MMHM Jan 2008

Matthews Mint HillMAGAZINEJANUARY/FEBUARY 2008 • VolUME 3/IssUE 1 • Also sERVING WEddINGtoN, INdIAN tRAIl ANd stAllINGs

A NEW APPROACH TO LEARNINGCharter schools offer an option

Men’s High School Basketball Overview

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2008

COMMUNITY (10) Charter Schools

see why more parents and students are choosing a different path.

(16) Word on the StreetRomance is in the air! This issue we have some sweetheart stories

from local residents.

(18) BasketballSee how area varsity

men’s teams stack up.MIND/BODY/SPIRIT

(24) Aging with GraceGrowing older is inevitable – the challenge is doing it with dignity.

BUSINESS

(30) Mission: PossibleSet goals for your business and

your life – and reach them – with these strategies.

LEISURE

(36) SantéThis family-run restaurant is a great

choice for a romantic dinner.(42) Happenings

Events about town, from the Blumenthal to downtown Matthews and Mint Hill.

(44) Another Man’s TreasureArea consignment shops offer everything

from baby gear to designer furniture.

HOMESTYLES

(48) Inside JobWe have some great ideas for

winter indoor projects.

On the cover: Sarah Payne, Jeremy Abig and Jaida Castro are

kindergartners at Socrates Academy. Photo courtesy of Socrates Academy.

Contents(10)

(18)

(44)

(36)

6 Matthews Mint Hill Magazine ) JANUARY / FEBUARY 2008

Happy New Year!

I am thankful to commemorate the second anniversary of Matthews Mint Hill Magazine. It seems just like yesterday that I decided to venture out into the unfamiliar world of publishing. It has been one of the best experiences and life lessons I have ever had. I am truly blessed to have had an idea, make a plan, act on it, and then see it grow into what it is today.

Now – more than ever – I am excited about the core group of people that make up the magazine staff. It has been a long hard road to find the right people for the roles that make this magazine work. Most business owners will identify with how important it is to put together the right team.

Thanks need to go to Sean, Liz, and Somiah for the graphic design; especially to Somiah for her hard work and dedication in taking us to the next level. Now, we have our latest addition, Art Director Sandy Pawlowski. I have high hopes that she will take the look and layout of our magazine even further.

Cyndi Conrow has been a stabilizing force over this past year; she’s helped make our editorial the best it can be. She works tirelessly to ensure top quality, and she is a pleasure to have on our team.

Kim Thomas is our Director of Advertising Sales. Kim is an experienced and talented professional who came to us after spending years at The Charlotte Observer. She’s well on her way to establishing the client relationships that make it possible to do what we do.

Publisher’s WordWriters like Sharon Mason, Rich Lange, Jenn

Thompson, Jane Duckwall, and our many other contributors have gone into our community and brought back stories that hopefully have informed, engaged, and entertained you.

Last, but definitely not least, is my wife Abby Whitehurst. Over the past year, she has taken on the huge job of General Manager in charge of making sure we get this magazine to the readers on time and with the quality you deserve.

I hope the next two years aren’t as hectic as our first two, but just as rewarding. Here’s to you and yours this new year.

Todd WhitehurstPublisher

GROUP PHOTO

TO BE TAKEN FRIDAY

7www.matthewsminthill.com

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Add Your Business!(704) 661-6950

Distribution LocationsVolume 3, Issue 1 • January/Febuary 2008www.MatthewsMintHill.com(704) 846-0477, office • (704) 943-1506, fax

PUBLISHERTODD [email protected]

CONTRIBUTING EDITORCYNTHIA CONROW

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSJANE DUCKWALLRICH LANGESHARON MASONJENN THOMPSONDONNA WILLIAMS VANCECHUCK MOBLEY

GRAPHIC DESIGNSANDY PAWLOWSKI

PHOTOGRAPHYSHARON MASONABBY WHITEHURSTTODD WHITEHURSTSANDY PAWLOWSKI

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING SALESKIM THOMAS

PRESIDENTTODD [email protected]

GENERAL MANAGERABBY [email protected]

ADVERTISING SALESTODD [email protected], (704) 651-5020

DISTRIBUTIONMICHAEL WHITEHURST

MattHEWs-Mint HiLL MaGaZinE is published by Carolina Media Publishing, LLC.

325 Matthews Mint Hill Road, Matthews, NC 28105(704) 846-0477, office • (704) 943-1506, fax

This publication copyright 2007 by Carolina Media Publishing, LLC. No part of this publication may be produced, in any form or by any means, without prior written permission of Carolina Media Publishing.

MattHEWs-Mint HiLL MaGaZinE cannot be held responsible for any unsolicited material.

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CharterThree area schools offer an attractive alternative to traditional public or private schools – here’s a look at Socrates Academy, Union Academy and Queen’s Grant Community SchoolBy Jane B. Duckwall

Schools10 Matthews Mint Hill Magazine ) JANUARY 2008 / FEBUARY 2008

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COMMUNITY

MARLA KILLION WAS growing concerned about the number of mobile class-rooms at Sardis Elementary

School when a friend told her of plans for a charter school in Union County.

She started weighing the pros and cons, unknown school versus known school. Although she’d had no problems with Sardis, where her three children were enrolled, she’d seen the number of kindergarten classes increase substantially in the span of a few years and knew the large subdivision under construction nearby would strain the school even further.

“I did a lot of debating,” she recalled, referring to the choices she faced eight years ago. “Do you wait until it gets underway and make sure it will be successful? Do you make this leap of faith, and hope it’s going to work out?”

At an information session about the proposed charter school, she met Principal Ken Templeton and members of the charter school’s board. Their vision for the new school won Killion over, so her leap of faith didn’t need to be far.

She signed her children up: The oldest would start as a third grader, her twins as first graders. Killion has never regretted the decision.

Hundreds of others with similar stories to tell have contributed to the growing enrollment – and lengthy waiting lists – at each of the area’s three established charter schools.

Enrollment is growing as are

waiting lists at the three area

charter schools.

SoCRATeS ACAdeMy, MATTHeWSThe newest of the three, Socrates Academy, opened in 2005 with kindergarten and first grade. It has grown a grade a year, and in the 2009-2010 school year will add a fifth grade and reach its capacity of 360 students – or scholars, as they are called at the academy. Principal Janis Dellinger-Holton said the school’s board is considering submitting an amendment to its charter to add sixth, seventh and eighth grades.

