from the North Carolina chapter of Dr. Shri Nanasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan recently came together for a Adopt-A-Highway cleanup drive on Union Highway between Lawyers Road and N.C. 218.
In collaboration with the N.C. Department of Transportation, 10 volunteers collected 360 pounds of waste, filling 24 large
bags along a 5.2-mile stretch. Founded with the mission of fostering environmental consciousness, DSNDP’s motto, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” meaning “The world is one family,” reflects its global commitment to a cleaner planet. This philosophy, along with the leadership of Dr. Shri Appasaheb Dharmadhikari and Dr. Shri Sachindada Dharmadhikari, drives the organization’s work
MONROE – Union Academy collected one million pop tabs to date, which is the equivalent of 1,000 pounds of recycled aluminum, to support the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte.
The school community collected 329.85 pounds during the current school year alone.
To honor this achievement, Hunter Hughes, community engagement specialist for the Ronald McDonald House, recently visited the campus to present a certificate of appreciation to UA staff members alongside the student-led Character Crew.
The pop tab collection program helps fund the operations of the Ronald McDonald House, which provides housing, meals
and comfort to families of seriously ill children receiving medical treatment.
Union Academy’s cumulative donations have funded 10 nights of lodging for a family, allowing them to stay steps away from their child’s hospital bedside free of charge.
For the Union Academy community, this mission is personal.
In 2016, UA student Colby Holmes was hospitalized with an unexpected illness, and his family found comfort at the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte.
In a full-circle moment, Colby’s sister, Aubry, was given a blanket during their stay that had been put together by UA students as part of another service project to
LEXINGTON, V.A. –Washington and Lee University senior Darby Burgett has earned a Boren Scholarship. Burgett, of Waxhaw, majors in environmental studies and minors in law, justice and society, and poverty and human capability studies.
With the Boren Scholarship, she will study Indonesian with the Southeast Asian Flagship Languages Initiative, spending this summer at the University of Wisconsin’s Southeast
Asian Studies Summer Institute before studying at the State University of Malang in Indonesia in the fall.
“This opportunity is a recognition of my commitment to public service and will allow me to develop a linguistic and regional specialization that will inform my future graduate studies and career in the federal government,” said Burgett, who attended the Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute at
Nonprofit picks up 24 bags of trash
toward a cleaner and greener future.
To date, DSNDP’s efforts have engaged more than 4,529 volunteers nationwide, removing nearly 68,145 pounds of waste from public spaces. In North Carolina, volunteers have contributed more than 865 hours of service, collecting about 8,085 pounds of trash through multiple events.
On the web: dsndp.com
Union Academy collects 1M pop tabs
benefit Ronald McDonald House.
City adopts budget with no tax hike
MONROE – The Monroe City Council voted unanimously May 26 to adopt a 2026-27 annual budget that holds the property tax rate steady and funds capital needs without adding new debt.
The General Fund budget is $72 million and the total budget of General Fund and Enterprise Funds is $231 million; a slight decrease over prior years’ budgets.
City Manager Mark Watson described his recommendation as a maintenance budget focused on preserving and improving the quality of services that residents depend upon without placing new financial burdens on taxpayers. This is a budget with no new taxes, no new debt and no new positions, while still fully funding public safety and every core service the city provides.
Key Priorities
▪ Investing in Firefighters: The budget addresses fire department compensation, placing the Monroe Fire Department at a competitive position for recruiting and retaining experienced firefighters.
▪ Streets and Infrastructure: The budget fully funds the council’s priority of expanding Monroe’s street paving and resurfacing program, representing a commitment of more than $20 million over four years, funded through a combination of General Fund appropriations and Powell Bill revenues.
▪ Permitting and Business Services: The budget continues a council priority of investments in permitting operations to provide faster service to residents, developers and businesses.
“Our core values at Union Academy center heavily on character and community service,” said Amy Yermack, head of school. “It is rewarding for our students, staff and families to see firsthand how the efforts put into service are truly appreciated, needed and life-changing for families going through their hardest moments.”
Union Academy plans to continue its pop tab collection in the coming school years and invites the community to save their aluminum tabs to help support the cause.
▪ Investing in Employees: Every qualifying full-time city employee will see a 3% cost-of-living pay increase under the new budget. The city is also expanding its 401k contribution, moving from a 3% base with a 2% optional match to a flat 5% contribution for all full-time employees regardless of whether they contribute themselves. Employee health
Waxhaw student wins scholarship to study abroad
Princeton University in 2025.
“It is a culmination of my four years at W&L, a result of my extensive time abroad, as well as my professional and academic experiences. It can also be attributed to my family and the faculty and staff who have supported me, both with this application and during my time at W&L.”
