November '17 by Cabarrus Magazine

NOVEMBER 2017

Land of the Free Because of the Brave

Breaking Bread:

Hire Heroes. Hire Veterans.

Events Calendar:

Chef Bouali Dishes

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Happening

2 Cabarrus Magazine n

October 2017 3 n

Word on the Street November 2017 Volume 17 n Issue 11 President Pam Tolen

Managing Editor/Art Direction Kim Cassell Advertising Kimberly Brouillette Jason Huddle Contributing Writers Kim Cassell Michael Rea Contributing Photographers Kim Cassell Don Dehner Irresistible Portraits Van Kluttz Earnie Morrissey Cabarrus Magazine is published by: Comfort Publishing Inc. 296 Church Street N., Hidden Plaza Concord, NC 28025 For editorial inquiries, call 704-7437498 or email them to Kim Cassell at kcassellcabarrusmagazine.com. For advertising inquiries, call Jason Huddle at 704-907-7847 or Kimberly Brouillette at 704305-7599. Visit us at www.cabarrusmagazine.com. All rights reserved. ©2017, Comfort Publishing Inc., 296 Church Street N., Concord, NC 28025. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without permission is prohibited. Products named in these pages are trademarks of their respective companies. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of Cabarrus Magazine or Comfort Publishing Inc.

Rachel Fesko

Publisher Jason Huddle

In December 1943, Private James Price and his company – the 409th – took Selestadt, a small but important village in France. And they knew it wasn’t over because the town’s bridge served the Germans in transporting troops and munitions. Late that night, while most of the company made an attempt to get some sleep, a German Panzer tank rolled toward the bridge. Knowing where the soldiers were, shells were sent into homes. Price had been instructed not to sleep on the furniture by his superiors, wanting the men to stay as low as possible. The allure of a couch, however, was too good to pass up. In a flash, there were explosions all around him. In an ironic twist, a shell from the Panzer both took Price’s left leg, plus instantly sealed the wound with its heat. Price and two other soldiers made their way to the house’s basement and played dead. When a young German found them, he assumed they were dead, but then saw one breathing. As he raised his weapon, Price looked him in the eye and said one simple word: ‘fruend,’ meaning friend in German. Without a word, the soldier lowered his weapon and left, not reporting what he had found. Price and his comrades seized the opportunity to escape across a river to safety. On the riverbank, the soldier who had been critically injured died, but Price and others lived to tell the tale. James Price was my grandfather. Men like him have given us the freedoms and liberties we enjoy – yes, even to kneel during the national anthem in protest. In my opinion, we as a country have become so self-involved about what we feel is wrong that we have forgotten that we still live in the greatest country on the planet. We have become like complacent, spoiled children who expect everyone around us to bend to our wishes instead of doing things that effect real change. The men who fought and died to give us the freedoms to be as we are deserve our respect and admiration and that’s why this edition of Cabarrus Magazine is for them. I wonder, if men like James Price had knelt instead of stood and fought, would we be speaking German instead of English today? Just a thought. Respectfully,

Jason Huddle 4 Cabarrus Magazine n

This Issue... Salute! 6

Land of the Free Because of the Brave

Hire Heroes. Hire Veterans.

Breaking Bread: Chef Bouali Dishes

Give Me Shelter: Cabarrusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Adoptable Dogs

Cabarrus Business On the Go

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Happening: November Calendar of Events

November 2017 5 n

By Kim Cassell

Land of the Free Because of the Brave AS YEARS PASS, THERE ARE FEWER OF OUR NATION’S MILITARY VETERANS THAT FOUGHT IN WORLD WAR II, THE KOREAN CONFLICT AND THE VIETNAM WAR.