The school was the brainchild of several Greek community leaders whose vision included teaching Greek to all students, using the Socratic method, and following both the North Carolina Standard Course of Study and the National Greek Curriculum Standards.

Current students come from Union, Mecklenburg, Gaston and Cleveland counties. Parent volunteers can help arrange carpools on request. Parents provide the daily transportation for students to and from school but the idea of acquiring a bus at some point has been discussed.

Each Socrates family is expected to volunteer 36 hours a year to the school, and visitors are likely to see parents at nearly every turn. One of those parents may be Athanasia Smith, a native of Greece and a frequent volunteer.

Smith likes the education her 7-year-old triplet sons are getting at Socrates – including their exposure to her native language and culture. She also likes the academy’s use of the Socratic method, which teaches lessons through the use of guided questions “so they are encouraged


What is a charter school?The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools defines charter schools as “tuition-free public schools created on the basis of an agreement or ‘charter’ between the school and the community, which gives the charter school a measure of expanded freedom relative to traditional public schools in return for a commitment to meet higher standards of accountability.”

Charter school students are not bound by county lines, but must stay in their home state. The schools receive public funding for operational expenses, including salaries, but no funding for facilities. This money must be raised independently through donations or fundraisers.

The North Carolina Education Alliance reports the state has 98 charter schools, serving more than 21,000 students – an average of about 214 students per school.

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to learn by using analytical and critical skills,” she said.

Socrates offers before- and after-school programs and enrichment activities are available for an additional charge.

The application process for Socrates Academy

closes Jan. 31, and the lottery selection for new

students will be Feb.5. Open houses are planned

from 9 a.m. to noon on Jan. 9 and 17 and from 5 to

8 p.m. on Jan. 10 and 16. For more information, visit

the school’s website at www.SocratesAcademy.us

QueeN’S GRANT CoMMuNITy SCHool, MINT HIllQueen’s Grant Community School, which offers kindergarten through eighth grade, opened in 2002 after some area parents agreed they wanted an additional option for schooling. After getting its charter, the founding board started looking for an organization to manage the school. National Heritage Academies (NHA),

based in Michigan, was the best match for the founders’ vision, Principal Christy Morrin said. NHA manages the school’s state and federal reporting, addresses compliance issues, supplies the curriculum, and oversees staff development. Using an outside organization to manage the school sets Queen’s Grant apart from other area charter schools, which are managed by their boards.

The school currently has 718 students from Cabarrus, Union and Mecklenburg counties, with more than 1,000 on the waiting list. A parent ambassador helps coordinate carpool arrangements; Transportation is not provided.

In kindergarten, classes are limited to 20 students. First through eighth grades have classes with up to 27 students. The school has no teaching assistants, but “we have a lot of parent volunteers, a lot of assistance,” Morrin said.

Each family is expected to volunteer a total 20 hours at the school, which helps

fill gaps and adds to the school’s sense of community.

“We stay full,” Morrin said, adding that there’s a waiting list at every grade level.

Tya Jones, whose three children attend Queen’s Grant, likes the sense of community at the school, which reminds her of her own childhood in an Indiana farming community where “everyone knew each other, and everyone knew each other’s parents.”

She also likes the school’s moral focus, concentrating on a different virtue every month, and the regular assemblies where students recite the school creed and the pledge of allegiance, and sing a patriotic song. They also make it a point to give back to the community. For example, the school’s November food drive for needy families filled 96 bags with food and grocery store gift cards.

Families raised more than $76,000 this year in the school’s fundraising campaign, which encouraged each student to raise

COMMUNITY

Matthews Mint Hill Magazine ) JANUARY / FEBUARY 200812

Socrates Academy opened a new building in Matthews this school year.

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$100 by collecting donations or earning the money from family and friends. Much of the money was matched by employers. The funds will be for various expenses, such as library purchases, athletics, art supplies, and the school’s performing arts programs.

The middle school sports teams contribute to the school’s community and sense of pride. Students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades can try out for the school’s baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball teams. The teams play against other charter schools, private schools and Weddington Middle School and Porter Ridge Middle School in Union County.

Morrin said the school now has grown to include ninth and tenth grade at a separate location. Queen’s Grant Preparatory High School operates out of space rented from Garr Christian Academy, 7700 Wallace Rd. in Charlotte. The high school, which has 105 students, is headed by former Queen’s Grant Community School teacher Bob Thomas. \The last day for open enrollment at Queen’s Grant is Feb. 28. The lottery is March 24. For more information, visit www.QueensGrantCommunitySchool.org

uNIoN ACAdeMy, MoNRoeThe only charter school in Union County, Union Academy is also the area’s oldest. It

Socrates Academy teacher Shea Short with student Luke Butler.

is a year-round school founded in 2000, the brainchild of Union County residents Tim and Maureen Laniak, who began developing the idea in 1998.

Its program is centered on what Principal Ken Templeton calls the three C’s: Challenging academics; character development; and community service and involvement. Templeton, who’s been principal or headmaster at Charlotte Latin, Gaston Day, and American schools in Iran and Colombia, said that another goal of the school is to draw on the diversity of the county. He pointed out that he considers most of Union County’s schools “not very diverse in population,” being either overwhelmingly white or minority, either affluent or disadvantaged. He considers Union Academy a more diverse mix, with approximately 84 percent white and 11 percent African American, with the balance split between Latino and mixed-race students.

When it opened, the school served kindergarten through fourth grade. It has added a grade every year, and will graduate

its first class in 2009. It is split into two campuses: About 400 Kindergarten through fourth grade students are at the lower school campus, 3828 Old Charlotte Hwy. in Monroe. Some 500 middle and high school students in grades five through 12 are on the upper school campus, 675 North M.L. King Jr. Blvd. in Monroe. Combined, the school’s total enrollment is approximately 900 students, who come from Union and neighboring counties.

Class size at Union Academy

The average class size for the

elementary school is 20 to 23

students, but there are full-

time assistants in kindergarten

through second grade classes.

In grades three and four, the class size is about the same and each grade shares three

assistants between four classrooms. Most of the middle school and high school classes have about 20 students, with some as few as 15.

The school has rigorous standards for academics and earned a “School of Excellence” label its third year for test results. But Templeton is quick to point out that “we do not teach to the test, that is something we try not to do.”

Sports offerings for middle and high school students include baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, softball and soccer. Next year, swimming, football and wrestling will be added. Opponents include smaller Union County public schools as well as other charter and private schools.

