Mint Hill police officer biking 500 miles for fallen officers

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Derek Lacey
Riders in the 2012 Law Enforcement Bicycle Ride to D.C. leave Charlotte headed for Washington D.C. PHOTO COURTESY RON HORTON

Riders in the 2012 Law Enforcement Bicycle Ride to D.C. leave Charlotte headed for Washington D.C. PHOTO COURTESY RON HORTON

by Derek Lacey / Staff Writer

This May, more than 100 area police officers will travel 500 miles to Washington D.C. to visit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial–on bicycles.

The Law Enforcement Bicycle Ride to D.C. 2013 will feature area law enforcement officers riding all the way to our nation’s capital via bicycle, to honor and remember those officers that gave their life in the line of duty.

Riders will reach Washington D.C. just in time to kick off Police Week at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, the nation’s monument to all law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty. Two 304-foot-long walls are carved with the names of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers-more than 19,000-who have been killed throughout U.S. history, dating back to 1791, the first known death. New names are aded each spring, in conjunction with National Police Week, which is May 12–18 this year.

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Queen’s Grant, Mint Hill Police 5K benefits fallen officers

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Derek Lacey

by Derek Lacey / Staff Writer

May 12 marks the start of National Police Week, a week to remember what police officers do for our communities, and to remember those officers that gave their lives in that service.

Queen’s Grant High School and Mint Hill Police Department are putting together the Soles to Remember 5K race, May 18, to benefit the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial is the nation’s monument to all law enforcement officers have died in the line of duty. Two 304-foot-long walls are carved with the names of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers-more than 19,000-who have been killed throughout U.S. history, dating back to 1791, the first known death.

The run is being sponsored by Mint Hill Police Department and the Community Connections Club at Queen’s Grant, which in the past, under the leadership of founder Melanie Moore, has been involved in raising money for Special Olympics, Project Unify, and serving food to the homeless.

“The Community Connections Club is a way for students to get plugged into the community and do community service,” said Robyn Marlin, of Queen’s Grant. “We’re always looking for ways for the club to volunteer.”

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Independence students live and learn in England

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Derek Lacey
Independence in England

Independence students ready for their trip to England. PHOTO COURTESY JEFF JONES

by Derek Lacey / Staff Writer

This spring break, a group of Independence High School students made the trip across the Atlantic, to England, as part of the exchange program at the school.

Students traveled to Worcestershire, England, to stay with the families of exchange students they hosted in October 2012.

The exchange program allows students to broaden their horizons and meet people from around the world.

“This exchange facilitates growth for the students on a multitude of levels,” said Katie Willett, social sciences teacher and chaperone for the trip. “It provides students an opportunity to meet a person from a different country and to explore it with all its successes and failures from a native.”

Indy students Lauren Burrows, Kathia Toledo, Terhass Yosief, Connor Owens, Tanner Barnett, Keven Gomez, Josh Cobb, Crystal Conde went on the trip, where they are attending Kingsley College and visiting local historical and cultural sites.

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Mint Hill commissioners discuss resolution, demolition ordinance, graffiti

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Derek Lacey

 

by Derek Lacey / Staff Writer

Rescinding a demolition ordinance, accepting a resolution, and graffiti took center stage at the Mint Hill Board of Commissioners March 28 meeting.

The agenda was short, and the meeting went quickly, as Mayor Ted Biggers was absent, mayor pro tem Lloyd Austin officiated the meeting.

After approving minutes of the March 14, 2013 regular meeting and accepting the treasurer’s report, commissioner Tina Ross opened discussion about the Democratic Government Resolution, saying that in the future, Mint Hill would be better served to be involved in the processes of this type of declaration sooner. The resolution was adopted.

The resolution states the primary functions of state and local governments in terms of services provided to citizens, the state’s being mainly to fund roadways and education, while municipalities responsibilities include mainly police, fire, water, and sewer management.