Studying abroad has been a cornerstone of Burgett’s W&L experience. She credits these experiences with
“fundamentally altering how [she views] the world.”
She spent a semester studying in Australia and interning in Singapore, a semester as a visiting student at Korea University, and Spring Terms in South Korea, Sweden, Denmark and Zimbabwe.
Burgett is the vice president of partnership and outreach for the Student Environmental Action League and president of the W&L Climate Alliance.
Union Academy showed through its pop tabs collection drive that small habits add up over time. Photos courtesy of Union Academy
Photo courtesy
has taken Waxhaw resident Darby Burgett all over the world. She'll head to Indonesia next. Photo courtesy of Washington and Lee University
Beds for Kids celebrates 15 years of service
CHARLOTTE – Beds for Kids is celebrating its 15-year anniversary. What began as a mission to provide beds for children in need has grown into the Charlotte area’s largest furniture bank of its kind. Beds for Kids has served nearly 10,000 families with over 280,000 beds and essential furnishings, reaching neighborhoods across Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Union counties and beyond.
As part of this milestone, the organization is opening the doors to a new warehouse and announcing the next chapter of leadership and board members, with longtime Director of Operations Zach Smith serving as incoming executive director and Lauren Evans continuing her service to the organization as she transitions from executive director to a position on the board of directors.
“Families need the essential furnishings that make a home,” Smith
said. “Sadly, furniture is often the missing piece between housing and a place to call a home, and as families in Charlotte face this growing issue of furniture poverty and economic pressure, our role at Beds for Kids becomes even more essential."
Charlotte remains one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with rising rent and limited affordable housing options contributing to increased housing instability and what Beds for Kids describes as furniture poverty. A family may have a place to live, but not the basic furniture to make it a home, such as dining tables, dressers or a bed for a child to sleep.
Beds for Kids is continuing to grow and evolve to meet the needs of the community.
Officials with Bed for Kids said these efforts position the nonprofit to continue serving significantly more families each year, while maintaining
a dignity-centered, high-touch approach:
• The organization is welcoming new board members and community leaders with expertise in housing, philanthropy and operations. Longest-tenured staff member Moses Dimmock will step into a newly established mission director role.
• To support rising demand, the organization has streamlined warehouse space, which will enable more efficient distribution of beds and essential furnishings.
Beds for Kids is working toward reaching families in every county that borders Mecklenburg, deepening its regional impact through expanded partnerships with local nonprofit and referral agencies and strengthened service delivery.
“We simply wouldn’t be here without our dedicated supporters, partners and volunteers in the Charlotte community,” Smith said.
CATS reports reduction in transit crime, assaults
CHARLOTTE
– The Charlotte Area Transit System has released updated data highlighting a downward trend in crime and assaults across the transit system.
Following a consolidated contract with Professional Security Services and an enhanced partnership with the CharlotteMecklenburg Police Department, CATS said the system is seeing a decrease in crime on the Blue Line and overall bus operator and passenger assaults.
CATS said there has been zero assaults requiring medical response for operators or passengers as well as zero passengeron-passenger assaults in first quarter 2026 (down from three in 2025)
“The data shows the security enhancements we have implemented are taking hold and yielding meaningful improvements,” CATS Interim CEO Brent Cagle said. “While we recognize safety and security is a continued moving target, CATS today is in a very different place than it was three years ago. We remain firmly committed to the safety of our employees and customers.”
Since WeDriveU (formerly National Express) assumed management of bus operations in 2024, several new safety protocols specific to bus operations have been implemented:
• Radio controllers now have real-time video access to vehicles and undergo enhanced training to ensure rapid deployment of emergency services.
• Expanded announcements notify passengers that audio/video recording is active and that aggressive behavior toward operators will result in criminal charges.
• The average response time for bus communications to capture a call has been reduced to about 35 seconds, with bus-originated calls now color-coded and prioritized over schedule alerts.
• New protocols for high-level events ensure on-duty lead controllers coordinate responses to threats of violence immediately.
• Operators are equipped with both overt and covert emergency buttons and receive real-time coaching to manage
disruptive situations safely.
Enhancements have also been made to reporting functions for customers:
Text a Tip: CATS has integrated a Text-a-Tip line, 704-251-6402, giving riders an additional way to request support in addition to reporting a problem via the homepage of the CATS website. The ‘Report a problem to CATS’ button within the CATS-Pass app has also been updated for better visibility.
• Promotion of reporting tools: New signage has been integrated throughout the system with the various ways to request support listed as well as overhead audio announcements.