As part of its community service focus, the school arranges for students in all grades to participate monthly in off-campus service projects. The school has partnerships with several organizations, including the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity and Winchester Children’s Center. A recent auction raised more than $200,000 for

Matthews Mint Hill Magazine ) JANUARY / FEBUARY 200814

Students at Queen’s Grant Middle School in Mint Hill prepare for a classroom debate.

cOMMUNITY

Queens’ Grant Community School has kindergarten through eighth grade at its main campus. High school students attend classes in a rented space until the new

site opens later this year.

charity and for the school’s expansion projects, including a new media center.

It requires every family to volunteer at the school 60 hours a year, a requirement that Templeton is very strict about – even if it means ejecting a student from school because of familial noncompliance.

Marla Killian, the school’s family volunteer coordinator, is a little more flexible, explaining that “we do make allowances and do give probationary periods… But the bottom line is, if you’re a family refusing to be involved, then you’re not going to stay.”

And with a long waiting list, the school can well afford to draw the line. MMHM

Union Academy will hold information sessions on Feb. 24 at 3 p.m., March 2 at 3 p.m. and March 3 at 7 p.m. The lottery will be on April 13 at 3 p.m. Families must attend an information session to be eligible for the lottery. Find out more about Union Academy at www.UnionAcademy.org

The Details:Area Charter SchoolsUnion AcademyThe lower school campus 3828 Old Charlotte Hwy. in Monroe.

The middle and high school is at675 North M.L. King Jr. Blvd. in Monroe. Check the school’s Web site for more info: www.UnionAcademy.org

Socrates Academy 3909 Weddington Rd. in Matthews. Find out more about the school at www.SocratesAcademy.us.

Queens Grant Community School has kindergarten through eighth grade offered at 6400 Matthews-Mint Hill Road.

Queens Grant Preparatory High School is renting space at Garr Christian Academy, 7700 Wallace Road in Charlotte, but has plans to open at a new Mint Hill site in 2008. Information is available at www.QueensGrantCommunitySchool.org.


What is the most romantic thing you have done for someone or that someone has done for you?By Abby Whitehurst

Word on the Street

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Hendrick Lexus“My husband gave me my engagement ring in a Cracker Jack box, I was just eating away and found the ring and said “Oh! It’s a ring!” _Peggy Iverson, sales consultant

A Access Lock and Key“He writes me notes of encouragement every day.” _Demetra Tsikles

APG “My husband had a surprise 40th birthday party and box tickets to

the Police concert” _Maria Romeo, Office Manager


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Foot Solutions“My first romantic time with my current husband was when I received my engagement ring. It was on the steps of the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Indianapolis at night. After 43 years of marriage our most romantic times have been having quiet candle lit dinners at unusual places. We have seen many sunsets walking hand - in - hand on the beach and we enjoy sitting in front of our fireplace at home.” _ Carol Stebbins, sales associate

Jimmie’s SweetsManager Cindy Hudson’s husband was driving from W. Virginia to Matthews every week. One week, his car broke down and he called to say he wouldn’t make it. The couple said goodbye and hung up. He surprised her by renting a car and coming to visit, which he did every weekend until his car was fixed.

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High SchoolHOOPS

Sports rivalries run strong and deep all year long in the Matthews-Mint Hill areaBy Rich Lange

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LOCAL SCHOOLS GET A LOTof attention on the state – and even the national – level for their football programs. But as the state

football championships wrap up, it’s time once again for high school hoops – and in our area, rivalries carry over from the gridiron to the hardwood.The Southwestern 4A athletic conference

includes Ardrey Kell, Butler, East Mecklenburg, Independence, Myers Park, Providence, South Mecklenburg, and Weddington high schools. This season opened with a number of non-conference games, then moved on to the holiday tournament. Now the schools are well into their conference schedules, with mid-February’s conference tournament in sight. From there, teams can be selected into a 64-team post-season tournament that determines the state champion.

Last season, East Mecklenburg and Myers Park were the only schools that could claim winning conference records. This season, Matthews and Mint Hill area teams seem ready to challenge themselves to perform

their best, and challenge their opponents come game time.BUTLER HIGH SCHOOLBulldogs anticipate strong season asdefending conference champs

Butler rolls into this season as defending champions of the 2007 Southwestern 4A Conference Tournament. Last season’s Bulldogs entered the tournament with a record that showed more losses than wins, but they triumphed in the end with a 66-64 win over Weddington. DeMontez Stitt racked up an impressive list of honors last year: he was named First-Team All Area by the Charlotte Observer, co-Player of the Year in Mecklenburg County, and 2007’s Mr. Basketball in North Carolina. Stitt’s graduated and now plays for Clemson,

but he left the leadership role in the hands of senior guard Josh Humphrey. Humphrey looks to be ready. Coming off a junior year in which he was a key contributor to the Bulldog’s tournament success, Humphrey is expected to be the team’s leading scorer this season. He started this year with a game-high 28 points versus Mallard Creek, and Coach Kurt Wessler will be looking for more games like that from Humphrey as the season wears on. With help from

fellow senior Jordan Springer, junior A. J. Evans, and the rest of the squad, Humphrey and the Bulldogs look to challenge East Mecklenburg in the conference race.INDEPENDENCE HIGH SCHOOLPatriots, new coach face a tough road ahead

With the football Patriots usually playing on into December as a participant in the state championship tournament, it is difficult for


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Freshman Anthony Stitt is a guard on the Butler varsity team.

Connect with local high school basketball booster clubs

Butler High School www.butlerathleticboosters.com

Independence High School www.bigIsports.com

Providence High Schoolwww.pages.cms.k12.nc.us/providence/athboosters.html

Weddington High School www.wdhs.ucps.k12.nc.us/php/booster_clubs.php

the basketball team to get much attention for the first few weeks of the season. Longtime Independence basketball head coach Tony Huggins left the program after last year, and first-season coach Richard Spasoff finds himself starting this year with a depleted squad, and in search of leadership and scoring. Last season’s bright spot – senior guard Chad Tomko – is now sharing minutes at guard on the UNC- Wilmington Seahawks roster. The 2006/07 season ended with a losing record for the Patriots, and the roster of tough opponents ahead doesn’t offer much hope for anything different from this year’s squad.PROVIDENCE HIGH SCHOOLPanthers gaining momentum with experienced players and head coach

The Providence Panthers hope to continue the successful run they’ve had the past four seasons under Coach Myron Lowery. Since Lowery’s arrival at Providence for the 2003/04 season, the basketball team has enjoyed unprecedented success. They won the conference tournament in 2005 and made it to the Sweet 16 in the state playoffs in 2006.

