Morning Minute: Monday, June 22, 2020

News About Town: During tonight’s Board of Commissioner’s meeting, the mayor will designate this as National Pollinator Week. The designation recognizes the importance of bees and other pollinators in producing our food supply, and their necessary role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

News Around Town: Did you know Matthews has been a member of Bee City USA since 2014? To be recognized, Matthews incorporated pollinator-conscious practices into city policies and has enhanced pollinator habitat by increasing the abundance of native plants, providing nest sites, and reducing the use of pesticides. Stay tuned, since it’s Pollinator Week you’ll see some special content here on the Beacon.

One Good Thing: Protests against racist policies continue around the country, including a Black Lives Matter March in Matthews yesterday. More than one hundred people filled the town green to join in song and hear from speakers. The event was family-friendly and called for action to fight systemic inequalities through community action and policy change.

Set in Stone: A Mystery Resolved

This article was contributed by Barbara Taylor of the Matthews Heritage Museum, 232 N. Trade Street   Matthews, NC  28105

In late May Jeff Hauser, President of the Olde Mecklenburg Genealogy Society (OMGS) contacted the Matthews Historical Foundation and the Matthews Heritage Museum (MHM) asking if they knew of an old cemetery in the Crestdale section of Matthews. Barbara Taylor, Director of the MHM, having completed over a year of research on the neighborhood said she had never heard of a cemetery in the area.  The question was posed because a Piedmont Gas worker, Michael Doby had come across a number of cemetery markers with dates in the mid 19th century in a wooded area in Crestdale Crossing.  The earliest marker dated to 1817!

Hauser and Taylor felt that they needed to investigate the tombstones to see if they could find where they belonged.  They spent half a day individually recording what turned out to be 41 stones with inscriptions on them.  The stones were rather unusual as they were only 6 to 8 inches wide, and 11 to 27 inches tall.  They only had initials, rather than full names, and only 11 had a date on the marker.  They thought some, because of their size might be foot stones.  After documenting the stones, they began trying to research who these tombstones were for.  With initials and dates, we thought we might be able to discover a name in the census record or possible an obituary in the newspapers.  

Taylor decided to share this mystery with other historians in the Charlotte History Roundtable, to see if they might have a better way to identify the people the stones represented.  Within a few hours, historian John Blythe answered the call, identifying one stone with two sets of initials as a stone for two brothers who died on the same day and were buried in Sardis Presbyterian Cemetery.  The next day, using a database he has created from his years of research and FindAGrave, he was able to identify most of the initials with people who were buried at Sardis Presbyterian Church. 

Taylor contacted David Blackley who oversees the cemetery.  He remembered that in 1970 the church cemetery had suffered vandalism with a number of its stones knocked over.  The church decided to place many of them flat on the ground.  But others were given to Neil Huntley, caretaker of the cemetery to keep them safe.  He brought them home and stored them in a wooded area behind his house.  Huntley died a few years ago.  For almost 50 years they had been there when Doby discovered them.  After Blackley reviewed the pictures and information on the stones, he was convinced they were footstones for many graves at the cemetery. 

Currently the town of Matthews has them in safe storage.  But this interesting mystery has been solved thru the cooperation of a handful of individuals and organizations who believe in the preservation of history. Plans are being made to bring the stones home safely to Sardis Presbyterian Church. 

Morning Minute: Friday, June 19, 2020

News About Town: There will be a 5:30 pm meeting before the regular Board of Commissioners meeting this Monday, June 22. Police Chief Clark Pennington, town staff, and the Board will discuss current events, as anti-racism protests continue in the region and nationwide. This remote meeting can be viewed via Zoom or on the Town of Matthews YouTube Channel. You can also listen in by calling 888-788-0099 (Toll Free) or 877-853-5247 (Toll Free) and entering meeting ID 992 1822 160.

One Fun Thing: It’s time again for the Farmer’s Market Annual Peach Fundraiser. Pick some up this Saturday, but the earlier you get there, the better, they tend to sell out. This week the market will have Red Havens, a semi-cling variety with red-blushed yellow skin. Market hours are 8 am to noon, Saturdays.

Don’t Forget: The Black Lives Matter Family March begins at 11:30 am at Country Place Park this Sunday.

Morning Minute: Thursday, June 18, 2020

News About Town: The Board of Commissioners meeting agenda is available online. Once again, the meeting will be conducted remotely. To watch live, the meeting is available via Zoom (link here, meeting starts at 7 pm, Monday, June 22). A livestream of the meeting will also be available via the Town of Matthews YouTube Channel. To listen live, call toll free 888-788-0099 and enter meeting ID 992 1822 1601. For more information, including the process for public comment, visit the town website.

