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INSIDE ▼ 7 tips for good bathroom etiquette PAGE 3A Friday, Aug. 7, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 31
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UCPS doesn't sign county agreement by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MONROE – Members of the Union County Board of Education could not agree to accept an interlocal agreement with Union County that would have freed up $3.8 million in funding set aside for teacher and teacher assistant supplements. County commissioners held the $3.8 million contingent on a
signed interlocal agreement while seeking greater transparency in Union County Public Schools’ budgets. Commissioners wanted to see line-item budgets that show how the district spends local, state and federal funding. They also wanted to know the number of employees fully or partially funded from local tax dollars. Jimmy Bention Sr., who chairs the school board, said he was concerned about the tone
and structure of the interlocal agreement. He described it as “an agreement of manufactured mistrust.” “An interlocal agreement should serve as a bridge between governing bodies, not a barrier,” Bention said during the Aug. 4 school board meeting. “It should strengthen confidence, clarify responsibilities and promote collaboration. Instead, this proposal appears to create
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the perception that one elected board cannot be fully trusted without additional oversight and restrictions imposed by another. That perception concerns me.” Sandra Greene agreed with Bention. “This is manipulation from one board trying to control the other,” Greene said. “That’s corruption. That’s not how I fly. I don’t ever do that. I always stand on the side of truth, whether it’s liked by the
public or not.” John Kirkpatrick IV and Joe Morreale were willing to accept the interlocal agreement to secure the supplements for teachers and teacher assistants. “I can’t take money away that’s being offered to pay our teachers,” Morreale said, noting the district has nothing to hide and can produce the financial see BUDGET, Page 3A
Superintendent says district is ready for school by Andrew Houlihan UCPS Superintendent
Market to host 55 top artists for 20th anniversary event
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t is August, and that means school is back in session. We have already begun classes at two schools: Wolfe School and Union County Early College. Wolfe started in July, and UCEC returned yesterday. I’ve had the chance to visit both schools already on their first day and want to say a big congratulations to our teachers, staff and students, who are already engaged in high-quality instruction. I want to say thank you, especially to our principals and facilities staff members, for working hard to make sure those two buildings were ready for our kids. Aug. 24 is just around the corner. That is the day students on our traditional calendar will head back to school. Parents, please check your email and follow your schools and the UCPS social media pages for updates and information. Our back-to-school webpage can be accessed from the UCPS homepage. You will find information about transportation, school nutrition, calendars and more. We hope that our teachers and staff who have not yet returned enjoy their last couple of weeks before coming back on Aug. 17, and we look forward to a phenomenal 2026-27 school year. Finally, I have a special recognition. This evening is Ms. Donna Mullarkey’s final meeting as my administrative assistant and clerk to the board. I just want to say, Donna, thank you for your 20-plus years of service to UCPS. Thank you for the work that you’ve done to support the board and me personally and professionally. You will be greatly missed, and we have huge shoes to fill. Congratulations on your retirement.
See story on page 2B
Superintendent Andrew Houlihan made these remarks during the Aug. 4 school board meeting.
Waxhaw leaders and parents worry about school traffic by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MONROE – Three public speakers asked Union County Public Schools to reconsider budget cuts affecting traffic directors at several schools during the Aug. 4 board of education meeting. Katie Fisher not only spoke about the loss of a traffic director at Waxhaw Elementary but also about concerns neighbors have about being directed to make
only right turns out of the school parking lot. “I would guess at least half of the families live to the left of the school, not to mention all of the buses to Parkwood that now need to be rerouted,” Fisher said. “The district is now asking all of those families and buses to turn right during rush-hour traffic and then somehow find somewhere to turn around. Where do you imagine all of these vehicles will turn around?” Fisher questioned whether the
cuts could have been sustained elsewhere in the budget, especially since traffic directors work part time. “What could be more vital than someone overseeing the safety in and out of the school?” she asked. Linda Robinson asked the school board how students are supposed to get to school safely and why members didn’t consult with schools, police or people who drive the roads daily before making this decision. “I beg you to meet with the
leaders of the communities that this is affecting and go to those meetings not with canned responses but with an open mind and an open heart to understand what they’re really saying,” Robinson said. “Then leave those meetings realizing that the money that’s being saved is not worth the lives of our children.” The Town of Waxhaw learned of changes to Waxhaw Elementary’s traffic pattern on July 28. Town Manager Scott Dadson told commissioners July
28 that staff had already been “inundated with concern” about the issue. “UCPS has stated the reasoning (for changes) is budgetary and UCPS is confident that these changes will not compromise student safety,” Waxhaw engineer James Kelly told commissioners. “We disagree. We have several safety concerns.” Waxhaw Police Chief Dexter Wilson said the biggest concern see TRAFFIC, Page 3A
Page 2A • The Weekly • Aug. 7, 2026
Local newspapers continue to play an essential role in communities by John Hood Columnist
RALEIGH – It was 40 years ago this week that I wrote my first column for North Carolina newspapers. Still in journalism school at UNC-Chapel Hill, I was interning that summer at two outlets based in Nash County: the Spring Hope Enterprise, which covered the southern part of the county, and a startup called the Rocky Mount Record. Although I enjoyed covering municipal affairs, county government, school systems and local businesses, I’d long been enamored by the opinion pages of my hometown paper, The Charlotte Observer, and such regular columnists as William F. Buckley on the right and William Raspberry on the left. Having penned columns in my school paper, The Declaration of Independence (High), I asked the Enterprise editor, the late Ken Ripley, for the chance to try my hand at it. He said yes, although he knew my views were very different from his. Check that – he said yes because he knew my views were very different from his. Ken believed local newspapers ought to offer a spectrum of opinions, not only to reflect the breadth of their communities but also to inform, challenge and deepen the understanding of their readers. As it happened, my first column championed a cause we both favored: abolishing North Carolina’s sodomy laws. They violated the fundamental principle of individual liberty, I argued, as well as the principle of equal protection (married couples were virtually never prosecuted while prosecutors
often filed sodomy charges when they couldn’t prove rape or assault). Over the ensuing four decades of columns, written weekly for the first 25 years and then twice a week for the next 15, I have covered a wide array of subjects, from state politics and history to economic and social policy. The column still runs in the Spring Hope Enterprise. The Record didn’t last long, but I was soon privileged to add the Rocky Mount Telegram to my list. By the mid-1990s, the column ran in more than a dozen North Carolina papers, including the statewide publication I founded in 1991, Carolina Journal. Today, it appears regularly in more than 50 outlets from the mountains to the coast. If you are reading this in your local newspaper’s print or online edition, thank you. I don’t just mean I appreciate you perusing my column. By consuming local media, you are doing yourself and others a great service. As we know, nearly all local newspapers have endured shrinking revenues and audiences. Some have closed altogether. I’m a market guy. The invention of the Internet was bound to disrupt the newspaper business, which combined revenue streams from want ads, home sales, automobile sales, retail and subscriptions to finance a bundle of news, entertainment and consumer information. Some media companies handled the transition better than others, but neither management acumen nor government intervention could ever have blocked it. Still, that bundle had long
conferred many benefits. Readers primarily interested in sports scores or movie listings encountered news, features, or opinions they’d otherwise missed. Local journalists broke stories, exposed misconduct, and dug into complicated issues. You can still have such experiences online, of course, and national news outlets remain plentiful, diverse, and scrappy. What’s missing is regular and trustworthy attention to your own community. You only get that by consuming local media. What happens when local newspapers shrink or fold? There is no need to speculate. Careful empirical research has found that newspaper closures lead to higher property taxes and borrowing costs for governments and businesses (a watchdog effect), less competition in local elections (an information effect), lower voter turnout (an engagement effect), and revenue losses among small businesses that compete with national chains (a brand-awareness effect). Neither public subsidy nor protective regulation is the right response to these consequences. As fellow citizens of a free society, we already possess the power to act. Alter your media diet to watch or listen to more locally produced news. Support nonprofits that fund investigative journalism. And subscribe to your local newspaper. 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).