“Our proactive safety and security measures are delivering tangible results, and seeing systemwide crime numbers drop is a major step forward,” CATS Chief Safety and Security Officer Eric Osnes said. “We will keep building on this momentum, adjusting our strategies in real-time to protect our community and stay ahead of the curve.”
CATS continues to scale its security
presence through the deployment of additional off-duty CMPD officers and Mecklenburg County sheriff’s deputies. Future-focused initiatives include securing a dedicated fare enforcement unit and partnering with Central Piedmont Community College and UNC Charlotte to develop and test new AI-driven security technologies. These enhancements are integrated into the current and proposed fiscal year 2027 operating and capital budgets as well as the CATS Integrated Public Safety and Security Plan.
Food Lion celebrates staff milestones
Cooper named Communicator of the Year
MONROE – Union County Public Communications Director
Liz Cooper has been named North Carolina Communicator of the Year by North Carolina City & County Communicators.
The award recognizes a government communications professional who has demonstrated skill, creativity and impact over the past year.
Union County’s Public Communications team also received four NC3C Excellence in Communications Awards at
• First Place – Branding/ Logo: Union County Economic Development logo
• Second Place – Multi-Platform Campaign: “Foster the Future” Foster Parent Recruitment Campaign (in partnership with Social Services)
Third Place – Special Programming - Video: Women in Leadership (Women’s History Month)
• Third Place – Crisis Communications: Response after Unionville tornado, March 2025
“Liz’s leadership and vision have elevated how we connect with our residents and employees, and I’m proud to see her impact being recognized statewide,” said Clayton Voignier, assistant county manager. “These recognitions reflect the strength of our entire communications team and their commitment to serving Union County.”
NC3C, founded in 2007,
supports professional development and networking for North Carolina local government communicators. At the conference, Two Union County team members were also recently reelected to NC3C’s Board: Liz Cooper as vice president and Nicole Hricik as secretary.
Newly opened Primrose School of Waxhaw enrolling students
WAXHAW – Primrose School of Waxhaw has opened at 2421 Cuthbertson Road and is enrolling children ages 6 weeks through pre-kindergarten and transitional kindergarten.
Families have access to a balance of purposeful play and nurturing guidance through the school’s Balanced Learning curriculum. This approach supports intellectual, social-emotional and physical development while helping children build confidence, curiosity and compassion.
“As both a pediatrician and a parent, I’ve seen how important the early years are in shaping a child’s confidence, curiosity and overall development,” said Sneha Patel, franchise owner of Primrose School of Waxhaw. “We want to create an environment where families feel a true sense of partnership and every child is cared and nurtured for with intention.”
Sneha Patel and Manthan Makadia’s journey to
Primrose began in 2021 while searching for quality childcare for their son and recognizing a need for more options in the community.
Patel is a pediatrician, and her husband Makadia is a surgeon, and they both bring a health-informed perspective to early childhood education.
Primrose School of Waxhaw features:
• Capacity for about 212 children
• 13 classrooms designed for age-appropriate learning
• Transitional kindergarten, a bridge for children who would benefit from an additional year before kindergarten
• Enrichment programs integrated into the school day like piano, coding, drama and movement allow children to explore new interests without additional after-school scheduling for families
Since 2023, Primrose schools across Charlotte have donated 2,467 books to organizations. On the web: primroseschools.com/ schools/waxhaw
Meet UCPS’s top assistant principals
MONROE – Union County Public
Schools recently honored Sophie Flynn, of Unionville Elementary School, as the 2026 Assistant Principal of the Year. Flynn was among five finalists for the award. Here is some insight into each of those finalists.
Sophie Flynn
Unionville Elementary
Sophie Flynn, of Unionville Elementary School, said her role centers on advocacy and instructional support.
“Being an assistant principal is important to me because I can still be a voice for our students and support teachers through the many demands they face,” Flynn said.
Flynn originally planned to become an instructional coach before moving into administration.
“Working closely with administration helped me see myself in that role,” she said. “I got the opportunity and I’ve never looked back.”
She said one of her favorite parts of the job is supporting instructional practice in classrooms.
Flynn began her career teaching fourth and fifth grade at Sun Valley Elementary before becoming an instructional support specialist focused on literacy and coaching teachers. She served as a principal intern at Benton Heights Elementary before becoming assistant principal at Unionville Elementary in December 2023.
Christina McDowell
Porter Ridge Middle
Christina McDowell, of Porter Ridge Middle School, focuses on instructional leadership and collaboration with teachers. McDowell said her path to administration began while she was still teaching.
“I was in the classroom and taking on a lot of leadership positions around the building,” McDowell said. “A mentor encouraged me to
pursue leadership so I could help more students.”
She said collaboration is one of the most rewarding parts of her role.
“Working with teachers through professional learning communities and looking at data together is my favorite part,” she said.
