Thelma and Louise in a Golf Cart

When visitors to Charlotte want to tour the city, they have multiple tour companies to choose from. However, if they wish a tour by “Thelma & Louise,” they can choose Queen City Rides’ star duo, who, interestingly, are from Matthews and Mint Hill.

Dubbed the same names as the lead characters in the popular 1991 movie, Matthews resident Marie Ball (“Louise”),  76, and Mint Hill resident Lee McKenzie (“Thelma”), 74, say they are having the “time of our lives” doing this together. “We’re sisters by choice,” said Marie, “but some days (Lee) chooses not to be sisters,” she adds, laughing.

Photo courtesy Danny Jordan

“We’ve been doing this for four months,” said Marie. “We’re ladies that like to ‘live on the edge,’” she says. That “edge” includes parasailing, swimming with the dolphins and zip lining. In previous years, they served as “Senior Cheerleaders” at the Levine Senior Center in Matthews.

Introduced to the tour owner by a mutual friend, the women decided this year to take on this new challenge. To gather information, they learned their route, notated everything important, and then made the tour their own. Their narrative is rife with jokes, stories and shtick.

“We only go off the cliff on the day we aren’t taking people out...We only go off the cliff on Fridays.”

— "Thelma & Louise"

Sitting briefly with these women, one notes that they can barely hide their excitement at the newest venture in their lives; and, of course, the quips keep flowing: “We only go off the cliff on the day we aren’t taking people out,” said Marie. “We only go off the cliff on Fridays,” said Lee.

“Kids tell us all the time, ‘When I get to be your age, I want to be just like you,’ “said Marie. “We’re having a wonderful time showing uptown Charlotte to customers.”

How long do they want to continue doing this? “As long as we can,” they both said. “At least to 2020….” (laughter).

Morning Minute: November 13, 2018

​News About Town: Last night Town Council voted on the ​Trade Street Cottage rezoning. The rezoning was approved for 12 homes on a 2.36 acre lot. After public comment where three residents spoke against the rezoning (no residents spoke for) the motion was made for approval by Kress Query and seconded by Barbara Dement. There was lengthy discussion by the Board  both for and against. The vote was tallied with Bailey, Dement, Query, and Urban for and Higdon, Melton, and Miller against.

​News Around Town: Leapfrog, a consumer watchdog group for hospital safety rated Novant Matthews with a Grade A. The group assigns grades to more than 2,600 general acute-care hospitals twice yearly. Grades are based on 28 measurents of publicly available hospital safety data.

​One Good Thing: Pet Paradise of Matthews is hosting their 10th Annual Pet Food Drive through December 31. ​ so far they’ve collected over 400 pounds of dog food to be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank, who will distribute to pet owners in need.

Veterans Day in Matthews

Sunday, November 11 the Town of Matthews, NC, American Legion Post #235 Matthews, NC, and Marine Corps League Charlotte 750 partnered for a Veterans Day Celebration. High school students from Independence kicked the service off in Stumptown Park with patriotic songs. Phil Mowry, Commander of American Legion Post 235, and Mayor Paul Bailey both spoke of the sacrifice by those who’ve served. At noon the celebration moved to the Historic Matthews Cemetery (Pleasant Hill Drive) where two of Matthews’ own fallen World War I soldiers were remembered on the 100th anniversary of the war. The Marine Corps League performed a rifle salute and wreaths were placed at the graves.

Veterans Day in Matthews was truly a day of remembrance and respect honoring the servicemen and women of our community.

Neighbor-to-Neighbor Outreach in Bella Sera

Earlier this year, when a Bella Sera Villas (Bella Sera Way) elderly resident showed signs of impairment and began walking the subdivision alone, alarmed residents took action.

Forming the “Neighbor-to-Neighbor Outreach Connection (network),” Jody Brewer, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Lorrie Klemons, RN, MSN & Senior Patient Advocate, marshaled their resources, drew from their professional careers and experiences and set out to blanket the 158-unit complex, in an effort to reach out and touch any/all of the mostly over-55+ residents to determine whether they were in need of a “check-in.”

“There’s already a lot of connecting going on,” said Brewer, “especially in the cul-de-sacs.” However, Brewer added, that with an aging population going in and out of the complex and some “elder-orphans” (phraseology for those who are alone by design, death of a spouse or living far from relatives/friends), the necessity to stay-in-touch becomes paramount.

