Morning Minute: Thursday, December 5, 2019

News About Town: Join Town Staff and Board of Commissioners this Monday, December 9, for a reception preceding the Town Council meeting. The gathering, at Town Hall (232 Matthews Station Street) from 6 to 7 pm, will honor incoming and outgoing members of the Board of Commissioners. The event includes light hors d' oeuvres and is open to the public.

News Around Town: This week, Butler High School announced the retirement of Cierra Burdick's jersey. Cierra, a professional basketball player and Matthews resident, led the Bulldogs to the state championship in 2010. She responded to the news via Twitter, "Earlier today, Butler announced they'll be retiring my jersey. Five minutes ago, I nearly injured myself trying to open a jar of pickles. Life comes at you fast, people."

One Fun Thing: Ever wonder what Matthews was like in the days of yore? Sunday, December 15, from 4 to 6 pm, tour the Nancy Reid House, guided by docents from the Matthews Heritage Museum. Dr. & Mrs. Reid (reenactors, not the ghosts) will greet visitors and set the tone for celebrations of Christmas-Past. The event is free, and light refreshments will be served.

Don't Forget:  The Matthews Woman's Club Service League craft boutique in the Carriage House behind the Reid home runs Thursday, December 5 — 7:00 pm, Friday, December 6 thru Sunday, December 8 — Noon - 9 pm and is free and open the public. Over 35 vendors will have their arts, crafts, handmade wares, and baked goods available for purchase.

The Matthews Community Farmer's Market is hosting its first-ever Holiday Night Market during the Hometown Holiday Stroll this Saturday, December 7 from 3 to 7 pm. Featuring live music, artisan crafts, artisan foods/baked goods, hot cider, gourmet coffees, and fresh popcorn, more than twenty-five vendors will be at the market.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, December 4, 2019

News About Town: Mecklenburg County Parks and Rec has closed the Woody Creek access to the Four Mile Creek Greenway (in Chesney Glen) for repairs. The entrance is expected to reopen by December 7. The closure mostly affects those in the Chesney Glen neighborhood. For more information, please contact Mecklenburg County 980-314-1000.

News Around Town: Craft store AC Moore will close up shop in 2020, after 34 years in business. The craft store giant cites being unable to compete with online retailers as its reason for pulling out of brick and mortar operations. Michael’s will take over stores and hire employees in markets where their brand is not represented; this is presumably not the case in Matthews, with a Michael’s in Sycamore Commons and an AC Moore in neighboring Windsor Square.

Two Fun Things: It’s shopping time! If you’re looking for gifts or shopping for yourself, check out the handmade markets open in downtown Matthews this week.

First, the Matthews Woman’s Club Service League hosts a craft boutique in the Carriage House behind the Reid home throughout the four days the Victorian Teas are offered. While the Tea has an entry fee of $30 (funds go to the Woman’s Club’s support of area nonprofits), the boutique is free and open to the public. Over 35 vendors will have their arts, crafts, handmade wares, and baked goods available for purchase. Dates and times are simultaneous to the teas: Thursday, December 5 — 7:00 pm, Friday, December 6 thru Sunday, December 8 — Noon - 9 pm.

Also, the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market is hosting its first-ever Holiday Night Market during the Hometown Holiday Stroll this Saturday, December 7 from 3 to 7 pm. Featuring live music, artisan crafts, artisan foods/baked goods, hot cider, gourmet coffees, and fresh popcorn, more than twenty-five vendors will be at the market, ready to fill up space under your tree with locally made goodies.

2810[high]5: Giving Tuesday

This #GivingTuesday we’ve found five worthy nonprofits in Matthews so your donations can impact the local community. Have a favorite nonprofit we haven’t listed? Leave a comment so others can learn about them.

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Blessed Assurance Adult Day Care: Blessed Assurance provides social, recreational, and health care programs in a group setting. Among many other services, Blessed Assurance also offers family support and rehabilitation services with licensed therapists.

Giving Tuesday donations can be made through the donate button on their home page: blessedadultcare.org/.

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Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity: Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter in the Matthews, Mint Hill, and Stallings communities by providing affordable housing solutions to local families.