One Important Thing: Tomorrow, June19, is Juneteenth, a day that celebrates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the farthest reaches of the southern US. On June 19, 1865, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation, news reached Galveston, Texas that the Civil War had ended.

Today at noon, the Charlotte History museum will host Khadija McNair, Assistant Site Manager at Historic Stagville State Historic Site on a Zoom video conference. Khadija will explain the significance of Juneteenth and why it matters. The Zoom conference will celebrate the accomplishments, resistance, and persistence of the people Juneteenth remembers. Register here.

On Friday, Fifth Third and Truist/BB&T banks will close are 2 pm in observance of Juneteenth.

Also on Friday, Levine Museum (Facebook & YouTube pages), in partnership with House of Africa, will host an online,educational, family-friendly Juneteenth celebration. Through  history, music, storytelling, and poetry, the event will underscore the advancement of civil rights for African Americans since the abolishment of Slavery.

Morning Minute: Wednesday, June 17, 2020

News About Town: Mayor John Higdon has a message for Matthews graduates:

On behalf of the Matthews Board of Commissioners, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to the graduating classes of Butler High School and Providence High School!

The class of 2020 has endured a senior year like no other. A drive-through ceremony may not be what you have envisioned for this very special occasion - but do not let that take away from what you have achieved. Take time to reflect on your accomplishments and be proud of yourself. Your family, friends, and the entire community are proud of you.

As you move on towards your bright future, please remember that the Matthews community is behind you. We wish you all the best. 

Congratulations Class of 2020!

News About Town: Speaking of finishing up the school year, Shorter University wrote to let us know Matthews resident Jackson Wheatley made the Dean’s List. Jackson is a chemistry major at the Rome, GA university. Great job, Jackson!

A group of local Matthews/South Charlotte moms organized a peaceful, family-oriented Black Lives Matter March this Sunday, June 21, from 11:30-2:30. The march aims to heighten awareness around racism and discrimination in an atmosphere of acceptance. The march will begin at 11:30 am at Country Place Park and will end at Town Hall, where several speakers will address the attendees.

Morning Minute: Tuesday, June 16, 2020

News About Town: A Silver Line Task Force of fifteen Matthews residents, business owners, and developers has been formed to discuss the Silver Line’s Local Preferred Alternative (LPA). The task force will meet virtually has its first meeting this Wednesday, then will meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of July and August (starting at 7:00 pm) to determine a LPA by the fall of this year. The LPA will be then presented to the Board of Commissioners.

News About Town: Save Leg Day for the weekend. The Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity needs five volunteers to help with landscaping this Saturday, June 20. Your hard work will beautify Mack and Yvette’s nearly-finished home. All the digging and planting will be good for your legs, while volunteering is great for the heart.

High Heels

High Heels

She wears high heels
when she gardens
don’t bother to ask why
square patent leather heels
a straw hat tilted with a red
sash that in the winds seems to fly
and there’s one thing you can
be sure of always you can
recognize her above the flowers
by her hat and her nickname is
the lady in red fancy that

By Lorraine Stark

Morning Minute: Monday, June 15, 2020

News About Town: Remember when Belk brought the warm fuzzies by paying for the prom at Levine Middle College (LMCHS)? Well social distancing makes slow dancing impossible, so Belk made up for the senior class’s lost experience. The locally-based retailer gave 235 LMCHS graduates and their teachers $200 gift cards during the drive-thru high school graduation. Caps off, shopping spree on.

One Good Thing One: Make this your summer of strummin’. The Music Makers (Kathy and Justin) are offering10-week Beginners Ukulele courses at the Community Center starting in July. Join the fun and strum, strum, strum!

One Good Thing Two: Register now for summer academies with Carolina Crush Lacrosse. The teams practice in Mint Hill and several tournaments are at the Matthews Sportsplex.

Morning Minute: Friday, June 12, 2020

News About Town: If you haven’t weighed in, the Town of Matthews wants your input on the upcoming Sam Newell Multi-Use Path.

News Around Town: Let’s look at COVID-19 numbers. We last Reported numbers on May 29. As of 4:30 pm on June 11, Mecklenburg County has had 6,155 cases and 116 deaths. (Wake County has the second most number of cases at 2,553 and 41 deaths.) Within the 28105 zip code 193 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and 11 have died. Two congregate living facilities have had outbreaks. Carrington Place is now stable, while Royal Park Rehabilitation and Health Center has an ongoing outbreak with 12 staff positives, and 60 resident positives and 4 deaths. NC has had 39,481 cases, 812 current hospitalizations, and 1,064 deaths. Not all cases of COVID-19 are tested, so this does not represent the total number of people in North Carolina who have or had COVID-19. (Data source: NC Department of Health and Human Services.)

