Weekly Waxhaw Feb. 7, 2020

Inside: Meet Union County's people of the year, • Page 2B

THE WEEKLY

BY THE UNION COUNTY WEEKLY

Friday, Feb. 7, 2020 • Vol. 1 • No. 5

ABOUT US P.O. BOX 1104 Matthews, NC 28106 (704) 849-2261

UCPS rolls out plan to stop bullying

by Justin Vick

justin@cmgweekly.com unioncountyweekly.com

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MONROE – Union County Public Schools has traditionally relied on schools to develop their own anti-bullying plans, but the district is rolling out a more consolidated approach.

Tracy Strickland, student support director, provided an overview of a uniform K-12 bullying prevention plan Jan. 30 to members of the Union County Board of

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Education's curriculum committee.

Strickland said the push for consistency across the district will have schools Houlihan using the same terminology and practices, so students don't have to learn anything new when they move from one school to the next.

The district began the process by looking at how schools define bullying. Strickland said the terminology

should be more student-friendly.

“In its most simple forms, bullying is verbal, it's physical, it's social, it's anything done through technology,” Strickland said. “It has a three-prong definition. First of all, bullying is on purpose, Secondly, it's repeated. Thirdly, the student or person being bullied has a hard time stopping the bullying behavior.”

UCPS will adapt Safe & Civil Schools as its bullying prevention curriculum. It has already been deployed in high priority schools

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identified in the district's Educator Performance Incentive and Career Pathways program.

Strickland and Tracey Carney, a social emotional learning coordinator, have also developed a presentation, Bullying Prevention 101, to explain at a series of community forums to be held this month at five high schools: Cuthbertson, Forest Hills, Parkwood, Piedmont and Sun Valley. Each will be open see BULLYING, Page 2A

Justin Vick Managing Editor

Butt of all the jokes Commissioners are thorough with policy

WHAT'S INSIDE:

W Groundhog Day Does this butterball see spring ahead?, 2A

Waxhaw leaders are working through strategies involving the redevelopment of the Niven-Price building.

Town seeks to renew talks with developer over historic building

by Kayla Berenson kayla@cmgweekly.com

Influential Highlighting African American leaders, 1B

Connections Kids can benefit from nature, 3A

WAXHAW – The Waxhaw Board of Commissioners is still defining its vision for town-owned properties downtown.

Discussions about the sale of the Niven-Price and “corner lot” buildings took place before with the town’s former board, but a definitive, clear consensus was not reached.

Mayor Ron Pappas urged the new board during a Jan. 28 work session to clarify what it wants to do with the buildings.

The town’s previous board agreed to work with developer New East on the buildings. New East proposed a two-story building with office or restaurant space on the bottom and residential space on top, which the previous board did not like.

Previous commissioners eventually

Send us your photos We’re a few weeks into publishing The Weekly Waxhaw, a new publication launched by Union County Weekly to provide more relevant news to the town. In the coming weeks, you’ll begin to notice less regional content and more hyperlocal stories and notes as we gain our bearings. Want to help? We could use photos from the past or present to help illustrate our stories. Have a cool photo of downtown? Send it to us. Did you catch a rainbow forming a perfect arch over the water tower? Send that, too! We also value your feedback.

Send ideas to justin@cmgweekly.com. Kayla Berenson/WW photos

see BUILDING, Page 3A

axhaw commissioners will make a lot of big decisions over the next couple of years, including the hiring of a new town manager. So I was a little taken aback by one particular decision made at the Jan. 28 meeting.

Commissioners approved a seating policy. They have granted the mayor the power to decide where commissioners sit around the dais. Mayor Ron Pappas, with great power, comes great responsibility. Choose wisely.

Mayor Pro Tem Brenda McMillon introduced the policy, noting that several commissioners expressed a desire for a specific procedure.

“For the record, I did bring this to attention, but I did not advocate for a policy,” Commissioner Kat Lee confessed after McMillon read it out loud. “I think it's kind of a waste of time creating a 'king of the butt chart' policy.”

I may be behind, but as far as I can tell, it didn't take long for commissioners to ascertain whether they had such a cheeky policy already in the books. I'm going to bust my rump to get to the bottom of this. Not really, I just wanted to see how many different variations of the word “fanny” I could work into a paragraph. Not as many as I hoped.

“You did not advocate for a policy but it was brought to the attention of the board, by you,” McMillon replied. “Other board members have inquired as to the same thing.”

For the record, I would be happy to sit beside Mayor Pappas and commissioners Lee, McMillon, Pedro Morey, see VICK, Page 2A

INDOOR TRACK & FIELD

Contenders

4-peat within reach for Cav girls

Cavs vie for cross country title, 4A

INDEX Loud&Live.............................................................4B Classifieds..............................................................5B Calendar....................................................................4B Schools........................................................................ 5A Dining Scores..................................................3B Community.......................................................... 1B Puzzles.........................................................................4B

by Andrew Stark andrew@cmgweekly.com

WAXHAW – Cuthbertson's depth and strength throughout many events has the girls indoor track and field team looking for their fourth straight title Feb. 14 when North Carolina’s best convene at the JDL Fasttrack in Winston-Salem.

Coach Dustin Allen has built the boys and girls pro-

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grams into title contenders.

Allen has a simple approach to how he put together such a giant in a county that has won nearly every indoor state title – boys and girls combined – since 3A was split into its own classification in 2013.

“One thing for me is we don’t cut,” Allen said. “We could have 400 kids come out, but we’re going to let them try something. On Saturdays, I come here from 9 to 12 and if

people want to come and try field events, we teach them and see what we got and go from there.”

This outdoor season alone, 278 kids signed up, 245 showed up and Allen has run nearly 220 in a meet.

But it’s not just a strength in numbers thing. These girls are good.

Take the 1,600, for example, see TRACK, Page 4A

The Cuthbertson girls indoor track and field track teams have won each of the past three state titles. Gabriella Castro, Caroline Smith, Mackenzie Townsend, Carrie Wooten and Jade McLain are among the team’s stars. Andrew Stark/WW photo

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Page 2A • Weekly Waxhaw • Feb. 7, 2020

NEWS BRIEFS

IN THE KNOW PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Commissioners grant rezoning for MillBridge phase

Dem. Party holds precinct organizational meetings MONROE – Join the Union County Democrats as the organization hosts its annual precinct organization meeting on Feb. 15.

All precincts will be meeting on the same day at the Union County Chamber of Commerce, 903 Skyway Drive with each precinct having a staggered time.

Visit www.ucdemsnc.org to find out when each precinct meets. All Democrat and unaffiliated voters are welcome but only registered Democrats may participate in voting.

Call the Union County Democratic Party at 704-681-7760 for details.

BUSINESS MANAGER Rebecca Jensen rjensen@cmgweekly.com

WAXHAW – MillBridge will continue to expand, adding 63 lots to one of its undeveloped parcels.

Town commissioners voted unanimously to approve the developer's request to rezone 21.8 acres on Tory Path Road to “conditional district single family residential planned residential development.”

The site is located north of Highway 75 and the railroad tracks, according to Planning Director Jeff Wells.

He said the parcel is part of MillBridge’s eight-phase plan with subphases. This plan is part of phase 7F. He said the 63 additional homes built will not exceed the maximum 2,090 homes allowed on the entire site in its original approval in 2004.

The developer will also comply with the town’s tree requirements and have a tree preservation area. There are no FEMA flood plains on the site, Wells said.

MANAGING EDITOR Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com

Waxhaw welcomes new police officers

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CONTACT US PRESIDENT Jonathan McElvy

Queen Charlotte made it known that she expects the region to roll right into an early spring. Her Royal Highness selected from two different bowls of treats, each representing a different weather prediction, during a Groundhog Day event Feb. 2 at Discovery Place Nature. Queen Charlotte took her time to choose which bowl she’d settle on, ultimately opting for an early spring. Photo courtesy of Discovery Place Nature

MOST POPULAR STORIES • PTA veteran runs for school board • UCPS is tracking area housing projects • Atrium Health breaks ground on Union West hospital • Library heading to Cuthbertson campus • School district names Teacher of the Year finalists

TWEETS OF THE WEEK • “Black History Month is celebrated each February to honor the achievements of African Americans and recognize the central role they have played in U.S. history. #BlackHistoryMonth” – Union County Schools (@UCPS_ MonroeNC) • “Tomorrow is the day! We are so excited to see Class of 2033 register for school!” – Waxhaw Elementary (@WaxhawES_NC) • “Winter is the perfect time to curl up with a good book! @UCPLNC offers several book clubs, or you can start your own. Visit the Library’s website to learn more about book clubs for adults, teens, and kids. #read #bookclub” – Union County NC (@UnionCountyNC)

UPCOMING EDITIONS • Feb. 14: Summer Camps • Feb. 21: Thrive Over 55 • Feb. 28: Arts & Entertainment

PUBLISHER Adrian Garson adrian@cmgweekly.com

NEWS EDITOR Karie Simmons karie@cmgweekly.com SPORTS EDITOR Andrew Stark andrew@cmgweekly.com CONTENT PRODUCER Kayla Berenson kayla@cmgweekly.com ART DIRECTOR Kylie Sark art@cmgweekly.com ADVERTISING Charlotte Conway Kate Kutzleb Julie Foras adsales@cmgweekly.com PRESS RELEASES justin@cmgweekly.com

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WAXHAW – Two new police officers were sworn in to the Waxhaw Police Department in a ceremony Jan. 28 during the town commissioners meeting.

