#FiveForFriday: A Morning Minute News Round Up

This #FiveForFriday Morning Minute News Round Up is for the week of March 25 through March 29, 2019.

News Around Town: The ruby-throated hummingbirds are heading through the area, if not now, at least in the near future. April is really when they arrive en masse, but a few early birds are here to get the nectar. If you make your own, mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts boiling water, let cool and fill your feeders. As the weather warms and babies hatch, the newborn hummingbirds depend on insects for protein. Make sure you’re not spraying your yard and depleting their food source.

News About Town: There was no reason to doubt the Board would approve the addition of a new K9 to the Police Department, but we’re here to make sure you’re left with zero doubt whatsoever. With approval byt the Board of Commissioners, Matthews PD officially welcomes Benny, a 15-month old black lab. He is a single-purpose pup (sniffing out illegal drugs), passed his certification, and has been in action with 2 arrests under his belt!

News About Town: At Monday’s Board of Commissioners meeting the board voted on facade grants for two early-twentieth-century properties on West John Street. The owner of the first property, 455 West John St., requested $2,500 toward a total exterior painting cost of $7,860. Other improvements include architectural work for an ADA compliant entry, which will be designed by Commissioner John Urban (Urban recused himself from the facade grant vote). The property owner of 501 West John Street requested $2,500 which will be used for replacement of damaged siding and repainting of the exterior.

News About Town: At Monday’s meeting the Town Council discussed ways to increase tree canopy despite short-term loss through development. Suggestions for future consideration include:
•Consider increasing required canopy percentage in certain districts.
•Commit to using allocated landscape funds to plant/maintain a set amount of trees on town-owned properties and rights-of-way.

News Around Town: On April 5 more than 300 realtors will volunteer around the Charlotte area for the 11th Annual Realtors® Care Day. The purpose of the event is to provide and repair homes for safe, affordable housing for those in need. A portion of the time will be spent in Matthews when the group partners with Habitat for Humanity Greater Matthews onsite for a new build.

Morning Minute: Friday, March 29, 2019

News About Town: The Town of Matthews is seeking applicants for two-year terms on the Matthews Committee on Education. Submit your application to the town by April 10. The committee of nine members was formed in October 2018, with the purpose of advising the Town Council and working with CMS, home schools, charter schools, and private schools to ensure equal opportunities for all students in Matthews.

News Around Town: On April 5 more than 300 realtors will volunteer around the Charlotte area for the 11th Annual Realtors® Care Day. The purpose of the event is to provide and repair homes for safe, affordable housing for those in need. A portion of the time will be spent in Matthews when the group partners with Habitat for Humanity Greater Matthews onsite for a new build.

One Good Thing: There’s a lot going on this weekend (PANCAKES!! Property reval!) but if you need something a little less people-social, get some kitty time in. Greater Charlotte SPCA holds cat adoption events at the Matthews PetSmart (9905 E Independence Blvd.) every Saturday from 10 a.m until 1 p.m. Go forth and find a new friend.

#ThrowbackThursday: March 12, 2009

With permission, The Beacon is archiving past issues of Matthews Record (also called Matthews News and Record and The Matthews News) articles online. Throwback Thursday articles will include relevant content still facing Matthews today. This story was originally published March 12, 2009.

Back to reality

Spring fever has officially begun. Matthews has had five straight days of perfect weather after cold, snow and rain just last week.

Almost overnight plants seemed to pop out of the ground, trees began to blossom, and being out in the yard seemed a relief instead of a chore.

But every god thing must come to an end and temperatures will get a little more realistic as clouds and rain move in.

Morning Minute: Thursday, March 28, 2019

News About Town:  At Monday’s meeting the Town Council discussed ways to increase tree canopy despite short-term loss through development. Suggestions for future consideration include: • Consider increasing required canopy percentage in certain districts. • Commit to using allocated landscape funds to plant/maintain a set amount of trees on town-owned properties and rights-of-way.