Salvation Army reopens youth center CHARLOTTE – The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte announced the reopening of the Oak Forest Red Shield Youth Center on Milton Road, in time for the 202627 school year. The Oak Forest Red Shield Youth Center provides children with a safe space to receive academic assistance, participate in recreational activities, develop positive character and leadership traits and gain new experiences. The site temporarily closed in 2025 due to a funding gap following the national separation between The Salvation Army and the Boys & Girls Club of America. “Our plan was never to leave this neighborhood,” said Major Andrew Wiley, area commander for The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte. “We took a moment to
strategize and plan how we could continue serving youth in this community. The temporary closure impacted many families, which is why we worked diligently over the past year to ensure every detail was in place so we could come back stronger and do what we do best, which is serving the community.” The Salvation Army Red Shield Youth Centers’ after-school registration is now open for students in kindergarten through 12th grade at two locations, Oak Forest on Milton Road in East Charlotte and Sedgefield on Marsh Road in South Charlotte. The program prides itself on being affordable for families. After-school pricing is $25 per child per week. Parents can register their children online at SalvationArmyCharlotte. org.
Junior League of Charlotte seeks partners to help children CHARLOTTE – The Junior League of Charlotte encourages nonprofits to consider applying for a 2027-28 Community Partnership. Next year will be Junior League of Charlotte’s fourth year partnering with organizations focused on children’s mental and physical health. From June 2023 to May 2028, the Junior League of Charlotte will allocate financial and volunteer resources to promote, support and provide access to mental and physical health programs and services for children in kindergarten through fifth grade in the Mecklenburg County Public Health priority zip codes. With this mission in mind, the Junior League of Charlotte will continue to partner with various nonprofits that focus on: 1. Promoting healthy living such
as fitness, understanding nutrition and encouraging healthy choices and behaviors. 2. Supporting mental well-being such as providing social-emotional learning; combatting bullying, abuse or neglect; and providing safe spaces. 3. Providing access to healthcare and food such as increasing access to immunizations, health screenings and affordable, well-rounded meals. 4. Serving priority areas of Mecklenburg County encompassing zip codes: 28205, 28206, 28208, 28212, 28216 and 28217. Applications are available online through Sept. 25, 2026, at https://form.jotform. com/262014034804142. Email Sierra Norris or Bridget Siverwright at jlc.pde@gmail.com with questions about the application.
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The Weekly • Aug. 7, 2026 • Page 3B
FLUSH SMART 7 Tips for Good Bathroom Etiquette
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FEATURE IMPACT
elationships and plumbing have something in common: they can both benefit from practicing smarter bathroom habits. Whether you’re sharing a household with your family, a partner or roommates, good etiquette in these frequently shared spaces can save everyone’s sanity – just like rethinking your flushing routines can save your pipes. From simple annoyances like leaving the toilet seat up to potentially costly mistakes like clogging your plumbing by flushing the wrong items, a new survey from the Responsible Flushing Alliance (RFA) illuminated a variety of bad habits that cause the most tension in American homes. In addition to shedding light on these problems, the alliance outlined solutions you can implement at home to restore peace in your restroom. Plus, you can gamify the habit changes to make them more entertaining. “Our goal is to revolutionize public education by keeping it highly engaging, memorable and fun,” RFA President Lara Wyss said. “We are challenging the public to rethink their everyday habits.” Get started with these seven tips:
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
Replace the toilet roll properly
Don’t be the reason someone gets stranded with nothing but a cardboard tube in their moment of need. Keep extra rolls nearby, and when you’re down to the last square of toilet paper, make it a race against the clock to replace it.
Use the (flush) force
An unflushed toilet was listed as the biggest bathroom pet peeve by 37% of survey respondents. To make it fun for the family, introduce a new tradition: before you leave the bathroom, pretend there’s an invisible force field pushing you back to make sure you’ve flushed and are good to go.
Hunt for sink and shower hair
Leaving hair in the drain isn’t just a source of potential plumbing clogs – it’s also an irritant for 35% of resp ondents. After you shower or style your hair, make it a game to see how many stray strands you can capture and deliver to the trash can.
Clean it and close it
You’ve probably heard jokes about people who leave the toilet seat up, so don’t make yourself the punchline. For a completely unmockable routine, grab the brush to give the bowl a quick swish after you flush, ensure the seat is down and use an antibacterial wipe to leave everything sparkling. You’ll notice cleaning wipes bear the Do Not Flush symbol, which means they go in the trash and never the toilet.
Conquer the counter
Toothpaste and water often splatter all over the place, so to be a polite bathroom roommate, wipe up the mess before it’s even had a chance to dry. Keep cleaning wipes or rags within easy reach and give yourself a 10second deadline to leave surfaces spotless.
Practice good towel etiquette
Wet towels don’t belong on bathroom floors. If they still have a use or two left in them, banish them back to your towel rack. Otherwise, challenge yourself to a game of laundry basketball, aiming for the hamper.
Don’t flush the un-flushable
According to an RFA survey, half of Americans are still flushing things they know they shouldn’t, like paper towels, feminine hygiene products and nonflushable wipes. Since clearing a clog in your home can cost anywhere from $300 $15,000 or more, the only thing you’ll be draining with habits like these is your wallet. “Always check wet wipes for the Do Not Flush symbol and disposal instructions, which helps us protect not only the health of our homes and environment but our relationships, too,” Wyss said. Visit FlushSmart.org to learn more about good bathroom etiquette, take an interactive quiz and put these tips into practice with a sevenday challenge.
