Morning Minute: Thursday, December 9, 2021

News About Town: The Board of Commissioners meeting agenda for Monday, December 13, is available online. The meeting is remote via Zoom (link here); listen by calling toll-free 888-788-0099 and entering the meeting ID 872 6770 2689. A livestream of the meeting will also be available via the Town of Matthews YouTube Channel. For more information, including the process for public comment, visit the town website.

The meeting will be a hybrid, online for the first portion and in-person for the second. The first portion of the meeting will be the last meeting for the current board and will include comments and reflections from Commissioners Dave Bland and Jeff Miller. The second portion will be the first meeting for the new board. 

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News Around Town: The American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline and Get With The Guidelines programs measure access and treatment of cardiovascular events. Novant Health Matthews Medical Center participated in both programs, resulting in several American Heart Association Achievement Awards. These awards recognize the hospital’s commitment to implementing quality improvement measures that ultimately lead to more lives saved, shorter recovery times, and fewer returns to the hospital. The awards include: 

• Gold Plus – Stroke and Heart Failure

• Target: Stroke Elite Honor Roll

• Target: Type II Diabetes Honor Roll – Heart Failure

• Target: Heart Failure Honor Roll

One Fun Thing: The new Welcome to Matthews guide is out! Chock full of information about Matthews, from houses of worship to regular town events, even the ads are from local businesses ready to serve with the small-town charm Matthews is known for. Check it out online and pick up a free printed version from the Matthews Chamber, 210 Matthews Station St.

Morning Minute: Monday, December 6, 2021

News About Town: Hundreds of Matthews residents gathered in front of Town Hall Saturday night for the annual tree lighting. Festivities included Mayor John Higdon emceeing the entertainment, featuring carols from the Crestdale Sixth Grade Chorus and dancers with Charlotte Dance Alliance, a dance school in Windsor Square. Brakeman’s provided hot chocolate, while Novant and other area businesses filled goodie bags with candy and swag. Santa and Mrs. Claus perched on polar bear laps under a festive gazebo while posing for photos with a line that tapered down only after the crowd counted down to the tree lighting.

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News Around Town: Matthews resident and co-founder, Ann Margret Gidley, describes Little Citizens Club as a nonprofit whose goal is to “cultivate compassionate children by providing child-friendly service opportunities as part of a social club.” The group is hosting a sock drive to serve Crisis Assistance Ministry. Donate new or clean and gently used socks at one of several area drop-off sites by December 10. If you’d like to help by collecting socks and can place a bin on your porch for an additional drop location, please email LittleCitizensClub@gmail.com.

One Fun Thing: After a 20-month pause, Matthews Concert Band is back and ready to jingle your socks off! The volunteer community band is taking the stage at Matthews Presbyterian Church, 207 West John St., this Friday at 7:30pm. The event is free and will be worth every dollar you don’t spend (and then some)! 

Morning Minute: Friday, December 3, 2021

News About Town: Matthews Police have been extra busy this holiday shopping season implementing “Operation Santa Knows.” In partnership with local stores, the Police are working closely with retail loss prevention to increase reporting, investigating, and solving retail theft cases. Perpetrators will be identified, charged, and prosecuted as a result. After one week, the operation has netted six arrests, four felonies, 19 misdemeanors, nine trespasses, four outstanding warrants served, and two search warrants executed. More than $2,500 in value of retail products were reclaimed, and between $3,000 and $5,000 in product loss was prevented since the beginning of the operation.

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News Around Town: Two candidates have thrown their hats in the ring for Representative Rachel Hunt's NC House District 103 seat. Republican Bill Brawley announced last month his intention to run again. More recently, Democrat Laura Budd announced her candidacy. Rather than running for reelection to District 103, Rep. Hunt will run for NC Senate District 41.  

One Good Thing: This holiday season enjoy a tale of love, decency and, generosity of spirit with Matthews Playhouse. With a team of actors to rival any area theater troupe, get swept away with the classic story Miracle on 34th Street. This play is about Kris Kringle, a good-hearted Macy’s Santa whose job is threatened by the store vocational counselor. Through magical works, Kris is deemed the true Santa, restoring hope and joy to children everywhere. Buy tickets online for one of 11 showtimes.

Bridges, a poem by Lorraine Stark

Bridges

Invisible are the bonds that
Bind our hearts they require
No voice nor signed document
To prove it
It’s been there always from
The beginning no interpretation
Required it’s all the security
We need to cross every bridge
Together holding hands

Our love was there from the
Beginning no interpretation
Required we have all the security
We need to cross each bridge
Together, embracing time

By Lorraine Stark

Image via Unsplash @pattybphoto

Morning Minute: Wednesday, December 1, 2021

News About Town: A new month means a new advisory board meeting schedule. The Veterans Advisory Committee meets tonight at 7 pm. At 6:30pm, Wednesday, December 8, the Parks, Rec, and Cultural Advisory Committee will meet. Monday, December 13, the Board of Commissioners will hold a regular meeting at 7pm (the second one in December is canceled). The new Board will be sworn in during the second portion of the December 13 meeting. On Tuesday, December 14, the Matthews Committee on Education will hold a meeting at 6:45pm at Town Hall; at 7pm that same night the Environmental Advisory Committee will hold their monthly meeting. The Appearance/Tree Committee meets on Monday, December 20 at 7pm. The Planning Board and the Cultural Diversity Committee both have meetings on Tuesday, December 28 at 7pm at Town Hall. Check out the town calendar for more happenings.

Thank you, Santa Bob (Aycock) for this fun picture! Want to share one of your photos? Send it to us!

News Around Town: North Carolina has a burn ban in effect. Yes, you can still grill and barbecue, no, you cannot burn leaves.* To clarify, the NC Forest Service explains, “Campfires would be considered open burning and are not exempt from the burn ban. During a burn ban, portable gas stoves or grills are alternate methods for cooking food while camping.” However, the county allows outdoor fireplaces, portable outdoor fireplaces, barbecue grills, or fire pits (containing fire started for religious, ceremonial, cooking, or warmth purposes). It can be no larger than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height. *Open burning of yard debris within the town limits is not allowed. 

One Good Thing: In Matthews, community support doesn’t stop after Giving Tuesday. COS Kids has a $20,000 fundraising goal that is being matched dollar for dollar. Programs beyond forming educated, resilient children include single-parent support and scholarships for families in need.