Police Chief Michael Eiss said Ashley Lyles, of Waxhaw, recently graduated from basic law enforcement training and has begun her field training officer program. Brad Helms, an officer from Wingate, also took the oath to protect the town and obey state and country laws.

UCPS registers tots for kindergarten beginning Feb. 3 MONROE – Union County Public Schools will open kindergarten registration Feb. 3 for the 2020-21 school year.

Union County parents of children who will be 5 years old on or before Aug. 31 are encouraged to visit the school their child will attend to register for kindergarten. Schools are hosting open houses and tours.

Parents can find more information about what is needed to sign up for kindergarten, a list of frequently asked questions and other resources at www.ucps.k12.nc.us/Page/2760.

VICK (continued from page 1A)

Anne Simpson and Tracy Wesolek – whether it be at the dais, a school cafeteria or playing checkers inside a rubber room.

Now that I think about it, however, I would have offered a friendly amendment in which a commissioner could temporarily appeal the dais seating policy for one meeting if he or she detects a colleague smells funky.

UCPS wins communications awards from state MONROE – The Union County Public Schools communications team won 11 Blue Ribbon Awards as well as the coveted Best of the Best Award for Digital Media Engagement from the North Carolina School Public Relations Association.

Blue Ribbon Awards are the highest honor a school district can receive from the state’s leading organization for school communications and public relations professionals.

UCPS received awards for digital media engagement, electronic media, excellence in writing, marketing, publications and special events and programs.

Union Academy wins PR state awards MONROE – Union Academy earned six North Carolina School Public Relations Association Blue Ribbon Awards for Excellence in Communications. It was among 36 school districts in North Carolina to win Blue Ribbon Awards.

Communications Director Jennifer Sutton Smith accepted awards for six categories: digital media (gold), photography (gold), graphic design (gold), publications (silver), excellence in writing (bronze) and marketing (bronze).

“I am proud to represent Union Academy and pleased to know our communication to stakeholders has earned statewide recognition,” Smith said.

The town attorney would be charged with gauging the funkiness of the commissioner in question. The smelly colleague would then have to sit with constituents in the cheap seats.

Believe it or not, part of me respects this policy, because any kind of lingering doubt or uncertainty was eliminated and commissioners can move on.

The issue took about four minutes for McMillon to introduce the topic, read the policy, have a back-and-forth

BULLYING (continued from page 1A)

to residents across the county.

Superintendent Andrew Houlihan said the forums will educate stakeholders, including parents, teachers, students and community members, about bullying and social-emotional health similar to its forums on opioid abuse in 2018.

“Our staff and partners can come together and really educate our community about what is bullying and what it is not,” Houlihan said.

Jarrod McCraw, assistant superintendent

of student support for Union County Pubic Schools, said the education series will help the community better understand the differences among aggressive behaviors, harassment and bullying.

“I'm excited to hear this,” school board member Travis Kiker said. “I think this is a big problem we need to address.”

Houlihan said he's incredibly proud of the school district's efforts around safety.

“In my conversations with superintendents and others, UCPS, for good reason, is renowned in this state for leading the efforts around safety – not just physical safety, but social, emotional and mental safety,” Houlihan said.

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with Lee and then allow the board to vote on it. For the record, it passed 4-1, with Lee voting in opposition.

This particular configuration of commissioners is relatively new, but I hope they don't fall into the trap of over-legislating. I hope they don't create a series of resolutions, reports and studies that go untouched on a shelf for 200 years only for half-human, half-robot descendants to read through them and remark how silly or nitpicky we were.

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Weekly Waxhaw • Feb. 7, 2020 • Page 3A

How connecting children to nature is good for both

Several companies have opened and closed within the historic building over time, including Sospeso Coffee Roasters. WW file photo

BUILDING (continued from page 1A)

agreed on a plan that would get the town out of the landlord business, but it required them to be an anchored tenant on one of the buildings, which previous board members spoke out against.

Commissioners Kat Lee and Tracy Wesolek, who served on the previous board, said they wanted to mirror recommendations from a recent Urban Land Institute study. Wesolek said she also liked the plan because New East would incorporate the entire block and do the whole project at the same time.

Mayor Pro Tem Brenda McMillon said the board needed to come to a consensus on several things, from whether to sell both buildings and whether they want a residential component on one of the buildings, to figuring out if New East would be able to do the project without the town being tenants or having residential space there.

Commissioner Anne Simpson also wanted the public to know what the board would base its decision on. The current agreement is for the town to own about 15,000 square feet in the building, which would cost $30,000 a month for 10 years.

“Right now, our current lease is about $6,000, so for us to almost quadruple our monthly expense to help fund this corner lot building, I think is really not in the best financial interest of our town, which is a big sticking point,” Simpson said.

Downtown Development Manager Curt White clarified the concerns of the board.

“The development agreement that you have presented, that was not New East’s preferred route,” White said. “They actually preferred that the town pick the first option, the two buildings on the corner lot, which would not require the town to be the anchor tenant … I think the sticking point there was that the former board at the time was not comfortable with the residential units.”

White said it would be easier from a financial standpoint to designate part of the building for residential space. This would not require a financial commitment from the town.

Simpson still expressed concerns about the trade-off between the town and the buyer. She wanted to make sure the town got something tangible out of it too.

“The plaza area … I think was part of the ULI and part of the revitalization of that whole corner, which is very appealing, but when you look at the deal in the proposal, that is basically the only trade-off that we get,” Simpson said. “We sell our property

One of the decisions town leaders have to make is whether they want Waxhaw involved in the building at all. WW file photo

and the only thing we get in value is this plaza … What’s in it for us as a town besides having this public use space? I think it needs to be a benefit for us.”

White said though the town’s benefit may not be tangible, it is still there.

“It’s not about us selling our property to get the civic space,” White said. “It’s about selling the property but using that as a vehicle to implement plans that we already have that are unfunded.”

Some projects White used as examples were the West North Main street streetscape, North Church Street streetscape and the Broom Street and McDonald Street infrastructure improvements.

White said allowing the developer to buy the buildings would enable the town to fund these projects all at once. Additionally, the developer would serve as the master contractor on the buildings, which takes a weight off of the town’s shoulders.

Without any final costs, Pappas said he wants to regroup with the council and the developer to get concrete numbers.

Lee said she thinks it would be beneficial for the town to maintain ownership of the back half of the “corner lot” building, which would be the parking lot. She said the town uses it for events and other purposes.

Commissioner Pedro Morey echoed Lee’s suggestion and requested that construction on the projects be done in phases so the town will not have to divert too much traffic.

Pappas gave White the green light to contact New East again. The commissioners will regroup with New East for more dialogue about the plans that will work for them and what it will cost.

Plenty of older Americans hold fond childhood memories of climbing trees, catching frogs and engaging in endless hours of tag or hide-and-seek with friends.

Most children today, though, spend much less time outdoors, with their recreational hours instead devoted to TV, video games and computers, a trend that has nature advocates concerned.

“If they don’t feel a connection to nature, they aren’t going to feel it’s important,” said Clyde Butcher, a nature photographer who since the 1980s has helped bring national awareness to the Everglades through black-and-white photographs.

“The question is, how do we get them to make that connection. The answer is that the responsibility lies with you and me. I think it’s important to educate both kids and grownups about the world’s environmental wonders.”

Advocacy groups are trying to do just that.

The National Wildlife Federation, for example, has a Green Hour program designed to encourage parents, grandparents, schools and others to adopt a goal of an hour per day for children to play and learn outdoors in nature.

Butcher said he tries to bring nature to people through his photography in the hopes they will be inspired to experience it for themselves.

“My goal is for them to say, ‘Wow, I want to go there. I want to see the real thing,’ ” he said.

Introducing children to the great outdoors is about more than just building extraordinary memories.

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The Museum of the Waxhaws has several permanent exhibits, including the Secrest Homestead, Heritage Garden and Nesbit Smokehouse. These could serve as a gateway to getting kids outside. WW file photos

Butcher and other nature proponents say benefits include: • Time outdoors can equal happiness. “Nature is one of those things that can really bring your spirits up,” Butcher said. Indeed, studies show that spending time outdoors is good for your mental health, and those who manage to do so are generally happier than those who stay cooped up inside.

• Time outdoors makes children healthier. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to children being overweight, which in turn increases their risk for a number of diseases, such as asthma and diabetes. When children spend time outdoors, they are almost certain to get more exercise, reducing those risks. Health professionals also say that, while over exposure to the sun can be harmful, some time absorbing the sun’s rays is helpful in such ways as boosting your body’s vitamin D. • Time outdoors makes

children better stewards of the earth. It’s important to protect the environment, and to preserve natural wonders for future generations, but it’s difficult to truly appreciate nature without venturing out into it, Butcher said. Children who take the time to explore what nature has to offer, he said, are more likely to become advocates for protecting it.

