public Schools and SPCC. An invitation-only Manufacturers Celebration Breakfast will conclude the event on Friday, Oct. 2.

In addition, Union County Public Schools’ high schools and Union Academy’s STEM teams will compete for various prizes.

Find more information at www.

MakeItinUnionCounty.com, or follow Make It in Union County on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Send business news to josh@caro linaweeklynewspapers.com

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The Weekly

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, I read the article from Sept. 11 about the mayoral race for Weddington this year. I was astounded by remarks by Mayor (Bill) Deter and how he downplays the amount of anger and distrust that he has wrought on himself and the pro tem mayor and at least two of the councilmembers.

I have been to four town meetings and he is very dismissive of those with opposing opinions. He has been dismissive of the recommendations from the Union County Commisioners and state officials. He ran on a campaign of transparency, yet everything seems to be decided behind closed doors. There are quotes floating around from Mayor Deter and Barbara Harrison alluding to the fact that they were elected and don’t need to listen to their constituents. There was a petition that was signed by at least 1,000 people asking for reconsideration of the fire department “firing.”

I am curious as to whether any of this has escaped the local media. We have gone from a high-rated fire department with very important equipment, which was manned properly, to a fire department stretched thin, with not enough equipment. We were in compliance with state regulations that require two fire department stations be called for every event, to one department manning two station houses.

So many of us worry about our safety during these last weeks.

Are any of these items of interest to the media?

Wesley Chapel fire department is a great department, however, there was no reason to make this change, especially when Union County commissioners were going to make changes throughout

Union County Weekly | September 25, 2015 | Page 5 the county in 2016. What was the rush? It will be very interesting when the lawsuit goes to court.

Weddington stands to lose triple the cost of the original cancellation fee.

Susan Woodrow Fahy Weddington Dear Editor, Being someone that likes people who take action, I strongly endorse Mayor Michael Alvarez in the forthcoming election. Mayor Alvarez wears many hats in the community from cooking food at fundraisers to supporting local charities, in whatever way that he can.

Having spent time with Michael on what he claims was a quiet day, I understand his passion for the people of Indian Trail. His cellphone never stops ringing; people visit with him throughout the day in an effort to solve problems. Walk in Mayor Alvarez’s footsteps for a day you will find out what being busy is.

Mayor Alvarez has Indian Trail running through his veins; he lives and breathes this town like no other. He is the man to vote for in November.

Eddie Mitchell Indian Trail Dear Editor, The long road to a Town Hall.

Rome wasn’t built in a day. Neither was the town of Indian Trail. The town is 108 years old and it has a long way to go. The town is badly in need of a modern town hall. A town hall was planned in 2002. There was a cost estimate for a 32,000 square foot town hall in in 2004 at $4.32 million. The town hall was approved in 2005. However, in November that year a new town council was elected. In 2006, the town council voided the town hall project.

For years the town of Indian Trail’s staff has (see Letters to the Editor on page 9)

WWW.MATTHEWSMINTHILLWEEKLY.COM

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Carolina – Wilmington Alden Kessenich, Waxhaw – University of Virginia Aubrey Meyer, Monroe – Western Carolina Dallas Meyer, Monroe – Western Carolina

The Weekly

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10100 Park Cedar Drive, Suite 154 Charlotte, NC 28210 Phone: 704-849-2261 • Fax: 704-849-2504 www.unioncountyweekly.com

News Briefs

Advertising

INDIAN TRAIL – The Colton Ridge neighborhood will hold its first “Harvest Home and Craft Show” on Oct. 3, a Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Colton Ridge Clubhouse, located at 4007 Colton Ridge Drive.

Approximately 20 vendors are slated to participate in the event, and items for sale will include custom wreaths, hand-crafted jewelry, knitted scarves and accessories, fairy gardens, Pampered Chef, Tupperware, skin care and more.

The event also will feature a face painting artist for kids, which will raise money to support her mission trip to Costa Rica.

Charlotte Conway Adrian Garson Andrea Mounts

Lane closures for water resource utility improvement

Editorial

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Managing Editor Hannah Chronis Business Editor Josh Whitener Education Editor Courtney Schultz Development Editor Justin Vick Sports editor Ben Doster Faith Columnist Rev. Tony Marciano

Business Publisher Jonathan McElvy Associate Publisher Frank Vasquez Business Manager Brent Epling

Design Art Director Maria Hernandez Layout Editor Erin Kirby Advertising: adsales@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com Letters to the Editor: hannah@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com Press Releases: hannah@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

MONROE – The city of Monroe water resources construction division will perform improvements on Alexander Street, from Walkup Avenue to Ashcraft Avenue, to install a new water main and replace an existing cast iron water main. The completion of the project will improve dependability of water services for citizens.

During construction, Alexander Street will have one lane closed to traffic, and the remaining lane open only to local residents.

Neighboring traffic flow from Ashcraft, Union and Confederate streets and Walkup Avenue also will be impacted if entering onto Alexander Street. Closures are slated for Sept. 28 to Oct. 12.

Call the city at 704-282-4601 for more information.

County holds Patriot Day Celebration in Monroe Sept. 13 Union County Weekly is published by Charlotte Media Group. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited.

Wise Acres launches first annual Fall Festival on Saturday

Colton Ridge to host Harvest Home and Craft Show Oct. 3

MONROE – Union County and the city of Monroe held its annual Patriot Day Celebration on Sept. 13 at the Historic Union County Courthouse in downtown Monroe.

Photos courtesy of Brett Vines

Honor guard with Union County Sheriff’s Office

Central Academy of Technology and Arts Concert Choir The event commemorates the heroes of Sept. 11, 2001.

Autobell Car Wash announces local academic scholarships CHARLOTTE – Autobell Car Wash, based in Charlotte, recently awarded 143 employees in four states its 2015 academic scholarships toward the college or university of their choice.

This year’s gifts totaled $166,000.

Local recipients include: Philip Angelo, Indian Trail – University of North Carolina – Wilmington Sean Bloos, Waxhaw – University of South Carolina Lucas Faulkner, Indian Trail – Central Piedmont Community College Alexandra Harris, Waxhaw - University of North Carolina – Wilmington Carter Harris, Waxhaw – University of North Carolina – Wilmington Cody Herbert, Waxhaw – Appalachian State Tyler Herbert, Waxhaw – University of North

INDIAN TRAIL – Wise Acres Organic Farm will hold its first annual Fall Festival and Small Business Fair on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The event will include family-friendly activities, presentations and more than 40 small businesses. Sweet Harvest Homestead will sell home-baked organic bread and Curvaceous Closet will be on hand featuring the latest fall fashions. There also will be a puppet show, dance performances, food trucks and more.

Visit www.wiseacresorganic.com for more information.

Wise Acres Farm is located at 4107 Hartis Road, next to Poplin Elementary School.

Fall changes in Stallings yard waste collection guidelines STALLINGS – As the fall season approaches, Stallings has announced the following reminders regarding disposal of yard waste: • Weekly limit of 15 bags/bundles • Yard waste cannot be collected from God Bless roll CARTs • Branches and limbs must be 4 inches in diameter or smaller, and no longer than 4 feet • All non-bagged yard debris must be tied and bundled • Loose material will not be collected • Bundled material cannot exceed 50 pounds • Heavier items that are bagged, such as grass clippings, must be double bagged • Processed wood, such as lumber, cannot be collected • Trees, logs, stumps root balls, and items heavier than 50 pounds cannot be collected

Send news briefs to hannah@ carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

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Union County Weekly | September 25, 2015 | Page 7

Opinion

You’re never too small to make a difference

by Josh Whitener josh@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

K

ids have a way of teaching the most valuable lessons without even knowing they’re doing it.

I learned such a lesson recently from my 5-year-old son, Caleb.

Since he was about 18 months old, Caleb has gone through phases where he’s developed a fixation on random things. First, it was lights and lamps. Then, it was ceiling fans, followed by an imaginary Donkey Kong game he’d run around the house acting out.

Lately, it’s been road signs – “no outlet” and “dead end” are his favorites.

Caleb picked up quickly on what those two signs mean. Before long, he picked up on something else: all of the streets and neighborhoods around us had “no outlet” signs, except ours.

“Why can’t we have a ‘no outlet sign?’” he would ask me. “All of the other streets are just like ours and they have one.”

As a parent, I came up with every excuse in the book. “It costs money to install those signs;” “that decision has to go through the government;” and “it’s not up to us” became some of my go-to excuses when he persisted in asking about having a sign installed on our street.

Soon, I realized something – my 5-year-old was poking holes in my arguments, and they weren’t holding water. My wife and I finally told him, “If you really think we should have

a sign, then you can write the city government and ask them to put one in.”

Caleb jumped at the idea. With a little help, he handwrote a letter to the “government people” – the Monroe City Council – explaining in simple terms why we needed a “no outlet” sign on our street. I emailed a snapshot of the letter to the city council, having no idea what to expect.

Within four hours, we received our first response from a councilmember. Shortly afterward, we received another and, then, another – all confirming that a “no outlet” sign, indeed, was needed on our street, and that it should be easy to install.

One week later, WBTV “Good News” reporter Kristen Hampton and Monroe Mayor Pro Tem Dottie Nash were at our house filming a special for that day’s 5:30 p.m. news.

Two weeks later, the sign was installed.

There’s an oft-quoted Bible verse that begins with “out of the mouth of babes” – some translations say “children” – which I have always interpreted as meaning children, in their fervent faith, are sometimes wiser than adults. That certainly rang true for me a few weeks ago.