Providence players Thomas Berlacher and Lamar Bradbury look to be standouts this season. Berlacher scored 40 points, and had 11 rebounds and six assists in the 86-51 early season win over Waddell. Berlacher is a team captain, and has been a starter since his sophomore year. He made the all-confer-ence team last season. “Thomas Berlacher is a great kid,” brags Coach Lowery. “He has great basketball skills, is an outstanding leader on and off the court, and maintains a 4.5 GPA,” adds Lowery. The coach believes that Berlacher can reach the 1,000 points milestone this season.

Lamar Bradbury is another all-conference player from last season on the Providence squad. “Lamar is another great kid. He works extremely hard, and it shows on the court and in the classroom. Lamar earned a 3.75GPA last quarter, and he holds the

school record for most consecutive shots with out a miss in a game – 12 for 12,” says Coach Lowery.

Coach Lowery says that the best part of his job is working with

the kids. “I love my job, I love practice, and I

love the kids. The ball games are the gravy.” Lowery says that the goals for this sea-son are to take one game at a time, and to show outstand-

ing sportsmanship. “Making the playoffs

is great, but we focus on winning tonight’s game, and

then the next game. Conduct and sportsmanship are important to me and my team. On the floor, in the community, and in the classroom. I haven’t had a technical foul in eight years,” says Lowery.WEDDINGTON HIGH SCHOOLIt’s a whole new ballgame for the WarriorsCoach Gary Ellington leads his team into a unique situation this season. With the

The Butler High School varsity men, including Griffin Pittman, Josh Prince, A.J. Evans and Victor Hampton, are defending their conference champion title this season.

LEISURE


Want to go?Basketball games are played on a variety of nights during the week, and tickets are cheap – around $5 each. Volunteer opportunities are available through each school’s athletic booster club organization.


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opening of Marvin Ridge High School, several former Weddington student athletes are now attending Marvin Ridge. That means the team that went to the conference championship game last year is no more. A brand new team is in place made up mostly of students new to Weddington High School. And, it means playing against some very familiar faces at Marvin Ridge. “Our guys see some of our players from last year on their roster. Both teams are competitive,

and it makes for a fun rivalry,” says Coach Ellington.

It will be a challenging first year for Ellington as Weddington’s head coach. Only three players are returning from last year’s team, and the team roster lists just one player taller than 6’3”. Last season’s standout player Corey Rase is the lone starter returning to the roster. Rase is a senior guard, and was the leading scorer on last year’s team. He has the reputation as being a great shooter, and no doubt the team will rely on his scoring ability and leadership throughout the season. MMHM

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COMMUNITY



AWith maturity comes wisdom, insight and the

realization of God’s plan for a “better me.”By Linda Bondy

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Aging Gracefully


MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT

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ging gracefully. What an idea. There has always been a certain appeal to the thought that I might someday be a gracious grandmother figure who

is respected and admired by family and friends. This imaginary mature woman is cheerful, kind, patient, loving, and above all, wise. There are no aching limbs, no lack of energy, forgetfulness, poor health, or discouragement.

I’ve always been competent. It’s how I’ve made my world work. Any problem attacked with enough energy and intelligence can be solved, right?

In my 20s and 30s that seemed to be the case. I was successful in college and graduate school. I married the man of my dreams. I had a career until I decided to become a stay-at-home mom. We had five beautiful, bright, (mostly) well-behaved children and everything was right with the world.

In my early 40s, things began to change. My older children reached rough patches in their teenage years. My husband left the safe, financially secure, corporate world to begin a new career. My mother died. My husband and I felt that there was something missing in our

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marriage. All of these are fairly common life events, but they all conspired to rob me of the serene complacency of my youth.

Physical changes began. Restful sleep became more elusive, my energy level varied widely, my ability to accomplish tasks diminished, my memory dulled, my eyes refused to focus on normal-sized print, and a few gray hairs appeared. The competent, energetic, can-do person I had always been no longer returned my gaze in the mirror.

My initial reaction to these changes was disappointment and frustration. If I couldn’t do the things I’d always been good at, what was I worth to others or myself? But God, in His graciousness, had another, different mes-sage for me. As I became less confident and competent, God sent messages telling me that I was becoming softer, kinder, less demand-ing, and easier to be around. My husband, my children, and my friends delivered these messages. As I started to recognize the theme behind God’s messages

He has sent me difficult life situations to show me that I need Him, and that I need other people. I only recently began to take that to heart.

So what does that look like? For the uptight, together, organized, competent me, it translates to taking myself less seriously. Laughing at mistakes. Demanding less of myself and of my family in the way of performance, and knowing that the performance standards I once used to measure my worth were artificial constructs designed by me.

Here’s a simple example of how I find myself trying to cope with new limitations: After a recent church service, someone I had known for several years greeted me. She and I are not close friends, but we’ve been in the same Sunday school class and know at least a little bit of each other’s stories. As she

asked me about my kids I realized I couldn’t remember her name. I remembered her story and could even picture her husband’s face in my mind. But I didn’t have a clue about her name. I finally gave up and relaxed. I didn’t need to call her by name – I just tried to be present to her in the moment.

Do I like it when I can’t remember someone’s name, or when I start a sentence and then forget the idea I wanted to communicate? No. Do I enjoy being tired during the day after a night of restlessness? No. Am I comfortable that my body is experiencing many of the physical symptoms of menopause? No, no, no! But I am convinced that God is leading me through these events for His purposes. I am convinced that He has a better me in His mind’s eye. The road to maturity leads me along a path of aging. While I would love to have the muscles and stamina of a 25-year-old, I wouldn’t trade places with the person I was then. “Calm and settled” I was not, but I would like to think that you could begin to describe me that way now.

MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT


Author Linda Bondy and her horse Guinness.

“I realized God is trying to grow me into a different person.”


MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT


What do I hope for as I continue to age? I would like to resemble that wise, gracious, grandmother figure. I now know that becoming that person means hearing and eyesight will deteriorate, bones will lose density, and muscles won’t be as strong. But the opportunity for my character has never been greater.

