Matthews Messenger | October 2021

The newest addition to the Matthews public art collection is this striking mural by artist Osiris Rain located outside of The Loyalist Market in North End. Read more about it on page 3.

In this issue...

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New Mural in North End!

Keep These Messages On Your Mind Engage and Connect: Follow the Town of Matthews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, NextDoor and sign up to receive notifications.

Visit www.matthewsnc.gov for more info.

Música Matthews Celebrates Hispanic Heritage!

MATTHEWSNC.GOV

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

Review yard waste guidelines.

@MATTHEWSNC

TOWN OF MATTHEWS

@TOWNOFMATTHEWS

www.matthewsnc.gov

Matthews Messenger | OCTOBER 2021

MANAGER’S MESSAGE I hope you are enjoying the start of the fall season.

The leaves will soon begin falling so now is a good time to review the yard waste guidelines. Read more about this on page 5. We appreciate your cooperation.

We have some exciting events coming up this fall.

Música Matthews celebrates Hispanic Heritage month and will take place on October 15. The event will focus on music and dance, with some great performances planned. We’ll also have delicious food offerings and lots of family fun activities.

See page 4 for more details.

Also don’t miss two additional upcoming events: Kids in Nature Day will be held on October 16 at Squirrel Lake Park (see page 4) and Pawsitively Matthews will be held on November 6 at Stumptown Park.

Check out the calendar on page 6 of Matthews events and Board of Commissioners meetings so you can stay involved and engaged in all that Matthews has to offer.

At the September 27 Board of Commissioners meeting, I announced I will be retiring as Town Manager. I have spent the last eighteen years managing one of the best towns in North Carolina. I’ve enjoyed my time immensely. Matthews is a special place for many reasons – but the best part about our community is the people and that’s what I’ll miss most about serving as Manager. My retirement will take place in March 2022, so I look forward to a few more months as your Town Manager.

Hazen Blodgett HAZEN BLODGETT MATTHEWS TOWN MANAGER HBLODGETT@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

BECKY HAWKE ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER BHAWKE@MATTHEWSNC.GOV

Town Manager Hazen Blodgett Announces Retirement During the September 27 Town Board meeting, Town Manager Hazen Blodgett announced his intention to retire effective March 31, 2022. Hazen has served at the Town Manager for the last 18 years.

“Hazen has been an extraordinary Manager over the last 18 years,” said Mayor Higdon.

“His impact on Matthews truly cannot be measured. On behalf of the entire Board, we want to express our thanks and appreciation for his tireless work, thoughtful leadership, and dedication to Matthews. Indeed, his are big shoes to fill.”

In his letter to the Board of Commissioners, Hazen wrote, “The commitment each of you have displayed in trying to make Matthews the best it can be makes the job significantly easier. Myself and staff know each day as we come to work the elected Board is doing all it can to make our community great. Thanks for your vision and commitment to the community.”

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Matthews Messenger | OCTOBER 2021

NEW MURAL IN NORTH END Artist Osiris Rain recently completed work on a new mural located outside of The Loyalist Market (435 N. Trade Street). The abstract mural shows the growth in Matthews by linking the past with the future and connecting farm, food and community. The mural is meant to be read from right to left.

Osiris Rain, a well-known muralist in Charlotte, has painted large-scale murals all over the world.

Known for his colorful, realism paintings, Osiris brings a high-level of art, while also bringing a photo opportunity to downtown Matthews.

“I wanted to create a design that was bold and distinctly contemporary to set it apart from what one might expect to see in Matthews, but I still wanted it to tell the narrative of the town’s rich history,” said Osirius. “I decided to abstract out the history and feeling of Matthews and its connection to farming and its current connection still with farming with slow food. It is meant to read right to left.”

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Matthews Messenger | OCTOBER 2021

M Ú S I C A M AT T H E W S C E L E B R AT E S H I S PA N I C H E R I TAG E M O N T H The Town of Matthews will celebrate Hispanic Heritage month by hosting “Música Matthews,” in Stumptown Park on Friday, October 15, from 5pm – 9pm.