They are true narrators of history and their personal memories are invaluable in understanding the sacrifices they, and others, made.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Van Kluttz

6 Cabarrus Magazine n

World War II Van Kluttz has lived in the Mt. Pleasant/Gold Hill area all of his life. Born December 30, 1924, he was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1943 – right out of high school. In 1940, before the U.S. became involved in World War II, Congress passed a military draft that required all men between the ages of 21 and 36 to participate in Selective Service. While President Franklin Roosevelt stood at a podium in Washington, D.C.’s Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, draft numbers were pulled from a glass bowl. The numbers were handed to the president, who read them out loud as they were also written on a blackboard. For Basic Training, Kluttz was sent to the United States Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, at Port Deposit, Maryland. He was then deployed to New Guinea and the Philippines, where he stayed for the duration of his military service. “I was a motor machinist mate, second class petty officer,” Kluttz says. “I mostly worked on the engines that propelled landing craft.” Landing Craft Assault (LCA) vehicles were barge-like boats that ferried troops from ship to shore. They could hold a crew of four, as well as 36 soldiers. Wikipedia says, “The Landing Craft Assault’s sturdy hull, load capacity, low silhouette, shallow draft, little bow wave and silenced engines were all assets that benefited the occupants. The extent of its light armor, proof against rifle bullets and shell splinters with similar ballistic power, recommended the LCA.”

February 1945: Van Kluttz â&#x20AC;&#x201C; back row, second from right â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and his U.S. Navy comrades fought against the Japanese on the island of New Guinea in World War II.

November 2017 7 n

A Vet Together Each Tuesday morning from 9:00 to 11:00am, local military veterans have a get-together at Carm’s Café in downtown Concord. Brought to fruition in 2013, A Vet Together was the brainchild of Bob Coppola, an Air Force veteran that served during the Vietnam War era. “He came to me about meeting someplace downtown with a connection to the military,” Dana Sweat, owner of Carm’s Café, says. “He knew John had served in the military.” John is John Sweat, Dana’s husband and a Concord City Council member. He retired as a captain from the Air Force after 12 years of service, then was a member of the North Carolina Air National Guard for another 12 years. “We had about three guys for the first six months,” Dana says. “All of a sudden, by the one-year mark, it became five, eight, 10. We had 25 at the twoyear mark. Sometimes we can’t walk through here.” Dana started out serving doughnuts and coffee (still complimentary), then it became breakfast. “I kind of know what each of them likes for breakfast,” she laughs. “We occasionally have sponsors come in to pay for everyone’s breakfast – a company or family. Some are in memoriam. We had a family whose father – a World War II veteran – passed away and they paid for a whole month of May.” What Dana gets – as well as anyone else who stops in for breakfast – is a boisterous group of individuals that can talk about anything they want to, from what they did in the war to what they did last week. It’s all about conversation and friendships.

8 Cabarrus Magazine n

Kluttz performed his duty in what was called the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, the geographic area of operations for U.S. forces from 1941-’45. “The Japanese effort at the start of World War II was focused on conquest, warhistory.com says. “Expanding across the Pacific and the east Asian mainland, forces sought to conquer territory for the Japanese Empire and, in particular, to drive out western influences in the region. By 1941, they had expanded far south, and Australia was in their sights.” Just north of Australia sits New Guinea. Northwest of it, you’ll find the Philippines. Japan had invaded both. Historyofwar.org says, “The New Guinea campaign (January 1942-September 1945) was one of the longest campaigns of the Second World War. It began with the easy Japanese conquest of most of the north coast of the massive island. The Japanese were pushed back across to the north coast of Papua, before the Allies began a series of campaigns that eventually gave them control of almost the entire island.” A Vet Together at Carm’s Café The Liberation of the Philippines saw Americans and Filipinos partnering to defeat and drive out the Japanese forces that had invaded the island nation in 1942. “After General MacArthur had been evacuated from the Philippines in March 1942, all of its islands fell to the Japanese. The Japanese occupation was harsh, accompanied by atrocities and with large numbers of Filipinos pressed into slave labor,” according to wikipedia.org. “From mid-1942 through mid-1944, MacArthur and Nimitz supplied and encouraged the Filipino guerrilla resistance by U.S. Navy submarines and a few parachute drops, so that the guerrillas could harass the Japanese Army and