Am I afraid? On some days, yes. I could develop Alzheimer’s disease like my mother. I could be widowed. I might have a child die. Aging might bring me painful health

problems. The operative words in those sentences are

“could” and “might.” What will happen is that God will be present in my world, inviting me to trust Him. I know that He changed me into the person I am now. I know that there is still so much more that I can become. I trust that he will continue to transform me. MMHM


Setting goals – and reaching them – may be easier than you think. Here’s how to define your vision, stay

motivated and avoid roadblocks

By Chuck Mobley

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Mission:

I HAVE LEARNED A FEW REMARKABLE things about goals. The first is that I don’t like the word. It’s generic. I prefer mission, vision or direction. A goal or dream is something we’d like to do; a mission and

Possible


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direction has conviction and we are headed toward a collision course with a brighter future. We are going somewhere we have never been!

How do we get to a place we’ve never been? We must do things we have never done. We have to learn new behaviors, new habits and activities – and they all must be driven by new attitudes. That’s the second thing I’ve learned.

Compelling missions, visions and directions shape behaviors. As we lock on to a great one, we act as if we’re possessed with the need to fulfill. We’re motivated by a strong passion for the mission; we work feverishly and excitedly and things happen. We’re driven by a deep internal motor that wants us to accomplish.The third thing I’ve noticed is that obstacles or roadblocks are the other side of the coin when it comes to of vision, mission and direction. There will always be something in our way. But, here is the thing: I have seen that there is an inverse correlation – a negative relationship – between the intensity of our mission and our obstacles” I think this is the key, the secret, the magic elixir! I’m sure, somewhere, this has previously been written, stated and preached. But, by gosh, I’m gonna do it again! The greater the mission, the more clear


the direction, and the less ominous the individual obstacles become!

THE MAILBOxI like analogies. People who know me have a name for the ones I frequently use: “my life “Chuck-isms.” So please indulge me here.

It’s like if you want the mail and you have a broken foot. It may seem a long way to the mailbox. It’s just the mail and it’s not a big deal. It’s just not worth it.

But imagine that you were expecting a $12.5 million check in the mail. It’s seed money for your new business plan. You had spoken with a venture capitalist who wanted to be a part of the vision for your new company. You knew that the $12.5 million check just might be in the mailbox, just 50 feet away. The postman has just placed several plain white envelopes into the otherwise unglamorous black metallic box.

I bet you find away to cover the 50 feet without even pausing to think about your foot.

THE LITMUS TESTI’m assuming you have goals of your own. Every day, at the end of the day, score your behavior and activity on a scale from one to 10. The score will measure your actions and how they relate to the direction and vision you have laid out for yourself. These activities should be measurable, quantifiable

and tailored to your unique abilities. If they are not, someone else should be doing them.1 = I have spent about 10% (or less) of my time

doing the activities and behaviors required for me to move toward the future I say I want. 10 = I have spent 100% of my time doing the

activities and behaviors that are required for me to move toward the future I want. Put this on your calendar every day as your daily score, and determine your weekly average. Do this for 30 days and come up with an average for the month. Read and understand the results.

AN AVERAGE OF zERO TO SEVEN means the vision you have is not compelling enough for you to do what needs to be done. It’s not for you. And, even if it is, you are not going to get there because you are not willing to do what it takes. The truth, although painful, will help if it is embraced. Find another vision.

AN AVERAGE OF EIGHT means you are on the right track! You may need to find someone who is compelled by the same mission and work together. Focus on each other’s true strengths and unique abilities. An average of nine or ten means you have got it

going on! You are a rising star and are fully engaged to your mission! MMHM


LEISURE

So, what’s your mission, and what direction are you headed?

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LEISURE


Business leaders from Matthews and Mint Hill gathered at Jimmie’s Restaurant for a holiday season networking breakfast last month. Pictured clockwise from top left are Rich Ferretti of Southern Winds Realty and dale luna of edwards Jones Investments; demetra Tsikles of A Access lock and Key, Andrew o’Gara of Keep up Appearances and Michele dotson of Independence High School; Andrew o’Gara and dale luna; and publisher Todd Whitehurst leading the holiday gift exchange.


SurprisingSanté

Loyal customers return to this charming restaurant known for its inspired menu, warm ambience and the best-kept secret in downtown Matthews: A romantic hidden patio By Jenn Thompson


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The most historic storefronts of d o w n t o w n Matthews

have been home to many family-owned businesses throughout the last century, and Adam Reed, executive chef and owner of Santé, is proud to continue that tradition with his own family.

Reed owns the cozy dining spot with his wife, Veronica, and on weekends the couple’s 11-year-old daughter Erin greets guests. “She is actually quite good at interacting with adults,” says Adam with a proud smile. Erin was only five when Adam and Veronica purchased the restaurant in 2001. “I had already been in place here as the executive chef for a few years,” says Adam, whose career in-

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cludes working in the kitch-ens of some of New York

City’s most renowned establishments like

The Russian Tea Room, Maxim’s, and René Pujol. “We changed the name, but we didn’t want

to change ev-erything. We just

wanted to elevate what it already was.”

The original menu was enhanced with new dishes,

but there were also old favorites that he knew would have to stay. “As soon as we bought the place, we started get-ting phone calls and people knocking on the doors and asking us not to take the honey mustard-glazed salmon filet off the menu,” remembers Adam.

Another perennial favorite is his braised red cabbage salad, served warm. “We always take it off the menu during

The Details165 N. Trade St(704) 845-1899

Open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tuesday through Friday

Dinner: 5:00 to 9 p.m. Tuesday - Friday

5 to 10 p.m.Friday and Saturday

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The “Santé”-name comes from the traditional French toast, “A votre santé” or “to your health.”

the summer and people are always sad to see it go.” The dish is so popular that it warrants an announcement when it returns to the menu. “I will usually send out an e-mail to our regulars to let them know that the cabbage is back!”

He also relishes the opportunity to surprise his diners with a special rack of lamb. “I only do it about once a month, but people ask almost every night to see if we have it. I like to keep it as a special thing.”

There’s plenty at Santé to make an evening special. The intimate interior features exposed brick walls, an antique tin ceiling and vintage-inspired chandeliers, all of which pay homage to the location’s history – the circa 1880 building has also been a barbershop and bathhouse, and has been on the National Register of Historic Places for more than a decade.

The restaurant can accommodate up to 50 guests, but the best seat in the house at Santé is one that most diners don’t even know is there.

“I think our patio is one of the best in the city,” says Adam. “It is hidden


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away behind the building, so you can’t hear any noise from the street.”