The event will focus on music and dance, with performances Praise Band (6pm-7pm), Rumbao Dance Company (7pm-7:30pm) End Mambo (7:30pm-9pm). There will be Latin food vendors, a Brewing beer tent, inflatable games for children, and visual craft vendors.

by Flute , and West Seaboard arts and

Presenting Sponsor Truliant Federal Credit Union, other area businesses, and the Matthews Police Department will host interactive exhibits and greet attendees. Members of the Stumptown AC soccer team will also greet fans and sign autographs.

A d m i s s i o n t o t h e c o n c e r t s i s f r e e a n d o p e n t o t h e p u b l i c , b u t f o o d , b e e r, and some art will require purchase.

For more information, check out matthewsfun.com.

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Matthews Messenger | OCTOBER 2021

yard waste guidelines Fall is here! A reminder that yard waste pickup continues with your weekly trash pickup from Republic Services. The Town of Matthews defines yard waste as brush, tree and shrub trimmings, leaves and grass trimmings, and other materials accumulated as the result of the care of lawns, shrubbery, vines and trees. Please review the key guidelines for yard waste pickup below.

Four tips to keep in mind:

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SCHEDULE Ya r d w a s t e i s p i c k e d u p o n c e a week on your scheduled trash p i c k u p d a y . Ya r d waste must be placed at the curb.

BRANCHES All branches and limbs must be cut and stacked in small piles.

Branches must be cut in lengths of four feet or less and can be no larger than five inches in diame t e r.

L I M I TAT I O N S Leaves and grass clippings must be bagged in clear bags, or other bags left open so the driver can see the contents. Each residence is limited to a maximum of 20 bags per week, and each bag must weigh less than 50 pounds. Paper yard waste bags are preferred.

C O N TA I N M E N T Do not leave bagged yard waste, tree limbs, or branches blocking the sidewalk or in the street.

For more information, view the Trash Street Pickup listing: https://www.matthewsnc.gov/pview.aspx?id=20996&catID=567

Kids in Nature Day

S A T U R D A Y, O C T O B E R 1 6 2 0 2 1 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM SQUIRREL LAKE PARK

Yo u w o n ’ t w a n t t o m i s s t h i s d a y o f f r e e f a m i l y f u n i n t h e p a r k p r e s e n t e d b y H AW K (Habitat and Wildlife Keepers), the Town of Matthews, and NCWF’s Great Outdoors University! Invite your family and friends to join us for a scavenger hunt, nature walks, STEM activities, animal explorations, nature crafts, and much more! We look forward to seeing you on October 16th at Squirrel Lake Park!

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Matthews Messenger | OCTOBER 2021

October 2021 Events Calendar Any questions?

Contact us!

6:00 PM Crews Family Fun Night

11:00 AM Crestdale Heritage Trail Public Input Meeting

7:00 PM Veterans Advisory Committee remote meeting 7:00 PM Board of Commissioners Remote Meeting

6:45 PM Matthews Committee on Education Remote Meeting

7:00 PM Canceled- Board of Adjustment Meeting

6:30 PM Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource Advisory Com

7:00 PM Appearance/ Tree Committee Meeting

7:00 PM Board of Commissioners Remote Meeting

5:00 PM Música Matthews

9:00 AM Clippers & Cops

7:00 PM Transportation Advisory Committee Meeting 7:00 PM Remote Planning Board Meeting

10:00 AM Red Cross Blood Drive

For additional details, please visit: www.matthewsnc.gov/calendar.aspx Town of Matthews Board of Commissioners

Have any questions about the community? Contact us!

Mayor John Higdon mayorhigdon@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner Jeff Miller jmiller@matthewsnc.gov

TOWN HALL

Mayor Pro Tem Renee Garner rgarner@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner John Urban jurban@matthewsnc.gov

PHONE

Commissioner Dave Bland dbland@matthewsnc.gov

Commissioner Larry Whitley lwhitley@matthewsnc.gov

E-MAIL

Commissioner Ken McCool kmccool@matthewsnc.gov

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232 Matthews Station St. | Matthews, NC 28105 (704) 847- 4411 matthews@matthewsnc.gov WEB

www.matthewsnc.gov