Caleb’s story re-affirmed my belief that one person, no matter how small, can make a difference. I’m somewhat ashamed to admit it, but I’ve adopted a somewhat cynical view of the workings of government over the years. I do my best to research candidates in depth and show up at the polls for each election. But, I often find myself asking these questions: “Does one vote really count?” and

The Weekly

Social Media Posts

Union County residents have a lot to say on social media about both the community and current events. Keep checking in and tagging Union County Weekly on Facebook and Twitter to have your posts featured in the paper!

Tricia Cotham @triciacotham Sept. 16 Trump is acting like he is smarter than Ben Carson, a pediatric neurosurgeon. #clowncar Evan Burke @Evondaburke Sept. 20 So many people are sick right now you’d think the plague hit Weddington Rep. Robert Pittenger @reppittenger Sept. 18 I just voted to #DefundPlannedParenthood, which I co-sponsored. The legislation passed by a bipartisan vote of 241-187.

“Can one person really make a difference?”

As we head into the season of municipal elections – which affect us much more than most of us know – let’s remember that lesson.

Our opinions do matter. Our votes do count.

And one person truly can make a difference, no matter how small.

It’s true, I am a super-proud parent. But I think we all can learn a lesson from a 5-yearold’s simple request for a “no outlet” sign.

Lonnie @supadude_234 Sept. 18 So today I found out my tweet about Marvin Ridge was in the Union County Weekly. So I guess you could say I’m kind of a big deal.

Julia @jula_migge Sept. 18 I think I”m gonna go uptown in my new converse and ask people to step on them. I hate the look of clean converse.

Mitchell Resor @mitchellResor Sept. 12 Post run cast iron waffles was the best decision I have ever made in my life.

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Page 8 | September 25, 2015 | Union County Weekly

The Weekly

Restaurant Scores The Union County Health Department inspected the following restaurants between Sept. 14 and 20: Lowest Score: • Grand Asia Market, 4400 Potter Road – 90 Violations included: No certified food protection manager present; raw chicken and raw beef stored incorrectly in walk-in freezer; multiuse pans and duck hooks needed cleaning; chicken puffs and curry beef triangles not kept hot enough; insect control devices (fly strips) in food preparation area; scoop handle stored in food products; clean utensils stored incorrectly; general cleaning needed throughout.

All scores: 28079 • Antioch Elementary School cafeteria, 3101 Antioch Church Road – 99.5 • China II, 5850 Hwy. 74 E., suite 118 – 95 • DJ’s Diner, 88 Dale Jarrett Blvd. – 97.5 • El Cafetal, 4409 Old Monroe Road – 96 • Johnny K’s Restaurant, 138 N. Indian Trail Road – 93 • Potter Ridge High School cafeteria, 2839 Ridge Road – 98.5 • Porter Ridge Middle School cafeteria, 2827 Ridge Road – 100 28104 • Carniceria La Conchita, 621-D Stallings Road – 96 • Dunwright Grill, 4432 Potter Road – 96.5 • Enzo’s Italian Market, 4420 Potter Road – 98.5 • Grand Asia Market, 4400 Potter Road

Restaurant – 90

Meat market – 97.5 • Kami, 5922 Weddington-Monroe Road, suite A12 – 95

The Weekly

Recipe Scrum-didli-umptious Black Bean Dip This week’s recipe is submitted by our very own Josh Whitener: My wife and I have two small children, so time is a commodity we don’t have a lot of.

Thankfully, there are dishes like the “Scrumdidli-umptious Black Bean Dip” – no, I did not come up with that name – that make our lives easier when we’re preparing food for ourselves and for guests.

The reason? It only takes a few minutes, and it’s a total crowd-pleaser, as well. So, next time you’re looking for a side or main dish, but don’t have a lot of time to cook, try this out. I’ll guarantee it – you’ll be hooked.

Do you have a tried-and-true recipe your family loves? Share it with us! Email news@ unioncountyweekly with the subject line, “Recipe.”

• Phat Daddy’s Café, 2741 Old Monroe Road – 98.5 • Weddington High School cafeteria, 4901 Weddington-Monroe Road – 99 • Weddington United Methodist Church lunchroom, 13901 Providence Road, building 300 – 97 28110 • Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts cafeteria, 1200 Concord Ave. – 98.5 • El Vallarta, 1890 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 98 • GoodTimes Bar and Grill, 1905 Dickerson Blvd. – 97 • Knife & Fork, 1201 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 96 • Mayfair Seafood, 2568 W. Roosevelt Blvd.

– 98 • Monroe Middle School cafeteria, 601 E. Sunset Blvd. – 96.5 • Monterrey Mexican Restaurant, 1007 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 96 • Napoli Italian Restaurant, 2263 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 95 • Olive Garden, 2983 Monroe Way – 97 • On the Road, 812 N. Charlotte Ave. – 94 • Parkwood Middle School cafeteria, 3210 Parkwood School Road – 100 • Prospect Elementary School cafeteria, 3005 Ruben Road – 98.5 28112 • Monroe Rehabilitation Center, 1212 E. Sunset Drive – 98.5 • Stone Table Express, 109 S. Main St. – 98.5 • The Skinny Cook, 1643 W. Franklin St. – 97.5 28173 • The Club at Longview, 8801 Longview Club Drive – 96 • Cuthbertson Middle School cafeteria, 1520 Cuthbertson Road – 100 • Marvin Ridge High School cafeteria, 2825 Crane Road – 100 • Rea View Elementary School cafeteria, 320 Reid Dairy Road – 98.5 • Sandy Ridge Elementary School cafeteria, 10101 Waxhaw Manor Drive – 100

Ingredients • One can of black beans, drained and rinsed • One 8-ounce block of cream cheese • One 16-ounce can of salsa (mild, medium or hot, depending on your personal preference) • One 8-ounce bag of shredded mozzarella cheese • One bag of “scooped” tortilla chips Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Soften cream cheese and spread in the bottom of a glass baking dish. Spread black beans on top of cream cheese. Spread salsa over black beans.

Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over salsa. Bake in oven for 8 minutes, then let cool for 5 minutes. Enjoy with a bag of tortilla chips – the “scoop” kind work best.

Note: For an even more satisfying meal, add chicken to the dish. Cook two chicken breasts in the oven for 40 minutes on 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix the chicken in a bowl mixer on high, then add to dish on top of the black beans layer.

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The Weekly

Crime Blotter

Union County Weekly | September 25, 2015 | Page 9 • 100 block of Kennerly Drive: $350 tools/chainsaw stolen.

Sept. 12 • 2100 block of Younts Road: $70 personal hygiene item, $45 clothing and $1 earrings stolen. Sept. 12 • 2100 block of Younts Road: $189.52 clothing stolen. Sept.

12 • 2100 block of Younts Road: $239.18 merchandise stolen.

Sept. 12 • 4000 block of Houndscroft Road: $50 license plate stolen.

Sept. 16

The following incidents were reported between Sept. 11 and 17:

Hemby Bridge Homes/Business break-ins • 2700 block of West Lawyers Road: $600 chainsaw, $299 presser washer, $100 weedeater, $800 chainsaw and $200 weedeater stolen. Sept. 11 Vehicle break-ins • 5200 block of Reid Road: $200 knife, $100 knife, $100 flashlight, $80 purses, $80 wallets, credit/debit cads and driver’s license stolen. Sept. 11

Vandalism • 3600 block of Armell Drive: $50 wooden fence slats damaged. Sept. 14 Vehicle break-ins • 1100 block of Landen Chase Drive: $300 compound bow, $200 cash and $65 home stereo equipment. Sept. 11

Lake Park No incidents reported.

Marvin

• 8700 block of Lancaster Highway: $200 door damaged.

Sept. 17 Fraud • 4800 block of Rockwood Drive: $444.08 credit card stolen: Sept. 12 Property damage • 6700 block of Steele Road: $2,500 car damaged: Sept. 13 • 1600 block of South Providence Road: debit/credit cards, $5.98 greeting cards, $2.49 merchandise, $5.79 glue, $7.99 Halloween decorations stolen. Sept. 15

Wesley Chapel Property damage • 5100 block of Meadows Road. $75 in damage to living room window. Sept. 11 Property Theft • 7400 block of Melwood Place. $27.34 hydrocodone stolen.

Sept. 13

No incidents reported.

Indian Trail

Stallings

Letters to the Editor

No incidents reported.

(continued from page 5)

Homes/Business break-ins • 200 block of Wood Lake Drive: Sept. 11

Waxhaw

done their best in too small quarters.

The town hall project was not brought up again until last year. A town hall was approved for maximum cost of $7,983,312. Luckily, the 20,000-square-foot town hall is a reality. The approved town hall will be 62.5 percent smaller than the one voided in 2006, but the cost is 54.1 percent higher. The cost of the town hall proposed in 2004 is 54.1 percent less. Fortunately the town hall is now a fact.

The 2015-16 budget shows clearly that the town can afford to build a most necessary town hall this year.

Severin Jacobsen Indian Trail

Property damage • 3000 block of Secret Garden Court: $20 vinyl siding damaged. Sept. 12 • 1000 block of Enderbury Drive: $300 car damaged. Sept.

13 • 1000 block of Christobal Court: $250 window damaged.