Giving Tuesday donations can be made at www.gmhfh.org/givingtuesday

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Habitat and Wildlife Keepers (HAWK): Habitat and Wildlife Keepers started by focusing on Squirrel Lake Park and turned it into a demonstration site for how homeowners could provide the five elements of habitat to create a haven for wildlife. HAWK hosts Kids in Nature Days in the spring and fall, maintains bird feeders at Squirrel Lake, leads projects such as removal of invasive plants along the greenway, and educates the community on the importance of preserving wildlife habitat.

Giving Tuesday donations can be made through the NC Wildlife Federation. Make sure to choose HAWK from the drop-down window under “Contact Information.”

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Matthews HELP Center: The HELP Center is a nonprofit organization that has been providing hope to the community for 40 years. They assist with life essentials to local individuals and families in need. Their services include assistance with food, clothing, financial support (rent, utilities, transportation, etc.), community referrals, and seasonal programs (new school supplies, Thanksgiving meals, and Holiday gifts). The HELP Center serves five zip codes in Mecklenburg and Union County and served 3,787 households in the community last year.

Giving Tuesday donations can be made at matthewshelpcenter.org/support.html#online

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ZABS Place: ZABS Place helps young adults with special needs harness their unique talents and prepares them to transition to rewarding careers and realize their dreams of leading meaningful lives. Through ZABS programs, participants acquire essential job skills, realize their potential, and gain confidence, leading them to financial independence.

Giving Tuesday donations can be made at zabsplace.org/donate-form/

Morning Minute: Tuesday, December 3, 2019

News About Town: The results are in, and this year's No-Shave November winners in the Matthews Police Department are Officer Belin (Goatee) and Officer Mann (Beard). Each officer received a shave from JR the Barber and has returned to duty cleanly shaven and ready for Please Shave December (that's so not a thing). Congratulations to the entire police department for raising over $1,100.00 for Zero - The End of Prostate Cancer.

The winners post-shave with JR the Barber, image courtesy Matthews Police Dept. Facebook

News Around Town: If you're new in town, have family visiting, or simply want to get to know Matthews better, pick up the second annual "Welcome to Matthews" community guide. If you can't find a hard copy (they're available at Town Hall in the foyer, at the Chamber of Commerce, and a few other locations), you can also view it online. In the guide, you'll find new places to explore and resources for everyday living.

One Fun Thing: It's time again for the Annual Matthews Chamber of Commerce Gingerbread House Contest. The houses will be judged for three categories: Amateur-Family/Child, Amateur-Adult, and Professional. Entries can be dropped off anytime this week during Chamber hours, and there are a few rules (the construction and design should be completely edible, no larger than 24" x 24", among others), and judging will take place this Saturday. Whip up a batch of your secret icing recipe and get to building.

Morning Minute: Monday, December 2, 2019

News About Town: Matthews Police remind you to shop safely this holiday season. They’ve compiled a list of helpful tips, including a few that would’ve helped victims of credit card theft recently.

• Set text alerts on your debit/credit cards so that you know exactly when a transaction is made on your account.

• Keep your purse zipped or fastened at all times.

• Keep your purse in the shopping cart in front of you, and never leave it unattended.

• If you are shopping at night or if there's a possibility that it will be dark when you return to your car, park under or near lighting.

• Have your keys ready and in hand before you get to the parking lot, you do not want to be fumbling for your keys while standing at your car.

• Always practice the HIDE, LOCK, TAKE method: HIDE your items out of plain sight that could be seen when looking in the car windows. LOCK all doors and close all windows completely. TAKE all items of value out of the vehicle when parking it.

• Last but not least, do your best to ensure that your situational awareness is always up for suspicious people around you.

News Around Town: This is the last week to apply for holiday assistance through Matthews Gives Back. Recipients will shop at Town Hall in the Hood Room, choosing from new items, donated through a town-wide drive. Matthews Gives Back is sponsored by the Town of Matthews, Matthews HELP Center, Matthews United Methodist Church, and other local nonprofits. To apply, contact the HELP Center by December 7 at 704-847-8383. More info here: https://www.matthewsnc.gov/newsview.aspx?nid=6363

One Fun Thing: This Saturday, December 7, at 10 am, Greater Matthews Habitat invites you to join them to celebrate the completion of the 2019 Faith BUILD home. Committed to making sure everyone has an affordable and safe place to live, the newest Habitat home belongs to Moulay and Samia. It is the 108th Habitat-built home in the Matthews area.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, November 27, 2019

News About Town: The Town of Matthews named American Legion Post Commander Phil Mowry the Matthews Veteran of the Year. A Gulf War-era veteran, Phil served ten years in the United States Air Force. Now Phil is District Commander for American Legion Department of North Carolina District 20 (Mecklenburg County, NC), and Judge Advocate for American Legion Department of North Carolina Division IV. Thank you for your service, Commander Mowry.