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Walking by Faith Church purchases land for new church

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Derek Lacey

by Derek Lacey / Staff Writer

Walking by Faith Ministry Church has purchased property for a new church, and work is beginning to build a church of their own.

The congregation presently meets for Sunday services in the chapel of Albemarle Road Presbyterian Church, but at the end of April, will move to Crown Point Elementary School in Matthews, holding their first service there on May 5. The move is an effort to be closer to the community they serve, and the community where their new church building will be.

Church members will be canvassing the neighborhood and sending out postcards prior to that first Sunday service at Crown Point.

The church was established in 2004, and today consists of around 80 members, led by Pastor Alvin Denson, retired Army and director of ROTC at Mallard Creek.

The 5.5-acre lot purchased by the church is at the corner of Sam Newell and Rice roads in Mint Hill, and was bought at foreclosure for $42,000, while market price estimates closer to $300,000, according to Larry Miller, vice president and business manager, as well as deacon for the church.

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Spring (gardening) is in the air

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Derek Lacey

Garden

It’s official. As of Wednesday, March 20, spring has arrived. That means enjoying the warm weather by getting outside and starting a new garden or changing up the landscape around the house.

And if you’re a beginner, a veteran, or just trying to supplement your grocery bill by growing your tomatoes and squash in your backyard, here are some tips and ideas to keep in mind when shrugging off that winter dreariness.

Bob Prophit, general manager at King’s Greenhouse in Stallings, offers up his expertise for people wanting to get growing this spring.

Getting a garden going has no shortage of benefits, and these days people get started for a number of reasons.

Sustainability, fresh produce, and stress release are all on that list, and even general health is a consideration.

“Gardening is good for you,” said Prophit. “Just in general, especially if you work in an office all the time. I mean, that’s a release, you get to go out and work. It’s healthy, you’re not sitting around, most gardeners are just happy; they’re doing something.”

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Farmer’s market takes fresh look at helping local farmers and missions

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Derek Lacey
Founders Leconte Lee and Nick Knock sell produce at the first go-go fresco, a weekly “pop-up” farmer’s market, designed to benefit local farmers and nonprofit missions. PHOTO BY DEREK LACEY

Founders Leconte Lee and Nick Knock sell produce at the first go-go fresco, a weekly “pop-up” farmer’s market, designed to benefit local farmers and nonprofit missions. PHOTO BY DEREK LACEY

A new, Mint Hill-based farmer’s market is bringing a fresh way to support local farmers and local nonprofits to the Charlotte area.

Founders Nick Knock and Leconte Lee combined their passions of health and public service to create go-go fresco, a new kind of farmer’s market.

Go-go fresco brings fresh produce from local farms like Barbee Farms and The Farm at Dover Vineyards to sell at different locations around Charlotte, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting local nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity and Charlotte Rescue Mission.

The idea came to Knock as he was riding his bike to the coffee shop one day, and from there it snowballed into a new take on both charity and produce.

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Board makes big Madness change official

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Derek Lacey
Dalton Taylor updates the Mint Hill Board of Commissioners on the status of Mint Hill Madness. PHOTO BY DEREK LACEY

Dalton Taylor updates the Mint Hill Board of Commissioners on the status of Mint Hill Madness. PHOTO BY DEREK LACEY

The future of Mint Hill Madness took center stage again at the Mint Hill Town Board of Commissioners meeting Thursday, March 14. It is official, there will be no Mint Hill Madness in 2013.

Dalton Taylor, a member of the organization formed to head Mint Hill Madness after the Chamber of Commerce gave up management of the annual festival, presented the latest updates on Madness, and asked the Board to approve a landmark date change.

The Board voted to approve the date change, from the regular date in September, to Memorial Day 2014.

Time was the driving factor to move Madness from September 2013 to May 26, 2014. The change in leadership took up critical money-raising and planning time, and to keep the September date, the town would have had to cover the cost itself.

“I realize this year, we are behind the power curve so to speak, in getting things done in a timely fashion to make the festival a success this fall. I wish it was different,” said Mayor Ted Biggers.