Sept. 13 Property Theft • 6700 block of Old Monroe Road: $2.98 for food/drink stolen. Sept. 11

Homes/Business break-ins • 7500 block of Old Waxhaw Monroe Road: Sept. 12 • 7100 block of Sims Road: $62 laptop, $300 rifle, $900 rifle, $120 gun magazine, $300 laptop, $40 handgun case, $40 handgun magazine, $900 rifle, $40 handgun magazine, $30 hand-loader for magazine and $20 CD player stolen. Sept. 14 • 6600 block of Loblolly Circle: $15 flash drive, $500 computer, $80 jewelry box, $140 laptop, $75 computer charger, $400 iPad, $30 phone charger, $1,500 TV, $300 college ring, $400 gold and emerald ring, and $250 gold and emerald tennis bracelet. Sept. 15.

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Page 10 | September 25, 2015 | Union County Weekly

The Weekly

Development Briefs New firms form in Union County The following is a list of new corporations filed by registered agents with the N.C. Secretary of State from Sept. 11 to 17 in Union County.

Indian Trail • CA Innovations LLC – Cheryl Adams, 3109 Wesley Chapel Road.

• Dulin Properties LLC – Carole Dulin, 9314 Heritage Lane.

• HF Properties LLC – Wesley Hinson, 309 Post Office Drive.

• Makongo Afro-American Minerals Consulting LLC – David Makongo, 2000 Centerview Drive.

• SD Value Vault LLC – Susan Bartholomew, 6001 Amber Court.

• V&V Distributors LLC – Dennis Vilchez, 1310 Wesley Chapel Road, suite B. Monroe • 6135 Meadow Rose Lane LLC – William Colgreave, 1712 Ruben Road.

• 9137 Touchstone Lane LLC – William Colgreave, 1712 Ruben Road.

• America Multienvios Inc. – Gilberto Henriquez, 549 Morgan Mill Road.

• Batter Up Hitting & Pitching Facility Inc. – Amanda Crook, 2465 Old Charlotte Highway.

• IPROLOGISTIX Inc. – Ivan Prosanov, 2105 Landen Chase Drive.

• Rumble Bee Roofing Inc – Michael Mc-

Nally, 3023 Streamlet Way. • WCS Investors LLC – David Boggs, 2717 Rolling Hills Drive.

• W. Tate Helms PLLC – William Helms, 101 S. Main St. Other • SonBuilt LLC – Travis Manning, 1700 Tanglebriar Court, Weddington.

• Mama's Care Center LLC – Casey Terhune, 208 Glencroft Drive, Wingate.

• Teddy Griffin Enterprises Inc – Teddy Griffin, 2816 Gourdvine Drive, Marshville.

Waxhaw looks at UDO WAXHAW – The town will enlist Washington-based Studio Cascade to rewrite its Unified Development Ordinance after considering proposals from six firms.

Studio Cascade’s work could involve establishing a vision for the future of the N.C. 16 corridor by identifying the types and look of development that fit with the character of the town.

“One of our major objectives is to find a way to simplify your code,” Principal Bill Grimes told town commissioners on Sept. 22. “Your code is almost like a coral, where over the years things have been added to it.”

The timeline will include an initial assessment in mid-December, presentation of initial findings in January, public workshops in March and May, full-day sessions with town leaders in September and planning board public hearings in November.

“Zoning is often somewhat intimidating topic, so a lot of our challenge I think will be finding ways to help the community not necessarily be intimidated but help find some relevance that might actually influence them

and advance their aspirations for the community,” Grimes said.

The process will involve close work with the development community, as well as key stakeholders, such as N.C. Department of Transportation, schools, utilities, private groups and homeowners associations.

“They had really familiarized themselves with the town, going out and looking at the various land uses,” Town Planner Lisa McCarter said of Studio Cascade.

Town begins parking study WAXHAW – Town staff has begun talks with a consultant to start work on a downtown parking study.

Town Manager Warren Wood said the study should be complete by the by the end of 2015. Steps will include collecting data, engaging the public, projecting five- to 10-year demand, approving conceptual plans and presenting a final report.

Pike’s doubling down in region MATTHEWS – Pike Nurseries hopes to open its second Charlotte-area greenhouse in town.

The company is requesting rezoning of 4.15 acres on the east side of Northeast Parkway, south of DeVore Lane and north of Matthews Township Parkway to operate a commercial nursery with greenhouses.

John Carmichael, of Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, wrote in a letter to Planning Director Kathi Ingrish that the use would produce a relatively low traffic-generation impact. It would also preserve trees.

Town commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Nov. 9 and decide on it Dec. 14.

Pete Pike began a homegrown nursery in 1958 Marietta, Georgia. Since being bought in 2008, it’s expanded to 16 retail locations, most of which are in the Atlanta area.

Pike Nurseries has a Ballantyne location at 12630 N. Community House Road.

Interest builds in commercial development WAXHAW – The town continues seeing strong growth in residential development, but Town Manager Warren Wood also is hearing about interest in commercial and even some industrial development.

In his first six months as town manager, Woods didn’t hear much commercial interest, but it’s been starting to pick up in the last month or so.

Town commissioners will discuss economic development issues at an Oct. 27 workshop.

Photo courtesy of town of Matthews

Rendering of proposed Pike Nurseries off of Matthews Township Parkway.

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | September 25, 2015 | Page 11

Cureton residents keep gas station at bay

Photo courtesy of town of Waxhaw

Renderings for a proposed convenience store on Providence Road show how a Sam’s Mart would look on the property.

by Justin Vick justin@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

WAXHAW – The thought of another gas station in town is enough to ignite residents like Candace Definis.

When Definis heard about a convenience store with a car wash, automotive repair facility and retail building proposed near the Cureton subdivision, she started an online petition against the rezoning request.

More than 560 people signed the petition, citing environmental, noise, traffic and safety concerns.

“When we all moved to Waxhaw, we bought into the charm of the town,” Definis said.

“We don’t think the charm just ends on Main Street. We believe it should extend throughout Waxhaw.”

Neighbors particularly want to maintain the look and feel of Cureton Town Center, a place where they could walk, shop and dine with families, she said.

And they’ve nearly gotten what they wanted.

Micheaux Resource Management LLC sought to rezone single-family residential property on N.C. 16 and Kensington Road to build the project, which is across the street from the Shoppes at Howards Mill.

Seventeen people spoke during a July 14 public hearing about the project. Residents complained about chain stores and gas stations.

When it came time for town council to vote on the project, developers were willing to make concessions without public prodding from town leaders.

John Ross, of Eagle Engineering, told commissioners they no longer had a desire to seek a variance for a red canopy and sought a more neutral color that fit in with the neighborhood.

“We heard some folks speaking earlier about what is right and what is fair,” Ross said. “We contend that everything we have done has been specific to the letter of the law.

“The applicant has spent a sizable amount of money with a number of potential users to get architectural renderings for each of these individual buildings,” Ross continued. “We feel like every effort has been made in the last year and three months to get us to this point in the process.”

The land had been in the property owner’s family since 1910 and they’ve tried to sell it since 2002, according to Ingram Walters, who is representing Micheaux Resource Management LLC. He said the site needed to be commercial because no one would want to build a home in that specific location.

Walters acknowledged so much opposition from residents about the automotive use that

What do you think?

What would you like to see near Cureton Town Center? A new restaurant? A skyscraper? A zoo?

Email your ideas to hannah@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com.

he began looking at whether there would be room for a restaurant. He wants to try to work with the incoming Forest Hill Church to see if it could take on the detention pond in exchange for access to the property.

“I want to make this deal work,” Walters said.

Walters offered taking out the automotive use, change some of the architecture and add a restaurant to the plan if it helped the board approve the proposal. However, the offer backfired.

Town Attorney Chaplin Spencer advised commissioners to defer the decision until planning staff had time to review a new set of site plans.

“Planners need to look at the configurations and setbacks,” Spencer said. “Even though it’s a less intense use – and I saw people nodding at a restaurant – it’s not a huge change but it’s change. It’s part of the zoning process. They would need to go back and see how this fits.”

Spencer cautioned the board from making the decision after the November election, giving the developer a three-month window to present revised plans.

Commissioners encouraged the developer to bring the plans in time to hold another public hearing in the first meeting in October.

Then, they’d consider approving the plan during the second October meeting.

Commissioner John Hunt told the developer many residents were mainly opposed to not being involved in the process.

“I think we’re offering this out to you not as a ‘no’ answer, but you stated you’re willing to work with us, us not being this board but the community of Waxhaw,” Hunt said. “Bring back a plan the community, that us, are looking for.”

Meanwhile, Definis is curious about what the new plan will look like. She said neighbors want to maintain the look and feel of Cureton Town Center, a place where they could walk, shop and dine with families.

“When something happens right in your front yard, that’s when we thought we needed to step it up a notch and get involved,” she said.

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 12 | September 25, 2015 | Union County Weekly

Weddington District 2 candidates want to bring ‘honesty’ back to council seat

by Courtney Schultz courtney@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

WEDDINGTON – Like all candidates in Weddington, the two candidates looking to fill in the council seat for District 2, the northeastern part of the town, might be walking into a tough situation.

Residents have asked for greater transparency and faith from Weddington’s town council after the town made decisions that subsequently led to two lawsuits against the town from the Providence Volunteer Fire Department. Councilmembers also will have to determine how the de-annexation debacle of neighboring Wesley Chapel could affect Weddington, which also has large tracts of undeveloped land.