Automobile insurance: What’s covered and what isn’t by Mike Causey N.C.Insurance Commissioners
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f you own an automobile, your insurance company will send you a policy and premium notice when it’s time to renew. You’ll see a page detailing your insurance coverage for every car you list on the policy. You’ll see terms such Causey as “liability coverage,” “collision,” “other than collision/comprehensive,” “bodily injury” and “uninsured/ underinsured coverage.” Most people don’t use these words every day. I thought it would be good to review what they mean so you’ll have a better understanding of your automobile insurance coverage.
The most vital part of your automobile insurance coverage is for liability insurance. State law requires all vehicles operating on North Carolina roads – and roads in most other states – to have liability coverage. Liability coverage protects you in case you are at fault in an automobile crash that causes damage to someone else’s car or property (property damage liability coverage) or injures someone (bodily injury liability coverage). State law requires that motorists maintain a minimum 50/100/50 liability coverage. That means if you are at fault in an accident, your insurance would pay up to $50,000 to any one person for an injury, up to $100,000 for all injured persons and up to $50,000 for property damage. Many insurance agents recommend that you have even higher liability coverage. It may
cost more, but with the costs of automobiles and medical care these days, having higher limits could protect you in the long run. State law also requires motorists to have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. Uninsured motorist coverage covers injuries to you and your passengers as well as damage to your car if an uninsured driver hits you. Underinsured motorist coverage pays injury claims when an at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to fully pay for your loss. Full coverage includes collision coverage and comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage pays for damage to your car from a collision with another car, or when your car hits an object (such as a tree or a sign), a pothole or flips over. Comprehensive coverage, sometimes called other-thancollision coverage, pays for
UCPS fast-tracks changes to policies on meals, diabetes MONROE – The Union County Board of Education voted unanimously Aug. 4 to fast-track amendments to six district policies to align with recent changes to state law. “Within the recent budget legislation, there were a number of amendments to the General Statutes that implicate policies here for the Union County Board of Education,” said Stephanie Elliott, general counsel for Union County Public Schools. Elliott said staff requested the board expedite approval to implement changes by the start of the 2026-27 school year. Policies include: Policy 8-04: Operation of School Nutrition Services A revision to North Carolina General Statute § 115C-264 requires that UCPS update the policy to remove alternate meal language. “Public school units must offer the same meal selection to all students regardless of pay status, including unpaid debt,” Elliott said. Policy 4-01: Attendance An amendment to North Carolina General Statute § 115C-379 “adds the permission for an excused absence for religious instruction during the
school day, subject to a four-hour weekly limit,” according to Elliott. Policy 4-11: Student Wellness An amendment to North Carolina General Statute § 115C-379 requires districts to annually provide students information about the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988) and the North Carolina Peer Warmline (1-855-7337762). Policy 6-08: Parental Involvement An amendment to North Carolina General Statute § 115C-375.3 requires districts to provide information to parents annually about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Policy 5-01: Selection of Instructional Materials Policy 1-18: Grievances, Complaints and Appeals An amendment to North Carolina General Statute § 115C-86 will now require school boards to establish a community media advisory committee to “investigate challenges relative to instructional materials and also to include a mechanism for the board of education to be the final decisionmaker relative to any appeals from those decisions,” Elliott said.
damage to your car that is not caused by a collision. This includes theft or vandalism, weather damage, flood, fire or impact with an animal. Comprehensive coverage will also pay to repair or replace your windshield if it gets cracked by gravel striking it. If you have a loan on your car, your lender will likely require you to have full coverage. Collision and comprehensive coverage will come with deductibles, or the amount of money you’ll pay up front if your car is damaged before the insurance company starts paying. You can lower your premium with a higher deductible, especially for collision coverage. There is no one-size-fits-all rule here. Discuss with your insurance agent what you think you can afford to pay up front when determining your collision deductible.
TRAFFIC (continued from page 1A)
is with elementary school children using the crosswalk outside the school. Wilson also said rerouting traffic to N.C. 75 and Old Providence Road is going to make a bad intersection worse. Wilson has an officer directing school traffic at the intersection each morning. “That is a very bad intersection for wrecks,”
Some other types of automobile insurance you may wish to discuss with your agent include GAP (guaranteed auto protection) insurance, which could help you if the amount you owe on your car is more than it is worth and your car is damaged; rental insurance, which covers the cost of renting a car while your own vehicle is in the shop undergoing repairs; and roadside or towing coverage, which reimburses you for your costs if your car is disabled. If you’re still having trouble making sense of your automobile insurance coverage, you may call a consumer specialist at the Department of Insurance weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 855-408-1212. Or you may visit www.ncdoi.gov. Mike Causey serves insurance commissioner North Carolina.
Wilson told commissioners. “Most of those are leftturn wrecks and right-angle wrecks, meaning it’s a T-bone-type wreck.” A roundabout is planned for the intersection in 2028, but without it, it’ll be tough for drivers to make U-turns left of the school, according to Wilson. With more traffic turning right from the school parking lot, Wilson expects traffic to back up to the point where
BUDGET (continued from page 1A)
reports necessary to move forward. Bention countered that the county could just release the funding without an agreement. “If the teachers want to blame anybody, blame the county commissioners,” Bention said. “It’s sad for me to say that, but we have been made to look like we don’t care about teachers. The lunacy of that statement when we sit on the board of education.”
as for
students won’t get to school on time. “I’m not quite sure, again, who did the traffic analysis, but obviously your kids aren’t going to those schools,” Jen Sanders told the school board Aug. 4. “I hope that you adjust and fix that problem as soon as possible because, as we know, the first few weeks of school are already pretty challenging with driving back and forth to school.”
A vote to accept the interlocal agreement ended in a 4-4 tie. Matt Helms, Kirkpatrick, Sarah May and Morreale were in favor. Bention, Greene, Todd Price and Barry Tucker were opposed. With the motion failing, the school board voted to take $5,608,722 of the county’s local funding increase, redirect $5,560,000 from other line items and use $1,705,369 from fund balance to pay the supplements and bonus pay for teachers, teacher assistants and certified staff as well as other costs. Union County Public Schools shared this slide with the school board on how to move forward with staff increases without signing an interlocal agreement with the county. The school board voted to go with this approach.
The Power of
Curiosity
Page 4A • The Weekly • Aug. 7, 2026
Building More Engaged Learners
The power of curiosity Building more engaged learners
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FEATURE IMPACT
oung children are naturally curious. They ask endless questions, investigate their surroundings and constantly test how the world works. While that curiosity can leave parents feeling exhausted or overwhelmed, it’s one of the most important drivers of early learning and development. Curiosity helps children build confidence, develop critical thinking skills and become more engaged learners. Dr. Lauren Loquasto, senior vice president and chief academic officer at The Goddard School, and MaryAlice Moore, president of Highlights for Children, share why curiosity matters and how parents can nurture it.