News Around Town:  Join District 6 County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez McDowell, District 5 County Commissioner Susan Harden, and Charlotte City Council Member Dimple Ajmera this Saturday, March 30, for a Mecklenburg County Community Tax Relief Workshop. The event will be held at the Matthews Sportsplex (2425 Sports Parkway) from 10 a.m. until noon. Bring all your questions about the property reval, and they, and reps from the County Tax Assessors office, will do their best to answer them.

One Fun Thing:  If you’re itching for some dirt under your nails, but the Farmer’s Market ends a little too early (until next week!), Carolina Heritage Nursery will be at Backyard Birds with an assortment of native plants for your #birdfriendlygarden and #wildlifehabitat. Stop by between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and get your native garden growing.

Nonagenarians: Matthews Neighbors in Their Nineties

The first Wednesday of every month a motley crew of ninety-something-year-olds gathers in a common room of the Willow Grove Senior Living facility for the Nonagenarian Club. With 23 residents in their nineties (and eight 89-year-olds), it's common for the attendees to change from month to month. Some are already friends, but many are meeting for the first time.

Willow Grove is more like an apartment complex with nice amenities than the drab “senior housing” of ages past. The residents are self-sufficient and come to the community rooms for social time (BYOB Happy Hour is an apparent fave). It’s an interesting dynamic when the group gets together: there are polite introductions and some small talk. Without facilitation, there’s no immediate topic that arises from a similarity in age. It takes time, casual conversation, and sharing stories, then the commonalities arise.

She fondly remembers her “uncle” Sam Newell - a family friend who carted her on the back of his mule to Doc Mac’s office (now Zab’s Place) when a copperhead bit her toe.

Both Ruby McLeod (nee Hargett) and Peggy Outen grew up in Matthews and have known each other for most of their lives. If you’ve been in Matthews a few years, you may recognize their “old Matthews” last names. Ruby was one of eight siblings, and the only one in the family delivered by the Dr. Reid. She fondly remembers her “uncle” Sam Newell - a family friend who carted her on the back of his mule to Doc Mac’s office (at the corner of Trade and John) when a copperhead bit her toe.

Others, like Jo Martin and Mary Bruce Austin, are from the area, but not Matthews specifically.

With more conversation, more commonalities arise. They all agree that they like Matthews, that the area is changing rapidly, and, after a recent group outing, Cheesecake Factory food wasn’t up to the hype.

Among the nonagenarians and centenarians, there are nearly three women for every man. Naturally, the majority of club members are women. This month, one quiet man sits at the head of the table: Tracy Johnson. Whether he wants to share or not, the others at the table have lots of questions followed by a little bit of teasing. Tracy, a career marine, has stories of flying past US Presidents in HMX-1 Helicopters and talks proudly of his three kids - all of whom graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill.  At 97, Tracy spends his time painting and familiarizing himself with Matthews from the drivers’ side of a sporty red BMW.

Peggy Outen and Florence Ferko

This age group has lived through conflict, seen spouses off to war, and waited for their return home: World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and for the career military, the Gulf War.

Florence Ferko, a World War II war bride, married at 18 and followed her husband to the US. Her accent and mannerisms are still heavily British, and enjoys coffee served in a teacup. In contrast, Betty Hans was born and raised in Long Island to German immigrant parents. Hearing Long Island caught the attention of Ruth Koss, whose home was just outside of Newark, New Jersey.  It didn’t take long for the conversation to shift to regional foods challenging to find this far south.

Aside from food, it’s the mention of the military that amps up the conversation. Marguerite Bonney’s husband spent two years in the army, Ruby’s husband was a POW in Germany for 15 months. Jo was born and raised in Charlotte but spent six years traveling with her Air Force-enlisted husband. The military connections make sense, though. This age group has lived through conflict, seen spouses and friends off to war, and waited for their return home: World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and for the career military, the Gulf War.