Both candidates – Mikki Weaver and Scott Buzzard – vary in political experience, but desire to bring honesty and openness to the council seat. Buzzard claims Liz Callis, who appears on the board of election’s list of candidates, will not be running. Callis was unable to be reached by Union County Weekly’s press deadline.

Scott Buzzard

Buzzard served on Weddington’s planning board and other town boards for eight years, as well as ran for council before, and believes he knows the outside pressures Weddington faces.

The pressures from county and state officials and legislators involve “roads that are no good for Weddington,” poor redistricting and a push by the state to allow landowners

and developers to de-annex from their municipalities, Buzzard said. “(The latter) could have a huge impact on Weddington. There are large tracts of land,” he said. “Our leaders have no focus or idea about that and then we could turn Scott Buzzard around and see the tracts of land break away from the town.”

He believes the town needs strong leaders to retain its rural character. Buzzard said he’s lived in Weddington for 15 years and has seen how increased population has increased traffic pressures and housing density.

Buzzard said he wants to help develop relationships with the county board of education and other area officials to have a voice for the town. He feels his experience in town politics will help him carry the town’s voice.

“I’ve listened to what (residents’) concerns are and I think I understand their concerns,” he said.

The Weddington Downs resident also feels his experience sets him apart from his opponent because he said he’ll be able to better handle issues, concerns and pressures Weddington is facing.

“Things are occurring so quickly that we need a leader that can jump right into the middle of it,” Buzzard said.

He worries a councilmember who is new to government would have to take time to

learn the process, which might delay important decisions.

Mikki Weaver

Weaver comes into the council election as a fresh newcomer to the political scene. The Greystone resident has never run for any office before, which she said is an asset to the race because she feels she doesn’t fall into a stereotypical politician’s role.

Mikkie Weaver Weaver says her motivation lies solely in running for council, not as a stepping-stone toward a higher political office.

She began attending town council meetings earlier this year because she didn’t understand the council’s actions. After attending meetings, she disagreed with the council’s decisions and felt councilmembers didn’t open a line of communication for residents to discuss matters.

If elected, Weaver hopes to remedy the issue by hosting a standing “coffee date” each month before the town council meeting, which is held the second Monday of the month, to allow residents a chance to voice their concerns to her and ask questions about council decisions.

“One of the thing I want people to understanding is that I really believe that my per-

sonal opinions are only that of one voter,” she said. “I want them to know I will vote the way the people want me to vote.”

She seeks to be a liaison for residents to the council, as well as to state and county decision-makers, who decide upon school districting and road construction.

“There should be no backroom deals, know communication going on that our public doesn’t have access to or understand.

These types of decisions that have impactful results should be so clear that everyone can understand,” Weaver said.

She believes “small town politics” became “extraordinarily complicated,” but doesn’t feel it has to be complicated.

“If you operate from a place of integrity and always tell the truth, I’ve found in life and in business, frequently things become that simple and straightforward to understand,” Weaver said.

Get in touch with the candidates Get contact with the District 2 candidates or learn more about their campaigns at:

Scott Buzzard

704-258-7901 scottb@sterlingservices.com

Mikki Weaver

919-795-9136 mikki.weaver@gmail.com www.facebook.com/ weaverforweddington?fref=ts

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | September 25, 2015 | Page 13

University, arts council bring independent films and filmmakers to Union County

by Josh Whitener josh@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

WINGATE – Community members will have the chance to be among the first to see a handful of acclaimed independent films, as Wingate University hosts the Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Films and Filmmakers.

The series includes the showing of six films, giving viewers a chance to interact with filmmakers, who will attend each screening and discuss their works with the audience.

The program is a partnership between Wingate University’s The Batte Center, the Union County Community Arts Council (UCCAC) and South Arts.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with this opportunity to partner with The Batte Center on such a unique project,” said Barbara Faulk, UCCAC’s executive director.

The films included in the Southern Circuit Tour are selected through a highly competitive process, according to Laura Kratt, Wingate University’s director of cultural events. Film professionals viewed more than 200 films this year, narrowing the list down to just a handful of works.

“It’s a very challenging process, and the quality of these films is just phenomenal,” Kratt said.

All films chosen for Wingate’s circuit ended are documentaries, each of which Kratt said tells an “intriguing and com-

pelling” story. The school showed its first film, “I Will Dance,” on Sept. 8, and received positive response from attendees, Kratt said.

“We’re so grateful that so many people have joined us (in) thinking it’s a great project,” she said. “… We hope this is going to be the first of many years to come.”

The film series is free to attend, but tickets are required. Find more information at www.battecenter.org.

Films to be shown include: • “1971” – Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. in PlylerGriffin Recital Hall: A true mystery of eight ordinary citizens who exposed FBI corruption.

• “Imba Means Sing” – Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. in McGee Theatre: Follows three children from the slums of Uganda through a world tour with the African Children’s Choir.

• “Dorothea Lange: Grab a Hunk of Lightning” – Feb. 23, 2016, at 7 p.m. in McGee Theatre: Focuses on “one of the most important documentary photographers of the 20th century” through the filmmaking eyes of her granddaughter.

• “American Made Movie” – March 15, 2016, at 7 p.m. in McGee Theatre: Highlights the positive impact of domestic manufacturing jobs on national and local economies • “Althea” – April 5, 2016, at 7 p.m. in McGee Theatre: Tells the story of “a most unlikely queen of the highly segregated tennis world” in the 1950s.

Weekend events to bring art culture, Native American heritage to Indian Trail Sept. 26

by Josh Whitener josh@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

INDIAN TRAIL – People will have a chance to broaden their cultural horizon this weekend, as Indian Trail hosts its fourth annual Indian Trail Cultural Arts Festival.

The event will take place Saturday, Sept.

26, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Indian Trail’s new Chestnut Square Park, located at 320 Chestnut Pkwy. The festival will feature a variety of arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, live musical performances, children’s activities and more.

“It’s really going to run the gamut of a number of cultural arts (offerings),” Mike Parks, director of communications for Indian Trail, said.

Regional artists will offer a number of handmade items for sale, and people also will participate in make-your-own art activities, Parks said.

In conjunction with the Cultural Arts Festival, Indian Trail also will host the Native American Pow Wow, an event highlighting North Carolina’s eight Native American tribes and educating the public on Native American culture. The event will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Chestnut Square Park, and continue Sunday, Sept. 27, from noon to 5 p.m. at the park.

“It’s a demonstration not only of Native American culture throughout the years, but also culture today – what’s happening nowadays that a lot of people don’t know about,” Parks said.

Jessie Jacobs, with the Metrolina Native American Association said people can expect “American Indian drummers and singing, and special events we don’t (reveal) until you get to the Pow Wow.” Jacobs said all eight tribes of Native Americans in North Carolina are scheduled to attend the event, which includes a “grand entry” at noon on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday.

“It’s lots of fun, oriented around the family … we do it for the public to see what (Native American) culture is like,” Jacobs said.

In addition to the special events this weekend, Indian Trail offers other cultural programs regularly, including periodic painting classes and a monthly Poetry Open Mic, which takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month.

Find more information at www.indiantrail.org.

Photo courtesy of Mike Parks

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 14 | September 25, 2015 | Union County Weekly

The Weekly

Community Spotlight

Bonita Simpson is the owner of Bonita’s School of Ballet and also directs the Union County Youth Ballet’s annual performances, including its popular holiday production of “The Nutcracker Ballet.” Now in its 22nd year, the ballet is performed annuBonita Simpson ally at Wingate University during one weekend in December.

Simpson also works with the student performers to host outside performances and snippets, which have previously taken place at locations like Monroe Crossing Mall.

The Union County Youth Ballet’s performances of “The Nutcracker Ballet” will take place Dec. 11, a Friday, at 7 p.m. and Dec. 12, a Saturday, at 10 a.m. and 2 and 7 p.m.

Find more information at www.ucyb.org.

What made you want to become a dance instructor?

My mother enrolled me in dance to help boost my self-confidence and it was then

that I fell in love with the art form of ballet.

I knew from a very young age that I wanted to inspire that in others.

What person inspires you as you've advanced in your own career?

I have always had the support of my family and my student's families, and they have been my biggest inspiration from the very beginning.

How has your largest production, "The Nutcracker Ballet," evolved over the past two decades?

Our production of the Nutcracker has grown in number of both participants and attendees. Every year we develop new parts, props, costumes, and choreography to keep the tradition alive.

Do you have a favorite ballet?

I'm not sure that I could pick a favorite.

Each ballet has beautiful aspects, and it is difficult to pick one that really stands out above the others.

What has been the most satisfying aspect of teaching young dancers?

I always love seeing students as they grow into strong and graceful artists. I love watching them begin to understand the way their bodies can work and create beautiful art.

Send Community Spotlight nominations to josh@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

Education

Parkwood cheerleaders show spirit for veterans

by Courtney Schultz courtney@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

WAXHAW – Parkwood High School cheerleaders gave a boost to the Waxhaw American Legion as part of one of the group’s service projects earlier this month.

The cheerleaders participate in several projects each year, including supporting breast cancer research and childhood research, but had not yet reached out to veterans.

One of the cheerleading captain’s father is a marine veteran and another one of the cheerleaders serves with the school’s JROTC, which motivated the group to support area veterans.

“We knew we wanted to target veterans in our country,” said Jamey Harlow, Parkwood cheerleading coach.

The group chose to support Waxhaw American Legion because of its efforts to support Union County veterans. They repainted the stairs in front of its building red, white and blue on Sept. 10 in preparation for the legion’s flag retirement ceremony, in which residents can bring tattered or damaged flags and properly dispose of them.