McDowell’s role has expanded the scope of her impact.
“When I was a classroom teacher, I focused on the students in my classroom and building that culture there,” she said. “As an assistant principal, I’m working to help build that culture across the entire school.”
McDowell served in the military from 2001 to 2013. She later taught health science, chemistry and math across multiple states. She previously taught eighth-grade math at East Union Middle School.
Todd Swackhamer
Sardis Elementary
Todd Swackhamer, of Sardis Elementary School, is committed to supporting both students and staff.
After 14 years in the classroom, he said he wanted to expand his reach.
“I wanted to have a different impact on students,”
Swackhamer said.
“Now I get to work with teachers, visit students and help in every capacity possible.” He said classroom visits give him a close view of student progress.
“My favorite part is going into classrooms and watching students work,” he said. “It’s rewarding to see how much they grow.”
Swackhamer is in his 24th year in education, all with UCPS. He previously taught kindergarten, first and third grade at Marshville Elementary School and spent 10 years coaching baseball at Forest Hills High School. He began his administrative career at Unionville Elementary before serving at
the Health Sciences Academy at Monroe Middle School and Sardis Elementary.
Stephanie Funderburk
Rocky River Elementary
Stephanie Funderburk, of Rocky River Elementary School, said her desire to pursue leadership came from her classroom experience.
“As a teacher, I saw the impact I could have on students, and I wanted to have a bigger impact and help teachers,”
Funderburk said. She said the school community plays a major role in her daily work.
“We have the best students,” she said. “We also have an amazing staff, and we couldn’t do our jobs without them.”
Funderburk began teaching in UCPS in 2001. During her career, she has served as a classroom teacher, interventionist, curriculum coordinator and instructional content facilitator at Rocky River.
Sheila Levesque
East Elementary
Sheila Levesque, of East Elementary School, said encouragement played a key role in her path to administration.
“My principal saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself at the time,” Levesque said. “He mentored me, and I’ve had amazing leadership and guidance along the way.”
Levesque said the sense of community within UCPS is what makes the district special.
Levesque began her career with UCPS in 2007 as a teacher before moving into administration the following year.
She later served as a principal in another district and as an adjunct professor at Belmont Abbey College before returning to UCPS.
BUDGET
(continued from page 1A)
and dental coverage continues unchanged.
Monroe homeowners won’t see a change on their tax bill. The property tax rate holds at 44 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
Top investments include:
▪ Public safety: More than 23 cents, with 13.05 cents to Monroe Police and 10.59 cents to Fire
▪ General Government operations: 8.11 cents
▪ Culture and Recreation: 4.02 cents
“The financial health of this city didn’t happen overnight, and this budget reflects that same long-term discipline,” Finance Director Lisa Strickland said. “We built a plan that is balanced, sustainable and positions Monroe well heading into the next fiscal year.”
In addition to the General Fund, the council adopted funding for the city’s water and sewer, electric, natural gas, stormwater and solid waste enterprises.
“We began this budget process with a clear understanding of top priorities: supporting city employees, maintaining city facilities and infrastructure, and preserving the city’s strong financial position,” Lisa Hollowell said. “I appreciate the work of Director Strickland and the budget team in developing a balanced budget that reflects those priorities.”
Through the fall and into spring, the budget team worked through the numbers, balancing available funds against critical needs. That work culminated in a council budget workshop on April 21, a public presentation on May 12, and a public hearing at the May 26 meeting before the unanimous vote.
The full budget ordinance and supporting documents are available at www.Monroenc.org/432/Budget.
Roundabout closing due for maintenance
WAXHAW – N.C. Department of Transportation
maintenance crews will temporarily close the roundabout at N.C. 200 and McWhorter Road, south of Waxhaw near the South Carolina border.
The roundabout will be closed to traffic starting June 8, so crews can safely repair the concrete apron within the roundabout. The closure is scheduled to last through the afternoon of June 10.
A detour will be in place for drivers along Potter Road South and Nesbit Road while the roundabout is closed.
Sheriff’s office targets trafficking
MONROE – The Union County Sheriff’s Office executed three simultaneous search warrants May 29 targeting homes near Plyler Mill Road.
Those arrested face a variety of narcotics-related charges, including: trafficking fentanyl, trafficking cocaine, trafficking methamphetamine, possession with intent to sell and deliver controlled substances, conspiracy offenses, possession of controlled substances, maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The warrants followed a two-month investigation.