Despite disparate interests and hobbies, the commonalities have now been found, and the chatter is lively. The women discuss their travels, their kids (for those that have them), and the towns and cities they called home before Matthews. For Ruth, North Carolina just seemed like a good place to live. For others, they moved here to be closer to their families. Others still never left, showing their lifelong love of Matthews.

And that one man sitting at the head of the table, remains fairly quiet, simply enjoying the time with his fellow nonagenarians.

Tracy Johnson and Ruby McLeod

Morning Minute: Wednesday, March 27, 2019

News About Town:  At Monday’s Board of Commissioners meeting the board voted on facade grants for two early-twentieth-century properties on West John Street. The owner of the first property, 455 West John St., requested  $2,500 toward a total exterior painting cost of $7,860. Other improvements include architectural work for an ADA compliant entry, which will be designed by Commissioner John Urban (Urban recused himself from the facade grant vote). The property owner of 501 West John Street requested $2,500 which will be used for replacement of damaged siding and repainting of the exterior.

News Around Town:  Livable Meck, a public/private nonprofit partnership, gathers Mecklenburg County data to share with municipalities in order to shape plans for growth in the greater Charlotte area. Livable Meck’s Community Plan is considered a “Voice of the Community.” Survey results gathered from residents reflect their experiences, needs, priorities, and concerns for the future of the county. Share your thoughts through their Spring Survey to make your voice heard.

One Fun Thing:  After filling your belly with Kiwanis pancakes, and having a blast at Charlie’s Carnival this Saturday (March 30), join the Matthews Playhouse School of Theatre at the Matthews Library from 3-4 p.m.  Meet cast members from upcoming performances, join them for art and games, and hear the stories behind their upcoming plays (Stuart Little, Anne Frank and Me, and more).

2810[high]5: Places We've Been

There’s always something going on in Matthews, and while we can’t cover it all, here are a few highlights from the past couple weeks.

Saint Patrick’s Day weekend was the soft opening for Grace O’Malley’s (157 Trade St.). Like any good neighbor, we nosed our way in to see what was going on. The staff, of course, graciously extended a warm, Irish welcome.

After attending Matthews 101 in the fall, Renee signed up for Civics 101, the Mecklenburg County introduction to local government. The five-week class covered some Charlotte topics, but provided a more in-depth look at the county, though Matthews came up a surprising amount. Topics included, among others, the justice system, the school board, and county government.

Good Cup and The Loyalist have been hosting pop-up markets for the past couple of months filled with vendors who lovingly hand create products. We’ve been to all of them, and the community just keeps growing. What a terrific way to support local folks.

We tried out a free Matthews Concert Band concert when on the hunt for live music in Matthews. The band is much larger than expected, and the show was an absolute delight. It’s a family-friendly experience, and well worth going to if you’re not sure your kids are ready to sit through the full value of a symphony ticket.

We’re at as many Town Council Meetings (and planning conferences) as possible, and when we’re not, we’re watching/listening online. Some are longer than others, and some are way more entertaining than others, but nothing beats being there in person to see and hear what’s going on.

Morning Minute: Tuesday, March 26, 2019

News About Town:  There was no reason to doubt the Board would approve the addition of a new K9 to the Police Department, but we’re here to make sure you’re left with zero doubt whatsoever. With approval byt the Board of Commissioners, Matthews PD officially welcomes Benny, a 15-month old black lab. He is a single-purpose pup (sniffing out illegal drugs), passed his certification, and has been in action with 2 arrests under his belt!

News Around Town: Tomorrow (Wednesday, March 27), the Police Department is hosting A meet and greet from 2:30-4:30 at the Matthews Library. Benny probably won’t be there, but Officer Tim Aycock will. Show up and join an important and timely discussion about police-community relations.

One Fun Thing: It’s Make Up Your Own Holiday Day! No further instructions needed.

