News About Town: With just over 2,000 linear feet of sidewalk gaps throughout Matthews, incomplete sidewalks are a pedestrian concern. Soon one section will be filled in. The Board approved $59,777 (plus $6,000 contingency) to connect the 200' gap in front of the Fincher Farm House on McKee Road. Susan Habina-Woolard, Town Engineer, explained the intricacies of coordinating a Century Farm property, mature landscaping, and developer-installed sidewalks. Commissioner Jeff Miller recalled concerns from the residents of Windsor Run during his last campaign season, emphasizing the need to complete the sidewalk. Funds were allocated from the Sidewalk Construction Fund and work will be completed by DOT Construction Inc., the firm that recently completed the Crestdale Heritage Trail. 200' down, 1,800'+ to go.
News Around Town: Greenwood, a historical drama, set in Tulsa, OK, starts on the day of May 30th, 1921; the day leading up to the Black Wall Street massacre, will be on the Matthews Playhouse stage this weekend. Written by Coolidge Harris II and directed by Elizabeth Flax, Greenwood was the Winner of the African American Playwrights Group 2021 Playwright's Festival. In the play, Lucile and Red-Manning, owners of a boarding house located in the heart of the Greenwood district, realize they are both intricately linked to and threatened by a guest at their boarding house. Through a love story, Greenwood navigates the undercurrent of racial inequities on the most violent day in Black American history. There are three shows this weekend: Friday, September 17th @ 7:30pm, Saturday, September 18th @ 2:00pm (talkback afterwards) and Saturday, September 18th @ 8:00pm. Tickets are available online here.
One Good Thing: This Friday, September 17, from 4 to 6:30pm, support Butler High School Baseball's BBQ Fall Festival Fundraiser. The team will have a dunk tank, raffles, and kids games for entertainment. Buy a $20 ticket for food and receive a pound of BBQ, rolls, cole slaw, and chips. The event is at the school, 1810 Matthews-Mint Hill Rd.