Why Curiosity Matters Curiosity is the engine that drives learning for young children. When they are interested in a topic, they become more motivated to explore, ask questions and seek solutions. That process strengthens important skills such as attention, working memory, flexible thinking and problemsolving. It also helps develop confidence. For young learners, confidence does not come from always knowing the answer; it comes from believing they can find it. Children who are encouraged to explore their interests and investigate new ideas learn that questions are valuable and discovery is rewarding. These experiences lay the foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
Curiosity Evolves as Children Grow Curiosity looks different at each stage of development. For infants, it’s largely sensory. They learn by touching, tasting, listening and observing people and objects around them. Toddlers often express curiosity through movement and repetition. Climbing, stacking, dumping, filling and repeating the same activity helps them understand how things work and builds their sense of control. Preschoolers and kindergarteners become natural investigators. Their frequent “why” and “how” questions reflect a growing desire to understand relationships, solve problems and
make sense of new experiences and the world around them. As children grow, the role of adults evolves as well. Parents move from primarily protecting and guiding children to fostering environments that encourage exploration and independent thinking.
Follow Your Child’s Interests One of the most effective ways to nurture curiosity is to pay attention to what naturally captures your child’s attention. Whether they’re fascinated by vehicles, animals or building structures, those interests can become powerful learning opportunities. When children are engaged in topics they enjoy, attention and persistence often develop organically. Consider what causes your child to lose track of time. Those interests provide important clues about what motivates and excites them. Rather than rushing to provide answers, encourage deeper thinking by asking open-ended questions that invite them to explore their own ideas and observations.
Parents Don’t Need All the Answers Many parents feel pressure to have answers for every question their child asks. In reality, one of the best responses is often “I don’t know. Let’s find out together.” This models curiosity and shows your child that learning continues throughout life. It also transforms questions into shared experiences and opportunities for discovery. Encourage
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
your child to remain engaged and curious using simple phrases such as: n “That’s an interesting question.” n “What do you think?” n “Let’s investigate.” If you’re unable to respond immediately, it’s important to acknowledge the question and return to it later. Following up communicates your child’s ideas and questions are valuable.
Setting Boundaries Curiosity should be encouraged, but safe boundaries remain essential. When children become interested in something unsafe, simply saying “no” may stop the behavior, but it does little to support learning. Instead, explain why something is unsafe and redirect curiosity toward an appropriate alternative. For example, if your child wants to explore knives, explain knives can hurt people then
The Ivey promotes brain health CHARLOTTE – The Ivey: The Place for Memory Wellness is encouraging people to make brain health a daily focus by incorporating simple lifestyle habits that support lifelong cognitive wellness. The Ivey promotes an evidencebased approach centered on six lifestyle pillars designed to
support brain health and reduce risk factors associated with cognitive decline. “When it comes to brain health, knowledge is one of the most powerful tools we have for protecting brain health,” said Lynn Ivey, CEO and founder. “Our goal is to give people practical, evidence-based
strategies they can incorporate into everyday life.” The Ivey’s six lifestyle pillars include: • Move: Regular physical activity – including walking, gardening and housework – supports both physical and cognitive health. • Discover: Stimulating
offer safe cooking tools or supervised kitchen activities to investigate instead.
Using Technology Technology can play a positive role in nurturing curiosity when it’s used to extend real-world experiences rather than replace them. After spotting a ladybug at the park, for example, a child might use videos or ageappropriate digital resources to learn more about insects. The real-world encounter sparks curiosity and technology helps deepen learning. By listening, encouraging exploration and demonstrating curiosity yourself, you can help your child develop skills that extend far beyond the early years. For more parenting guidance, visit the Parent Resource Center at GoddardSchool.com. Visit Highlights.com for magazines, books and resources for parents and educators.
the brain by engaging in new activities and varying routines keeps the brain engaged. • Nourish: Eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and other nutrientdense foods supports brain health. • Mindfulness: Managing stress through mindfulness and relaxation can improve focus, clarity and emotional well-being. • Connection: Maintaining meaningful social relationships helps support cognitive and
emotional health. • Sleep: Consistent, quality and restorative sleep is essential for memory, learning and brain health. The approach emphasizes consistent and sustainable habits that support long-term cognitive wellness. "It’s never too early or too late to take steps that support cognitive wellness," Ivey said. On the web: theivey.com/ programs
REGIONAL The Weekly • Aug. 7, 2026 • Page 1B
DINING SCORES Health departments in Mecklenburg and Union counties inspected these restaurants from July 23 to 29:
Charlotte (28209) • The Waterman Fish Bar, 2729 South Blvd. – 95.5
Charlotte (28210) • Food Lion (produce), 10120 Johnston Road – 99.5 • Food Lion (seafood), 10120 Johnston Road – 99 • Southern Pecan, 6706 Phillips Place Court – 92
Charlotte (28211) • Green Brothers Juice & Smoothies, 7802 Fairview Road – 98 • Out N About (mobile), 3500 Latrobe Drive – 96.5 • Renaissance Patisserie, 6401 Carnegie Blvd. – 95.5
Charlotte (28226) • Bonchon, 8318 Pineville-Matthews Road – 97 • Harris Teeter (produce), 7823 Colony Road – 98.5 • Harris Teeter (Starbucks), 7823 Colony Road – 96 • Los Paisas Restaurant, 8318 Pineville-Matthews Road – 97 • Solista Charlotte, 5512 Carmel Road – 92.5
Charlotte (28270) • Chamos Grill (mobile food), 9010 Monroe Road – 95 • Community Culinary School, 9315 Monroe Road – 96
Charlotte (28277)
Owner Ashley Franklin sought to create a place where women feel "comfortable, celebrated and safe." Photos courtesy of Blush CLT
BLUSH CLT
Indian Trail • BP, 7805 Idlewild Road – 95.5 • Food Lion (deli), 7876 Idlewild Road – 99 • Food Lion (produce), 7876 Idlewild Road – 98.5 • Food Lion (meat), 7876 Idlewild Road – 99 • Hungry Howie’s Pizza, 553 Indian Trail Road S. – 100 • Sun Valley Cinema, 6449 Old Monroe Road – 97
No two weekends are the same at hot spot
CHARLOTTE – Ashley Franklin founded Blush CLT as “a place for women, by women.” The woman-owned cocktail and hookah lounge is located at 7631 Sharon Lakes Road, Suite E. The vision is simple: provide a beautiful, safe and energetic environment where women can unwind, celebrate, network and enjoy quality entertainment without compromising comfort or hospitality. Men are encouraged to join in the experience and help foster the positive, respectful atmosphere. Blush CLT offers a rotating calendar of experiences, including comedy shows, sip-and-paint nights, music bingo, live music, karaoke, game nights, theme parties and day parties. “We wanted to create a place where women feel comfortable, celebrated and safe while giving Charlotte an exciting venue that offers something different every single day,” said Ashley Franklin, owner of Blush CLT. “Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, meeting friends after work, enjoying live entertainment or dancing all afternoon, Blush CLT is designed to bring people together.” One of the venue’s standout features is its dance floor, where DJs keep the energy high throughout the weekend with hip-hop, R&B, reggae, Afrobeats and today’s hottest hits. Instead of a traditional kitchen, Blush CLT partners with local food trucks. No two weekends are exactly alike. Blush CLT is also available for birthdays, private celebrations, corporate events, networking mixers and VIP reservations throughout the week.