Morning Minute: Monday, March 25, 2019

News About Town:  Approximately 25 people (including several members of the Board of Commissioners) showed up to the Matthews Town Hall yesterday (March 24) for the listening session hosted by District 6 County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez McDowell and State House Representative Rachel Hunt. The two leaders heard from residents on many topics including affordable housing, gun violence, adding school psychologists at schools, investing in public transit, and pedestrian safety.

News Around Town: The ruby-throated hummingbirds are heading through the area, if not now, at least in the near future. April is really when they arrive en masse, but a few early birds are here to get the nectar. If you make your own, mix 1 part sugar to 4 parts boiling water, let cool and fill your feeders. As the weather warms and babies hatch, the newborn hummingbirds depend on insects for protein. Make sure you’re not spraying your yard and depleting their food source.

One Good Thing: When learning the ropes of social media and creating an online presence, there’s one word that comes up more often than any other: branding. It’s a nuanced concept that creates a recognizable identity for your business, but how do you get started? Join DeTrice Fox at the Matthews Library tomorrow, March 26, at 6 p.m. to learn the ins and outs of getting yourself branded.

Lynn Stelley: A Behind-the-Scenes Hero

“It’s like a big family, and it has to be that way.”

You may not know the name Lynn Stelley, but if you live in Matthews you've benefited from her work. Lynn is one of the many behind-the-scenes heroes of the Matthews Police Department. Though she doesn’t drive a patrol car, in her role as Records & Communications Manager she reports directly to the Chief to ensure the administrative side of the department is running smoothly. Her role is vital for both general operations and the safety of every officer serving Matthews.   

Originally from Louisiana, Lynn was in the U.S. Air Force (4.5 years) and was a flight attendant for American Trans Air (13 years). Her husband’s job brought them to Mint Hill where she worked at Mint Hill Middle School until the School Resource Officer encouraged her to apply at the Matthews Police Department. Her varied experience taught her to manage many tasks at once, and she credits her military family for instilling the self-discipline to work in law enforcement. Now in her eighth year with the Matthews Police, she first worked with Chief Rob Hunter and now with Chief Clark Pennington. “They have different styles,” she notes, while giving “high praise for both [men].”

As Records & Communications Manager, Lynn oversees a staff of two Record Keepers, the dispatchers, and has something of a role in the department's finance. Things now are in a much more manageable system than when she started. Back then officers’ reports were handwritten, sometimes with diagrams of scenes hand drawn on the back of an incident report. The clerks would then enter the reports into the records. Now, with software and automated systems, the officers can do it themselves.

Lynn is clearly happy in her office, giving instructions with the cheerful, unfaltering disposition essential for proper management. There’s a palpable warmth to her approach as she moves through the daily routine. When asked about the telecommunications position, Lynn openly admits it’s a tough role to fill. A demanding job with long hours that can be emotionally draining, which is why there’s a nationwide shortage of dispatchers. She oversees two supervisors and has capacity for 12 dispatchers (currently nine positions are filled). She’s proud of the staff for going beyond the minimum Department of Justice Telecommunications Standards and fulfilling the Sheriff’s Training Standards. Lynn has also made some changes in the dispatch room: upgraded work areas and “a little bit of paint” have dramatically improved morale.

Lynn gives a quick tour of the department on the way to check in with the dispatchers. She appreciates the tight-knit cooperation of the department, "It's like a big family, and it has to be that way." The team atmosphere makes stressful situations much less so. She knows a job where emergencies happen every day can take a mental toll on her employees, expressing concern and demonstrating she has the knowledge to be genuinely supportive of them.

She worries about the officers as they leave on patrol, pausing before reflecting. She was in the call center when the Butler shooting happened. “It was amazing how everyone fell into their roles. There wasn’t time for anything, just to do our jobs. I don’t think we thought about it until after it was all over.”

With the pressure of a job in law enforcement, Lynn leaves work at work. It’s a necessary skill she learned from her military father. She appreciates he did the same for her as she grew up. Lynn talks as excitedly about her kids, her four grandchildren (including eighteen-month-old twins), and Bruno, her German shepherd mutt.