Parkwood cheerleaders also sold raffle tickets for a week at Parkwood for Chickfil-A breakfast and raised $325 for the legion. The cheerleaders presented the check at the legion’s flag retirement ceremony.

Harlow said she and the team had never been to a flag retirement ceremony and were able to gain a new experience. She felt it was a “real tribute to our flag and our country.”

Community service is a large part of the

team’s bonding and encourages the team to make a difference. The team was recipients of the 2015 North Carolina Commissioner’s Cup last year for their service.

“It’s (also) about teaching them early on about a sense of community and how to be a good alumni,” she said.

She wanted to encourage the team to appreciate giving back to the community and being part of creating a positive community.

“They love to give back and to do more than just supporting their athletic teams, which they still love,” Harlow said.

Photo courtesy of Jamey Harlow

Parkwood High School cheerleaders gave back to veterans this month through a fundraiser and painting stairs at the Waxhaw American Legion.

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | September 25, 2015 | Page 15

The Weekly

Education Briefs Sardis Elementary School firstgraders learn to ‘count the line’ INDIAN TRAIL – Sardis Elementary School first-graders found a way to learn ordering numbers.

All the first-grade classes created a human number line in the school’s bus parking lot on Sept. 4 of approximately 79 students.

Students were given a number and instructed to find their place in the number line, as well as claimed their number out loud and answered questions regarding numbers greater or less than their own numbers.

“It was a great hands-on experiment for them to do, physically holding a number and physically counting forward and backward,” said Kim Wallace, first-grade teacher at Sardis.

Wallace said it’s important to the school’s first-grade team to teach for different types of learners.

“Kids don’t learn the same way,” she said.

“The more we can get physically engaged in the activity, our kinesthetic learners can learn and explore.”

Gaylene Hudson, a fellow first-grade teacher at Sardis, said the team continues to look for new ways to do thing so that every child can learn.

“We are no longer sitting in the classroom counting numbers,” Hudson said.

Photo courtesy of Gaylene Hudson

Sardis Elementary first-graders engaged in a new way to learn numbers.

Marvin Elementary receives grant to install new sunshade MARVIN – Marvin Elementary School students can take a break from the strongest sunrays during recess thanks to an $8,000 sunshade grant from the American Academy of Dermatology.

The sun’s ultraviolet rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when most children engage in recess.

President of Marvin Elementary’s PTO Christa Haller heard about the grant a few years ago and enlisted the help of fellow parents to obtain the grant for Marvin. Local dermatologist Dr. Marc Darst also sponsored the PTO and its sunshade committee.

“It’s the size of a classroom so we can use it for classroom instruction if we like or we can use it to keep cool when students are outside on the playground,” Marvin Elementary Principal Lynn Cole said in a news release. “We worked so hard to get it done. I’m really happy with it.

“It extends the playground, because it’s off to the side and we weren’t using that part of the playground as much; but now we can.”

The grant also includes monthly sun awareness activities at the school, spearheaded by Ian McTamney, a physical educa-

Photo courtesy of UCPS

Marvin Elementary welcomed a new sunshade to its playground to help students avoid sunrays. tion teacher at Marvin.

The school’s fifth-grade class also gifted picnic tables to place under the sunshade.

National Merit, UNCF team up for new college scholarship The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) and United Negro College Fund (UNCF) established the UNCF Achievement

Capstone Program, which will honor and grant financial assistance to high-achieving college graduates at historically black colleges and universities and predominantly black institutions in the U.S. The new program will be administered by UNCF and endorsed by NMSC with funds from the National Achievement Scholarship Program. The program will launch in the spring of 2016.

UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholars will be nominated by their college or university presidents, chancellors and deans “based on outstanding academic performance, character, and demonstrated leadership honoring the legacy of the 1964 Civil Rights Act,” according to a news release.

Awardees may use the scholarship to pay off undergraduate educational costs at their current institutions or to finance additional degrees, professional certifications and continuing education programs.

“UNCF is honored to carry on the name and legacy of a prestigious program which began at a time in our nation where earning a college degree was a social and financial challenge for many African Americans,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF President and CEO, in the release. “We are humbled to take on the mantle of the UNCF Achievement Capstone Program, which not only allows UNCF to help students make it to and through college, but now also helps them after they have earned a college degree.”

Visit www.uncf.org for more information.

Send education notes to courtney@carolina weeklynewspapers.com

Page 16 | September 25, 2015 | Union County Weekly

Student Spotlight

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Piedmont senior wins equestrian championship

by Courtney Schultz courtney@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

MONROE – Sixteen-year-old Piedmont High School senior Aspen Holeman started riding horses when she was 6 years old, and her experience paid off this summer.

Aspen was a part of a winning team at the championship competition of the United States Pony Club in Lexington, Virginia.

She competed in show jumping for her Carolina Regional team with her horse, Deeds, and helped her team win first place in her division. Aspen had earned top scores at the Regional Rallies to warrant a spot on the championship team. The competitions include dressage, mounted games, western, polo-Crosse and show jumping.

Aspen began her equestrian career competing in hunt seat equitation, but found more interest in show jumping and “eventing,” which is an equestrian triathlon.

“Once I went to show jumping, there was no way to go back to hunting,” she said.

The high school senior is a current member of the Rocky River Pony Club in Monroe. Aspen’s favorite part about her sport is that she can connect with her horse. She explained a rider has to build trust with their horse because she entrusts a one-to-two-ton animal with her life and they have to teach the horse how to compete. She said a rider has to spend time grooming and bonding with the horse to build trust.

“You have to have patience with your animal,” Aspen said. “Just like you train a dog how to sit, you have to teach a horse what you want it to do. Ninety-nine percent of the time something goes wrong it’s the rider’s fault. We could have done something different or told the horse something different.”

Typically, when a horse does not perform, it’s because the rider did not guide the horse properly, she added.

The 16-year-old said she’s made many friends through the competition, as well as gained confidence.

“When you ride with this horse, you get to do things others can’t or haven’t done before,” she said.

Photo courtesy of UCPS

Piedmont High School senior Aspen Holeman recently competed as part of a winning team at a championship show jumping competition in Lexington, Virginia.

State budget could mean less money for teachers

by Courtney Schultz courtney@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

The clock continued to tick all summer and into the school year as schools across North Carolina waited to know the fate of driver’s education, teacher assistants and teacher salaries.

N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory and the General Assembly finally passed a state budget for the next two spending years. The wait is over, but concerns do not end there.

School districts waited all summer to see if approximately 5,000 teacher assistants would lose their jobs – the state Senate’s budget proposal in order to decrease class sizes and increase the number of teachers.

The state Senate compromised and the number of teacher assistants from last year will be retained, but with conditions that the funds would only be used for those positions.

However, this could prove troublesome for school districts, including CharlotteMecklenburg Schools, which use some of the teacher assistant funding to pay for teachers.

Last year, North Carolina school districts used $48.7 million intended to teacher assistants for other purposes – $42.3 million going to hire teachers.

Legislators say the school systems have greater flexibility elsewhere in their budget to move money around for teachers. Already tight budget allocations will mostly likely feel the squeeze if Union County Public Schools have to shift funds.

However, parents of high schoolers can breathe a sigh of relief as driver’s education funding was instated for the next two years.

The budget also includes an increased base pay for all beginning teachers from $33,000 to $35,000, but no one-time raise of $750 for veteran teachers, and funding for education K-12 enrollment growth, as well as more funds for the controversial North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Program.

“The final two-year budget will fund close to 6,000 student scholarships by the 201617 school year, up from 1,100 students in the Program’s first year (2014-15),” Darrell Allison, president of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, said in a statement. “When you consider that the first year of the Opportunity Scholarship Program was only able to utilize roughly $5 million dollars due to legal challenges, it is truly significant to see that the final budget ends with $17.6 million for 2015-16 and $24.8 million for 2016-17 – a nearly 500percent increase.”

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | September 25, 2015 | Page 17

Faith

Real estate might be a good investment, but I make a lousy landlord

by Rev. Tony Marciano tonym@charlotterescuemission.org

I was having one of those days. You know what I am talking about – a really bad day.

Can I say I was having a really bad week?

I called our national office and chatted with Rev. Tony Marciano the executive assistant to our national director. I thought I was just letting off a little steam; you know, getting a few things off my chest. I must have said more than I thought. She told her boss about my call. He called our national chaplain who called me.

That conversation started off by saying, “Are you OK? How are you doing?”

When I got off the phone with the chaplain, I paused to take a hard look at what was going on in my life. I also thought about our national director. He had faced some very difficult challenges.

They were real. He got through them, and so could I. Although the call was brief, it got me thinking even further. I had gotten good at “licking my wounds.” When someone

hurts me, I hold onto those hurts. I will continue to scratch those cuts so they don’t heal. In the process, I became a landlord. I had tenants – lots of tenants living in an apartment building I didn’t own. I didn’t sign up to be a landlord. I became one without realizing I had achieved that accomplishment. Did I tell you I was a lousy landlord? A really bad one.

I allowed my tenants to live rent free in my apartment building. I never collected any rent from them. In addition, I provided them with free food, free electric, free cable, free Internet, free Wi-Fi. Free everything. I never charged them for anything.

The apartment building was my head.

I let my tenants live rent free in my head.