To date, the duo have gathered approximately 30 recipients/residents (adoptees) and approximately 15 volunteers/residents (adopters) who are now participating in this program.

To blanket the complex and do an accounting of the needs/desires of those residents choosing to opt in/out of the program, Brewer and Klemons (residents and co-chairs) used a spreadsheet, created flyers (since many older people don’t use computers) and met with the volunteer-residents to discuss a good way to approach often wary neighbors.

“There needs to be a trust factor,” said Brewer.

“(The intention was to show) How to be a volunteer, set boundaries, (learn) the best way to approach the residents, how to provide additional information,” said Klemons. “Very low-level stuff, not major.”

According to the group’s brochure, the network has been created to address “social isolation, loneliness, no near-by family.” The intention is to reach out to others on a “semi-regular basis” to “make sure all is well.”

According to the group’s brochure, the network has been created to address “social isolation, loneliness, no near-by family.” The intention is to reach out to others on a “semi-regular basis” to “make sure all is well.”

“This (network) was intended to create neighborliness and to make sure that no one was sitting home alone, unattended to,” said Brewer.

Their flyer states that they have “decided to re-energize the “Wellness Check” program of the past. The  volunteer duties are to phone, text, email or knock on the door of a fellow resident” to determine the (ongoing) “wellness” of that individual.

All participants are given a senior resource directory and a “Vial of Life” kit for emergency situations.

Plans for the future include more meetings, more reach-outs and the possibility of sharing this program with other subdivisions in the area.

Morning Minute: November 12, 2018

News About Town: The Matthews Board of Commissioners has a regularly scheduled meeting tonight at 7 PM in Town Hall. Items on the agenda include recognition of Matthews 101 participants and several rezoning issues.

Novant Hospital Matthews is requesting the rezoning of property on their campus for the construction of two new office buildings. Part of the rezoning includes cost-sharing between the Town and Novant for a connector road (Andrew Caroline Drive) from Sam Newell to Matthews Mint Hill Road. Novant will also allow the Carolina Thread Trail through their property, which will connect to the new multi-use paths constructed along Matthews Mint Hill Road. A third aspect is agreement of Novant to allow the future Lynx Silver Line through a portion of the campus.

Tonight the Board will vote on the hotly contested 269 South Trade Street property. This project proposes 12 homes on a 2.4 acre lot adjacent to the greenway entrance on South Trade. Also on the agenda is a vote on a map and text amendment for the Monroe Road Small Area Plan Overlay. The Town Planning Department recommends a deferral on this vote until December 10, 2018.

News Around Town: Yesterday the Town of Matthews and American Legion Post 235 hosted a Veteran’s Day ceremony in Stumptown Park. The program consisted of a choir from Independence High School and a several moving speeches. A graveside ceremony followed at Old Matthews Cemetary (Pleasant Hill Drive) in conjunction with Marine Corps League Charlotte 750 to honor the fallen World War I soldiers of Matthews, NC.

At 11 AM today the Matthews Rotary Club will honor area veterans with their 28th Annual Veterans Day lunch at the Levine Senior Center. Numerous restaurants are offering Veterans free meals with valid ID through today.

The Matthews Beacon would like to thank all our veterans for their bravery and service.

One Good Thing: Girl Scout Troop 1497 is hosting a blood drive today at Brakeman’s Coffee (225 N. Trade Street). Community Blood Center of the Carolinas will be at the popular coffee shop (we’re assuming in a mobile donor unit) between the hours of 10:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Donate blood and get a free drink!

Local Leaves: A Growing Collection

We have four more leaves to add to your collection: sassafrass, dogwood, chestnut (variety unknown), and elm. Print out these leaf rubbings to make flash cards, color them in (go crazy on the color or stick to our notes on their typical fall colors) and see if you can match them in to the trees around you. Right click the image to save and print or click here to print.
The first page of leaves can be found here.

Morning Minute: November 9, 2018

News About Town: Sunday, November 11, the mayor and Matthews Board of Commissioners will join members of Matthews American Legion Post 235 for a special Veterans Day Ceremony. Starting at 11:00 a.m. at Stumptown Park, at noon the ceremony will move to at Old Matthews Cemetery (Pleasant Hill Drive) to honor and remember WWI soldiers, including Private Grady B. Hooks who was killed on the last day of WWI, November 11, 1918, and is buried in the cemetery.