News Around Town: According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Advisory, the Thanksgiving holiday sees an uptick in traffic accidents and fatalities. Approximately half of the fatalities during Thanksgiving holiday travel was attributed to simply not wearing a seatbelt. Over the next several days, Matthews Police will be on Independence Blvd. monitoring unsafe driving practices. Buckle up, drive sober, pay attention, and drive safe this holiday weekend.

One Fun Thing: Join Park and Rec on December 7 for a gingerbread house decorating workshop. For $10, Maria Tavares will have all the materials you need to build and decorate one small house, and she will teach the techniques to take your gingerbread house to the next level. This event is suitable for the entire family, but you must reserve a spot ahead of time.

Don’t Forget: This Small Business Saturday (November 30), support small businesses at the Loyalist with a pop-up market hosted by Good Cup. The event runs from 1 to 4 pm; all sorts of makers will be there selling beautifully handmade, original works of art and craft.

Matthews Makers: Nectarri Honey Co.

Heidi Hanson and Gjergji Qarri are Matthews-based Nectarri Honey Company. The couple made Matthews their family home, fully embracing (and enhancing) the Town’s Bee City USA status.

Nectarri’s hives are never treated with chemicals, allowing the bees to work their magic. The result is naturally delicious honey, its flavors nuanced according to the seasons.

Beyond honey, Heidi and Qjergji have a full line of sustainability-minded wares, including beeswax candles and melts, beeswax food wraps, and honey-based soap. Nectarri honey-sweetened chocolate is the perfect hostess gift this holiday season.

FIND Nectarri Honey Company THIS SATURDAY AT THE SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY MAKERS’ MARKET AT THE LOYALIST FROM 1 TO 4 PM.

Matthews Makers: Sweet Union Candles

Shannon Pearman is the talent behind Sweet Union Candles. As her business name indicates, Shannon lives in Union County, but frequents Matthews for shopping and restaurants. Her hand-poured soy candles can be found in locally-owned businesses all over the area. {She’d love to find a Matthews shop to carry Sweet Union Candles, too.}

Sustainability is at the heart of Sweet Union Candles. They are 100% soy and poured in recycled wine and beer bottles. Scented with essential oils, these candles are aromatic and will fill up any room.

Find Sweet Union Candles this Saturday at the Small Business Saturday Makers’ Market at the Loyalist from 1 to 4 pm.

Photos courtesy of Good Cup

Matthews Makers: Peterson MADE

Barb Peterson is Peterson MADE, modern jewelry uniquely crafted with traditional techniques. Each series is a handcrafted, small-batch collection of one-of-a-kind jewelry for both women and men. Evident of her extensive training in time-tested gold-smithing skills, Barb uses techniques such as wax carving and lost-wax casting to create clean lines, unique textures, and bold statement pieces. In Peterson MADE jewelry, you’ll find diversity in the use of mixed-metals, highlighting gemstones and minerals.

Originally from Ohio, Barb, her husband, and two long-haired dachshunds live in Matthews. The couple moved to town over 20 years ago and raised their family here. The Petersons are in love with the small-town community of Matthews, with easy access to all that Charlotte offers.

Before mastering the art of metalsmithing, Barb worked in global financial services and technology. These days she takes those business skills {and understanding for customer service} and applies them to Peterson MADE. With attention to design and craftsmanship, each piece of Peterson MADE is handcrafted by Barb in her Matthews studio. What has, in the past, been offered through custom commissions, online, and through private trunk shows, Barb is now branching out to markets.

Have jewelry best forgotten in the backs of drawers? Barb takes custom commissions, lovingly updating family heirlooms, up-cycling diamonds and gemstones, and reusing the original metal to give a new life to sentimental pieces through modern design.

Find Peterson MADE this Saturday at the Small Business Saturday Makers’ Market at the Loyalist from 1 to 4 pm.