take control of the rural jungle and mountainous areas. “Aircraft carrier-based warplanes were already conducting air strikes and fighter sweeps against the Japanese in the Philippines, especially their military airfields.” The dropping of the atomic bombs on Japan by the U.S. forced the Japanese to surrender the Philippines on August 15, 1945. Forty-eight Navy-Marine Corps military campaigns took place in the Pacific Theater during World War II. The Philippine Islands Operation: December 1941-May 1942; Eastern New Guinea Operation: December 1942-July 1944; Asiatic-Pacific Specified Raids: February-October 1944; Western New Guinea operations: April 1944-January 1945; Manila Bay-Bicol operations: January-April 1945; and consolidation and capture of Southern Philippines: February-July 1945. Kluttz has little to say except, “I did fight in combat – in the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, defending the beaches. It wasn’t any fun.” Kluttz was awarded the American Area Campaign Medal, a Bronze Star, a Philippine Liberation Ribbon and a World War II Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged on March 21, 1946. Upon returning home, he got a job as a mechanic at Coca-Cola Company, but couldn’t buy a new car. “I wanted to buy a car to drive around in and date girls, but you couldn’t buy cars. Everything was rationed.” As it turned out, he didn’t have to date for long. He was married to Betty for 56 years, until her passing in 2008. By the end of World War II, about 10 million Americans had served in the military. Nearly 417,000 died. The Korean Conflict Earnest (Earnie) Morrissey was born on December 22, 1931, in Cortland, New York. After graduating from high school, he attended Cornell University

for two years before enlisting in the U.S. Navy on March 25, 1952. Depending on where you research, the Korean War is called the Korean Conflict. Having taken place from 1950 to 1953, it centered on the Korean Peninsula. Once a colony of Japan, the United States and Russia became the peninsula’s protectorates after World War II. Separate elections saw the south becoming the Republic of Korea (ROK) and the north, the People’s Republic of Korea; Russia placed Kim Il Sung as its communist leader. After the U.S. and Russia withdrew their troops in 1949’50, Kim Il Sung invaded the south. History.com says, “On June 25, 1950, the Korean War began when some 75,000 soldiers from the North Korean People’s Army poured across the 38th parallel – the boundary between the Soviet-backed Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the north and the pro-Western Republic of Korea to the south. This invasion was the first military action of the Cold War. “By July, American troops had entered the war on South Korea’s behalf. As far as American officials were concerned, it was a war against the forces of international communism itself. After some early back-and-forth across the 38th parallel, the fighting stalled and casualties mounted with nothing to show for them. “Meanwhile, American officials worked anxiously to fashion some sort of armistice with the North Koreans. The alternative, they feared, would be a wider war with Russia and China – or even, as some warned, World War III. Finally, in July 1953, the Korean War came to an end; the Korean peninsula is still divided today. Almost 40,000 Americans died in action in Korea, and more than 100,000 were wounded.” Morrissey was one of the lucky ones – lucky in that he was able to remain stateside. “I did my Basic Training at the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois,” he says. It was also where he married

November 2017 9 n

Left: Earnie Morrissey home for a visit after completion of his Basic Training in 1952; right: U.S. Navy Yeoman Second Class Morrissey today.

10 Cabarrus Magazine n

Marjorie, his wife of 52 years before she passed away in 2004. “It was an isolated base. Once you got there, they didn’t want you to leave...we didn’t live on the base. Then I was sent to Personnel School in Bainbridge, and then I was assigned to Navy One Warfare School. I spent 2 1/2 years there.” The Warfare School was located at Yorktown, Virginia. Morrissey worked in two capacities on base there: school administration and officer personnel records. His wife worked at the Naval Mine Depot, in civil service. “We had about 250 ship companies (all officers, non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel aboard a naval vessel) permanently assigned to the base,” he explains. “At least 1,000 students rotated in and out, and courses were four to six weeks for both officers and enlisted personnel. They learned the tactical operations of mine sweepers and mine warfare. Usually, about nine mine sweepers were always on the York River, which was attached to our base.” Morrissey had employment waiting after an honorable discharge on March 24, 1956. “I already had a job with IBM in Personnel…I worked for them