Flynn
McDowell
Funderburk
Swackhamer
Levesque
Liz Cooper has been named North Carolina Communicator of the Year by North Carolina City & County Communicators. Photo courtesy of Union County
Primrose School of Waxhaw has specific classrooms devoted to (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) infants, toddlers, preschoolers and pathways. Photos courtesy of Primrose School
Leaders worry about energy usage of data centers
by David Beasley Contributor
(The Center Square) – North Carolina’s attorney general has asked the state utility commission to create a separate rate for large users of electricity such as data centers, an idea that was also endorsed June 2 by the governor.
“We know that data centers are becoming a large part of the conversation,” Attorney General Jeff Jackson said at the Council of State meeting. “What we are asking the utilities commission to do is to create a separate rate class for data centers but also for very large energy users.”
Republican lawmakers are also moving bills with the same ideas in mind.
The Ratepayer Protection Act, known also as Senate Bill 730, passed the Senate in early May and June 2 got a favorable
committee substitute while in the House of Representatives. After lunch, it was back to the Rules Committee.
The Ratepayer and Resource Protection Act, known also as House Bill 1063, was filed in late April and remains parked in the same committee. The Senate bill is expected to come forward.
“It’s pretty clear that our citizens want specific protections around them because these very large folks are categorically different in that they strain the entire grid," Jackson said. "We’re asking the utilities commission to consider a list of specific protections and the creation of a specific class for data centers.”
There are nine data centers operating in North Carolina and 15 planned data centers, according to Data Center Map, a company that provides research for the industry.
“I appreciate your request to
When Cornwallis first invaded Carolina
by John Hood Columnist
Most Americans know that George Washington was not only the first president elected under the United States Constitution but also the general placed in overall command of Patriot forces during the Revolutionary War.
Ask Americans to name the overall British commander during the conflict, however, and many would struggle to answer. Among those who did, the most common answer would surely be General Charles Cornwallis and it would be an erroneous one.
This answer constitutes an injustice to at least five men. First of all, Cornwallis was never in overall command of British forces. At the beginning of the war, that task fell to General Thomas Gage. After sustaining heavy British losses at Bunker Hill, he was replaced by General William Howe. After winning a series of battles against Washington in New York and Pennsylvania, Howe resigned in 1778. His replacement, General Henry Clinton, served until 1782, and was succeeded by General Guy Carleton during the final months of the war.
The fifth man denied his due by our faulty historical memory is Cornwallis himself, who is mainly remembered as a loser forced to surrender a large British army at Yorktown. He was a far better soldier than that. During a lengthy military career that took him to Ireland, western Europe, North America and India, Cornwallis won almost every battle he fought and proved an able administrator and diplomat, as well.
As a young member of Parliament during the 1760s, he actually voted against the Stamp Act and accused the government of mistreating the American colonists. When war came, however, Cornwallis resolved to do his part.
While even history buffs associate him primarily with Britain’s second (and more successful) invasion of the Carolinas in 1780, that was not the general’s first visit here. The first British invasion of the region began in March 1776 when General Henry Clinton arrived off the coast of Wilmington with a small army. He was expecting to find two groups of reinforcements waiting for him: a column of Loyalists marching southeast from the Carolina backcountry and an army of redcoats sailing west from Britain under the command of Clinton’s subordinate, Charles Cornwallis.
The Loyalists never showed up. Halted at the Feb. 27 battle of Moores Creek Bridge, some were killed and nearly all the rest were captured or dispersed. As for the redcoats, bad weather delayed their arrival until early May. At that point, Clinton was still toying with the idea of trying to reestablish British authority over North Carolina and restore royal governor Josiah Martin to power here.
It was 250 years ago, then, that Clinton gave General Cornwallis his first assignment: leading 900 British redcoats in an assault on Brunswick Town, north of what is now Southport. It had been the main rebel base in the region. On May 17, 1776, Cornwallis and his men left the British flotilla “in the most secret manner imaginable” and “in the dead of the night,” as Clinton put it, surprising the defenders of the town.
Unbeknownst to Clinton and Cornwallis, however, most of the Patriots had already evacuated. Cornwallis scored his first tactical victory of the war but it had no strategic import – something he and other British commanders would do many more times.
Over the next few days, Patriots and redcoats skirmished while Clinton fumed. Frustrated at his lack of progress in North Carolina, he decided his best course of action would be to sail further south and attack Charles Town (now Charleston), by far the most populous and prosperous city in the Carolinas. With that port in British hands, he thought, the rest of the region would inevitably fall. It didn’t work. Clinton failed to take Charleston in 1776. Charles Cornwallis did take the city four years later, but it proved no guarantee of ultimate victory. That wasn’t his fault, though. Blame the politicians of London, who should have listened to young Cornwallis back in 1765 and treated Americans with more respect.