“Sometimes, in the abstract, it’s difficult to understand why nature is so important,” Butcher said.

“But when children step into it, and see it firsthand, they can fall in love with it.

Then they begin to understand.”

About Clyde Butcher Clyde Butcher is an acclaimed nature photographer who is best known for his striking black-and-white images of the Everglades in Florida. Visit www. clydebutcher.com for details.

Page 4A • Weekly Waxhaw • Feb. 7, 2020

Cuthbertson boys vying for first indoor state title

by Andrew Stark andrew@cmgweekly.com

WAXHAW – As the Weddington boys started on their run of three straight NCHSAA 3A outdoor track and field titles in 2016, the Cuthbertson boys were 18th in the state. Nathan Johnson, Casey Stamper, Justin Crawley and Bradon Black may have changed the whole trajectory of the Cuthbertson boys program with a win that year in the outdoor 4x400 relay.

The foursome had held off a very good Weddington team, featuring future N.C. Gatorade Runner of the Year Kyle Durham and all-timer Emmerson Douds by 0.92 seconds while running nearly four seconds faster than their seeded time to pull off the upset.

“It kind of took off from there when they saw the excitement build,” Cuthbertson coach Dustin Allen said.

It’s spread so much the Cavs have become a major player in the indoor state championship, moving from ninth at the indoor championship in 2017, eighth in 2018 and second to Weddington last year.

The Cavs look to take another shot at the program’s first-ever boys indoor championship. It will be tough with Weddington dominating the distance events with a pack

of talented runners, but Cuthbertson has plenty of star power of their own.

“We have three boys in the top nine in the 300,” Allen said. “The 4x2 and 4x4 are ranked No. 1. We have three boys in the long jump and three in the triple jump who are ranked really high. The three boys in the high jump all got 6-2, which is the school record, and then Vince (Frattaroli, who is tied for ninth in 3A) with pole vaulting and Mickey (Schihl) with distance.”

The Cavs know what they’re up against with Weddington looming, but that’s not a deterrent to go full out at the state meet Feb. 14.

“This team is hungry after barely falling short last year,” jumper Christian Phelps said. “We want to avenge that this year.”

Phelps placed fifth in the triple jump and 10th in the high jump last year. He was part of the state championship 4x200 relay team.

Aidan McNally was on the 4x200 team as well. McNally is ranked eighth in the state in the 300 regardless of classification and placed fifth in last year's championship meet. He was also a member of the 4x400 team that took second place last year.

Branson McAdams, who has ascended toward the top of the state’s high jumpers this season, says it’s

TRACK (continued from page 1A)

where, according to Athletic.net, Gabriella Castro and Madeline Hill are within the top 10 in the state, but Leah Helms and freshmen Alyssa Preisano, Marissa Bosland and Lillian Nesta are all within the top 25 times throughout all classifications. Among just 3A runners they’ll be competing with at the state meet, it’s even more impressive.

The same goes for the 3,200 where the three freshmen and Hill are within the top 25 with Preisano, Nesta and Hill even cracking the top 10 in the state regardless of class.

And that’s how it is across the board as the Cavs are deep and dominant in nearly

The Cuthbertson boys team placed second in the state indoor track and field championships. Christian Phelps, Aidan McNally and Branson McAdams are looking to build on that performance. Andrew Stark/WW photo

his team’s versatility that sets it apart.

“It’s kind of a blessing that we have a team where so many people can do so many activities,” he said.

“A lot of schools have kids that can only do one thing, so that helps us

every event.

Senior UNC Wilmington commit Mackenzie Townsend competes in the 300, 4x200 and 4x400 relays, while senior and Wake Forest recruit Gabriella Castro stars in the 1,000, 1,600 and 3,200.

“Gabby and I are the only seniors that are still left from when we won states our freshman year,” Townsend said. “It’s kind of crazy that we started the journey. All four years of high school we were able to finish off competing and doing as great as we’ve done as a team.”

The Cavs have stars at every turn including state champion pole vaulter Lanie Baumgardner; Jorde McLain. who stars in the triple jump, long jump and 4x200 relay; Cassie Wooten, a 55-meter hurdler; and

out and lets us win meets.”

With the Charlotte City Championships, a meet the boys have won the past two years, scheduled for Feb. 8 at Cuthbertson and the state championship in two weeks, the boys are trying to fin-

ish strong.

“We want to win states, especially since last year was second place,” McNally said. “We’re trying for first. We want to win the city championship this week and keep it going as long as we can.”

Caroline Smith, who stars in the high jump. they can compete. We get so many different That depth is what’s helping the Cavs con- athletes from other sports that we’re able to tinue to dominate and add to their three push people into certain things that fit titles. their strengths.”

Allen said he keeps a chamAllen’s plan is working like pionship ring in his desk a well-oiled machine. As the It’s kind of crazy that drawer in case he finds a Cavs prepare for the shot we started the journey. kid he thinks would be a at another title, Castro All four years of high good fit for the team. and the seniors hope to school we were able “We’ve built somego out on top one more to finish off competing thing that other people time. want to be a part of, and “It’s really great to see and doing as great as it’s not just one thing,” we’ve done as a team.” how the team has proAllen said. “It’s not just the • Mackenzie Townsend gressed since our freshman cross country kids who want season and it is really fun to to run distance. It’s football players be a part of that,” she said. “Espethat want to run and get better, it’s soccer cially so since we won states our freshman girls who come out, know it’s fun and know year and we’re continuing to improve.”

“

Girls on the Run Union County receives $32,000 donation WAXHAW – The GingerSnap 5K shuts down the town for a few hours on a Saturday morning every year to raise money for Girls on the Run Union County.

Jill Connolly, of Connolly Orthodontics, directs the GingerSnap 5K. She explained to Waxhaw commissioners Jan. 28 the race provides scholarship money for children who want to participate in Girls on the Run but cannot afford it.

Bonnie Grote, who is the council director for Girls on the Run Union County, said the program promotes healthy living to children in third grade to eighth grade through an after-school program. Grote said the 10-week curriculum culminates with a 5K. Girls on the Run Union County participants ran in the GingerSnap 5K in the fall.

Connolly Orthodontics and Novant Health are the two top sponsors of the Gin-

gerSnap 5K. Connolly and Dr. Anthony Quay Walker presented Girls on the Run Union County with a check for more than $32,000, which will ensure every child who wishes to participate in Girls on the Run is able to do so.

The event has grown over the last decade.

Connolly said when it first started, GingerSnap 5K was able to donate a couple thousand. Now, they can donate even more.

“We’re very appreciative to everyone,” Connolly said. “The town graciously gives us a ton of support every year to be able to make this happen.”

Want to learn more?

Visit www.girlsontherununion.org for more information about Girls on the Run Union County and www.gingersnap5k.com/ for details about the GingerSnap 5K.

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Weekly Waxhaw • Feb. 7, 2020 • Page 5A

School board skips breakfast to save money

by Justin Vick

justin@cmgweekly.com

Atrium Health officials ceremoniously thrust shovels in the dirt to commemorate the start of construction of a new bed tower that will be completed at the end of 2021. Kayla Berenson/WW photos

Hospital breaks ground on bed tower

by Kayla Berenson kayla@cmgweekly.com

PINEVILLE – Atrium Health Pineville will soon add a new patient bed tower to its campus.

The hospital broke ground on the future site of the eight-story, 236,000-squarefoot tower Jan. 27.

The tower will hold 38 beds, but Atrium Health Pineville facility executive Alicia Campbell said the hospital recently applied for 12 more beds.

Campbell said the hospital is currently at 90% bed capacity, which is the second highest in the county to Carolinas Medical Center.

The addition of a new patient bed tower, along with the other services the hospital has begun to offer, will better accommodate the needs of the growing county.

“We’ve continued to advance throughout the years and this will allow us to expand, not only in bed capacity but in complexity,” Campbell said. “Part of the reason we serve the region is because we offer tertiary services, including cardiovascular care and surgery, so patients come to us from around the region. “ Atrium Health Pineville plans to use the first floor of the tower to expand its surgical

services. Officials have applied for two additional operating rooms to meet the needs of the community.

Construction on the new tower is expected to be completed at the end of 2021, but the building will not be fully used when it opens. Campbell said the two top floors of the building will be used as shell space for future expansion.

In addition to providing for patients in the Charlotte region, Atrium Health Pineville serves patients from York County, South Carolina. Ken Haynes, who is the president of the Greater Charlotte Region of Atrium Health, said of the 52% of patients who venture outside of York County for health care, 80% go to Atrium Health Pineville.

“This part of our community is growing so vibrantly that we as a system consider it one of our most important markets, and we are investing heavily,” Haynes said. “We’re trying to stay ahead of the phenomenal growth in this community and we’re very proud of that.”

The hospital has played a big role in Pineville, Town Manager Ryan Spitzer said.

“The continued growth of the hospital is good for Pineville and it says something about the economy here and our future potential as a com-

Roll Call Here’s a look at what schools have been doing through Jan. 31, according to the web, email and social media: • Cuthbertson High: The school welcomed guidance counselor Jamaal Robinson, as students in Jennifer Comer's honors law class summarized Supreme Court decisions.