I went into the apartment building and walked up to the apartment. I removed the door from the hinges and informed the tenant they had to leave. I let them know the water, electric, cable and Wi-Fi had already been shut off. I walked them out the door.

An article on forgiveness challenged me to consider that if we lose that old pain, we lose what we learned and might repeat our mistakes. The author went on to say, “Dwelling on the past is equally dangerous.” That’s when I had an idea.

I envisioned I had just walked my tenants out of my apartment building.

I took them across the street and let them move into a store that had large glass windows. I could see them but they couldn’t get out. (I changed the lock. It only opened from the outside.) Being able to see them reminded me that God called me to pray for them. I also knew they were not “safe people.”

I forgave them. Archibald Hart defines forgiveness as “giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me.” I’ve added, “It is not forgetting. It takes one to have forgiveness; it takes two to have reconciliation.”

Since they no longer lived in my head, I could drop my guard instead of always operating on “alert mode.”

By the end of that weekend, I felt free.

In a sense, I had “buried the hatchet.” I wasn’t going to “scratch” old wounds. I wasn’t going back into the landlord business with a lot of nonpaying tenants.

I told our national president what I did. He was pleased. I thanked him for setting the example that your past doesn’t have to take your present hostage.

I’ll be back in two weeks. Until then, live well my friend.

Rev. Tony Marciano is the executive director of the Charlotte Rescue Mission. He is available to speak to your group. Visit www.charlotterescuemis sion.org for more information.

The Weekly

Faith Briefs

Fall Fun Festival at Weddington UMC WEDDINGTON – Weddington United Methodist Church will hold its Fall Fun Festival on Oct. 31, a Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Family Life Center.

The event will include face painting, a bounce house, a dunk tank, trackless train, costume parade, carnival games and more. Hula hoop entertainer Cara Zara will perform at 1 p.m.

Guests are encouraged to wear a costume. Barbecue, pizza and hot dogs will be sold at a low cost, and popcorn, snow cones and cupcakes will be free.

Weddington UMC is located at 13901 Providence Road.

Fall Fest at First Baptist Weddington WEDDINGTON – First Baptist Church of Weddington will hold its annual Fall Festival on Oct. 24, a Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival will include carnival games, prizes, music, food and more.

First Baptist Church of Weddington is located at 348 Providence Road S.

Indian Trail UMC hosts international dinner on Saturday, Oct. 10 INDIAN TRAIL – The Indian Trail United Methodist Women will host an International Dinner on Oct. 10, a Saturday, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church’s Fellowship Hall. Cost is $8 per plate and meals are available for dine in only. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling 704-221-6483.

Indian Trail United Methodist Church is located at 113 Indian Trail Road.

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 18 | September 25, 2015 | Union County Weekly

The Weekly

Calendar September

25 Tom Conlan Concert

“The Well” Coffeehouse and Church will host recording artist Tom Conlan in concert.

Conlan has toured internationally since 1996 with songs and spoken word.

The concert is free, but there is a suggested donation of $10 at the door.

The Well’s coffee bar will offer coffee drinks, hot chocolate and other beverages.

Residents can find Conlon’s music on iTunes, CDBaby and tomconlonmusic.com.

8 p.m.; The Well, 220 Main St., Pineville

26 DogFest Walk ‘N Roll

Families and their canines can come out to a dog walk and festival, benefitting Canine Companions for Independence.

Resident can create a team to raise funds for the organization and enjoy dog-friendly activities. Registration is free.

Dogs must be comfortable in crowds, cannot exhibit aggressive behavior, must be kept on a leash and must be social and friendly with other dogs and people. Female dogs cannot be in heat.

Visit cci.org/DogFest or contact DogFestCharlotte@cci.org for more information.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Blakeney Shopping Center, Interseciton of Rea and Ardrey Kell roads, Charlotte

26 Wise Acres Fall Festival

Wise Acres Organic Farm will celebrate opening day of its first fall festival with family-friendly activities, presentations and more than 40 local small businesses.

Families can enjoy home-baked bread from Sweet Harvest Homestead, check out fall fashions with Curvaceous Closet and enjoy a puppet show, dance performances and the What the Fries food truck.

Visit wiseacresorganic.com/events/ for more information.

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 4107 Hartis Road, Indian Trail

26

Indian Trail Cultural Arts Festival

The Indian Trail Cultural Arts Festival will feature dance competitions, storytelling, belly dancing, Henna art, musical performances and vendors and more. There will be free activities for children, including Wax Hands, Spin Art, Arts and Crafts in the Sand (volleyball) box, a putting green and more.

11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Chestnut Square Park, Indian Trail

26 Crenshaw Book Signing

mation.

1 to 3 p.m.; Java’s Brewing Bakery & Café, 1526 Providence Road S., Waxhaw

Heel Junior Historian 26 Tar Interest Meeting The President James K. Polk State Historic Site will welcome fourth- to 12th-grade history lovers to “dig up” history as they engage in multiple historical projects at the historic site and throughout North Carolina.

This interest site will welcome families to learn about the program.

2 to 3:30 p.m.; President James K. Polk State Historic Site, 12031 Lancaster Hwy., Pineville

26 Community Blood Drive

Residents can receive a free ticket voucher for the movies by donating blood with the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas.

The CBCC has donation centers in Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Hickory and Greensboro.

Call 704-972-4700 or go to www.cbcc.us to make an appointment, 2 to 6 p.m.; Sun Valley 14, 6449 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail

October

Author Shawn

Waxhaw resident Shawn Crenshaw will be available to sign copies of his book, “Embrace the Real You.” The book seeks to help readers find their true identity and purpose. “Our true identity and purpose can only be found by embracing who we are in the eyes of God and using that revelation to drive our focus and lives,” according to the publisher.

Contact Michelle Whitman at michelle@ keymgc.com or 405-458-5642 for more infor-

3

Pumpkin Painting for Parents of Allergic Kids

Parents of Allergic Kids will host a pumpkin painting event at Dogwood Park. Participants should bring their own pumpkin but paint, brushes and decorations will be provided.

10 a.m.; Dogwood Park, 121 Lester Davis Road, Waxhaw

3

1846 Mexican American War Militia Muster

The President James K. Polk State Historic Site will give visitors a chance to look into the life of a common citizen, who had been called into service due to the 1846 conflict with Mexico. Living History reenactors will demonstrate domestic lifestyles and speak with residents about what lie was like in Mecklenburg County in 1846. The event is free.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; President James K. Polk State Historic Site, 12031 Lancaster Hwy., Pineville

3

UWR Third Annual Drawdown Raffle

Union West Rotary (UWR) Club will host a fundraising sinner that will include a “drawdown raffle,” where instead of the first ticket picked winning the grand prize, the last ticket picked will win $5,000 cash.

There will be other cash prizes, as well as non-monetary items given away during the evening. The tickets are limited, and club members advise they will sell out fast.

All the proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club’s service projects.

Contact Shirley Helms at 704-219-4064, Larry Helms at 704-893-2793 or Gary Tucker at 704-644-9967 for more information and to purchase tickets.

6 to 9 p.m.; South Piedmont Community College, 4209 Old Charlotte Hwy, Monroe

3

Middle School Madness

Middle school students can spend Saturday night at a fun and high-energy party instead of sitting in front of the television.

Activities include music, dancing, hoops,

www.unioncountyweekly.com contests, video games, Ping-Pong, indoor soccer, dodge ball and more. Concessions also will be for sale. .

Tickets cost $9 and can be purchased at the door.

Contact Andrew Reinken at 704-716-4222 or andrew.reinken@ymcacharlotte.org for more information.

7 to 10:30 p.m.; Siskey Family YMCA, 3127 Weddington Road, Matthews

5

Turning Point’s Annual Golf Tourney Fundraiser

Turning Point of Union County will host its annual tournament to benefit its organization.

Turning Point is the only organization in Union County to offer services from the domestic violence shelter, Tree House Children’s Advocacy Center and the Sexual Assault Resource Center.

The event will include lunch and will begin with a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Dinner and awards will proceed the tournament.

The event costs $150 per person and $600 for a four-person team. Sponsorship is also available for businesses. Participants can register at www.turntoday.net.

Contact Becky Tracy at 704-288-1902 or btracy@turntoday.net for more information.

11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Rolling Hills Country Club, 2722 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe

10 FFTC Fifth Annual 5K

Firefighters For the Cure will host an annual 5K race around Wingate University’s campus to benefit cancer research and treatment. The event also will include one-mile fun run.

Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the race will begin at 9 a.m. The event costs $25, which includes a T-shirt. Contact jonwill2102@gmail. com for more information.

9 a.m.; Wingate University at Irwin Belk Football Stadium, 660 N. Main St., Wingate

10 Lake Park Live!

Central Academy at Lake Park and Central Church of God will host its biggest fundraiser of the year with a music and art festival for family fun.

The event will feature vendors of food, art and other items, as well as a silent auction featuring gift cards, certificates, merchandise, service and other savings coupons.

Vendor space is still available and costs $25 per table and 10 percent of sales will be donated to the school. As a Lake Park Live vendor, the company names will be featured on the school’s website and publication, as well as Central Church of God’s website.

Contact Adriane White, Central Academy at Lake Park enrollment and community relations specialist, at 704-882-6267, ext. 254, or awhite@calpnc.org for more information.

11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Central Academy at Lake Park, 3624 Lake Park Road, Indian Trail

23 Girl’s Night Out

Alliance for Children will hold a onenight event for all fashionistas that will feature new and gently-used accessories for sale. The event also will feature a silent auction, prizes, drinks and appetizers. All proceeds will go toward the nonprofit.