John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His books “Mountain Folk,” “Forest Folk” and “Water Folk” combine epic fantasy with American history (FolkloreCycle.com).
create a new rate class for these data centers,” Gov. Josh Stein said. “Duke Energy said 70% of the new power demand over the next five years is coming from data centers. Many states have a separate rate class that makes them pay higher given the demands on the system. It’s time for North Carolina to follow.”
Jackson is opposing a requested rate hike by Duke Energy Carolinas that he says would cost ratepayers nearly $1.4 billion over the next two years.
“This proposed increase is too high for families, and it’s more than Duke needs to meet our growing demand for energy,” Jackson said in a statement.
“We can bring that number way down, save families money and still build everything we need to keep up with growth. That’s what I’m fighting for.”
The North Carolina Utilities
Commission on June 2 declined to comment on Jackson’s request for higher rates for large electric customers such as data centers.
Bill Norton, speaking for Duke through an email to The Center Square, said evaluation remains ongoing in a complex and rapidly evolving area. He said protection of all customers is the approach.
“It’s worth noting that Duke Energy did not wait for a large load tariff to be developed, filed, reviewed and implemented – to protect existing customers. We proactively enacted a robust large load process that already features many of the provisions suggested here, ensuring that data centers cover their fair share of the costs required to serve them,” Norton wrote. “As shown in our resource plan proceedings, large load customers not only cover their own costs but also cover costs for other customers.
“Our analysis of the 4.8
gigawatts of new large load that we have secured through Electric Service Agreement contracts will generate $3.6 billion in benefits to other customers over a 15-year period and reduce residential customer bills by $4-$6 a month through 2040.”
There are indications that data centers are already driving up electricity prices.
Before 2019, electricity prices in the U.S. had been flat for about a decade at about 13 cents a kilowatt hour, according to the nonprofit Environmental and Energy Study Institute.
“By the end of 2025, however, average electricity prices in the United States increased to 19 cent per kWh, about 27% more than in 2019,” the institute said. “In states with a high concentration of data centers like Virginia, electricity prices have increased by up to 267% over the last five years.
Blume Studios adds two new VR experiences
CHARLOTTE – Following the debut of Excurio’s immersive expedition, “Horizon of Khufu,” two more virtual reality experiences are coming to Blumenthal Arts’ Blume Studios.
These new experiences transport audiences through 3.5 billion years of Earth’s history and beyond the planet itself from the International Space Station.
The new titles will join “Horizon of Khufu” beginning June 11 at 904 Post St.
The experiences serve as the official launch of Blume Studios VR, offering audiences opportunities to engage with history, science, art and storytelling through emerging technologies.
“Life Chronicles” and “Space Explorers: The ISS Experience” will transport guests into fully immersive, free-roaming virtual worlds rooted in science, history and exploration.
When attending with others, each guest can choose for themselves which of the three experiences they want. This technological achievement is the result of 20 years of research and development in spatial computing led by
Excurio. Its LBXR Pulse platform enables multiple titles to coexist simultaneously, with the ambition of creating a sort of turnkey XR movie theater.
“What’s exciting about these next two experiences is how different they are from each other,” said Tom Gabbard, president and CEO of Blumenthal Arts. “One puts you face-to-face with prehistoric life, while the other lets you see Earth from 250 miles above. They each show how immersive storytelling can make people feel connected to places and moments they would otherwise never experience.”
‘Life Chronicles’ This 45-minute expedition through 3.5 billion years of Earth’s history takes guests from the planet’s formation to the rise of dinosaurs and early humans.
Developed in collaboration with scientists at the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle in France, “Life Chronicles” combines scientific research with cinematic worldbuilding to recreate prehistoric environments on land and at sea. Guests travel through volcanic
coastlines, ancient oceans and swamp forests, encountering more than 120 primeval species.
'Space Explorers: The ISS Experience'
Built from more than 250 hours of footage filmed both inside and outside the International Space Station, this experience places visitors alongside real astronauts as they live, work, conduct missions and observe Earth from orbit. Rooted in real-life space missions conducted in collaboration with NASA and leading international space agencies, the experience is based on the Primetime Emmy Award-winning series “Space Explorers: The ISS Experience,” created by Felix & Paul Studios.
All VR experiences are recommended for ages 8 and older and will be offered concurrently, allowing guests attending together to each choose their own immersive adventure. Tickets to "Horizon of Khufu," "Life Chronicles" and "Space Explorers: The ISS Experience" are available at blumenthalarts.org/ BlumeStudiosVR.