• Cuthbertson Middle: It's the Year of the Rat, but students in Ling-yu Liao's Chinese class knew that. They did group projects on Chinese New Year.

• Kensington Elementary: Fourth-grad-

munity,” he said.

Spitzer said the town and the hospital have partnered to make access to the hospital easier. In the future, people can expect to see a new crosswalk built at the intersection adjacent to the hospital.

As Atrium Health Pineville and the area around it continues to expand, Charlotte City Council recently approved the building of a new Novant Health hospital in Ballantyne.

However, officials and city council members believe they will coexist well and serve different needs in each community.

“We have a need for additional capacity in the hospitals,” Councilman Ed Driggs said. “The Novant facility will be much smaller. It’s up to 48 beds and will be convenient for people who live right nearby.

This, of course, is a larger-scale

ers demonstrated empathy during a podcast after reviewing social issues.

• Marvin Elementary: Mustangs in Lauren Mackenzie's class gathered around Superintendent Andrew Houlihan for some storytime.

• Marvin Ridge High: Bring it on! The dance team was named a finalist for the National Varsity Leader Spirit Dance Team Award.

• Marvin Ridge Middle: Several athletic teams had great seasons, including undefeated swimmers, fourth-place wrestlers, champion girls hoops, and second-place boys hoops.

• New Town Elementary: The school

operation and has a broader scope of services, so I think they can coexist quite well.”

Campbell said Atrium Health Pineville will be able to differentiate itself from the new hospital in the services it offers.

“Certainly, some of the smaller hospitals will serve (medical/surgical) patients, lower acuity patients, where we will continue to grow in complexity of services, including epilepsy, maternal and fetal medicine and cardiovascular services,” Campbell said.

Days prior to breaking ground on this site in Pineville, officials broke ground at the site of the Atrium Health Union West hospital in Stallings. Atrium Health also plans to open a freestanding emergency department, Atrium Health Providence, at Providence and I-485 in 2020.

saved 13 pounds of markers so they could be recycled. Whew, that's a lot of ink.

• Rea View Elementary: Teachers could keep the flu at bay by loading up on vitamin C at a fruit station.

• Sandy Ridge Elementary: She's a star!

Alexia Vega Franceschi was interviewed

by Spectrum News about winning the Union County Public Schools Spelling Bee. • Waxhaw Elementary: Principal Yubely Zolke led an assembly focused on safety.

• Western Union Elementary: UCPS leaders surprised Martin Hughes with news he was a Teacher of the Year finalist.

MONROE – Morgan Purr, a student at Sun Valley Middle School, was among three people urging Union County Public Schools during the Feb. 4 school board meeting to convince the state to pass an education budget.

“As a student, I experience the lack of money is our school system pretty much daily,” Morgan said. “From art classes with no art supplies to fundraisers for choir music, it's just something that affects students and teachers alike.”

Her dad, Stuart Purr, echoed an idea that school board member Gary Sides mentioned during the board's Jan. 30 finance committee meeting, which was to organize a legislative breakfast with members of Union County's state delegation.

Claudia Sandoval, a Waxhaw resident running for school board, also supported the idea of a legislative breakfast.

“It's my understanding that the lack of state budget has left UCPS with a hiring freeze and making tough decisions,” Sandoval said. “I understand also that some teachers have been moved to different schools and some students have had to shift to different classes. Please understand that I do not blame the board for any of this, but rather, I'm asking the board to advocate for UCPS as Mr. Sides suggested last week.”

Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, and the Republican-controlled General Assembly are in a stalemate over the state's school budget, prompting UCPS to use 2018-19 as a guide.

“The value of the dollar has changed from one year to the next,” Superintendent Andrew Houlihan said. “We have increased costs. We have increased staff. We have increased and absorbed a lot of additional services.”

Houlihan said the legislative stalemate has prompted the district to analyze its spending.

Staffing has been reduced through attrition. He has told principals that UCPS faces challenges but the district is not in a crisis.

“We have a solid financial plan to end the school year,” Houlihan said. “We're making some really hard decisions and gathering stakeholder input for the next year in case there is not a state budget then as well. We take this very seriously.”

Houlihan has personally spoken to elected officials, advocating on behalf of the district. He encouraged the community to also reach out to elected leaders in support of a resolution.

Melissa Merrell, who chairs the school board, said she's not sure spending money on a breakfast is a good use of dollars considering the lack of a budget. She assured the community that the board has had a lot of communication with legislators.

“Just because we're not having a breakfast and doing a dog and pony show and spending lots of money that could go into the classroom doesn't mean that we're not talking to our state representatives for our incredible teachers and administrators,” she said.

Merrell and Sides said the governor shouldn't use education as leverage to advance his agenda.

“I think we need to continue to encourage, support, appreciate and thank our representatives who are continuing to come up with everything they can to support our schools, which they always have,” Merrell said. “I think we need to be leaning on the governor to stop holding our schools and our teachers hostage for Medicaid reform. It is not fair. It is not right.”

Greek celebration highlights School Choice Week MATTHEWS – Students at Socrates Academy, a National Blue Ribbon charter school where children from all backgrounds study Greek language and culture, brought their education roaring to life on Jan. 30 as they filled their gymnasium with traditional song and dance to celebrate Greek Letters and International Greek Language Day. At the celebration, 18 Socrates scholars were honored with internationally recognized Certificates of Attainment in Modern Greek for their achievements on the 2019 official Ellinomatheia Exam, authorized by the Greek Ministry of Education. The students, as well as other non-Socrates scholars who were successful on the exam, will receive college credits for their achievements.

Greek is living language, currently spoken by more than 11 million people in mainland Greece and several million Greeks spread throughout the world. A celebration of this order shows how the Greek language and culture provides an unbroken link between modern-day Greeks and their ancestors.

“The purpose of this day,” said Matthaios Stamoulis, director of Greek studies at Socrates, “is to express our eternal gratitude to all who elevated the study of our Hellenic letters, culture and language.”

It also serves as a reminder of the

continuity of our Greek culture throughout the centuries, she added.

Scholars in fifth through eighth grades, as well as teachers, parents, friends and community members, came together to express the knowledge and values embodied by the Greeks, using music and arts to deliver their message. The scholars performed the dances and presented poems and songs in both English and Greek.

At Socrates, it was the highlight of National School Choice Week, which recognizes the myriad educational choices parents have for their children. The week offered the chance to show pride in the unique opportunities that Socrates offers its 740 scholars.

Socrates Academy is a partial immersion Greek language school where particular emphasis is placed on developing proficiency in reading, writing and mathematics both in English and Greek through the use of the Socratic Method. Scholars in every grade spend one hour each day learning Greek language and one hour learning math in Greek.

The students who received the certificates of Attainment in Modern Greek included Socrates alumni from the class of 2019 as well as current seventh- and eighth-graders. They were honored by the Socrates Academy Board President

Larry Peroulas, the leadership team, their teachers and school benefactors, among them keynote speaker Jim Tasios, a local businessman and supporter of Socrates Academy.

Tasios also presented each of the scholars with a 760-page book by Matina Psyhogeos titled “English Words Deriving from the Greek Language,” as well as the book “Hellenic Civilization.” In addition, Tasios presented the Socrates Board of Directors with a $20,000 check to sponsor the current seventh-graders on their two-week educational trip to Greece this summer. His sponsorship is in partnership with Ilias Tomazos, a professor of archeology and president of the Hellenic Society, “Paideia” at the University of Connecticut. This marks the third consecutive year that Tasios, a philanthropist, has sponsored the trip for Socrates scholars.

The recognized scholars’ achievements in Greek Language are the culmination of their education at Socrates. The academy's mission is to work in partnership with parents and community to encourage students to develop critical-thinking skills and become self-confident in a high achieving, multicultural, disciplined environment.

Sandra Brighton, principal of Socrates Academy, said in her opening remarks Greek Letters Day honors “the contributions of the Greek lan-

guage to our world and celebrates the creation of art through this language.”

But it’s not just words on a page.

"At Socrates, we understand that language is an experience and our teachers create a multidimensional reality,” she said. “Our teachers ensure that our scholars see Greek not just as the language, but as an experience that is alive.”

And come alive it did.

Students locked arms and danced in unified circles, with their Vans, Adidas and Converse shoes tapping the ground to a time-honored rhythm. An intriguing line from one of the Greek songs (“I Have a Secret,” by Manos Hatzidakis), hinted at the intangible quality that makes Socrates so extraordinary: “I have a secret that has changed my entire life, but I am never going to tell you what it is.”

Families say the secret is that Socrates feels like a family, with an unbreakable bond of community that will travel with scholars even after they graduate.

Academy is growing The Socrates Academy board of directors announced that ninth grade will be added, beginning in fall 2021. Each year thereafter, another high school grade will be added. Socrates Academy will become a K-12 school by the year 2024.