for 32 years. I was transferred here to Charlotte and retired here,” he shares. He also completed his education along the way, getting his bachelors degree from the University of AlabamaHuntsville after a number of years attending night school. He then went on to earn his masters at Middle Tennessee State. As for his buddies in the service, he says, “I still correspond with a person I worked with in Office Personnel Records. He lives in Texas and I still keep in touch with him. He’s had a hard time.” The Vietnam War The Vietnam War took place from November 1, 1955 to April 30, 1975; the United States took part in the conflict from March 1965 to April 1973. The fall of the city of Saigon marked the end. According to wikipedia.org, the war was “officially fought between North Vietnam and the government of South Vietnam. The North Vietnamese army was supported by the Soviet Union, China and other communist allies, and the South Vietnamese army was supported by the United States, South Korea, Australia, Thailand and other

anti-communist allies.” What had begun as U.S. military advisement and major monetary funding during the first war – called the First Indochina War – and involved French Indochina (Tonkin, Annam, Cochinchina and Cambodia), Japan and France, escalated after the signing of the Geneva Accords of 1954. It marked the end of French Indochina, a cease fire and France withdrew from Vietnam. Confrontations in the Gulf of Tonkin between the U.S. and North Vietnam saw Congress pass the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. President Lyndon Johnson was thereby given the authority “to assist any Southeast Asian country whose government was considered to be jeopardized by ‘communist aggression,’ ” according to wikipedia. “The resolution served as Johnson’s legal justification for deploying U.S. conventional forces and the commencement of open warfare against North Vietnam.” In 1965, American soldiers became engaged in a war that came to a head in 1968 when the Communists launched the Tet Offensive. More than 80,000 North Vietnamese troops attacked 100-plus towns and cities in the hopes of overthrowing the South Vietnamese government. While the attacks were not successful, they nonetheless turned a large segment of the U.S. population against our government’s proclamations of positive progress in the war. Prior to the signing of the Paris

Peace Accord in January 1973, Vietnamization was taking place. U.S. ground troops were being brought home with the plan being to leave the fighting in the hands of the South Vietnamese; the U.S. withdrew by August 1973. Fighting continued between North and South Vietnam until the city of Saigon fell in April 1975. The two territories were reunified the next year. The casualties of the Vietnam War included some 966,000 to 3.8 million Vietnamese soldiers and civilians. In addition, about 240,000 to 300,000 Cambodians and 20,000 to 62,000 Laotians. U.S. military casualties numbered 58,220 with 1,626 still missing in action. Donald (Donnie) Dehner was born in Florida on January 4, 1948. After graduating from high school in 1966, limited jobs would have likely meant he’d work in his father’s meat market in Pompano Beach. Instead, Dehner walked across the street.

“The Army and Navy recruitment offices were closed, so I walked into the Marines’,” he recalls. That was October 24, 1966. The draft wasn’t initiated until 1969. Early the next year, Dehner completed Basic Training at Parris Island before going to Camp Lejeune, then Camp Pendleton in California. “Camp Lejeune is where everyone goes through infantry training,” Dehner says. “I went to radio school at Camp Pendleton and was in Vietnam in July 1967. I was assigned as a battalion radio operator working with the Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, First Marines. I loved my job. “In the Marine Corps, you have an MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code). It’s your job junction. But your first MOS is always MOS 0311 (rifleman); when you’re out in the field, that’s what you do. Your job as a cook, clerk or radio operator is secondary. So when you’re in the infantry, you may be fighting with a platoon of cooks

November 2017 11 n

Left: Donald Dehner completed Marine Corps Basic Training in 1966 at Parris Island before being deployed to Vietnam (pictured in Hoi An, Vietnam, August 1967); right: Lance Corporal Dehner today.

and clerks. And every 30 days, we got to come in and get new clothes and bathe.” Dehner was wounded the first time during Operation Medina in October 1967. A newspaper article in the scrapbook his wife made him portrays it as taking place in Hai Lang National Forest, Quang Tri Province. On October 11, the rifle company started with 162 soldiers. They landed by Marine helicopter to set up a defense around an LZ (landing zone). The men worked their way through elephant grass to a dense jungle. Light rain fell that night. On October 12, the troops started clearing a path that led to an intersecting path that obviously belonged to the enemy. With battalion headquarters’ approval, they used the trail. An hour later, they were