Examples of what you'll find at "Life Chronicles" at Blume Studios. Photo courtesy of Blumenthal Arts
FEATURE IMPACT
In those precious few minutes between waking up and heading out the door or arriving home from school pickup, the pantry is a common destination. Seeking a graband-go lunch, sending your student off with a bite of protein or searching for an afternoon snack can leave you scanning the shelves for a go-to solution. With snackers increasingly mindful about what they put in their bodies, you’re not alone if you’re looking for a snacking shakeup – in fact, in a recent survey conducted by Bumble Bee Seafoods and FleishmanHillard’s TRUE Global Intelligence, 50% of Americans agreed it’s hard to find snacks that meet all their needs. According to the survey, people are looking for foods that offer:
n “Bang for their buck” (78%)
n Affordability (61%)
n Protein packed (51%)
n Meet specific dietary goals (48%)
n Easy to eat on the go (35%)
Among all factors, however, 70% said great taste is most important, proving
flavor remains the single biggest driver of snacking decisions. In response to demand for powerhouse snacks that do it all while tasting amazing, Bumble Bee Snackers easy-open, single-serve cans are shaking up snack time with a variety of bold flavors that are perfect for any time, place, budget or craving.
The various unique flavors can be eaten right from the can and are perfect for snacking occasions, from zesty Lemon Pepper to bold and savory Hickory Smoke, tastebud-tingling Sweet Heat, spicy Thai Chili and nostalgic Tuna Salad while traditionalists can opt for classic Chunk Light Tuna.
“Snacking has evolved,” said Dana Kowal, senior director brand marketing and corporate affairs at Bumble Bee Seafoods. “People want it all: bold flavor, real protein and grab-and-go simplicity – and they want it at a price that makes sense.”
The 3-ounce cans are premixed and can be enjoyed straight from the can, paired with crackers or veggies, or tossed in salads, sandwiches or wraps.
To turn them into quick, family-friendly dinners or make-ahead lunches, consider these adorably colorful and craveworthy Rainbow Tuna Bowls balanced with sweet mango, creamy avocado, crisp radish and spicy tuna.
For a perfect addition to your game day spread, these Bang Bang Tuna Sliders are spicy, creamy, crunchy and easier to make than they look with just a few ingredients and fun flavor. Tuna is topped with a layer of coleslaw and spicy mayo to solve those afternoon hunger pangs whether you’re in the office or enjoying the comforts of home.
When dinnertime calls for a busyseason meal that’s light yet filling, Garden Farro Tuna Salad is a mustsave recipe to add to your rotation. It’s bright, herbaceous and offers easy experimentation – simply swap similar ingredients based on what’s fresh and in-season or make it all your own with your family’s favorite produce. To find more snacking solutions that are packed with flavor while saving time and money, visit BumbleBee.com.
DINING SCORES
Wingate clears path for mental health counseling program
WINGATE – Wingate is making it easier for psychology majors to earn a seat in the university’s clinical mental health counseling master’s program.
Wingate has begun taking applications for the Psychology/Clinical Mental Health Counseling Advantage pathway, which provides qualified psychology students with guaranteed entry into the CMHC program, Wingate’s newest healthrelated master’s program, which kicked off in August 2025. Incoming freshmen and transfers who meet the initial requirements, and then maintain a 3.0 grade-point average and continue meeting a few other criteria during their Wingate undergraduate days, will be guaranteed a seat in the program.
“These days, you really do have to start thinking earlier: If this is what I want to do? What’s the trajectory?” said Dr. Jennifer Jordan, director of Wingate’s clinical mental health counseling program. “You don’t want to figure this out your senior year of college. The earlier you can start planning for it the better.”
High school students who want to enter the program must meet the following criteria:
• Be admitted to Wingate University as a psychology major.
• Enroll as a traditional on-campus undergraduate student.
INSPECTIONS
• Satisfy at least two of the following criteria:
- 3.4 unweighted high school GPA.
- 3.6 weighted high school GPA.
- SAT score of 1100 or ACT composite score of 22.
Transfer students entering the program must be admitted as a psychology major and have a minimum 3.0 college GPA.
In addition to guaranteed admission into the master’s program, students enrolled in the Psychology/Clinical Mental Health Counseling Advantage pathway receive a $5,000 Graduate Advantage scholarship that goes toward their master’s tuition.
Jordan said some of the biggest benefits of the pathway for students are their early engagement with faculty and graduate students, precounseling experiences, professional-development and leadership opportunities.
“They can be part of some of the outreach we do in the community,” she said. “They can get to know the faculty, get to know the students along the way to make sure that it is what they want and that they’re a good fit for the program.”
The pathway is the seventh of its kind in Wingate’s Levine College of Health Sciences, joining Advantage programs for nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, pharmacy, physician assistant studies and public health.
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Great American Campout Campaign offers another reason to explore greenway
FORT MILL – The Anne Springs Close Greenway invites the community to unplug and reconnect with nature June 27 and 28 during the annual Great American Campout.