Socrates Scholars honored for achievements on 2019 official Ellinomatheia exam: Level A1: Vasiliki Panogeorgou Chrysostomos Rigas Level A2: Evangelos Beall Aikaterini Brikas Nickolaos Forniotis Vasilia Galanis Maria Georgiou Lena Georgopoulos Ariana Kanelos Dimitrios Katsanos Nadyezhda Maximov Elijah Montgomery Anjali Grace Pal Niki Panogeorgou Andriana Pappas Elyssa Snively Nicholas Vatsis Eva Anastasia Vila Level B1 Elias Christopoulos Brianna Hope Fulton Georgios Gatsias Marianthe Kotrotsios Nikolaos Koveos Riya Murugesan Konstandina Pittman

Page 6A • Weekly Waxhaw • Feb. 7, 2020

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COMMUNITY Regional Section • Feb. 7, 2020 • Page 1B

23

influential African American leaders in Union County

Black History Month gives us a chance to reflect on the past, but these 27 leaders provide hope for the future. They are in positions that allow them to shape Union County for years to come.

Business • Jesse Cureton: The Waxhaw resident works as chief consumer officer for Novant Health. He's served on several boards, including Charlotte Center City Partners, Foundation of the Carolinas and Charlotte Regional Business Alliance.

• Eric Dixon: The general manager for ATI in Monroe has served on boards for the Union County Chamber of Commerce and the South Piedmont Community College Foundation.

• Jeff Duke: He's a profit center manager at Assa Abloy in Monroe. He also provides strategic oversight to Monroe-Union County Economic Development.

• Althea Richardson Tucker: She not only specializes in family law at Richardson Law Firm in Monroe, but she's also running for the N.C. District Court Judge 20D seat.

She serves on the board of the Community Health Services of Union County and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

• David Smith: He works as a financial advisor for Edwards Jones in Monroe. He also serves on board for the Union County Chamber of Commerce and the Atrium Health Union.

Politics • Surluta Anthony: She was the first African American woman elected to Monroe City Council in 2013. She serves on the Public Safety and Crime Prevention Committee for the National League of Cities alongside leaders from Los Angeles, Cleveland and Chattanooga.

• Valerie Coffee & Lundeen Cureton: Each has provided more than a decade of leadership to the Mineral Springs Town Council.

Mayor Rick Becker tells voters during campaign season they work as a unit, which isn't as common as you'd think in Union County.

• Angelia James: She successfully ran for Monroe City Council in 2019 on a platform that involved strengthening the neighborhood's ties with police, as well as giving youth more opportunity. Prior to that, she helped build recreational programming.

• Franco McGee: He's serving in his first term in a Monroe City Council seat he won in 2017. He chairs the city's Public Enterprise Committee, which advises the council on issues related to water, stormwater and solid waste.

• Marcus McIntyre: The Indian Trail Town Council appointed the senior financial analyst to fill the vacancy left by Monty Keisler's resignation in 2018. After getting elected back to the council in 2019, his peers appointed him as mayor pro tem.

• Brenda McMillon: Waxhaw's mayor pro tem was one of three fresh new faces elected as town commissioners in 2017. Prior to politics, she was involved in her HOA, Union County Public Schools and nonprofits.

Education • Kim Chinnis: Chinnis has served as a principal in Union County Public Schools since 2008, where she led Parkwood Middle.

She's led Prospect Elementary in Monroe since 2013.

• Elenia Daniels: She worked as a guidance counselor and assistant principal before joining Walter Bickett Elementary School in Monroe two years ago.

• Camela Ford: She serves as the first principal of Monroe Charter Academy, which opened in August 2019 serving kindergarten through third grade.

• Kasha Giddins: She became principal of the Health Sciences Academy at Monroe Middle School in 2019. Prior to joining the district last year, she was a high school principal in New Jersey.

• Maxie Johnson Jr.: Since becoming the first African American to win Union County Public Schools Teacher of the Year in 2012, he's served as assistant principal of East Union Middle and principal of Wingate Elementary.

• Vicki Merritt: Merritt has served as a principal in Union County Public Schools since 2012. Her tenure here began at Sun Valley Middle School. She transitioned over to Central Academy of Technology and Arts in 2018.

• Tahira Stalberte: She works in Union County Public Schools Superintendent Andrew Houlihan's cabinet. She's led public relations for Mecklenburg and Union county's school districts.

• Candice Sturdivant: She's served on the Union County Board of Education since 2016. She also works as assistant director of vocation, internships and career services at Wingate University.

Community • Gloria Barrino: She's worked more than 30 years helping Union County people in crisis. She's led organizations like Turning Point of Union County and the Union County Crisis Assistance Ministry.

• Jim Black: He documents the great things happening in the Waxhaw community through the Land of the Waxhaws public Facebook group.

• W. Beatrice Colson: The Wingate resident has represented older adults in leadership roles with Union County’s AARP chapter and the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature.

• Nathel Hailey: He's provided years of leadership for the Union County NAACP. He was the first African American to serve on the Wingate Town Council.

• Mary Lindsay-Barber: She has taken on the leadership mantle of the Union County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, one of the most giving groups in the county.

• Gwendolyn Perkins: This former Union County Woman of the Year (2008) has served as medical director for Community Health Services of Union County.

• Steve Smith Sr.: A lot of famous people live in southern Mecklenburg and western Union counties, but the NFL Network analyst is one of the most active in the community. He has spoken out about mental health and worked with area youth.

HIGH SCHOOL

ATHLETE Waxhaw 1315 N. Broome St. 704-243-2024

Matthews 11100 Monroe Rd. 704-841-2025

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WEEK

Superintendent Andrew Houlihan recognized Vicki Merritt on Jan. 5, 2017, with the Team UCPS Leadership Award. She was principal at Sun Valley Middle School at the time. Photo courtesy of Union County Public Schools

Academy Sports + Outdoors and Steve Smith Sr. took 20 local children on a $200 shopping spree to shop for backpacks, apparel, footwear and sports equipment in August 2019. Photo courtesy of Academy Sports + Outdoors

Jesse Cureton stands with Michael Jordan and Novant Health CEO Carl Armato during the opening of the Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic in October.

Photo courtesy of Novant Health

KAYLEE HAMBLIN PARKWOOD SWIMMING

Hamblin won the 100-meter breaststroke at the NCHSAA 3A Westeren Regional with a swim of 1:02.28, more than 2.5 seconds faster than the field. Hamblin is the two-time defending state champion in the event.

Are you a coach and know an incredible athlete you’d like us to feature? email us at Andrew@cmgweekly.com

Page 2B • Regional Section • Feb. 7, 2020

Massey named Man of the Year

by Kayla Berenson kayla@cmgweekly.com

Monroe resident George Massey has been named Union County Man of the Year in honor of his time and energy toward volunteering to make the county a better place.

The award is based strictly on nominees’ volunteer work that is not part of their jobs.

It also recognizes leadership in volunteer organizations.

Massey has volunteered with several organizations in the county, serving leadership roles in the majority of them.

As a member of the board of directors for the Hospice of Union and Anson counties, Massey helped raise more than $150,000 in funds. He also serves as vice president of the Union Symphony and a member of the board of directors for Charlotte Safety and Health School.

Additionally, Massey is the treasurer of the Winchester High School Alumni Association, which awards five scholarships to Union County high school students each year. He is a founding member of A Few Good Men, Inc., which also gives out five

scholarships.

Massey is a chairman and chairperson for the Health Ministry and the Monroe Board of Adjustment, respectively. He is also a member of the North Carolina Grand Lodge Medical Staff and a member and lecturer at Ramses Shrine Temple, contributing to Shriners Hospital for Children.

In the past, Massey has held other leadership positions and has sat on various boards of directors in the county.

He said there are many wonderful ways to volunteer in Union County and he knows many who take advantage of the opportunities.

He enjoys volunteering because it makes him feel fulfilled.

“When you help people and you see the joy in their faces when something is good,” Massey said. “That’s why I volunteer.”

Massey said he was honored and humbled to receive the award.

He sees it as an opportunity to honor past winners in the county and inspire others to volunteer moving forward.

“It’s a chance to reflect on past winners and stand on their shoulders,” Massey said.

Milliken is Woman of the Year

by Kayla Berenson

kayla@cmgweekly.com

Denise Milliken has been named the Union County Woman of the Year in recognition of her volunteer work with many county organizations.

Milliken was nominated by Kathy Bragg, who serves as the CEO of the Community Shelter of Union County.

Milliken has also volunteered with Friends of the Library, First Presbyterian Church and Union Symphony. Representatives from each organization endorsed Milliken’s nomination.

Bragg nominated Milliken for her commitment to the shelter, especially as decoration committee chair for the shelter’s Boots and Bow Ties event. Bragg wrote in her nomination that Milliken is among a handful of volunteers who are first to offer help when it is needed. Milliken has helped provide services in the shelter’s kitchen or pantry along with her work for Boots and Bow Ties.

Sometimes, Milliken has had a budget of less than $250 for the Boots and Bow Ties event, which hosts between 300 and 400

people. Bragg said Milliken decorates the venue beautifully regardless, making sure to be aware of every dollar spent.

“Rather than sacrifice the experience for the guest, she pours hundreds of volunteer hours into her projects to find ways to repurpose, craft, beg and borrow from others to create venue experiences that are award and magazine worthy,” Bragg wrote.

Because of Milliken’s commitment to putting on an extravagant fundraiser, Bragg said the shelter has doubled its net proceeds from Boots and Bow Ties. The money has allowed the shelter to increase the number of moves back to independent housing for families experiencing homelessness.