The charming bricked patio is secluded and equipped with heat lamps for year-round romantic dining under the stars.

“These sort of hidden patios are

more like what you would see in

Charleston and Asheville, where

the outdoor space is actually

a part of the ambiance of the

restaurant itself, rather than an

advertisement right out by the

parking lot.” says Adam. The enchanting atmosphere at Santé

has made it a destination dining spot for residents of Matthews, Mint Hill and Union County, and Adam and

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Santé offers a cozy ambience and gourmet dining in downtown Matthews.

Veronica work hard to keep entrée prices around $25, while many other restaurants are increasing theirs. “It’s been hard to maintain our pricing, but we don’t ever want to forget the role we play in the dining scene for our clientele.”

During the last 10 years, Adam and Veronica have seen a lot of growth in that scene in the South Charlotte and Matthews-Mint Hill area. “People have a lot more options these days,” says Adam. For Santé, the key to success has been maintaining their small size and defined identity. “It is tempting to want to expand your space or open a second location, but then you risk losing focus on who you are as a restaurant. We aren’t trying to cater to everyone. We are just trying to be who we are.”

Adam derives that strong sense of identity from his family. Adam is the fifth chef in the family tree and he now shares his love of cooking with Erin, starting with the classic French crepes that his grandmother used to make for him as a child. “My grandmother made crepes for me, and then taught me how to make them, and eventually I made them for her. Now I have started making them with my daughter, and maybe one day she will be making them for me.”

Erin will continue to learn the ropes (and the recipes) of the family business from inside the warm glow of Santé – a family-owned business worthy of its historic downtown location, and with a menu worthy of its friendly, romantic, “destination dining” identity. MMHM

Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m.


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22

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January

5 Matthews Farmers Market Downtown Matthews 8 -10 a.m. www.matthewsfarmersmarket.com

8 Stitch - In Mint Hill Library (704) 545-3932

8 - 13 Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org

9 Scones ‘n Bones Matthews Library (704) 847-3698

10 Immune Strengthening Tips for Cold and Flu Season Matthews Library (704) 847-3698

12 Free ACT Practice Test Matthews Library (704) 847-3698

12 Pilates for Beginners Mint Hill Library (704) 573-4054

14 The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org

15 Get Knotty! Mint Hill Library (704) 573-4054

15 Frederica von Stade and Samuel Ramey Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org

16 Historical Eras in Literature and Culture: The Wild, Wild West Matthews Library (704) 847 -3698


18-19 U.S. Army Soldier’s Chorus Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org

19 Matthews Farmers Market Downtown Matthews 8-10 a.m. www.matthewsfarmersmarket.com

19 Chicken Day Charlotte Nature Museum www.discoveryplace.org

19 - April 30 Rockwell’s America Celebrate the Art of Norman Rockwell IMAx Dome www.discoveryplace.org

29 Paco Pena Flamenco Dance Co. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org

February2 Matthews Farmers Market Downtown Matthews 8-10 a.m. www.matthewsfarmersmarket.com

2 Groundhog Day Charlotte Nature Museum www.discoveryplace.org

6 The African Children’s Choir Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org

13 - 14 The Pink Floyd Experience Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org

15 Poetry Slam Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org



January

5 Matthews Farmers Market Downtown Matthews 8 -10 a.m. www.matthewsfarmersmarket.com

8 Stitch - In Mint Hill Library (704) 545-3932

8 - 13 Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org

9 Scones ‘n Bones Matthews Library (704) 847-3698

10 Immune Strengthening Tips for Cold and Flu Season Matthews Library (704) 847-3698


12 Pilates for Beginners Mint Hill Library (704) 573-4054

14 The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org

15 Get Knotty! Mint Hill Library (704) 573-4054

15 Frederica von Stade and Samuel Ramey Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org

16 Historical Eras in Literature and Culture: The Wild, Wild West Matthews Library (704) 847 -3698


18-19 U.S. Army Soldier’s Chorus Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org


19 Chicken Day Charlotte Nature Museum www.discoveryplace.org

19 - April 30 Rockwell’s America Celebrate the Art of Norman Rockwell IMAx Dome www.discoveryplace.org

29 Paco Pena Flamenco Dance Co. Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org

February2 Matthews Farmers Market Downtown Matthews 8-10 a.m. www.matthewsfarmersmarket.com

2 Groundhog Day Charlotte Nature Museum www.discoveryplace.org

6 The African Children’s Choir Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org

13 - 14 The Pink Floyd Experience Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org

15 Poetry Slam Blumenthal Performing Arts Center www.blumenthalcenter.org


TREASURE HUNT

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LEISURE

Go consignment shopping in Matthews and Mint Hill and you’ll find everything from high-end furniture to designer baby clothes – all at thrift store prices By donna Vance

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THE STYLE NETWORK’S POPULAR SHOW, Clean House, could really clean up in Matthews. Theshow’s Yard Sale Diva, Trish Suhr, could sell a subject-home’s contents on consignment at Consignment 1st

furniture store, and designer Mark Brunetz could really showcase his creativity decorating with the store’s unique accents and pieces.

If you visit Consignment 1st, you’ll see large and small furniture items, instruments, knick-knacks, lamps, dishes, rugs – just about anything you’d need to decorate and furnish a home. “I’m impressed with it,” said Cheryl Corder, a Consignment 1st customer on the prowl for an end table.


Barbara Bryant, visiting from Pemberton, N.J., to help her daughter decorate her new home, echoed Corder’s sentiments.

“I have an interior design background, and so many times, you have to wear jeans at consignment stores, step over stuff and look for a sink to wash your hands,” she said. “But this place is rather upscale. It’s nice.”

Owner Dave Hayes, a former teacher from Middletown, Ohio, hoped customers wouldn’t be put off by the store’s high-end appearance before seeing its reasonable price tags.

“That’s one thing that I said when we opened the store in Columbia (S.C.), “ he said with a smile as he put on his best Southern accent. “ ‘I hope it ain’t too pretty.’”

Dave and his wife, Debbie, brought their business to Charlotte in 1987 and opened the Matthews store. From there, they grew their business into Consignment World, Inc., and ran three stores simultaneously in Matthews, Charlotte and Pineville.

“In 2001, we decided to franchise our brand and have since sold nine franchises to other owner/operators. The Matthews location is owned and operated by Debbie and me, and serves as the training center for our franchisees. Our latest franchise is in Columbia, S.C., and is more than 29,000 square feet. In fact, nearly all of our stores are considerably larger than most other consignment stores,” he said.