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Residents hear from developers on proposed shopping center

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Derek Lacey
Scott MacLaren, of the Stiles Corporation, explains aspects of the proposed development along Matthews-Mint Hill Road. PHOTO BY DEREK LACEY

Scott MacLaren, of the Stiles Corporation, explains aspects of the proposed development along Matthews-Mint Hill Road. PHOTO BY DEREK LACEY

by Derek Lacey / Staff Writer

Mint Hill residents gathered at the public library on Wednesday to hear a presentation by developers of a proposed shopping complex on Matthews-Mint Hill Road.

The property is a 56-acre lot, with only the front 15 acres being developed for use.

The proposed development is a community shopping center, with a large anchor grocery store and smaller retail outlets, enclosing a parking lot in the center.

Along Matthews-Mint Hill Road, the smaller retail spaces will be built alongside a small park, with walkways, seating, and vegetation.

The presentation was given by Scott MacLaren, senior vice president of real estate investments at Stiles Corporation, who presented details about the project, and Chris Isaacs, president of the Isaacs Group, who answered questions regarding zoning and town requirements.

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Bain students have breakfast for lunch to promote healthier nutrition

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Derek Lacey

by Derek Lacey / Staff Writer

Sausage, eggs, French toast, grits, and hot apples were all on the lunch menu last Wednesday at Bain Elementary, part of National School Breakfast Week.

National School Breakfast Week, March 4–8, is an initiative created by non-profit group School Nutrition Association and Kellogg’s Foodservice, first launched in 1989 to raise awareness about the School Breakfast Program and the importance of eating a healthy breakfast.

Studies by the Food Research and Action Center show that eating breakfast increases student’s math and reading scores and improves cognitive speed and memory.

At Bain, Kindergarten through second grade students wore pajamas to school, and third to fifth graders wore nightcaps and robes over their clothes, all to promote breakfast.

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Students help turn T-shirts into new school for needy

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Derek Lacey


by Derek Lacey / Staff Writer

T-shirts can send a powerful message, whether it’s voting, working to cure cancer, or in the case of Rocky River High School students, helping to build a school in South Sudan.

Students participated in a painting party hosted by the Rocky River Optimist Club, InterClub, and Any1Can, a project by Charlotte-based non-profit Mothering Across Continents, that focuses on T-shirts.

Students discuss global issues in class, then, at the painting party, students choose one of seven causes and paints a T-shirt about that cause.

The shirts will be shown at Washington D.C. to do a program at the end of April, just after an exhibition at Sensoria, Central Piedmont Community College’s annual arts festival.

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First-ever Mint Hill Chamber Business Expo March 14

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Derek Lacey

This Thursday, the first Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce Business Expo will bring together consumers and businesses in Mint Hill in one place.

Free to attend, the expo will be held from 4—8 pm at Blair Road United Methodist Church Family Life Center.

Businesses and consumers will have the chance to get acquainted with local business leaders, and learn what types of businesses operate within the Mint Hill community, especially businesses that the regular consumer may not encounter on a regular basis.

“There’s really two directions with this, it’s to generate opportunities for businesses to network with consumers within this area,” said Boyd Davis, with the Chamber of Commerce. “Also, it gives our businesses an opportunity to network with other businesses that they’re not familiar with.”

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Have you ever smelled history? Queen’s Grant takes annual trip to nation’s capital

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Derek Lacey

What’s the difference between reading about history in a text book and actually observing it in person? A Queen’s Grant Community School student answered that question by saying: the smell. Eighth-grade students traveled to Washington, D.C. to learn, explore, and reflect on some historic moments in time.

In February, students spent three days touring our nation’s capital keeping a full itinerary to make sure they took advantage of as many educational opportunities as possible. The students toured the White House, laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider, visited the Holocaust Museum, Capitol Building, National Cathedral, Mount Vernon, and the Smithsonian—just to name a few educational activities.

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