“I enjoy giving back to the community and I enjoy seeing the faces of the kids that I help,” Milliken said. “When we volunteer at the shelter, it is such an honor to help out those that are in need.”

Milliken has lived in Union County for 25 years. She said the people in the area inspire her to volunteer more.

“It’s just a wonderful area,” Milliken said.

“There’s a wonderful, giving atmosphere in this county.”

The Marvin Ridge swim team dominated at the 3A regionals, taking the West with ease. The defending state champs will try to retain their title at the state meet looming this weekend.

Photo courtesy of Marvin Ridge High School

Marvin Ridge boys swim to 3A West title

by Andrew Stark andrew@cmgweekly.com

The Marvin Ridge boys and Charlotte Catholic girls, both defending 3A state champions, each flexed their muscles as they swam to regional titles on Jan. 31 Charlotte Catholic’s Olivia Rhodes and Marvin Ridge’s Boyd Poelke both won a pair of individual gold medals and starred on winning relay teams to help spur the wins.

In the girls meet, Rhodes took first in the 50 freestyle and the 100 freestyle to pace the Cougars, who also got a win in the 500 freestyle from Leyla Sleime.

The Cougar girls also won the 200 freestyle relay (Rhodes, Alina Stout, Abigail Parks and Kendra Johnson) and the 400 freestyle (Victoria Dichak, Stout, Madeline Menkhaus and Parks).

Cuthbertson won the 200 medley relay with Jordan Browning, Alison Thome, Avery Murray and Leah Sandock combining on the win.

Weddington’s Ashley Martinson claimed first in the 200 freestyle; Piedmont’s Ava Yandle won the 100 butterfly; Marvin Ridge’s Susan Mumford won the 100 backstroke and Parkwood’s Kaylee Hamblin took gold in the 100 breaststroke.

Overall, the Cougars finished with 458 points, which put them ahead of Marvin Ridge (321, seconds), Weddington (279, third), Cuthbertson (261, fourth), Parkwood (81, tied for seventh), Sun Valley (80, tied for ninth) and Piedmont (49, 13th).

North Carolina commit Poelke won the 50 freestyle, 100 butterfly and was joined in the winner’s circle by fellow Mav Ryan Wilson, who won the 100 freestyle.

Poelke, Wilson, Kian Constantine and Nicholas Piscitelli later teamed to take gold in the 200 freestyle relay Charlotte Catholic boys placed second behind big swims from John Gehrig and Jack Meehan, who each won two events and were on a pair of regional championship relays.

Gehrig won the 200 and 400 freestyle while Meehan took first in the 200 IM and the 100 backstroke.

The Cougars also won the 200 medley relay as Gehrig, Meehan, Clickner and Patrick Duffy swam to victory and the Cougars won the 400 freestyle relay with Gehrig, Meehan, Jude Denton and Bryson Mrzygod.

Marvin Ridge scored 417 points and was followed by Charlotte Catholic (289, second), Weddington (212, fourth), Sun Valley (43, 14th), Cuthbertson (41, 15th) and Piedmont (8, 25th).

Show your community some love this Valentine's Day

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Most of us love our community and want the best for it. It's our home. It's where we live, work, learn, play and raise our families. And yet, it's easy to go about our daily lives without ever stopping to think: What can I do to make my community better?

I get it. We are all busy.

And it's easy to assume that someone else will do what needs doing. But if there's one thing I've learned from my work with communities across the U.S., it's this: We are all owners. We don't need an official title. We don't have to be assigned a task.

We don't have to be wealthy.

We all have gifts to share and the ability to make a difference in the lives of others.

My dream is that, in honor of Valentine's Day, every citizen would do just one small thing to make their community better. We all know that random acts of kindness have positive ripple effects that reach far and wide, often unexpectedly so. Could you imagine the amazing results if everyone took part in a mass outpouring of love and positivity?

I'm not talking about big, complicated improvements.

If you're a homeowner, you know something as simple as a fresh coat of paint can be a "quick fix" that makes a huge difference in how a room looks. The same is true of a community.

You might start by taking a slow drive around your town. What do you see that needs to be repaired or replaced? Do flowers need to be planted? Is there an empty lot that needs trash hauled away, or a dangerous road in need of a crosswalk?

If everyone were to grab some friends and do something that benefits the community, it would incrementally add up to major good. UCW file photo

Next, consider what resources you have at your disposal. Maybe you, personally, have the skills or the funding to fix something that's broken. If not, you may know someone who does. If you need proper permission, try to get it. There are always potential reasons why something "can't" be done, but it's often amazing what can happen when we just ask.

Maybe your way of showing your community some love is to serve on the school board, to head up a "housing for the homeless" committee, or to spend a day at your local food pantry or animal shelter. Not only will this single action serve a great practical need (everyone is desperate for volunteers!), it may inspire you to get involved on a deeper level.

This is a great opportunity for a group to work together on a project, but you don't have to join an organized effort. Individual acts of love and kindness are meaningful, too. You can offer to clean up a cluttered yard or place a bench under a tree at the park. Once you start looking, you'll find lots of simple things you can do to make things better.

Also, think about how

you might use your time and skill set to bring opportunity to others. Could you train entrepreneurs to better manage their finances or market themselves? Mentor someone inside your company? Think broad and then narrow your scope: It's usually more impactful to pick one or two big things and go deep rather than try to tackle five big things.

Finally, we can all express our gratitude for what's right in our community. We can write a letter to the editor that celebrates the bright spots in our community or we can send a heartfelt thank-you note to the hospital that took care of our loved one. Positivity and gratitude are contagious.

Making the decision to love our community is a powerful first step. It's a mind shift that truly changes the conversation around what's possible.

Quint Studer is author of “Building a Vibrant Community: How Citizen-Powered Change Is Reshaping America.” Visit www.thebusy leadershandbook.com, www. vibrantcommunityblueprint. com, and www.studeri.org for details.

Regional Section • Feb. 7, 2020 • Page 3B

5th-grader to perform in So You Think You Can DINING SCORES Bark fundraiser at Charlotte’s Knight Theater

Health departments from Mecklenburg and Union counties inspected these restaurants Jan. 24-30:

by Karie Simmons karie@cmgweekly.com

CHARLOTTE — Imagine the TV show “So You Think You Can Dance,” but the contestants are dogs, not people. That’s the premise behind So You Think You Can Bark, a competition happening live at the Knight Theater on Feb. 21.

Seven dogs and their owners will take to the stage to perform a routine they’ve learned with the help of a force-free dog trainer. Cora Dillard, a fifth-grader at Providence Springs Elementary in south Charlotte, is the youngest contestant at just 11 years old.

She and her rescue dog, Domino, hope to wow the crowd with a rodeo-themed routine set to the song “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton.

So You Think You Can Bark serves as a fundraiser for Stand For Animals, which operates three non-profit clinics in Charlotte, Pineville and Lake Norman. Clinics are staffed by licensed veterinarians, veterinary technicians and assistants and provide spay neuter services and affordable veterinary care such as annual vaccines and checkups, sick visits, x-rays, ultrasounds and prescription medication.

All proceeds from the event, including fundraising done by the contestants and ticket sales, go toward Stand For Animals' medical fund. This fund underwrites the cost for spay neuter surgeries, vaccines and other medical care for those in the community who need help caring for their pet.

Cora signed up to participate in So You Think You Can Bark after attending the show last year. She was excited to see if she could train Domino, her three-year-old Staffordshire Terrier, to do the complex tricks she saw on stage. But since he was a rescue, she wasn’t sure.

Cora’s father, Chad, adopted Domino from the Charlotte Humane Society in October 2018 as a surprise for Cora, who had been begging for a dog. The two quickly bonded and now, Domino is Cora’s constant companion. She described him as a bundle of energy who likes to sleep in her bed and snuggle under the covers.

“He’s really fun to just watch,” Cora said. “The stuff he does and the noises he makes are really funny.”

Domino and Cora were paired with Piper Novick, owner of Happy Dogs Training, to practice for So You Think You Can Bark. They started small with basic tricks to see where Domino was at and then slowly increased the difficulty over the last six months using praise and “high-value treats,” like cut up hotdogs and pieces of chicken.

“We didn’t know if he was even trainable, but as soon as we started working with Piper, he caught on really quick,” Chad Dillard said.

Novick is an Animal Behavior College Certified Trainer with

Lowest Scores

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Indian Trail

Cora, 11, and her three-year-old dog, Domino, have a special bond that has strengthened even more throughout the six months they’ve been training for So You Think You Can Bark. Karie Simmons/UCW photo

over a decade of experience. She is also a successful agility competitor having trained and titled five of her own dogs.

She said the key to learning a routine — like the one Domino and Cora are set to perform at So You Think You Can Bark — is to break each trick down as much as possible. For instance, when Domino was learning to go through Cora’s legs, they started by teaching him to press his nose to Cora’s hand. Eventually, Cora brought her hand behind her back, then through her legs and Domino learned to follow it.

“It’s all about very small behaviors that piece together to become a bigger sequence or more complex trick,” Novick said.