Image courtesy of BAPS Mandir website

News Around Town: BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir celebrated Diwali and New Year Annakut yesterday with vegetarian food, cultural programs, and traditional entertainment. Special Diwali celebrations are organized for children and youths to preserve the true spiritual importance of the festival. Throughout the celebrations, Hindu devotees ask Bhagwan (God) for enlightenment, ethical economic prosperity, and success in careers, among other rituals and traditions.

One Fun Thing: Machu Picchu Restaurant has a night of Venezuelan fun planned with bagpipes and stand-up comedy. Venezuelan Comedians Wilmer Ramirez and Honorius Torrealba will keep you laughing Saturday, November 10. Tickets available through Eventbrite.

Outdoor Bootcamp for Modern-Day Gladiators

Driving past Stumptown Park, drivers may catch a glimpse of men and women working out in a variety of ways. Called “Camp Gladiator,” they’re seeing individuals participating in an outdoor-only fitness boot camp, which offers classes three times/week;  three times a day to nearly 60 clients.

Based on increasing interest, Stumptown Park is one of two workout locations for Camp Gladiator franchise owner and born and raised Matthews resident/personal trainer, Jeff Kelly, 27. He hopes to double that number by early next year.

While average age is 25-45, this year-round camp is intended for “all fitness levels. It’s a go-at-your-pace boot camp,” said Kelly, adding that he’s “here to push you….(It’s for those who) want to maintain their health and fitness or they want to get back to where they (once) were.”

“Our campers can bring their kids – several bring babies in strollers and (their) children,” he said.  “One camper uses her child as a weight,” he added, laughing.

Gladiator offers 10 five-week camps each year;  themes are structured around endurance training, strength and agility, metabolic training, peak and a wrap-up week.

Kelly said he’s thrilled to be bringing a sport he loves to a town he loves even more.

Morning Minute: November 8, 2018

News About and Around Town: Election Day has come and gone, and here in Matthews we have a mix of new representation and familiar faces. Susan Rodriguez-McDowell defeated 22 year incumbent Bill James for County Commission District 6. Our at large commissioners retained their seats - Pat Cotham, Ella Scarborough, and Trevor Fuller. In the State Senate, Dan Bishop held on to his seat. The State House race remains undecided, with just 53 votes separating incumbent Bill Brawley and challenger Rachel Hunt, with absentee ballots left to count. Absentee ballots were to be postmarked no later than Election Day, so it will be some time before all ballots are in and counted.

One Fun Thing: Millennials will meet at 7 PM tonight at Seaboard Taproom and Wine Bar (213 N Trade St, Matthews ) for the Matthews Library’s series Books on Tap: 20s & 30s Book Club. Grab a drink and join the discussion about Florida by Lauren Groff.

ZABS Place: A Matthews Business Worth Celebrating

ZABS is the acronym of the Hebrew name of Zachary Shporer - Zecharya Avraham Boruch Shporer. A happy, athletic, positive, take-over-the-world (in a good way) teen. He was awesome to be around. His friends and family loved him. His teachers raved about him. He was passionate about helping others, especially children and teens with special needs. At 18, he was diagnosed with Leukemia. He died one year later.

Photo courtesy ZABS Place

This month, ZABS Place, located on the corner of South Trade and East John Streets, will celebrate its fourth anniversary of business. ZABS is an upscale thrift boutique and employment training center for young adults with special needs. It is one of the very few nonprofits in the country solely created to provide on-the-job training for “special talent” kids after graduating from high school. It will soon make its national mark after an NBC “Today Show” segment airs on national TV.

“I wanted a place where our young adults could work,” said co-founder Caren Gale. “It wasn’t fair that my daughter, who is neuro-typical, could graduate and go off and have an option. Why couldn’t our (other) kid have an option?”

“I asked my son what he wanted to do when he graduated, and he said, ‘work,’” she said. “Yet, I knew if he went out in the work world (and interviewed for a job), they wouldn’t ‘get’ him.”