• Adams Mart, 11924 Elm Lane – 96.5 • Brown Bag, 5231 Piper Station Drive – 96.5 • Harris Teeter (bakery/deli), 10616 Providence Road – 97 • Harris Teeter (seafood), 7852 Rea Road – 100 • Harris Teeter (Starbucks), 7852 Rea Road – 100 • Joa Korean Food, 8016 Providence Road – 90 • North Italia, 15120 Bowl St. – 97.5 • Postino WineCafe, 15210 Bowl St. – 96 • Publix (deli), 11222 Providence Road W. – 99 • Publix (produce), 11222 Providence Road W. – 100 • Starbucks (Target), 7860 Rea Road – 98 • Tabla Indian Restaurant, 15025 Lancaster Hwy. – 98 • The Lights Cafe, 16631 Lancaster Hwy. – 97.5 • Wendy’s, 712 Rea Road – 99.5
Matthews • Golden Corral, 11025 E. Independence Blvd. – 93 • Grace O’Malley’s Irish Public House, 157 N. Trade St. – 94.5 • Kristopher’s Sports Bar and Grille, 250 N. Trade St. – 98 • La Fonda Colombiana, 11329 E. Independence Blvd. – 92 • Mingfu Chinese & Sushi, 115 W. John St. – 92.5 • Osaka, 3531 Matthews-Mint Hill Road – 95.5
Mint Hill / Charlotte (28227) • Bojangles, 11420 Beaver Farms Road – 92.5 • Daphne’s Bakery, 7609 Matthews-Mint Hill Road – 100 • Domino’s (food stand), 12925 Albemarle Road – 96.5 • Dunkin/Baskin-Robbins, 77001 Matthews-Mint Hill Road – 94 • Love in Action Cafe Vegan Bistro, 7200 Albemarle Road – 99 • Publix (meat), 6828 Matthews-Mint Hill Road – 99.5 • Speedway (food stand), 13354 Albemarle Road – 93.5 • Sunrise Restaurant, 8923 Albemarle Road – 98 • Zaxby’s, 6911 Brighton Park Drive – 98
Monroe • Eggs Up Grill, 5124 Old Charlotte Hwy. – 98 • Food Lion (deli), 100 E. Sunset Drive– 98.5 • Food Lion (produce), 100 E. Sunset Drive– 100
Pineville • Comfort Suites Pineville, 10415 Centrum Pkwy. – 97.5 • Corner Cafe & Catering, 11200 Nations Ford Road – 96 • Hilton Garden Inn, 425 Towne Centre Blvd. – 97 • Itaewon (food stand), 10500 Centrum Pkwy. – 96.5 • Sri Balaji Caffe, 716 Main St. – 97.5
Stallings • Best China, 7900 Stevens Mill Road – 94 • McDonald’s, 4405 Potter Road – 95.5 • Subway, 7900 Stevens Mill Road – 93 • Taxco Mexican Grill, 7900 Stevens Mill Road – 100
Weekly Schedule
Waxhaw
Thursday | 7 p.m. – midnight Happy Hour Vibes $5 Hennessy $5 Teremana $5 Tito’s Vodka Friday | 6 p.m. – 2 a.m. Game Night Interactive entertainment Music, cocktails and hookah Saturday | Noon – 2 a.m. Day Party | 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. Night Party | 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. Ladies Night Live DJs and signature cocktails Sunday | Noon – 9 p.m. Free Build Your Own Waffle Bar (12
• La Unica Estrella, 5411 McWhorter Road – 97 • Queens South Bar & Grill, 1201 N. Broome St. – 90.5 • Walmart, 2520 Cuthbertson Road – 99
Wesley Chapel • McDonald’s, 5925 Weddington Road – 98
– 4 p.m.) $6 mimosas Half-off bottles of wine Relaxed R&B brunch and day party atmosphere Daily specials include: $5 premium drinks $25 premium hookah $25 celebrity tequila flights Rotating food trucks
Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is celebrating National Frozen Custard Day with a Buy One, Get One Free Small Frozen Custard Cone from 3 to 5 p.m. Aug. 8 at participating locations. Photo courtesy of Rita’s
S.C. breweries shine in national competition COLUMBIA, S.C. – Nine South Carolina breweries have won 17 awards at the 2026 U.S. Open Beer Championship in Oxford, Ohio, according to the South Carolina Brewer’s Guild. Wild Heart Brewing Company in Hartsville won Brewery of the Year (501-1,000 Barrels). “We’re incredibly honored to receive Brewery of the Year for our production size,” said Jerry Rivers, head brewer at Wild Heart Brewing. “We’re proud to represent South Carolina and be part of such a great craft beer community.” This year’s event drew
over 8,000 entries in 180-plus categories and subcategories from breweries around the world. Two of the winners came in collaboration categories, with Savage Craft Ale Works (West Columbia) partnering with DSSOLVR (Asheville, NC), and Wild Heart working with Southern Hops Brewing Company (Murrells Inlet). Each had an added layer of collaboration. The malt used for brewing was donated by SCBG Allied Trade member Riverbend Malt House of Asheville. “Mortal Composure was an awesome collab experience,”
said Brandon Evans, head brewer at Savage Craft. “We took two of our favorite DIPA’s and blended the recipes to push boundaries on what an IPA can be. Shout out to Riverbend Malt for making the base a beautiful palate on which new and experimental hop products could truly shine.” “Weight of Sound is a collab with Riverbend Malt House & Southern Hops,” Rivers said of his collaboration. “We originally brewed it November 2024 as a Pouring for Neighbors NC Brewers Guild initiative to raise money for Hurricane Helene damage. It was very popular in
our taproom so we brought it back this year.” On the web: scbeer.org
Winners • Brewery of the Year (501-1,000 Barrels) | Wild Heart Brewing Company Gold • New England/Juicy/Hazy DIPA | Convergence – Wild Heart Brewing Company • Ordinary Bitter | UK Crusher – Model A Brewing Company • German Hefeweizen | Holy City Brewing – Charleston • Belgian and French Ale | Feral Garden Gnome – Liability Brewing Co. – Greenville • Belgian Witbier | Landmine Spring – Savage Craft Ale Works • Wild Culture Brett Beer | Slow Bloom – Wild Heart Brewing Company Silver • American Pale Ale | Preciatechya – Wild
Yarrow Brewing – Greenville • Single Hop Pale Ale | Dolcita IPA – Model A Brewing Company – Fort Mill • West Coast Pilsner | Hop Atlas – Wild Heart Brewing Company • Dortmunder/European-Style Export | Moon without a Tide – Liability Brewing Co. • Fruit Wheat Beer – Raspberry | Farm Simulator – Replay Brewing – Fort Mill • Barrel Aged Dark Beer | Amber Hearth – Model A Brewing Company Bronze • American Amber Lager | Amortized Amber – Side Hustle Brewing Company – Hilton Head • Collaboration Beer – Pilsners/Lagers | Weight of Sound – Wild Heart Brewing Company & Southern Hops Brewing Company • Wild Culture Brett Beer | Empty Chairs Still Rock – Wild Yarrow Brewing • Collaboration Beer IPA | Mortal Composure – Savage Craft Ale Works & DSSOLVR
Page 2B • The Weekly • Aug. 7, 2026
Former wealth exec opens roofing franchise CHARLOTTE – After spending roughly 20 years in wealth management with companies like MetLife and MassMutual, Sean Whelan decided to pursue business ownership. This pursuit followed a career reset that included international travel with his wife. During that time, Whelan realized he wanted to build something of his own in the home services industry. He chose Roof Scientist, a roofing franchise focused on repair, restoration and replacement.