Bruno, it turns out, is the key for Lynn’s calm. A long walk with a happy dog is exactly what she needs to unwind from a full day's work keeping Matthews safe.

Morning Minute: Friday, March 22, 2019

News About Town:  Monday night’s council meeting will see the introduction of a new, especially furry member of Matthews Police Department as the town welcomes a new police canine. The council is also expected to approve retiring police pup Castor’s sale to his human partner, Officer Kevin Osuch, for the sum of $1. Castor has served Matthews for more than seven years and is surely looking forward to a relaxing retirement. They’re good dogs, Matthews.

News Around Town: For the flower lovers (and growers) out there, according to Renfrow Farms we’re smack dab in the middle of peak tulip season. With another week of tulips blooming here in Matthews, this is your chance to get locally grown ones either at the Farmer’s Market or Renfrow Hardware.

One Good Thing: If you like ukulele lady perhaps you’d like to be a ukulele person too? The Music Makers (Kathy and Justin) are starting a 10 week Beginners Ukulele course at the Community Center starting Thursday, March 28. Join the fun, learn some tunes, and strum your way to musical confidence

Chicken Keeping: The Rules and Regulations

Photo by Debbie Chopas

In the age of DIY everything, the popularity of small-scale homesteading, and a reflection on simpler pastimes, chicken-keeping has been gaining popularity over the past decade. Chickens are funny birds, and watching their fluffy waddles can make for a relaxing afternoon. If you’re thinking about getting poultry this spring, though, familiarize yourself with the Town regulations. Knowing the process will save you a lot of headache if your neighbors aren’t on board with your fowl friends.

First, know where to build your coop and how large to make the structure. According to Town Ordinance 91A - Animals, § 91A-42. PERMITS FOR FOWL, EQUINE, CLOVEN-HOOFED ANIMALS, ETC, before purchasing or adopting your chickens, you need an inspection by Animal Control, a division of the Matthews Police Department. Only one permit is required per household, no matter how many birds you have, and that permit must be renewed annually. Animal Control will check to make sure your new hobby won’t make your neighbors sick or unreasonably unhappy. Many of the guidelines are good to follow just because they will keep your birds healthy.

For your neighbors’ sake: Your coop and run must be at least twenty-five feet from the adjoining property line.
Build a castle: The chicken house must be at least 18-inches in height and well-ventilated. You can have up to 20 chickens per acre, but you must have a minimum of 4 square feet of floor space per chicken.
No piles of poop: The run must be well-draining, kept clean, and free from objectionable odors.
No free-ranging: Your chickens must always be confined within the run.
You’ve got to bag it up: The town is specific about handling poop. All droppings and body excretion shall be placed in a fly-proof container and double-bagged in plastic bags.

All in all, it’s a relatively easy process to get the permit, then it’s up to you to stay on top of following the rules. The reward of fresh eggs makes the small hassle at the front-end well worth it.

Morning Minute: Thursday, March 21, 2019

News About Town:  Work will begin on the addition of the Weddington Road/I-485 Interchange soon. The project is fully funded and is being bundled with the I-485 Express Lane project. Express lanes are toll lanes for those who, as NCDOT phrases it, want “more reliable travel times.” Construction includes an auxiliary lane on both outer and inner I-485 as well. The contract for the project was awarded on September 20, 2018 to Blythe Construction, Inc., construction is expected to begin this summer, and open to traffic in 2022.The Town of Matthews is contributing funds for a 10-foot wide multi-use path and 8-foot planting strip along Weddington Road inside of I-485 and a 7.5-foot wide path along Weddington Road past I-485.

News Around Town: House Representative Rachel Hunt and County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez McDowell will be at Matthews Town Hall(232 Matthews Station St.) this Sunday, March 24 from 3 to 5 p.m. Representative Hunt and Commissioner McDowell have invited constituents to come and share the important issues concerning the residents of Matthews.  