Photos courtesy of Good Cup

Matthews Makers: Good Cup

Through Good Cup, the Chopas family, Joshua, Debbie, and their two kids are making a big difference, one cup at a time. Their approach is honest and straightforward—offering customers what they serve in their own home. The result isn’t just a coffee; it’s a thoughtfully crafted, intentional, drinkable experience in a casual atmosphere. Using a variety of herbs, and flavors, the Chopas have found the formula to partner with artists, farmers, botanists, and creators to infuse a work of art into a unique cup of coffee, chai, tea or tonic. Try the house specialty: a wildflower latte topped with edible flowers.

Good Cup started at the Matthews Community Farmers’ Market and has grown into a brick and mortar coffee shop. Innovators in both beverages and business, the Chopas family found a solid partnership with the Loyalist by using their restaurant space during the Loyalist’s off hours. Need to caffeinate your next event? Good Cup can bring their mobile set up to you and will create a menu specific to the season and your needs.

Using coffee, teas, and other locally-sourced ingredients, each Good Cup is a drinkable work of art.

Find Good Cup this Saturday at the Small Business Saturday Makers’ Market at the Loyalist from 1 to 4 pm. {Check them out at the Matthews Farmers’ Market and weekday mornings at the Loyalist, too.}

Photos courtesy of Good Cup

Morning Minute: Tuesday, November 26, 2019

News About Town: Town staff, the unsung heroes of daily operations around Matthews, will be off for the Thanksgiving holiday this Thursday and Friday. As a result, Town offices are closed those days. 

If Thursday or Friday is your waste pick up day, those days will be on a one-day delay.

News Around Town: Matthews Yarn Crafters (MYC) are looking for a new home base. For several years, the group has been meeting the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month. The group creates functional wares to donate to area organizations serving those in need. MYC is in need of a meeting space where the yarn crafters (knitters, crocheters, etc.) can gather to create scarves, hats, soap sacks, tote bags, sachet bags, and baby blankets to donate to those in need. As an informal group of yarn enthusiasts dedicated to helping others, they’ve turned to the Beacon to ask for help reaching out to the community. Any Beacon readers have a suggestion for them? Reach out to Anne with your ideas.

One Fun Thing: At the November 11 Board of Commissioners meeting, the Board approved town support for Small Business Saturday. Outside of Town Hall, this Small Business Saturday (November 30) you can support small businesses at the Loyalist with a pop-up market hosted by Good Cup. The event runs from 1 to 4 pm.

Matthews Makers: Lamplit Creations

Lamplit Creations is Gordon and Nina Clemmons, a husband and wife creative duo. Gordon, woodworker extraordinaire, handcrafts heirloom furniture, cutting boards, and keepsakes. Nina, the eye behind the camera, focuses on social media and makes her fair share of wares as well (she’s currently working on a line of holiday ornaments for Lamplit).

Lamplit Creations started several years ago when Gordon built a workshop in the country with his own two hands. Now, as a family of four and living in Matthews, the Clemmons are helping others make memories through handcrafted heirloom furniture and keepsakes. In a world of disposable and forgettable “stuff,” Lamplit creates heirlooms that will last for generations.

As a family, the Clemmons live, create, eat, and play in Matthews. Their work and their lifestyle is inspired by the small-business community that's currently blossoming here. They love supporting other small businesses and makers in Matthews and are working hard to become an established name in the community.

Find Lamplit Creations this Saturday at the Small Business Saturday Makers’ Market at the Loyalist from 1 to 4 pm.

Photos courtesy of Lamplit Creations

Dr. Timothy Cheuvront Gives New Life to Old [House] Bones

“Now, as a chiropractor’s office, the bones of the house have been realigned for its next function, ready for a revival, respectfully adding another chapter to the story of the house.    ”

Built in 1921, the house at 455 West John has been a rental for many years, first as a residence and then for several salons. The home-turned-office was rezoned in January 1999 from residential to business. 

The property has seen numerous owners over the years, many of whom are familiar Matthews names: In 1910, JG and Mabel Orr purchased the property, and sold it in 1919 to SR Reid. SR Reid was likely the builder of the home in 1921, and passed it to Mary Willie Reid in 1926. Willie sold it in the ‘40s to Louise and Jane Knowles, two of eight Knowles children (Their brother George Jr. was, according to our sources, the only Matthews resident killed in action in World War II, VFW Post 9475 was named for the late TSGT Knowles).