“I never thought when I left wealth management that I’d become a roofer,” Whelan said. “But these are the businesses people need. Everyone has a roof, and a lot of people use cleaning services. It’s not work that’s easily replaced by AI.” Before signing with Roof Scientist, Whelan and his wife acquired an existing Two Maids franchise serving Charlotte and Rock Hill. While evaluating additional opportunities in the home services sector, Whelan eventually connected with the
Roof Scientist team. “What I like is the ability to meet people where they are and educate them,” Whelan said. “I think the best consumer is an educated consumer. If I can provide multiple solutions and explain the pros and cons of each one, I can actually help the homeowner instead of forcing one outcome.” Whelan said Roof Scientist’s approach stood out because the brand offers repair, restoration and replacement options instead of only recommending full roof
replacement projects. He was also drawn to the company’s proprietary Cericade roofrestoration technology and its long-term warranty. “Sean brings a very strategic and relationship-focused mindset to this business,” said Michael Wagner, brand president of Roof Scientist. “He understands how to build organizations, develop people and create long-term value. Charlotte is an important market for us, and we’re confident Sean is the right person to establish the brand throughout the region.”
Whelan’s territories serve communities throughout Charlotte, Lake Norman, Mooresville, Troutman, Ballantyne, Waxhaw and surrounding areas. Whelan said his long-term goal is to continue expanding throughout the Carolinas as the business grows. “Ultimately, I’m looking forward to building this into a sales organization,” he said. “A group of people getting after it, driving sales and helping homeowners along the way.”
Mint Museum to host 20th annual Potters Market at the Mint CHARLOTTE – The 20th annual Potters Market at the Mint will bring together 55 of North Carolina’s premier potters and ceramic artists for a weekend celebration of the art of clay. Visitors can shop handmade ceramics from the artists while supporting The Mint Museum’s exhibitions, education programs and community access initiatives through ticket sales. As part of its 20th anniversary, Potters Market joins the national stage with Handwork 2026, Craft in America’s yearlong semiquincentennial collaboration celebrating the handmade traditions that shape America’s cultural identity. “For 20 years, Potters Market at the Mint has celebrated North Carolina’s extraordinary ceramic heritage while supporting the talented artists who continue to shape its future,” said Todd Herman, president and CEO of The Mint Museum. “This milestone year is an opportunity to honor that legacy, welcome new audiences and showcase our state’s creative traditions as part of Handwork 2026.” The market takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 26 on the lawn of Mint Museum Randolph, 2730 Randolph Road. Visitors can enjoy live pottery demonstrations, bluegrass music, a beer garden and café, a blind auction and new pop-up experiences including BRÜ coffee and flower-making. Pueblo artist Virgil Ortiz will also give a free public lecture at 1 p.m.
The celebration continues Sept. 27 with a special symposium and reception featuring renowned ceramic artist and scholar Mark Hewitt. He will deliver the keynote lecture, “The Past, Present, and Future of North Carolina Ceramics,” followed by a panel discussion with artists Cynthia Bringle, Travis Owens and Ibrahim Said from 2 to 4 p.m. The event concludes with a reception from 4 to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but registration is encouraged. Potters Market is the Mint’s second-largest annual fundraiser. Principal Foundation is the market’s presenting sponsor. “Its generous support helps us champion these extraordinary artists while advancing our mission to make art engaging and accessible for all," Herman said. Tickets cost $25 and include access to all lectures and talks. Visit pottersmarketatthemint.com to buy tickets and RSVP to the Sunday Symposium.
Potters Market at the Mint is the second largest annual fundraiser for The Mint Museum. Photos courtesy of The Mint Museum
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The Weekly • Aug. 7, 2026 • Page 3B
Neighborhood Theatre to reopen after renovations CHARLOTTE – Neighborhood Theatre will reopen its doors Aug. 11 after concluding an eight-week renovation project this summer. Upgrades were designed to honor the NoDa community’s creative spirit while providing the best live experience for patrons and performers. The enhancements are being introduced in conjunction with a soldout performance by Grammy Awardnominated rock band Franz Ferdinand. “Everything went better than we could have hoped,” said Justin Fedor, general manager of Neighborhood Theatre, now in its 30th year of operation. “We kept artists and patrons top-of-mind throughout the planning and execution phases of the renovations, and now we’re beyond excited to show off what we have in store for them when they walk through our doors.” Notable upgrades include new stateof-the-art sound and lighting systems on both of the venue’s stages, paired with acoustical treatment throughout the theater to provide a more immersive and elevated production experience. These upgrades will improve audio clarity, visual impact and performance quality in every area of the venue. Other patron-facing improvements include renovated restrooms, a new draft beer bar with local craft brews and a renovated balcony with new seating and an updated VIP restroom. Backstage, artists will benefit from a renovated dressing room and restroom, along with the addition of a second dressing room for supporting artists. Neighborhood Theatre also announced its fall concert lineup. Upcoming highlights include The Mars Volta, The Dirty Guv’nahs and Andrew McMahon. The venue also continues to support and present the best in local live music, as well as giving up-and-coming acts the opportunity to perform in a new, premium setting. Neighborhood Theatre also announced the launch of premium seat availability, as well as private event bookings.