One Good Thing: The Board of County Commissioners has created a COVID-19 Recovery and Renewal Task Force for Mecklenburg County residents. The 23-person committee will work with the County Manager to create a comprehensive Recovery and Renewal Plan of Action Which will be presented to the County Commissioners. If you are interested in serving, applications are open.

B-I-N-G-O is tonight. Play along and support the best theater Matthews has to offer!

Morning Minute: June 11, 2020

News About Town: Since the murder of George Floyd, ideas and suggestions have been made to improve police departments. One popular idea is 8 Can’t Wait. Matthews PD Chief Clark Pennington released a thorough response detailing the policing methods MPD has already adopted, and those the department can adopt moving forward.

News Around Town: School’s out, which means it’s time once again for the Char-Meck Library Summer Break Challenge. Register online to participate, read to earn points, then win prizes. For the month of June, kids read and track their Summer Break progress to help the library reach a 15-MILLION-minute reading goal for June.

One Good Thing: Artist Dixie Friend Gay will host a free online public art workshop on the Arts & Science Council’s YouTube channel on Friday, June 19, from 2 to 3 pm. The award-winning artist will chat with those watching, and give real life advice to making a living in art.

Don’t Forget your Bingo cards!

Morning Minute: Wednesday, June 10, 2020

News About Town: During Monday’s Board of Commissioners meeting, the Board voted to approve the Manager’s Recommended Budget. The budget does not raise Matthews taxes for FY21and does not appropriate from the fund balance.

News Around Town: Artist Muriel Epling recently finished her mural on the speed hump near the Community Center. The result of a call for artists by the Town’s Parks, Rev, and Cultural Resources Department, the image of dogwood flowers reflects North Carolina and the native flora of Matthews. The flowers branch across sharp blue and white stripes, creating a mural that is beautiful while bringing attention to the crosswalk/speed hump. Watch a time lapse of the artist working.

One Good Thing: Hankering for a GOOD Cup this week? Find the mobile coffee purveyors at Brookhaven today (Wednesday) from 9 am to noon, Hampton Green on Thursday from 10 am to 1 pm, and Friday in Providence Hills from 8 am to 11 am.

Morning Minute: June 8, 2020

News About Town: Hundreds of people gathered on the Town Green to share a message of solidarity against racism in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death. A number of town leaders spoke, including Pastor and Councilman Larry Whitley, Mayor John Higdon, and Police Chief Clark Pennington. Former Butler student Camille Harvell and Matthews resident Connie Green-Johnson delivered powerful messages of accountability. The afternoon ended with prayers for peace, healing, and change.

One Good Thing: Staycations in cluttered closets and overflowing attics were clearly the hot quarantine activities because the HELP Center has been inundated with donations. To better handle those donations, Backporch Treasures will only accept donations Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 10 am to 3 pm.

Morning Minute: Friday, June 5, 2020

News Around Town: So far there have been more than 580 protests over the murder of George Floyd, with at least one in each of the contiguous US states. This Sunday, June 7 at 3 pm, Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist, Matthews United Methodist, and Matthews Presbyterian are collaboratively hosting a positive protest at Town Hall (232 Matthews Station St). The event will include speakers and prayer, as well as an opportunity for community members to unify in an anti-racist movement. Wear a mask, prepare to social distance.

News About Town: Assuming you’re having donuts for breakfast, plan for pancakes tomorrow. Stacks Kitchen (11100 Monroe Rd) has reopened and is ready to serve dine-in or take out. Hours are 6 am to 3 pm daily.

Morning Minute: Thursday, June 4, 2020

News About Town: The Board of Commissioners meeting agenda is available online. Once again, the meeting will be conducted remotely. To watch live, the meeting is available via Zoom (link here, meeting starts at 7 pm, Monday, June 8). A livestream of the meeting will also be available via the Town of Matthews YouTube Channel. To listen live, call toll free 888-788-0099 and enter meeting ID 945 0219 7625. For more information, including the process for public comment, visit the town website.

One Good Thing: Tomorrow is National Donut Day. On this sugar-soaked holiday, Your Mom’s Donuts is donating proceeds from donut sales to Sanctuary in the City, a Charlotte nonprofit dedicated to healing and uplifting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

Morning Minute: Tuesday, June 2, 2020

News About Town: Matthews Police Chief Clark Pennington issued a statement yesterday about the police brutality and killing of George Floyd. Read his thoughts and learn more about the department’s approach using empathetic law enforcement.

One Fun Thing: Join Matthews Playhouse for virtual bingo Friday, June 12 at 7:30 pm. With a suggested donation of $10, funds will provide vital COVID relief for our community theater.