Despite being a rescue, Novick said Domino hasn’t been difficult to train because he’s “really smart and really motivated.” The hardest part, she said, has actually been teaching Cora and her father how Domino thinks.

They need to understand his learning process because the majority of the training is done at home.

Novick only meets with Domino once a week, so it’s up to Cora to stay consistent when she’s not there. That’s a lot for an 11-yearold who is also balancing school, piano and tumbling lessons.

Cora has to know the sequence of the tricks, give Domino the correct cues and pay close attention to the timing of rewards.

“That’s really important to getting a trick down,” Novick said.

“If we’re trying to teach him to touch his nose to our hand and we reward him five seconds after he touches his nose to our hand, then he’s going to think he’s being rewarded for whatever he was doing at that time.”

Cora said it’s been fun to see Domino learn new tricks and come out of his shell, as well as become more comfortable with people and

• Charlotte National Golf Club, 6920 Howey Bottoms Road – 94.5 • Hungry Howie's Pizza, 553 Indian Trail Road S. – 97.5 • Jersey Mike's, 6580 Old Monroe Road – 95.5 • KFC, 13900 E. Independence Blvd. – 97.5 • Taco Bell, 13710 E. Independence Blvd. – 97 • The American Burger Company, 6455 Old Monroe Road – 97

Matthews (Mecklenburg)

• Azteca Restaurant, 9709 E. Independence Blvd. – 95.5 • Cantina Do Brasil, 4709 Margaret Wallace Road – 96 • Chef Henry Catering, 1050 Devore Lane – 96.5 • CMAK European Deli, 1544 Matthews-Mint Hill Road – 97.5 • Corporate Caterers, 1544 Matthews-Mint Hill Road – 98 • Food Lion (deli/bakery), 3609 Matthews-Mint Hill Road – 97 • Food Lion (market), 3609 Matthews-Mint Hill Road – 99 • Food Lion (produce), 3609 Matthews-Mint Hill Road – 99 • Somi Sushi, 3104 Weddington Road – 95

Matthews (Union) Dog trainer Piper Novick works with Cora and Domino to learn new tricks for their upcoming performance. Photo courtesy of Monicka Weymouth

other dogs. She said his favorite trick is “sit pretty,” when he lists on his back legs and puts his paws up in the air. Her favorite is when Domino walks through her legs and the hardest trick is “the bridge,” when she bends her body backwards and Domino crawls underneath her.

“I’m surprised he could learn so fast, but it is really hard to do it over and over again,” Cora said.

So You Think You Can Bark is just around the corner, which means it’s crunch time for Cora and Domino. Recently, Novick said they’ve been working on stringing the individual tricks together with transitions to form a routine. They’ve also been practicing the tricks with distractions so Domino doesn’t get sidetracked when he’s in front of a live audience at the Knight Theater.

“I’m stoked to see them do it on stage because they’re going to do amazing and I’m really excited to see everybody else’s routines too, so it’ll be kind of the reveal to see what everyone else has been doing,” Novick said.

In addition to training their dogs, all of the contestants partic-

ipating in So You Think You Can Bark raised money for Stand For Animals' medical fund.

As of Feb. 4, Cora had raised $3,115.74. The group as a whole raised $48,520.49.

“It makes me feel really happy because I know these dogs are going to be safe and it’s going to help them a lot,” Cora said.

She hopes her performance at So You Think You Can Bark inspires more kids to participate in the event and brings awareness to the importance of pet adoption.

“There are so many dogs out there that don’t have any homes and they’re lonely and they don’t have a family to go to who loves them,” Cora said.

Want to go?

So You Think You Can Bark begins at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at the Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts, located at 430 S. Tryon St., Charlotte. Buy tickets at www.carolinatix.org/events/detail/ so-you-think-you-can-bark-1 or call 704-372-1000.

To donate, visit https://app.mo bilecause.com/vf/BARKS.

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Page 4B • Regional Section • Feb. 7, 2020

THINGS TO DO Feb. 8 Genealogy Intro The Monroe Library presents an Introduction to African American Genealogy in the Griffin Room. 704-2838184 2 p.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe Movie Screening The Monroe Library screens the PG-13-rated film “Harriet” in the Griffin Room.

704-283-8184 4 p.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe Movie Screening The Marshville Library screens the G-rated film “Brian's Song,” which follows the friendship between NFL teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers. 704-2838184 2 p.m.; 414 Hasty St., Marshville Yappy Hour Sweet Union Brewing invites people and their pups to Yappy Hour, where you can meet adoptable dogs and participate in a raffle for the Carolina PAWS. 704-628-5211

2-5 p.m.; 13717 E. Independence Blvd., Indian Trail

Feb. 9 Wine & Chocolate Treehouse Vineyards offers a wine and chocolate pairing for $20. Sample six pairs. Reservations are required. 704283-4208 2-3:30 p.m.; 301 Bay St., Monroe Charity Fundraiser Mary O'Neill's hosts the third annual charity fundraiser benefiting Autism After 18.

The event includes a performance by Vinyl Tones and head shaving. 704-256-7800 2-6 p.m.; 116 W. N. Main St., Waxhaw

30 *Viewing angle 31 White-petaled daisy 32 Vault 34 ___ boots 35 Who said “When I’m ready to fight, my opponent has a better chance for surviving a forest fire wearing gasoline drawers” 36 Bet (on) 38 “My heavens!”

42 With 23-Across, modicum 43 Nursing ___ 44 Vibe 45 Prominent 1990s Washington duo 48 *Kind of average 50 C7H5N3O6 51 Development centers?

52 Comic actor Seth 53 Fairly small hail size 54 Subtract a year or two from one’s age, say

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE G A U L B O O B S

R U B E R A P A T

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the early 1900s. A light lunch will follow during the Council on Aging in Union County event.

10:30 a.m.; 113 S. Johnson St., Monroe

Comedy Night JD Colwell, Andre Copeland, Beau Johnson, Chris Monds and Jonathan Williams provide stand-up comedy at the Trail House's Comedy Night. 704-776-4655 8 p.m.; 6751 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail

Book Club The book club at Monroe Library discusses Susan Orlean's “The Library Book.”

704-283-8184 5:30 p.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe

Feb. 12 Coding Club Children, ages 6-12, engage in Coding Club activities in Monroe Library's STEAM Lab. 704-283-8184 5-6 p.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe

Feb. 10 Voting History Wingate University professor Aaron Culley talks about voter suppression, inequality and black suffrage during “The History of the African American Vote” at the Monroe Library's Griffin Room.

704-283-8184 5 p.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe

Feb. 13 Advance Directives The Council on Aging in Union County hosts “Make Plans to Document Your Healthcare Choices in an Advance Directive,” a free opportunity to create a living will and healthcare power of attorney. An advance care planning facilitator and notary from Atrium Health will assist with completion documents.

Call 704-292-1797 to register.

10 a.m.; 1401 Skyway Drive, Monroe

Sneaker Culture Johnson C Smith University professor Jemayne Lavar King kicks off a seminar, Feb. 11 “Step into Sneaker Culture,” Black History at the Monroe Library's Griffin Gene Stowe discusses the Room. The event ties togeth- documentary based on his er sneakers, sports, hip hop book, “Inherit the Land: Jim and the economy. 704-283- Crow meets Miss Maggie’s 8184 Will,” forSales BlackCorporation History Month The New York Times Syndication 3 p.m.; E. Windsor St., New at Langford Chapel.

He’ll talk 620316 Eighth Avenue, York, N.Y. 10018 Monroe For Information Call:about 1-800-972-3550 the local trial surroundFor Release Thursday, 27,of2019 ing June the will two sisters in

Edited by Will Shortz

Crossword ACROSS 1 Game with a maximum score of 3,333,360 7 Host Allen of TV’s “Chopped” 10 *The outcome of a story might hinge on one 14 Get some air 15 Hotheadedness 16 Brief, abrupt changes in direction 17 *One might say “Home Sweet Home” 18 *Important spot on the body for acupuncture 20 Tempest in a teapot 21 Aid for making a sand castle 22 Vineyard vessel 23 See 42-Across 25 “Victory is ours!”

27 Unlikely homecoming court members 29 Contribute

Pub Poker Deuces Pub Poker presents Monday Night Pub Poker at Lounge 74. 704-494-9445 7-10 p.m.; 6443 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail

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55 Mentally goes [grumble grumble grumble] 57 Gulager of old TV and film 59 & 61 What President Wilson proposed for a lasting peace … or what’s missing from the answers to the starred clues 64 Fictional schnauzer 65 Area of educ.

66 Nativity scene 67 *School overlooking the Hudson 68 Certain intersection 69 Drill command DOWN 1 *Locate precisely 2 Good “Wheel of Fortune” buy for CHEESE WHEEL 3 Time to indulge 4 Grp. that trademarked the phrase “Helping Survivors Survive” 5 Provides (for) 6 By birth 7 *Malcolm Gladwell best seller, with “The” 8 Something to run 9 Notarized paper 10 Attire not usually worn outdoors, informally 11 World’s mostvisited museum 12 Sweet Rosie of old song 13 ___ fly

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19 Title usually abbreviated to its first, fifth and sixth letters 21 Certain curtains 23 *Kind of pen 24 Flash of genius, say 26 Conservatory piece 28 *Touchdown follower 33 *Aid in a speaker’s presentation 35 Fort ___, Md.