Alliance is still looking for donated items, such as belts, bracelets, earrings, gloves, handbags, necklaces, watches and more. Call 704-226-1407 for pick-up.

Visit theallianceforchildren.org/events-2/

Union County Weekly | September 25, 2015 | Page 19 or contact Kim Wolfe at kwolfe@theallianceforchildren.org for more information.

5 to 8 p.m.; Alliance for Children, 105 Cedar St., Monroe

Annual Senior 27 19th Appreciation Day Union County senior citizens who live independently are invited to an annual appreciation event. The event will feature a free catered lunch, safety information and entertainment, and is sponsored by the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Eddie Cathey, Union County Crime Prevention Committee, Inc. and the Union County Agricultural Center.

Seating is limited so reservations are required. Reserve a seat by Calling Lt. William Thompson at 704-283-3765 before Oct. 24.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Union County Agricultural Center, 3230 Presson Drive, Monroe

Ongoing Community Yoga Class Wednesdays Participants can bring a mat and join this 60-minute yoga class that includes breathing techniques, flowing movement and deep stretching. Experienced yogis and beginners are welcome. Blocks and straps will be provided, along with a few extra mats. The class is donation based and is taught by Joan Wolfe, who has taught yoga for eight years.

8:15 to 9:15 a.m.; Cultural Arts Center, 100 Navajo Trail, Indian Trail

Thursdays Qigong, a gentle exercise for adults, is offered each Thursday morning. The classes cost $10 each and are taught by certified instructor Marie Theriault. Beginners are welcome.

Contact Theriault at marietheriault@windstream.net or visit www.FlowingRiverQigongandYoga.byregion.net for more information.

11 a.m.; Cultural Arts Center, 100 Navajo Trail, Indian Trail Qigong exercises are easy-to-learn and have health benefits, including increased flexibility and strength, lower blood pressure and relief from stress, among others.

Fridays Line Dance Lessons “This ain’t your mama’s line dance.” Beginner and intermediate line dancers can learn each week with Waxhaw Line Dancers. The lessons are open to all ages and levels and no partner or dance experience required.

The lessons run for about 60 to 90 minutes and open line dancing is available afterward.

Dancers are encouraged to dress for comfort and leather soled or smooth soled shoes are the best to dance in.

Call 704-559-9890 or visit www.waxhawlinedancers.com for more information.

7:30 p.m.; American Legion, 801 E. South Main St., Waxhaw

Send your community calendar information to courtney@carolinaweekly newspapers.com

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 20 | September 25, 2015 | Union County Weekly

Sports

Monroe keeps winning, Cuthbertson disappoints again

by Ben Doster ben@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com

We’ll know a lot more after Friday’s games, but I’m beginning to think I wasn’t just wrong, but really wrong in my preseason forecast of Union County high school football.

I picked Cuthbertson to run the table. Let that sink in for a moment. The Cavaliers have stumbled to a 3-2 start, and still have meetings with Monroe (Sept. 25), Weddington (Oct. 16) and Piedmont (Nov. 6).

Cuthbertson has the talent at the skill positions in quarterback Austin Kendall, wide receiver J.T. Cauthen and a bevy of others, to compete with anyone, but must play better defense. However, a win over Monroe would drastically change the Cavaliers circumstances and be the shot in the arm this team needs.

Monroe, a traditional power, is still a 2A program, so it’s sometimes overlooked, which I was certainly guilty of in the preseason. I have since become a big believer in the Redhawks and a herald of their gridiron exploits this fall.

The Redhawks have the speed, athletes and coaching to compete with the 3A schools in Union County and most of the 4A schools in the greater Charlotte area. Monroe is not just a competitor with the bigger programs in Union County, but I believe it is the team to beat.

Monroe has multiple weapons on the offensive side of the ball led by dual-threat quarterback Zephaniah Wall, allpurpose back Braxton Knotts and wide receiver Jadarious McManus.

The Redhawks are equally impressive on defense with

Ben Doster/UCW photo

linebackers Dontaviaus Covington and Trayquan Price, who have combined for 129 tackles.

If Monroe beats Cuthbertson, which it should be favored to do, then the Redhawks could quite possibly run the table, earn a top seed and home-field advantage through the first four rounds of the playoffs.

Obviously, I can’t forget about Weddington either. Its loss to Monroe, while disappointing and surprising, might help the Warriors in the long run. It’s the type of thing that can refocus a team and bring it closer together. A lesser team would have pointed fingers, but coach Tim Carson, his staff and players regrouped and pummeled Parkwood, 48-6.

Weddington has a bye this week, which it will use to brush up on those finer points, shore up weaknesses and improve its strengths before it hosts a Charlotte Country Day team that is rebuilding.

The Warriors are the favorite to win the Southern Carolinas, but dates with Cuthbertson (Oct. 16) and Piedmont (Oct. 30) will be challenging roadblocks.

After a tumultuous 0-3 start to the Aubrey Carter era at Marvin Ridge, the Mavericks have reeled off two straight decisive victories (38-20 over Providence Day and 41-7 over Garinger).

Sophomore Caleb Deveaux (78 carries for 516 yards and eight touchdowns) has quietly emerged as one of the top running backs in the area, and gives the Mavs a physical runner and dynamic homerun threat.

Deveaux and the Mavs can break even with a win at Porter Ridge going into their bye week before the schedule heats up again with a trip to Cuthbertson (Oct. 9).

Two of the County’s biggest surprises this season, Piedmont and CATA, collide Friday night. While both are fun stories, the Panthers have faced tougher competition and their double-wing offense has given opponents fits.

The Cougars honeymoon might come to a screeching halt Friday, or they could surprise us and continue their winning ways.

Forest Hills has reeled off three wins in a row since its 59-13, blowout loss to Weddington, including upset victories over Piedmont and Cuthbertson.

Coach John Lowery and his staff have the Yellow Jackets playing at a high level. Don’t sleep on Forest Hills, which could give Monroe a run for the Rocky River Conference.

Week six football game previews CATA at Piedmont Friday at 7:30 p.m.

It’s not a complete shock the Cougars are undefeated, because their first four games all appeared to be very winnable going into the season. Now, CATA will face the toughest test its encountered thus far when it enters the Panther lair.

Piedmont running back Khris Missick will be a load, while the double wing is a nightmare to prepare for. However, CATA’s Jack Heda and Clemson Allen pose formidable attack too, but the physical and opportunistic nature of the Panthers defense might be too much for the Cougars.

Marvin Ridge at Porter Ridge Friday at 7:30 p.m.

If it hasn’t happened already, the wheels are about to completely fall off the wagon for the Pirates. Porter Ridge has stumbled to 0-4, and the second half doesn’t look promising for the Pirates after last season’s 2-9 finish.

Running back Mason Mills has been a bright spot for Porter Ridge, but the Mavericks appear to have the edge when it comes to offensive firepower. Quarterback Austin Colonna, wide receiver Emeka Emezie and running back Caleb Deveaux makes for quite the three-headed monster.

Monroe at Cuthbertson Friday at 7:30 p.m.

The Redhawks are soaring on the heels of a 5-0 record, and they don’t seem to be done yet. Monroe is one of the more difficult teams to prepare for, because they can hurt opponents in a variety of ways. It will be interesting to see if the Cavaliers can put together a complete game in all three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams.

Something tells me the trio of quarterback Zephaniah Wall, all-purpose back Braxton Knotts and wide receiver Jadarious McManus might be too much for Cuthbertson’s defense to handle, and the Monroe defense should make enough plays to give the Redhaws the edge.

The Weekly

Week Six

Athletes

Game Picks

Boys Athlete of the Week CATA at Piedmont Marvin Ridge at Porter Ridge Monroe at Cuthbertson Sun Valley at Forest Hills Anson at Parkwood Union Academy at South Stanly Village Christian at Metrolina Christian

Hannah Chronis

Ben Doster

Ronnie Plyler

TJ Brewer, Forest Hills

Piedmont Marvin Ridge Monroe Forest Hills Parkwood Union Academy Metrolina Christian

Piedmont Marvin Ridge Monroe Sun Valley Parkwood Union Academy Metrolina Christian

Piedmont Marvin Ridge Monroe Forest Hills Parkwood Union Academy Metrolina Christian

Forest Hills junior defensive back/wide receiver T.J. Brewer made nine tackles, an interception, and caught two passes for 36 yards in the Yellow Jackets 24-17 win over Cuthbertson on Sept. 18.