12 Cabarrus Magazine n

ambushed by the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) hiding behind a hill, waiting. The Marines on point were killed. From that vantage point, however, the NVA had to stand to shoot. Charlie Company hit back and the NVA broke contact after 10 minutes. The soldiers worked hard to clear an LZ enough to get the wounded evacuated – about 50 feet in diameter. As the last chopper was leaving, the NVA initiated a ground attack. Helicopter gunners returned fire, shooting over Marines’ heads. The enemy kept advancing, eventually from three sides. Grenades landed in the LZ; the 1st Battalion responded with gunfire. NVA automatic weapons answered. After dark, the enemy moved closer

to getting inside the LZ’s perimeter. The Marines shot off illumination flares to light up the jungle and were eventually ordered to put on gas masks so tear gas could be used against the NVA. Although the Marines continued to charge, the NVA had too much firepower as well as men, and the soldiers moved back to the LZ. Delta Company joined Charlie Company and the enemy was pushed back over the hill. The fight lasted four hours straight. Thankfully, it didn’t rain that night. The crescent moon stayed bright and sunrise on October 13 saw the Marines caring for 42 wounded, three of them dying overnight. Medical evacuation helicopters started entering the LZ, machine gunners firing at suspected enemy. By 7:30am, resupply choppers

brought much-needed ammo and water – in that order. Because the evac choppers were needed elsewhere, Charlie Company had to remain at the LZ another night. They had dug in and were prepared. The NVA did attack again, but it was a smaller assault. Dehner adds, “We got hit real bad in October ‘68. We were down about 60 percent. They put us right in the middle of a battalion of NVA. That’s when I got wounded the first time. I just had a pistol. Another radio operator hid under bodies because he was so afraid. From that operation on, he could never live beyond it. He ended up committing suicide. I got wounded (hand and leg) because I was running down a path with ammo and a grenade went off. I was able to get up and run on. When I was wounded, I was put in the LZ.” Dehner was appointed Lance Corporal on March 1, 1968. He was in Kaison in April. Getting wounded again – in June and July of 1968 – meant a plane ticket home. And he took things home from the war with him. One was claustrophobia. The North Vietnamese were skilled tunnel builders and Dehner saw the unbelievable within them, like lights and hospital beds in rooms off the main tunnel. He also suffers from an eye condition called Amyloidosis – an effect of Agent Orange exposure. “I have a protein growth on both lower lids. I couldn’t look down. When I did, I hit the cornea. The lower lids would curl in. Doctors went through and lasered off my eyelashes. I have to go in every two or three weeks and get the eyelashes taken off.” Agent Orange was a deadly toxin sprayed over Vietnam to flush out the enemy, among other things. Thousands of Vietnam veterans have died or are suffering from diseases and health problems due to Agent Orange. “When we came back from Vietnam, there was no transition. You went to California, then home,” Dehner adds.

“If a car backfired, you jumped. You felt guilty because you were home but your buddies were still over there. “I don’t talk to my wife about everything, she doesn’t need to hear it. I still have nightmares. Memorial Day – all those holidays – they bother me. I carry a lot with me, of guys in my platoon that died in that battle. And some guys I knew in high school.” Like so many other Vietnam vets, Dehner also had to deal with the backlash from his fellow Americans. “We had a deep hole to climb out of,” he says. “We’d go out to malls and guys would put tape over their F*** Jane Fonda patches. We were told not to wear our uniforms in public.” Dehner was one of the fortunate ones, though. He had his future wife, Jean, waiting for him. And he signed on with a Florida telephone company in 1970 where he remained until retirement. He lived with his wife and children in Columbia, SC, for four years, before moving here in 1984. He

lives in Midland with Jean, and they’ve purchased a motor home. They want to go to Maine next year. Dehner was awarded three Purple Hearts for each of his three injuries. He received his honorable discharge on October 25, 1972. Today, he participates in military get-togethers at various locations in the region. “It’s therapeutic because you’re talking to guys that have been through it,” he says. Many thanks to these gentlemen for their willingness to sit down and talk with us, and for their service. We’re indebted. n

Cabarrus Magazine would also like to give a special thanks to Michelle McDonald, director of marketing for BrightStar Care, a home care and medical staffing company. As an advocate for the local senior community, she was instrumental in setting up the interviews with our military veterans at Mt. Pleasant Senior Center.