ZABS story began six years ago when California to Charlotte transplants, Caren and Charlie Gale, could not find options for their (special needs) son, Jonathan, after he graduated from high school. At about the same time, Rabbi Bentzion and Rochel Groner, Directors of Charlotte’s Friendship Circle, were also discussing this same dilemma befalling many members of their group.

Photo by Cyma Shapiro

Enter Lisa Shporer and her husband now coping with the death of their 19-year-old son, Zachary Shporer, a volunteer with Friendship Circle who died of leukemia in 2012. The Groners asked the Shporers what they might do to help. A request to use Zachary’s name, in memory, led them to the creation of “ZABS Place.”

In a sit-down with Caren, Community Liason Lisa Shporer and ZABS Directors Rochel and Rabbi Bentzion Groner, the group exchanged thoughts on where they’ve been and where they are going.

“We had a desperate need (for) individuals to do something after high school,” said Bentzion. “We wanted the world to come and engage with our kids and help harness the energy and potential to have them connect with the community.”

The Shporers wanted to honor their son and honor the employees and the nonprofit’s mission.  “If we published Zachary’s name on it, we had to live up to his good name,” said Lisa.

“Within these four walls, this is Zachary’s home – we work hard not to have negative or critical thoughts,” Bentzion added.

Their intention was to meet these children, individually, and head-on, to help them achieve their dreams and gain life skills. Called “special talent kids,” they are guided, lovingly, through a series of individualized stages to achieve success.

“These children are as individual as snowflakes. How do we reach that child? It’s incumbent upon us that we find the lock (and key).”

— Caren Gale

Photo by Cyma Shapiro

“These children are as individual as snowflakes,” said Caren. “How do we reach that child? It’s incumbent upon us that we find the lock (and key).”

Currently, the store employs/works with approximately 50 people between the ages of 18 and 35 (although there are a few younger and older talent); most are paid for their work. The store also employs six support staff including two job coaches. Approximately 50 people remain on a wait-list.

After undergoing an extensive application process, they are assessed to ensure a good fit for the store. Although the interview may not always result in a job, the group still sees the process as beneficial. “We get to learn about the kids,” said Bentzion, adding that the interview process is a great experience for the kids.

Once chosen, talent are offered work options ranging from three-month internships to approximately two year+ jobs. They are offered an array of opportunities ranging from arranging an area to assessing if inventory is stocked; from customer service to pricing. There is an IT crew handling some aspects of business – writing descriptions of merchandise to packaging and mailing it out.

To assist them in their tasks, all talent are given a three-week training period. After individual needs are assessed, they are offered whatever means are needed to help them complete their designated task(s). Individual job coaches help prepare guides, task sheets and fun lists with images and/or words. Descriptions are broken down into discreet pieces. Since they earn a wage, talents also learn the value of working and of earning money. “You save money for options in your life,” said Caren.

At every stage is the group’s desire to cater to each individual’s needs. “We take a look at what their interests are, we meet with them; we ask every single applicant what they want to be when they grow up...As long as we believe in our kids, we believe anything is possible,” said Bentzion.

“I think we’ve given hope to many families and we’ve given an opportunity to so many young kids - young adults who might not have had that opportunity…who may have graduated from high school and retreated to their room, retreated to their screens and now those kids are a part of that community,” said Caren. “They are working, they are interacting with the public and the public is being educated on the potential of our young adults and what they can do.”

The group points proudly to the fact that although they could capitalize on the heavy traffic the next door (Saturday) Farmer’s Market might bring, as Orthodox Jews, the store is closed on that day for the Sabbath. “We have a sign that says it’s the Sabbath….see you on Sunday, we’re open from 12-6,” said Lisa.

Photo by Cyma Shapiro

Despite normal business growing pains, ZABS is flourishing – with increasing sales, number of talent working there, and numbers of employees on-staff.  In the near future, the group is hoping to open another ZABS place somewhere in Charlotte.

“This is very organic; we’re always refining (how to grow and change methodology),” said Caren. Unanimously, the group said its goal is to continue hiring more talent and, in turn, interest Charlotte area businesses to hire their now-seasoned employees.

In every way, the group feels the impact of hope.  

“The dread you feel once your child is diagnosed - it’s so overwhelming,” said Caren. “You have no idea of the trajectory of your child, what the options will be and to know that (there are places like this), you think, as a parent that maybe there is hope.”