“None of this would be possible without our neighbors, fans and artists for their continued belief that independent venues provide more than tickets,” Fedor said. “We are a community venue, both for the people of NoDa and Charlotte and the live music community at large.” AUGUST 2026 Aug 11: Franz Ferdinand (sold out) Aug 14: Josh Tatofi Aug 15: American Aquarium Aug 20: TimaLikesMusic Aug 21: Nathan Cox Aug 22: enRAGE Against The Machine Aug 23: Lettuce Aug 25: greek Aug 27: Teenage Bottlerocket Aug 28: Don Trip Aug 31: Loe Shimmy SEPTEMBER 2026 Sep 1: Emarosa Sep 3: The 4411 Sep 4: The Dirty Guv’nahs Sep 7: Nino Paid Sep 8: Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats Sep 10: Here Come the Mummies Sep 11: Kanii Sep 12: Jervis Campbell Sep 15: The Mars Volta (sold out) Sep 17: North Mississippi Allstars Sep 18: Edgehill Sep 19: Jenna Raine Sep 21: French Police Sep 22: Cyril Neville Plays The Dead Sep 23: Hazlett Sep 24: Benny G Sep 25: Castle Rat Sep 26: Owen Riegling Sep 27: Stanley Simmons Sep 28: The Bros. Landreth OCTOBER 2026 Oct 1: Saxsquatch Oct 2: Jammy Buffet Oct 3: Gable Price and Friends Oct 4: Sophie Hunter Oct 5: Weatherday Oct 6: Kyle Gordon Oct 7: verygently Oct 8: Shawn James
Oct 9: Rising Appalachia Oct 10: Daley Oct 11: The 502s Oct 15: The Infamous Stringdusters Oct 16: Colby Acuff Oct 17: Bombargo Oct 19: L7 Oct 20: Andrew McMahon (Sold Out) Oct 21: Abbie Gamboa Oct 23: Tiana Major9 Oct 24: AJ Lee & Blue Summit Oct 25: Jai’Len Josey Oct 30: Ethan Regan NOVEMBER 2026 Nov 2: The Arcadian Wild Nov 3: The Army, The Navy Nov 4: Zauntee Nov 6: Knox Nov 8: Tyler Ballgame Nov 9: Deer Tick Nov 10: Gaelic Storm Nov 12: New Constellations Nov 13: Katie Pruitt Nov 15: Paula Cole Nov 17: Joy Oladokun Nov 18: Jalen Ngonda Nov 19: Carbon Leaf Nov 20: Phillip Phillips Nov 21: The Bends Nov 22: Kurt Vile & the Violator
LOUD & LIVE Aug. 7
• Amos’ Southend: Unleashed • CharBar No. 7 (Mint Hill): Drew Holgate • Evening Muse: Shake the Dust & Carolina Gator Gumbo • Franklin Court Grille: Jam Central • Shep’s Bar & Grill: Hardwired • Stooges Pub & Grub: Unknown Artist Band • TD Amp Ballantyne: Tell Me Lies • The Club House Bites and Booze: Save July • The Milestone: Slugline • The Trail House: Hey L’80s • Visulite Theatre: Sam Holt Band
Aug. 8
• Amos’ Southend: Purgatory • Franklin Court Grille: Blue Muse • Iron Thunder Saloon and Grill: AltShift • Spectrum Center: Bryan Adams • The Club House Bites and Booze: Dustin Yager Trio • The Milestone: TRHA • The Trail House: Road Crew • The Underground: Cumbiatron • Visulite Theatre: Rastacoustic
Aug. 9
• Ovens Auditorium: Bronco • Spectrum Center: Mumford & Sons
Aug. 10
• Evening Muse: Open Mic
Aug. 11
• Evening Muse: Menastree • Neighborhood Theatre: Franz Ferdinand (Sold Out) • Ovens Auditorium: Brit Floyd • The Milestone: Eternal
Aug. 12
• Carolina Theatre CLT: PJ Morton • CharBar No. 7 (Carmel): Anna J • Ovens Auditorium: Mon Laferte • The Club House Bites and Booze: Scott Lowder • The Trail House: Delta Fire Duo
Aug. 13
• Amos’ Southend: The Philharmonik and Wyatt Waddell • CharBar No. 7 (Mint Hill): Mark Pelfrey • Evening Muse: Jarrod Morris w/ Alex Rogers • Great Wagon Road Distilling: Open Mic • Iron Thunder Saloon and Grill: Adam Daniels • The Fillmore: Stellar Unplugged • The Milestone: Foreign Hands
Aria to lead Family Fun Night MINT HILL – Crystal Aria will perform at the next installment of Mint Hill’s Family Fun Night. The band performs hits across five decades in the Carolinas, Georgia and Virginia. They notably performed at Charlotte’s Festival in the Park in 2025 In addition to the concert, the event includes food trucks, inflatables and family games. The free event takes place at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 15 on the Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park soccer field. The concert follows at 7 p.m. There will be a variety of food vendors, including A Tana Empanada, Brothers Southern Fried, Spudwings, Raging Bull, Dusty Moon, Cornfetti Gourmet Popcorn and The Boba Tea Bar. On the web: facebook.com/ minthillevents
Charlotte
• Amos’ Southend: 1423 S. Tryon St. • Carolina Theatre CLT: 230 N. Tryon St. • CharBar No. 7: 4130 Carmel Road • Evening Muse: 3227 N. Davidson St. • Neighborhood Theatre: 511 E. 36th St. • Ovens Auditorium: 2900 E. Independence Blvd. • Spectrum Center: 333 E. Trade St. • TD Amp Ballantyne: 11115 Upper Ave. • The Club House Bites and Booze: 16715 Orchard Stone Run • The Fillmore: 820 Hamilton St. • The Underground: 820 Hamilton St. • Visulite Theatre: 1615 Elizabeth Ave.
Indian Trail
• The Trail House: 6751 Old Monroe Road
Mint Hill
• CharBar No. 7: 7312 Town View Drive • Shep’s Bar & Grill: 8111 Fairview Road • Stooges Pub & Grub: 13230 Albemarle Road
Monroe
• Franklin Court Grille: 232 E. Franklin St. • Iron Thunder Saloon and Grill: 608 W. Roosevelt Blvd.
Waxhaw
• Great Wagon Road Distilling: 122 W. North Min St.
present ed by Novant Healt h – Mat t hews Medical Cent er
Sunday, Sept 6
All-You-Can-Ride Wristband Night in the CARNIVAL $30 for all you can ride Opens at 5pm! 6:00pm - Sponsor Exhibits, & Food Vendors open Main Stage 6:30-8:00pm – The Entertainers 8:30-10:00pm – Electric Avenue, 80s MTV Exper.