Today, Consignment 1st has its corporate offices in Matthews, plus nine store locations – five in the Charlotte area, including Matthews, University City, Huntersville, Lake Norman and Gastonia; two in South Carolina and two in Virginia.

Rebekah Proffit shops at Karrousel Kids in downtown Matthews.

Ever wonder how the consignment game works? Generally, the shop will take your goods, display them and sell them. After they sell, you get a portion of the proceeds.

Some shops, such as Once Upon a Child and Plato’s Closet in Matthews, pay up front for items, so you don’t have to wait to get your money.

Once Upon a Child offers baby and children’s items, and Plato’s Closet caters to the teen crowd with clothing, shoes, outerwear – even books. Both shops pay on the spot with the help of a computer pricing system, Sales associate Kari Schlappich says Plato’s Closet has a set price for each item. “We don’t give them the prices, the computer does,” she said. She added that all the items that come into Plato’s Closet and Once Upon a Child have been “logged into the computer according to designer.” Upon receipt of an article, the associates enter the garment data and condition, and the computer tells them immediately how much the consignee gets and how much the piece will cost on the racks.

Trendy Tots, a boutique in Mint Hill, works on a traditional pay-after-it-sells system, but uses a computer-based pricing system, and offers consignees half of the base selling price.

Karrousel Kids is another consignment shop specializing in kids’ apparel, and another example that not all consignmnet store merchandise is used. Trendy Tots, Karrousel Kids and Consignment 1st all have several new items in stock.

Karrousel Kids is tucked away in downtown Matthews and has a loyal following of customers who stop in for quality items at great prices. With seven children, shopper Jackie Proffit knows how to spot a bargain. She’s outfitted her whole family at Karrousel Kids, starting with her oldest (who is now 19) when the shop opened some 15 years ago.

“It has been a real blessing,” Jackie said.Consignment 1st has specific hours

for customers who want to consign items to bring them in, or you can make an appointment. For large items, the shop offers evaluation by photo and a fee-based pickup service. Items stay in the store 90 days, after which time the owner can pick

LEISURE


Find treasures ranging from designer furniture to decorative accessories at Consignment 1st

them up or designate smaller items to be donated to charity.

Hayes said most of the Consignment 1st inventory “comes from the greater Charlotte metro area. People who are downsizing, redecorating or moving always need our services and we also liquidate businesses that close and need their excess inventories sold. In the last three years, manufacturers and distributors from Hickory and High Point have begun to consign new items to us. So in addition to our quality used items, we now stock on average about 15 percent new items.”

He also said that “For the consumer, Consignment 1st is a great place to begin the search for that special dining room, piece of silver or that eclectic whimsical piece that they just can’t live without.”

There’s no doubt that consignment shoppers love a bargain. The unpredictable nature – not knowing what each store will hold on any given day – adds an element of surprise that makes consignment shopping even more fun.

“There’s a thrill that accompanies shopping any place that sells previously owned merchandise,” said shopper Deanna Joy. “The excitement of the purchase lies in the hunt, in the find, and in the capture – especially when one of your finds is a pretty good price,” she said with a wink.

Hayes added: “They soon find that shopping often is imperative and fun. In fact,” he said, “we incorporated the fun part into our logo.” The company’s logo reads: Consignment 1st – Furniture, Antiques & Fun. “It’s fun for us and our customers.”

MMHM

At a Glance: The scoop on consignment shopping Consignment 1stHome furnishings and decorative items9601 Independence Pointe Pkwy., Matthews (704) 847-2620www.consignmentfirst.com

Karrousel KidsBoys’ and girls clothing and accessories103 Charles St., Matthews(704) 847-4300

Trendy TotsChildren’s clothing, baby gear and maternity wear 11300 Lawyers Rd., Mint Hill(704) 545-7576www.shoptrendytots.com

Plato’s Closet Teen and young adult fashions 9623 E Independence Blvd., Matthews(704) 844-6744

Once Upon a Child Clothing and kids’ furniture, gear and toys10046 E Independence Blvd., Matthews(704) 847-6337


The stock at Consignment 1st changes so frequently, you never know what you might find.

InsideJobs

The holidays are over, and it could be that your home looks bare and dingy without all its Christmas finery. It

will be several months before we can get out in the garden, so it’s time to tackle some indoor projects. Winter

is the perfect time to make your home more organized and give it a new personality.

GeT oRGANIzedMany of us would like to be more organized, but where do we start? According to professional organizer Kristin Del Rosso of Pea Organizers of Charlotte, the first step is to analyze what areas of your home are causing you stress because they’re disorganized. For instance, is the bedroom messy and cluttered or calm and restful? Are your bills late because you don’t have an efficient system for dealing with papers? Decide which rooms need help and work room by room.

The next step is to come up with a vision for how you want to use the room. She then helps the homeowner wade through the clutter by dividing items into categories:

• Things to donate • Items to throw away • Stuff to sell • Items that stay in the room• Items that belong elsewhere

A professional organizer can be an objective partner who can help make decisions on what to keep because he or she is not emotionally attached to the possessions. But for Del Rosso that doesn’t just mean to pitch everything. She tells her clients to keep anything they want as long as they have a place for it and don’t mind dealing with it. Once they have a good system in place it makes it easier to recover when clutter reappears. Plus, if the organizer follows the client’s vision, the client will be motivated to maintain the system.

Del Rosso also helps design strategies for dealing with mail. “Today’s mail is tomorrow’s pile,” she says. The F.A.T. (file, act, toss) principle keeps paper under control and tax time is dramatically simplified if records and receipts are filed by categories in an accordion folder as they come in. “It takes minutes a week and a few hours at tax time rather than taking days to sort through all the records.”

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HOMESTYLES

By Sharon Mason

Winter is the perfect time to organize and spruce up your home.

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Marla Cilley, better known as The Flylady, has developed an entire system devoted to getting rid of the chaos in your life by getting organized. Her website, www.Flylady.net has millions of subscribers who heed her email advice about how to deal with clutter and how to develop routines that will keep their homes looking tidy.

Many of us have made New Year’s resolutions to be more organized but buying more plastic bins is not the answer. “You cannot organize clutter,” says Cilley, “only get rid of it.”