In the end, it’s in ZABS’ name that the store seems to find its purpose and place.

“The store was named after my son, Zachary,” said Lisa. “To me, it’s honoring his memory every day…..I have to remember why we are here - it’s so Zachary would be proud. Everything we do is so uplifting and so kind, and so much fun….Everyone who works here…wants to be here.”

She added, “We don’t call our workers employees, we call them trainees – they’re here, they are learning skills, they are learning abilities to be able to move on to whatever their dream is. We look at them as talent. Who looks at their employees as talent? They (usually) look at them as ‘worker bees’ that they pay.”

“(In Matthews) We look at it like we’re on the corner of ‘Main and Main.’ I think that we’re a jewel in the crown of Matthews,” she said. “I really believe that after being here for four years….it’s just like an amazing opportunity for people to come in (and see us).”

“That concept is (why) we are so unique…We have totally disrupted how people think of the special needs population,” Lisa said. “It brings people in over and over and over again…because they want to support us. When people come in here, it’s a happy place, it’s clean, it’s neat, it’s organized…..it’s a place that needs to be celebrated.”

ZABS Place * 100 N. Trade Street * Matthews

Sun: 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Mon – Thu: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Fri: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Local Leaves

We may not get the prettiest leafscape this fall, but the trees that are changing are magnificent. Did you know the colors of leaves are one helpful way to learn tree identification? Over the next few days we’re posting some common tree leaves and what type of tree they are. Print them out and make flash cards, color them in (any color you’d like) and see if you can match them in the wild. Right click the image to save and print or click here to print.

The People of Matthews: Jaspal Singh and the Sikh Education Foundation of the Carolinas

Jaspal Singh, one of the founding members of the Sikh Education Foundation of the Carolinas, leading his Current Events class during Sunday School. The group was discussing the recent synagogue tragedy, reading a related news article translated into Punjab. Singh also leads his class in Gatka - martial arts - during Sunday School. SEFC is currently leasing space from the Sangrock/Taekwondo Center on West John Street.

Morning Minute: November 6, 2018

News About Town: Monday evening the Town of Matthews hosted a public input meeting regarding the town engineering department’s interpretation of the consensus design from the John Street Working Group for public feedback. The meeting was live-streamed over Facebook and can be viewed through the Town’s Facebook page. To participate in the survey, login here and use session ID: Matthews.

Photo by Abstract Dissent

News Around Town: It’s Election Day! If you aren’t one of the 25% of Mecklenburg County voters who took advantage of early voting, head on over to your polling location and cast your ballot today! Check here if you’re not sure where to vote. For non-partisan summaries of all the candidates on your ballot, visit vote411.org and enter your address. Expect some lines, turnout for early voting was more than double the 2014 early voting totals and it’s expected a large number of voters will come out on Tuesday. Weather is also a factor; the forecast calls for rain so make sure you have an umbrella in the event you’ll be standing outside. However you vote, we encourage all of our readers to exercise their right and perform their civic duty.

One Fun Thing: Join HAWK tonight for an engaging evening with Ramona Moore Big Eagle, M.Ed. An Oral Historian and Legend Keeper of the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina, Ramona recognizes her everyday life as part of a bigger story to be told. The event is sure to be both educational and captivating. Tuesday, November 6, at 7 PM in the Matthews Community Center, 100 E McDowell St.

The Precious Pooches of Matthews

Pawsitively Matthews was this past Saturday in Stumptown Park and we were on the scene to get puppy kisses and photos of the precious pooches. Around 40 pet-centric vendors were set up, including Companion Parrots Rehomed and several dog rescues. Matthews Police did a demonstration with their canine unit as well. We’re pawsitive the event was a success.

Daisy is available for adoption.

.

55+ New Friends Meetup Group

More than one dozen men and women residing in the towns surrounding Matthews meet three times/week for a Squirrel Lake walk and then coffee at Publix at Fincher Farms. Called the "55+ New Friends Meetup Group," they range in age from 55-80's; none are originally from North Carolina and have moved here from as far away as England, as well as from other states across the country. Matthews resident and New Friends Meetup founder, Anna Langill, started this as a way to connect people with same interests. "There wasn't a way for seniors to meet each other," she said. They also meet up for holidays and go to movies, dinner and other events. 

Photo by Cyma Shapiro