Last week: 6-2

Last week: 7-1

Last week: 7-1

Overall: 33-10

Overall: 33-10

Overall: 31-12

Girls Athlete of the Week Alexa King, Marvin Ridge Marvin Ridge junior cross-country runner Alexa King finished 11th out of 287 girls competing in the Adidas XC Challenge. She finished with a time of 18 minutes, 37.80 seconds.

www.unioncountyweekly.com

Union County Weekly | September 25, 2015 | Page 21

Week five stats

Receiving Player

Passing Player

Games

Sam Howell Austin Colonna Austin Kendall Zephaniah Wall Grayson Willingham Zaccheus Rorie Clemson Allen Hadden Gsell Brayden Hawkins Bryant Ferguson-Springs David Bayha Justin Radulovich PJ Papadopulos

5 5 5 5 5 5 4 4 1 5 5 4 1

Team Sun Valley Marvin Ridge Cuthbertson Monroe Weddington Forest Hills CATA Piedmont Cuthbertson Parkwood Weddington Parkwood Cuthbertson

Comp 84 86 69 51 61 50 18 7 5 6 8 7 1

Att 149 121 108 88 92 91 43 17 12 21 11 20 1

Yards 1398 1106 1030 855 640 564 237 171 96 88 58 57 11

TD 13 6 11 11 9 6 5 2 0 1 0 0 0

Games

PJ Lotharp Emeka Emezie Jeremiah Miller J.T. Cauthen Anthony Marple Jadarious Mcmanus Roman White Alex Leshock Jordan Blakeney Braxton Knotts Devin Adkins Casey Stamper Joe Bensch Blaise Arthur-Wong Luke Burnette Justin Bloos

Player

Player

Dontaviaus Covington Trayquan Price Keenon Vinson Tyrese Marsh Roy Artolozaga Thomas Mobley Ben Cook Tanner Tyson Brandon Hayes Miquille Bryant TJ Brewer Deyton Cook Garrett Hinson Izaiah Thomas AJ Allen DeAndre Staton Myles Moore

Tre Butler 5 Khris Missick 4 Fabrice Funderburke 5 Braxton Knotts 5 Christian Sanchez 5 Floyd Louallen 5 Mckinley Nelson 5 Clemson Allen 4 Jack Heda 2 Christian Heinzelman 5 Zephaniah Wall 5 Izaiah Thomas 5 Deyton Cook 4 Bryant Ferguson-Springs 5 Matt Price 3 Byron Gaymon 3 Ishod Finger 5 Jordan Deese 4 Cameron Forbis 4 Jayshawn McLaughlin 5 Zaccheus Rorie 5

Team Parkwood Piedmont Sun Valley Monroe Weddington Forest Hills Monroe CATA CATA Cuthbertson Monroe Monroe CATA Parkwood Piedmont Cuthbertson Sun Valley Piedmont CATA Forest Hills Forest Hills

Carries 80 95 76 51 73 59 66 48 35 59 26 26 23 38 34 34 24 43 36 42 38

Yards 726 567 537 457 440 378 374 301 291 271 227 227 219 218 217 202 191 188 173 149 108

TD 8 5 8 6 4 5 2 9 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 3 1 0

Team Sun Valley Marvin Ridge Sun Valley Cuthbertson Sun Valley Monroe Cuthbertson Marvin Ridge Forest Hills Monroe Marvin Ridge Cuthbertson Weddington Weddington Sun Valley Marvin Ridge

Rec 29 31 18 17 20 13 23 21 22 14 18 13 16 10 8 10

Yards TD 422 408 383 382 341 340 285 273 236 205 200 189 181 180 152 150

1 3 5 7 3 3 0 1 1 3 2 3 3 2 0 0

Defense

Rushing Games

5 5 5 5 4 5 5 4 5 5 4 5 5 5 5 5

Player Miquille Bryant Alex Miles DeAndre Staton Roy Artolozaga Jaylen Nixon Izaiah Thomas

Games 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 5 5 5 4 4 5 5 5 5

Games 5 4 5 5 5 5

Team

Monroe Monroe Sun Valley Forest Hills Sun Valley Sun Valley Marvin Ridge Parkwood CATA Monroe Forest Hills CATA Piedmont Monroe Forest Hills Monroe Weddington

Team Monroe CATA Monroe Sun Valley Monroe Monroe

Tackles INT 65 64 59 58 55 53 53 51 50 49 48 46 41 39 37 37 36

Sacks 10 6 5 5 4 4

0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 2 1 0 0 2 0 0

Page 22 | September 25, 2015 | Union County Weekly

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Union County Weekly | September 25, 2015 | Page 23

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www.unioncountyweekly.com

Page 24 | September 25, 2015 | Union County Weekly

Local performing arts schedule Matthews Playhouse Matthews Playhouse’s Fullwood Theatre is located at 100 McDowell St. Visit www.matthewsplayhouse.com or call 704-846-8343 for tickets.

James and the Giant Peach Saturday, Oct. 9 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 10 – 2 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 11 – 2 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 16 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 17 – 2 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 18 – 2 p.m. $12 adults / $10 students Scrooge the Musical Friday, Dec. 4 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 5 – 2 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 6 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 11 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 12 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 13 – 2 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 18 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 19 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 20 – 2 p.m. $15 adults / $12 students Urinetown Friday, Feb. 5, 2016 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 – 8 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 12, 2016 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016 – 8 p.m. $18 adults / $12 students Junie B. Jones the Musical Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 – 2p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016 – 2 p.m.

Friday, March 4, 2016 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 5, 2016 – 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 6, 2016 – 2 p.m.

Storefront Theatre Storefront Theatre is located at 8100 Old Waxhaw Monroe Road. Visit www.storefronttheatre.org or call 704-243-7283 for tickets.

The Fragrance of Books Saturday, Oct. 3 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 4 – 2:30 p.m. $15 Bob’s Your Elf Saturday, Nov. 14 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 15 – 2:30 p.m. $15 Mold Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016 – 2:30 p.m.

We Like Short Shorts Saturday, March 5, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 6, 2016 – 2:30 p.m.

The Fox on the Fairway Saturday, April 16, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 17, 2016 – 2:30 p.m.

Blumenthal Performing Arts Blumenthal Performing Arts’ Belk Theatre is located at 130 N. Tryon St. in uptown Charlotte. Spirit Square is located at 345 N. College St. Visit www.blumenthalarts.org or call 704-372-1000 for tickets.

Beauty and the Beast Tuesday, Sept. 29 – 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 30 – 7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 1 – 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 2 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 3 – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 4 – 12:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Belk Theatre $25 and up Spunk Wednesday, Sept. 30 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 1 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 2 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 3 – 8 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 4 – 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 7 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 8 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 9 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 10 – 8 p.m.

Spirit Square $28 Menopause the Musical Thursday, Oct. 1 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 2 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 3 – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Spirit Square $45 to $50 The Sound of Music Tuesday, Nov. 24 – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 25 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 26 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 27 – 8 p.m Saturday, Nov. 28 – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 29 – 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Belk Theatre Ticket price TBD Ragtime the Musical Monday, Nov. 30 – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 1 – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 2 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 3 – 7:30 p.m.

Knight Theatre Ticket Price TBD Charlotte Ballet: The Nutcracker Thursday, Dec. 10 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 11 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 12 – 2p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 12 – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 16 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 17 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 18 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 19 – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 20 – 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 22 – 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 23 – 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Belk Theatre $25 and up Wicked Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016 – 2:30 p.m and 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 8, 2016 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016 – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016 – 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 16, 2016 – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016 – 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Thuresday, Jan. 21, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 22, 2016 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016 – 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 29, 2016 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016 – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016 – 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Belk Theatre Ticket Price TBD Romeo & Juliet Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016 – 2 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 28, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 30, 2016 – 8 p.m.

Belk Theatre $19 and up Matilda the Musical Tuesday, Feb 9, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 11, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 12, 2016 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016 – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016 – 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Belk Theatre Ticket Price TBD The Book of Mormon Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 26, 2016 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016 – 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tuesday, March 1, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, March 3, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 4, 2016 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, March 5, 2016 – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 6, 2016 – 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Belk Theatre Ticket Price TBD The Wizard of Oz Tuesday, July 5, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 6, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 7, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, July 8, 2016 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 9, 2016 – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 10, 2016 – 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Belk Theatre Ticket Price TBD If/Then Tuesday, July 19, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 20, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 21, 2016 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, July 22, 2016 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 23, 2016 – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, July 24, 2016 – 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Belk Theatre Ticket Price TBD Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers All films will be shown at McGee Theater, located at 403 N. Camden Road in Wingate, with the exception of “1971,” which will be shown at Recital Hall, located at 220 N. Camden Road in Wingate. Visit www.southarts. org/touring-arts/southern-circuit for more information.

1971 Tuesday, Oct. 20 – 7 p.m.

Imba Means Sing Monday, Nov. 9 – 7 p.m.

Dorothea Lange: Grab A Hunk of Lightening Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 – 7 p.m.

American Made Movie Tuesday, March 15, 2016 – 7 p.m.

Althea Tuesday, April 5, 2016 – 7 p.m.

Central Piedmont Community College Performing Arts Pease Auditorium and Halton Theatre on CPCC’s campus are located at 1206 Elizabeth Ave. in Charlotte. Visit www.cpccfacilities. com for tickets and for more information.

The Trip to Bountiful Friday, Sept. 25 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 26 – 8 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 27 – 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 1 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 2 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 3 – 8 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 4 – 2:30 p.m.

Pease Auditorium Daughter of the King: The Musical Saturday, Oct. 24 – 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Pease Auditorium The Phantom of the Opera Friday, Nov. 13 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 14 – 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 15 – 2:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 18 – 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 19 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 20 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 21 – 8 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 22 – 2:30 p.m.

Pease Auditorium Defining Dances of Past and Present Friday, Dec. 11 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 12 – 8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 13 – 2:30 p.m.

Pease Auditorium I Love a Piano Friday, Feb. 12 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 13 – 8 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 14 – 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 18 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 19 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 20 – 8 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 21 – 2:30 p.m.

Halton Theater Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead Friday, April 9 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 10 – 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 11 – 2:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 14 – 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 15 – 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 16 – 8 p.m.

Sunday, April 17 – 2:30 p.m.

Pease Auditorium