The Flylady recommends that you clear your “hot spots” twice a day. These are the places where junk collects. We all have them: It could be next to the phone, the kitchen counter, a desk or just a corner. Get rid of magazines and catalogs once a week to keep them from piling up. She also advises you to set a kitchen timer and spend 15 minutes decluttering every day and warns that when tackling a large organizing project, don’t get out more stuff than you can put away in an hour.

TIMe FoR SoMe PIzzAzzNow that everything is tidy, add a little sparkle to your home by painting, wallpapering or replacing window treatments. Butch Gardner of Hanging Around Town has lots of solutions, from paint and wallpaper to rearranging furniture. He likes to get a feel for the homeowner’s taste and then make additional recommendations. This time of year is a good time to do projects like this because it is easier to schedule a contractor now than during the holiday rush.

A coat of paint is an easy fix-up, but for more drama, try wallpaper. A few years ago, wallpaper was eclipsed in popularity by faux finishes. But now wallpaper is back! Advances in manufacturing have made many papers easy to strip without damaging the walls. Many homeowners are using wallpaper in the dining room and powder room instead of doing a faux finish.

Innovative painting techniques continue to be popular as well. “I do about 50-50 wallpaper and paint,” says Gardner. He recently made a dining room look larger by painting stripes on the walls in a Tiffany blue and cream color scheme. He also likes to use dramatic ceiling treatments such as ornately painted medallions and faux finishes to draw the eye upward adding the illusion of height.

Another update that Gardner recommends is to replace a dated light fixture. Shiny brass colonial style chandeliers are being replaced by more rustic bronze fixtures with translucent globes. It produces softer lighting and a dazzling look with a minimum of effort. Then, for a striking effect, have the ceiling medallion faux finished to look like part of the light fixture.

Even something as simple as new cabinet hardware can change the look of your kitchen or bathroom. According to Lauren Sullivan of Lowe’s Home Improvement Center in Matthews, many homeowners are replacing brass or bronze hardware with brushed nickel to complement their stainless steel appliances. Nickel doesn’t fingerprint like other finishes, nor does oil rubbed bronze, another popular choice.

Once the cabinets have new hardware, many homeowners decide to replace the faucets to match. Mark Murdock, also from Lowe’s, says it’s an easy do-it-yourself project for anyone who has a little mechanical skill and knowledge of how to use tools. “The hardest part is getting your hand up behind the sink to take off the wing nuts, but we have a tool for that,” he says. Complete instructions are available at www.lowes.com along with instructions for many common household projects.

FINISHING TouCHeSWith the larger projects completed, home redesigner Angie Gatton suggests a few finishing touches that can add life to your rooms:

• Look at your picture frames and replace photos that are old and faded.

• Clear out and re-arrange bookcases and display areas. Find accessories from other rooms for a completely new look without spending any money.

• Are your window treatments worn or dated? Have them replaced or restyled.

• New throw pillows can give a fresh look to the sofa.

• Add houseplants to make things look alive.

• Discard and replace stained or frayed table linens.

• Fill a vase with branches for a dramatic accessory.

With just a little organization and a few minor decorating touches, you can simplify your life and transform your home from ordinary to fabulous.

INDOOr PrOjeCT exPerTS:Organizer Kristen Del Rosso(704) 344-0210 or thepea.com

Wallpaper and paint specialist Butch Gardner (704)201-3253 or www.hangingaroundtown.com

Home redesignerAngie Gatton(704) 844-8533

Internet declutterer and motivatorThe Flylady www.flylady.net


Vertical stripes can make a room look larger. This dining rom was refreshed with paint by Butch Gardner of Hanging Around Town.

Iron GateMint Hill

High $400K’s.75 - 1.5 Acres

Beulah OaksWeddington

$500K’s+/-1 Acre

Forest BrookEstatesMatthews

$400K’S.5+ Acres

Carolina Heritage Builders • 12995-A East Independence Blvd.• Matthews, NC 28105Phone: (704) 882-3746 • Fax: (704) 882-5297

www.carolinaheritagebuilders.com

Standard Features(from left to right)

All Brick ExteriorFinished In Place Hardwood Floors

Ceramic TileStainless Steel AppliancesLarge Wooded Home Sites

Granite Countertops

Paying Extra for this?Not at Carolina Heritage Builders

Iron GateMint Hill

High $400K’s.75 - 1.5 Acres

Beulah OaksWeddington

$500K’s+/-1 Acre

Forest BrookEstatesMatthews

$400K’S.5+ Acres

Carolina Heritage Builders • 12995-A East Independence Blvd.• Matthews, NC 28105Phone: (704) 882-3746 • Fax: (704) 882-5297

www.carolinaheritagebuilders.com

Standard Features(from left to right)

All Brick ExteriorFinished In Place Hardwood Floors

Ceramic TileStainless Steel AppliancesLarge Wooded Home Sites

Granite Countertops

Paying Extra for this?Not at Carolina Heritage Builders

Model Hours: Sun. & Mon. 1-6, Tues. - Sat. 10-6. Brokers warmly welcomed!

*Limited time offer. Offer only available on new contracts when financing through NVR Mortgage. See sales representative for details.

Phone: (866) 434-5660Directions: Take I-485 to Exit 44 (Mint Hill/218).

Go west towards Mint Hill for 1/2 mi. Right on Bartlett Rd. Proceed 1/2 mi. to Stonebridge on right.

Full Brick Luxury Homes From The $330’s• 55 acres of preserved open space • Access to a stunning 8-acre fishing lake • Walking and biking paths within

the community • Lakeview and walk-out basement homesites available • Nearby are 2 soccer fields, tennis courts, beach volleyball and a 9-hole disc golf course • Conveniently located just one mile from I-485 with easy access

to Matthews, shopping, restaurants and more!

ryanhomes.com

All-Brick Homes On 3/4 Acres, Plus Estate Homesites In Mint Hill.

The Brookmere

Idlewild Rd.

IndependenceBlvd.

Albemarle Rd.

Old Concord

Rd.

Back

Creek

Church

Rd.

49

Lawyers Rd.

HARRISBURG

MINT HILL

Matthews Twsh

p Pkwy

PhillipsRd.

i

74

51

MATTHEWS

29

485

74

UPTOWN

Rob inson

Church

Rd.

Caldwell RdTom

Query

Rd

Exit 47

Exit 51

BainSchool Rd.

Exit 41

Exit 33

Exit 49

218Exit 44

Bartlett Rd.

STONEBRIDGEAT MINT HILL

Stonebridge at Mint Hill

NEW

PHASE!

Documents

MMHM Jan 2008