Today, the home is in the hands of Dr. Timothy Cheuvront, of Cheuvront Chiropractic, who recently moved his office to Downtown Matthews. Dr. Cheuvront has been dedicated to bringing the structure back to life with an era-appropriate approach and an eye for detail. This is a house full of charm, willing to tell its own story.

Succinctly described as a modified bungalow with Craftsman elements, the facade has the charm of a Craftsman without some of the style’s defining characteristics. As the home has passed from owner to owner over the years many changes have been made to the structure, making it ineligible for historic designation. When Dr. Cheuvront purchased it, however, he knew he wanted to maintain the historic appearance. It’s not a big space, 1,783 square feet; amply sized for the 20s when it was built. (According to census data, the size of the average single-family home built now is closer to 2,400 square feet.) A tour that takes time to appreciate all the details still takes less than half an hour.

With rich, earthy tones (Monterey taupe Hardie Board with Navajo Beige trim) appropriate for the era, the design of the 1920s building is grounded, a reaction to the ornate details of the previous Victorian era. The color scheme perfectly complements Dr. Cheuvront’s personality: warm, down-to-earth, and inviting.

The most recent renovations have ushered the building into the 21st century, nearly 100 years after its original construction. The house has been updated for ADA compliance, including a front ramp. If the park-like landscaping doesn’t beckon pedestrians, the well-placed sidewalks will. The landscaping deliberately complements the structure. As we toured, the trees were in full autumnal glory, the foliage perfectly complementing the Roycroft Copper Red details. It all sets a relaxing pace: you’re there for self-care, not to be rushed.

The early twentieth-century front door adds a charming first impression. With beautifully carved details too modest for Victorian, too ornate for Craftsmen, the half-glass door is a perfect reflection of the interior space: a well-loved building with utilitarian adaptations over the course of nearly a century. 

The building retains many original features. Plaster walls painted a soothing gray feel sturdy and substantial. Bright white ceilings and interior trim are highlighted by the large windows. An ethereal amount of natural light saturates the offices. As we tour, Dr. Cheuvront notes the details on each window casing, each slightly different, styles indicative of several eras and previous owners. Many rooms have their own fireplaces, reminders of the age of the house. 

Modern updates, such as sliding barn doors, play on the vintage charm of the home, drawing the eye up to the beadboard ceiling above, in what was once, presumably, a porch. The layers of paint, thick on the ceiling, show many years of loving use and wear in the home. Now, as a chiropractor’s office, the bones of the house have been realigned for its next function, ready for a revival, respectfully adding another chapter to the story of the house.    

Morning Minute: Monday, November 25, 2019

News About Town: At tonight’s Board of Commissioners meeting, the Board will, once again, consider the sign for the Idlewild Road roundabout. For safety reasons, a visual barrier on the roundabout is essential, although future road projects will eradicate the roundabout. Limited sightlines decrease the amount of information a driver must process while entering a roundabout, thereby increasing safety. To meet the needs of both concerns, Public Works came up with a solution for a moveable sign. The Town hired DAWA to create several concepts, which are included in the Board’s information packets. Town of Matthews Engineer Susan Habina Woolard will present the preferred design to the Board tonight.

News Around Town: This past fall, The Music Makers, a locally-owned traveling music program that has been in Matthews for 25+ years, added ukulele classes for seniors ages 50 and up. In January, they’ll expand their options for younger aspiring musicians with a class for little ones (ages 5 to 7). If enough people learn to play the ukulele, The Music Makers is hoping to start a free ukulele club. Members would gather to play together as well as perform in the community.

One Good Thing: Last year, we hosted a Hyperlocal Holiday Gift Guide. This year we’re trying something a little different: if you’re a Matthews-based maker, we want to spotlight you and your wares! Want to be featured? Fill out this short form, and we’ll show off the incredible talent Matthews has to offer!

Bookmarker

Bookmarker

In a book

A bookmark was found

A father's day gift

To your daddy

A picture of you

On a paper tie

Upon it when you

Were very little

Somehow to me

You still look the same

Although the book's

Pages have yellowed

For a moment

It was yesterday

Bookmarked in time

Forever between

Pages

By Lorraine Stark