Campers can explore the greenway, enjoy time around communal firepits and settle into a classic camping experience.
Guests are welcome to bring food to cook at their campsite or visit the canteen to enjoy dinner and live music on the lawn before returning to their tents for the evening.
Guests can enjoy a variety of activities at the Lake
Haigler entrance.
Activities include kayaking, visits with farm animals, nighttime scavenger hunt and live music. Campers will also have the opportunity to begin Sunday morning with a peaceful outdoor yoga session before checkout, creating a relaxing close to the weekend’s festivities.
The event costs $28 per adult and $19 per child ages 3-12. Children ages 2 and under get in free. Greenway members receive a 20% discount. Register in advance ascgreenway. org/event/great-americancampout-2026/.
Explore the greenway during National Trails Day
FORT MILL – The Anne Springs Close Greenway will celebrate National Trails Day on June 6 with a full day of free trail access and outdoor experiences. The event encourages people to get outside, connect with nature and appreciate the trails that support outdoor recreation and exploration. It is part of the nationwide initiative led by the American Hiking Society. Guests can enjoy hiking, biking and adventures throughout the day across the greenway’s scenic trail system.
Wayfinder stations will be located throughout the property to help visitors navigate trail routes and learn more about the
greenway’s trail network. National Trails Day takes place from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. June 6. Daily admission fees are waived for all visitors. Visit ascgreenway. org/event/national-trailsday-2026/ for details.
AWARENESS IS KEY
FEATURE IMPACT
A stroke can happen to anyone at any age.
In fact, every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a stroke, with approximately 800,000 people experiencing a stroke annually, according to the American Heart Association, making it a leading cause of death and serious, long-term disability.
A stroke happens when normal blood flow in the brain is interrupted. When parts of the brain don’t get the oxygen-rich blood they need, those cells die. However, many strokes may be prevented, treated and overcome by understanding the risk factors and taking steps toward managing them.
“When a stroke happens, every minute matters,” said Dr. Adrian JaquinValdivia, a stroke neurologist at HCA Healthcare and American Stroke Association volunteer expert. “The faster someone gets treatment, the better the chance of saving brain function. On average, nearly 2 million brain cells die every minute a stroke goes untreated. Early treatment improves survival rates and reduces disability.”
Take control of your brain health with this information from the American Stroke Association.
Know the Warning Signs
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ABOVE: From roasting s’mores around the campfire to relaxing beneath the night sky, the event provides a unique opportunity to slow down and enjoy the outdoors together.
LEFT: Guests are encouraged to help protect the greenway’s natural spaces by practicing Leave No Trace principles throughout the event.
LEFT: Visitors can rent kayaks to explore the greenway during National Trails Day. Photos courtesy of Anne Springs Close Greenway
Disney On Ice returns to the Queen City
CHARLOTTE – Feld Entertainment invites Disney fans to step into the spotlight and join a redcarpet celebration packed with new performances, chart-topping music and more than 30 characters as Disney On Ice presents Spotlight Magic! The event will unfold locally Oct 1 to 4 at Bojangles Coliseum.
Spotlight Magic! celebrates the magic each of us brings to the party. Heroes, sidekicks and villains will take center stage for music, storytelling and worldclass skating.
Audiences will have the chance to see fanfavorite characters make their Disney On Ice debuts. From “Zootopia 2,” pop sensation Gazelle and sly newcomer Gary De’Snake, join Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde for a new adventure.
From “Lilo & Stitch,” Angel makes her North American debut, reuniting with Stitch in a heartwarming moment.
Fans will also experience stories from “Beauty and the Beast,”
“Tangled,” “Toy Story,” “Moana” and “Monsters, Inc.,” alongside a showcase featuring iconic villains, including the Evil Queen, Gaston, Maleficent and Ursula. The celebration’s soundtrack blends Disney Channel hits like “Pumpin’ Up the Party” (“Hannah Montana”), “A Night to Remember” (“High School Musical 3: Senior Year”) and “Good to Be Bad” (“Descendants 3”), with classics such as “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” (“Toy Story”), “Be Our Guest” (“Beauty and the Beast”), “I’ve Got a Dream” (“Tangled”), and “I Am Moana” (“Moana”).
The excitement begins before the show and continues at intermission, as guests are invited to showcase their star power on the red carpet. Fans are encouraged to dress to impress.
This production joins a lineup of seven Disney On Ice shows touring worldwide.
Get tickets at Ticketmaster.com or at the venue box office.
Disney On Ice features choreography performed by world-class figure skaters. Photo courtesy of Feld Entertainment
Members of the Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew recently visited Novant