One Good Thing: This Friday (March 22) join Arts Delivered!, KidzArt, and Abrakadoodle at the  McDowell Art Studio (123 E. McDowell St.) for a free open house. If your kid is at Matthews Elementary pick them up and swing on by. Get a peek into the spring class line up and summer camp offerings. Give your kid a chance to try out some art activities to see if they’re a good fit. Art demos will be available for all ages, just stop in anytime between 3:00 and 4:30 p.m.

Creating a Wildlife Habitat, Part V: Sustainable Practices and Certification

Image courtesy National Wildlife Federation

Hope you've enjoyed this series on how to create wildlife habitats in your yard, school, place of worship and business.

Let's add one more requirement - sustainable gardening practices. This means being aware of what you're using and under what conditions. Some people will choose to go the all organic route, while others may have a problem that may need to be addressed strategically with a chemical.

Choose the most environmentally-friendly tool for the job and follow directions carefully. Avoid spraying on a windy day because you might contaminate your food and water sources.

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Now we’ve covered the essentials.

Food, water, cover, places to raise young, sustainable gardening practices? Check!

There's just one thing left to discuss: how to certify your wildlife habitat; it's incredibly easy. Visit the National Wildlife Federation Certify page and fill out the simple application form. There is a one-time fee of $20 which goes to National Wildlife Federation. You'll receive a personalized certificate with a number for your site, a subscription to the Garden for Wildlife e-newsletter, a one-year membership to NWF, a subscription to National Wildlife magazine, 10% off NWF catalog merchandise (great for items for your yard and gifts for nature lovers), and an option to purchase a sign designating your yard as a Certified Wildlife Habitat with National Wildlife Federation.

Speaking of the signs, I highly recommend purchasing one. It's a great way to help educate your neighbors, clients, and anyone else who happens to pass by on how easy it is to provide habitat for wildlife. Prices range from $30 to $99. Check out the joint NC Wildlife Federation and National Wildlife Federation sign below with Ranger Rick! I also added a picture of the higher-end sign.

Here's hoping that I see lots more of these signs sprouting up all over Matthews as more people jump on board!

Image courtesy National Wildlife Federation

“Signs are a great way to help educate your neighbors, clients, and anyone else who happens to pass by on how easy it is to provide habitat for wildlife. ”

Morning Minute: Wednesday, March 20, 2019

News About Town:  On Monday, March 11, the Town Board of Commissioners voted to initiate the rezoning of three commercial properties, all of which are currently zoned for light industrial. Bob Henderson, lawyer and representative of the Brigman family (owners of two parcels), spoke against the motion to begin the rezoning process. Mr. Henderson stated the family wasn’t made aware of the vote prior to the Town Council meeting and explained the downzoning does not reflect the focus of the Entertainment District plans. Mr. Henderson further explained that downzoning devalues the property, and as a result, may interrupt current arrangements for the sale of the Brigman properties. According to county documents, the Brigman family purchased the property in the 1940s from the Bost family, a prominent family in what was then known as Morning Star Township (now Matthews). The Board unanimously approved initiating the process of rezoning each parcel to Single-Family Residential.

News Around Town: This past Friday, March 15, an antique Shell Gasoline sign was stolen from Vintage Keepers, the antique and vintage store at the corner of Matthews Street and Trade Street. The sign is worth approximately $700. Anyone with information regarding the theft is encouraged to contact Matthews PD.

One Good Thing: Join the Matthews Historical Foundation to hear about the Matthews Heritage Museum’s exhibit, “Tank Town: A Good Place to Live.” Museum Director Barbara Taylor will present the history of the churches, the shot-gun schoolhouse, and the Matthews Colored School. The presentation will be held at the Woman's Club (208 S. Trade Street) Tuesday, March 26, at 7 p.m.
The event is free to Foundation members, and $5.00 for non-members. For more information, call Becky (704-846-6693).