News Around Town: The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) recently announced that all 48 women’s teams and all 36 men’s Division 1 soccer teams will compete in North Carolina, and Matthews will host some of those games. Hosting games in one state will limit travel time, consolidating the usual length of the tournaments.
The championship tournaments, postponed from last fall, will be held in four athletic complexes: Bryan Park—Greensboro, J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex—Wilson, Sportsplex—Matthews, and WakeMed Soccer Park—Cary. The champions will be crowned at WakeMed Soccer Park. Attendance will be capped at 25% capacity.
All games will be held between April 27 and May 17. The tournament fields will be selected on April 19. First-round games for the women are April 27-28 while the men begin play on April 29.
News Around Town: There’s a new exhibit on display at the Matthews Heritage Museum, 232 N. Trade St. North Carolina Pottery: A Tradition in Clay is on display until August 28. Covering the history and evolution of North Carolina’s internationally renowned pottery tradition, the display includes examples of utilitarian wares as well as decorative and pieces span from the 19th to 21st centuries. Showcased pottery represents styles of specific locales throughout NC, even some from Matthews’ own Outen Pottery.
The museum is open Thursday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Adults are $4.00 per person, 10 to 17 years of age is $2.00 per, and under 10 are free. The first Saturday of every month entry is free. Masks are required. Museum visitors are limited to 5 at a time so reserve your spot (704-708-4996)!
One Good Thing: Want to support your local library? Plant a sign for Library Giving Day! Library Giving Day, April 7, is a one-day fundraising event in the middle of National Library Week. Use the day to show your appreciation and support by donating $15 to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Libraries. You’ll receive a thank you Bookmark the Town yard sign to “plant” at home. The library has a goal of 5,000 signs this year, so they need all hands on deck—errr—book? To support Library Giving Day without a yard sign, simply click the “donate” button here.