Wildlife Program Wildlife biologist Rupert Medford discusses deer at a free Union County Wildlife Chapter program at the Union County Agricultural and Conference Center.

6:30-8:30 p.m.; 3230 Presson Road, Monroe

Feb. 15 Paws Awhile Children, up to 12 years old, read to a therapy dog in the program, “Paws Awhile to Read,” at the Indian Trail Library. 704-283-8184

37 Let up 38 Goes on and on and on 39 Visceral shock 40 Author Sarah ___ Jewett 41 *Part of a scatter diagram 43 *Sycophant’s reward 45 Hearty laugh 46 Useless 47 Counters 48 Homer’s home 49 Rerun

56 Certain cricket match 58 It might be attached to a car 60 Animal feared by Winston in “1984”

• Cork & Ale: Scarlet Lemonade • Dunwellz: Music Bingo • Evening Muse: Tony Lucca & Rebecca Correia; C.Shreve the Professor & DJ Jet • Fillmore: Cold War Kids; Loumuzik • Fox’s Alley: Kendall Knight • Moochies Tavern: Coconut Groove Band • Neighborhood Theatre: Big Something + Andy Frasco & The UN • Pour 64: Julie Dean • Queens South: Palmetto Road • Southern Range: The Stark Reality Too • Stooges Pub: Porter Blue • Trail House: Groove Machine • Visulite: Indecision

Feb. 9 • Boardwalk Billy’s (Crown Point): Kevin Marshall & Joe Middleton • Evening Muse: The Barefoot Movement • Mary O’Neill’s: Brian Coughlan

Feb. 10

63 *Big moment in a tennis match

Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 7,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year).

Read about and comment on each puzzle: nytimes.com/wordplay.

Movie Screening The Marshville Library screens the PG-13-rated film “Selma,” which follows Martin Luther King Jr.'s campaign for equal voting rights. 704-2838184 2 p.m.; 414 Hasty St., Marshville

Feb. 18 Book Club The Final Draft Book Club discusses “The Bromance Book Club” by Lyssa Kay Adams at Southern Range Brewery.

7 p.m.; 151 S. Stewart St., Monroe

March 30 Senior Expo Charlotte Media Group presents the Thrive Over 55 Senior Expo at Christ Covenant Church. The free event features more than 60 vendors, free food and opportunities to connect with community resources and agencies serving older adults. Register through www.eventbrite.com or by calling 704-849-2261.

Email adrian@cmgweekly. com to become a sponsor.

9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 800 Fullwood Drive, Matthews

• Trail House: Jade Moore

Feb. 7 • Evening Muse: Eliot Bronson; Arson Daily & Holy Roller • Fillmore: Saint Motel; Fannie & Friends • Goodtimes Bar: TARGeT • Heist Brewery: Brown Eyed Women • Mac’s Speed Shop (Matthews): Rayen Belchere • Moochies Tavern: Shotgun Saints • Neighborhood Theatre: Davy Knowles • Spectrum Center: Andre Boceli • Vintner’s Hill: Tony Eubanks • Visulite: Town Mountain w/ Coddle Creek

61 Survey fig.

62 July 4, 1776, for one: Abbr.

1 p.m.; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail

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Culinary History Cheri Bennet, of the NC Cooperative Extension, leads a discussion on African American culinary history, “Food and Social Injustice: A Woven Tapestry in African American History” Feb. 13, 20 & 27. at the Union West Library. 704283-8184 5 p.m.; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail

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Valentine's Challenge The Monroe Library hosts Senior STEAM Morning: Valentine's Challenge in the STEAM Lab. Adults will compete in a series of mini Valentine's-themed challenges.

704-283-8184 10-11 a.m; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe

• Evening Muse: Open Mic & Sunrise and the Smoke • Fillmore: Poppy • Neighborhood Theatre: Dale Watson

Feb. 11 • Evening Muse: Open Mic & Spencer Bland

Feb. 12

Feb. 13 • Bistro D’Antonio: Will Lee • Evening Muse: The Sea The Sea & Sarah Burton • Free Range Brewing: Magnolia Boulevard • Heist Brewery: Music Bingo • Moochies Tavern: Galentine’s Karaoke • Pizza Peel (Matthews): Music Bingo

Venues Charlotte • Boardwalk Billy’s: 1636 Sardis Road N. • Evening Muse: 3227 N. Davidson St. • Fillmore: 820 Hamilton St. • Free Range Brewing: 2320 N. Davidson St. • Heist Brewery: 2909 N. Davidson St. • Neighborhood Theatre: 511 E. 36th St. • Spectrum Center: 333 E. Trade St. • Visulite: 1615 Elizabeth Ave. Indian Trail • Trail House: 6751 Old Monroe Road Matthews • Mac’s Speed Shop: 142 E. John St. • Moochies Tavern: 15060 Idlewild Road • Pizza Peel: 110 Matthews Station St. Mint Hill • Dunwellz: 7110 Brighton Park Drive • Pour 64: 4410 Mint Hill Village Lane • Stooges Pub: 13230 Albemarle Road • Vintner’s Hill: 7427 Matthews-Mint Hill Road Monroe • Fox’s Alley: 1901 Skyway Drive • Goodtimes Bar: 1905 Dickerson Blvd.

• Southern Range: 151 S. Stewart St. Waxhaw • Bistro D’Antonio: 3909 Providence Road S. • Cork & Ale: 113 E. N. Main St. • Mary O’Neill’s: 116 W. N. Main St. • Queens South: 1201 N. Broome St.

• Evening Muse: Szlachetka & Bryan Elijah Smith

Visit us online for county-wide coverage all in one place:

www.unioncountyweekly.com CMPD Animal Care & Control

Orphaned Animals Available for Adoption Name: BJ ID: A1151161 Age: 5 years Weight: 46 lbs Sex: Neutered

BJ

This handsome boy has been in the shelter way too long. He sadly gets overlooked as he is not one of the young pups.

After his initial excitement of getting out of the kennel, he will settle and walk nice on leash; he loves long walks. He loves toys and will entertain himself. He appears to be house trained as he will attempt to show you when he needs to go out. He did meet a chihuahua while out on a staycation and did well. He’s ready for another staycation in hopes of being adopted. Take him home for up to 5 days. He is such a good boy and is more than ready for his forever home.

Name: Dividend ID: A1164177 Age: 2 years Breed: Shorthair Sex: Neutered

DIVIDEND

Date of Arrival: 12/21/19 Adoption fee: $10 plus monetary donation Vaccinations: Has all required vaccinations

Name: Beauty ID: A1163618 Age: 2 years Weight: 55 lbs Sex: Spayed

BEAUTY

Date of Arrival: 1/21/20 Adoption fee: $48 Vaccinations: Has all required vaccinations

This big beautiful boy is still unsure of his new surroundings but he is curious and gaining some confidence. He loves to be groomed and petted.

Date of Arrival: 1/6/2020 Adoption fee: $10 plus monetary donation Vaccinations: Has all required vaccinations

Beauty and the Beast. These two are EXTREMELY bonded to each other. They are not fans of “outsiders” (other dogs) so they need a castle that they can call their own together. Sorry, these two don’t come with servants. They are friendly to with people, been around kids, and house trained. These two MUST be adopted together but their fees are waived.

Name: Beast ID: 5251094 Age: 3 years Weight: 81 lbs Sex: Neutered

Date of Arrival: 1/6/2020 Adoption fee: $10 plus monetary donation Vaccinations: Has all required vaccinations

BEAST

8315 Byrum Drive / animals.cmpd.org / ADOPTION FEES RANGE FROM $63 TO $103

Regional Section • Feb. 7, 2020 • Page 5B

Wanting to run a classified ad? CALL 704-849-2261 Monday - Friday. We accept credit cards.

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Page 6B • Regional Section • Feb. 7, 2020

ANNIVERSARY

CLEARANCE SALE February 14 - February 17

Friday 9am-6pm • Saturday 9am-6pm • Sunday 12pm-5pm • Monday 9am-6pm

Southern Heritage Home re-opens their newly renovated showrooms

Visit our brand new 25,000 square foot Rock House Farm Factory Outlet

Featuring outlet products from your favorite luxury brands.

Grab your favorite beverage on the go or sit down and enjoy a relaxing lunch at our onsite coffeehouse and café

4 DAYS ONLY CLEARANCE SALE Shop & Stay packages and discounted rates available at partner hotels, for information call 1-800-462-MART (6278)

• Shop early for the best selection • Clearance items reduced • Custom orders discounted • Design assistance • Order your outdoor furniture this weekend • Rugs, lighting, designer fabrics • Artwork & accessories • Nationwide delivery

Register To Win A $500 Hickory Furniture Mart Gift Certificate When You Visit The Mart This Sale Weekend

FROM CHARLOTTE: I-77 North to I-40 West to Hickory, Exit 126.

Left off ramp, then right onto Hwy. 70. Mart is on the left.

800-462-MART (6278) • www.hickoryfurniture.com I-40 West, Exit 126 • 2220 Highway 70 SE; Hickory, NC