Saturday, Sept 5 10am-10pm
1pm-10pm
1:00–10:00pm - Dilling Small Shops, Sponsor Exhibits, Carnival, & Food Vendors open. 1:00-7:30pm - Community Center building opens Main Stage 1:00pm-4:00pm – Festival tunes w/ Jim Shafer 4:30pm-6:00pm – Stella Rising 6:30pm-8:00pm – U-Neek Flavur 8:30pm-10:00pm –The Purple Experience (Prince tribute)
9:30am - The Matthews Alive Parade through downtown Matthews! 10:00am – Dilling Small Shops, Sponsor Exhibits, Carnival, & Food Vendors open. 11:00am – Community Center building opens
Children’s Stage 1:00pm – Steve Langley’s Variety Show 2:00pm – Corky the Magic Clown 3:00pm – Steve Brogan, Comic Ventriloquist 4:00pm – Jolly Roger the Pirate
Main Stage 11:00am-4:00pm – Festival tunes w/Jim Shafer 4:30pm-6:00pm – Rudy’s Bluegrass Revue 6:30pm-8:00pm – Dustin Wilson & The Howlers 8:30pm-10:00pm – The American Ride, Toby Keith tribute
Community Center Exhibits 1:00pm-7:30pm Woodworkers Show, Piedmont Fiber Guild Weaving & Spinning Exhibit, Robotics Exhibit, Basket Show, Woodcarvers Demo, & Sweet Union Quilt Guild Show (inside, air-cond.)
Children’s Stage 1:00pm – Steve Langley’s Variety Show 2:00pm – Corky the Magic Clown 3:00pm – Steve Brogan, Comic Ventriloquist 4:00pm – Jolly Roger the Pirate Community Center Exhibits 11:00am-7:30pm Woodworkers Show, Piedmont Fiber Guild Weaving & Spinning Exhibit, Robotics Exhibit, Basket Show, Woodcarvers Demo, & Sweet Union Quilt Guild Show (inside, air-cond.) Community Center Indoor Music (air cond.) 12:00n-3:00pm – Jonothan Gatton (keyboard/vocals, lobby) 4:00pm-6:00pm – Signature Keys, dueling pianos (stage) McDowell Art Center (air cond.) 11:00am-7:30pm –Matthews Artist Guild Art Show
Community Center Indoor Music (air cond.) 1:00pm-3:00pm – Cori Rose (keyboard/vocals, lobby) 4:00pm-6:00pm – Signature Keys, dueling pianos (stage) McDowell Art Center (air cond.) 1:00pm-7:30pm – Matthews Artist Guild Art Show
PETS PROHIBITED per Town Ordinance
Schedule is subject to change
Visit our website at MatthewsAlive.org
Presenting Sponsor: Area & Community-Level Sponsors:
Supporting Sponsor:
Monday, Sept. 7
9am-5pm
9:00am-5:00pm – Dilling Small Shops, Sponsor Exhibits, Carnival, & Food Vendors open. 9:00am-4:00pm - Community Center building opens Main Stage 9:00am-1:00pm– Festival tunes w/ Jim Shafer 1:30pm-3:00pm – Distillery Cats 3:30pm-5:00pm – Thirsty Horses Children’s Stage 1:00pm – Steve Langley’s Variety Show 2:00pm – Corky the Magic Clown 3:00pm – Steve Brogan, Comic Ventriloquist 4:00pm – Jolly Roger the Pirate Community Center Exhibits 9:00am-4:00pm Woodworkers Show, Piedmont Fiber Guild Weaving & Spinning Exhibit, Robotics Exhibit, Basket Show, Woodcarvers Demo, & Sweet Union Quilt Guild Show (inside, air-cond.) Community Center Indoor Music (air cond.) 11:00am-2:00pm – Colby Dobbs (keyboard/vocals, lobby) McDowell Art Center (air cond.) 9:00am-4:00pm – Matthews Artist Guild Art Show 5:00pm – FESTIVAL CONCLUDES SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
Page 4B • The Weekly • Aug. 7, 2026
Charlotte native gives sibling story a pirate twist CHARLOTTE – Charlotte native Dayna Eppley has written a children’s book with an interesting pirate hook. In “Logan’s New Room,” Logan learns that he’ll soon be moving to a big-boy room to make way for a new baby. He’s a little nervous and not sure what to expect. But Logan and his Eppley teddy bear, Bubba, face an even bigger test of courage when they suddenly find themselves aboard Salty Sam’s pirate ship. Logan and Bubba must find a way to escape a band of pirates and make it into his new room before they are forced to walk the plank. “Logan’s New Room” helps younger readers feel understood as they navigate unfamiliar changes in their lives. The adventure allows them to come out of the book feeling more sure of themselves. Logan and Bubba’s journey assures readers that every change is part of a greater voyage.
“I wrote this story to highlight a part of childhood I have witnessed with many of my children and grandchildren,” Eppley said. “Transitioning to being an older sibling, to having a new room or to overcoming fears is a huge part of growing up.” She is a mother of four children and “Nene” to eight grandchildren. Eppley said she drew inspiration for the pirate plot from a family vacation. “The pirate experience really resonated with our grandchildren,” she said. “It allowed them to overcome fears and meet them successfully.” Change can be scary, but with “Logan’s New Room,” young readers are able to view things through an exciting, less scary spyglass. Eppley, a former teacher and preschool director, reminds young readers that they are braver than they think they are and that at the end of the day, there is truly no place like home. “Logan’s New Room” can be ordered on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, bookshop.org and warrenpublishing.net.
Presented by MatthewsAlive.org
SAT. SEPT 5th 10AM-10PM
FRI. SEPT 4th 6PM-10PM
Parade 9:30am
The Entertainers 6:30-8:00pm
2nd yr-“NEW” route
Kids’ Stage, & Small Shops open
Electric Avenue-
Bluegrass & Country on
The 80s MTV Experience
8:30pm-10:00pm
The Main Stage
4:30pm-8pm
EARLY OPEN: 5pm
The American Ride
All-You-Can-Ride Wristband Night at the Carnival!
Toby Keith tribute
8:30pm-10pm
SUN. SEPT 6th 1PM-10PM
Pop/Rock/Dance/Funk – various
artists on the Main Stage 4:30pm-8pm
MON. SEPT 7th 9AM-5PM
Distillery Cats, Thirsty Horses on the Main Stage 1:30pm-5pm
A 50+ year tradition, while supporting the community! Presenting Sponsor:
Area/Supporting Sponsors:
Community-Level Exhibitors:
The PURPLE EXPERIENCE Prince tribute
8:30pm-10pm