November 2017 13 n

14 Cabarrus Magazine n

Weigh Your Medicare Open Enrollment Options This year’s Medicare Open Enrollment is here – running from October 15 to December 7. This is the only time of the year in which you may make changes to your Medicare. This is an opportunity for everyone to choose plans that work best for them. What does open enrollment mean to our veterans who are eligible for Medicare? Michael Rea, pharmacist for Cannon Pharmacy and son of a veteran, offers this helpful information. Retired military that have Tricare as their insurance are in a very good position. Tricare acts as the retiree’s supplement to Medicare, paying for the remainder of medical expenses that Medicare doesn’t cover. It covers copays and deductibles; typically, nothing else is needed in addition to Tricare. Tricare also has a prescription drug benefit. This, in my opinion, is its one downfall because it is administered by Express Scripts, which requires beneficiaries to use mail order for their medications. This breaks the relationship that beneficiaries may have with their pharmacist; however, any acute medications can still be filled in the community. For veterans that use the Veterans Administration (VA) for their benefits, Medicare becomes a bit more complicated. If the veteran exclusively uses the VA, then there is no need for the beneficiary to add anything else to his or her Medicare. However, if the veteran exclusively uses civilian doctors and hospitals, then it is imperative that they follow the same path of reviewing their Medicare plan each year. This is also true for veterans that use both the VA and civilian doctors. Medicare is a complicated,

convoluted program that has many ins and outs. Remember that Cannon Pharmacy offers a yearly Free Medicare Checkup with one of our Medicare

By Michael Rea

Sponsored by Chez Francois

Breaking Bread

Francois Bouali was born into two cultures that are drenched in French cuisine: Tunisia on his father’s side and France on his mother’s side. Now an authentic French chef, Bouali makes his own bread, pastry, classic French dishes, and even his own cheese – selections that will be offered at Chez Francois.

Sauce au Vin Blanc (white wine sauce) for Seafood One of the basic sauces that goes perfectly with every type of seafood is the sauce au vin blanc. Unfortunately, most people make it improperly – here is the correct technique of making a good white wine sauce. INGREDIENTS 3 shallots, diced thinly 1 cup white wine Juice from half of a fresh lemon 3 cups fish stock 3 cups heavy cream Pinch of salt Pinch of black pepper 2 tablespoons butter INSTRUCTIONS Place the shallots in a saucepan and cook on medium heat until they are clear. Add the wine and reduce the heat to low. Next, add the lemon juice and some lemon zest (optional). Pour in your fish stock and cook on low heat until the mixture thickens. Add the heavy cream and simmer until mixture is reduced by one-half. Add salt and pepper to taste. Once the mixture has thickened, add the butter and mix thoroughly. Your Sauce au Vin Blanc is ready! Bon Appetit!

November 2017 21 n

22 Cabarrus Magazine n

Give Me Shelter THERE ARE SEVERAL ANIMAL RESCUES IN CABARRUS COUNTY, USUALLY PAST CAPACITY, FILLED WITH ADOPTABLE DOGS, CATS AND MORE!

The saying goes, “People that say money can’t buy you happiness have never paid an adoption fee.” These are the faces of the abandoned, neglected and abused, and they’re looking for that second chance. If you’re looking for a furry family member, please consider pet adoption. TOBY is a sweet boy that loves to snuggle. He is happiest when he’s on your lap but he does enjoy playing tug and chewing his squeaky toys. Toby is housetrained with appropriate supervision and crate trained (he fusses just a few minutes, then settles down). He does need a fence because his nose can get him in trouble...he just love all the smells outside! He also likes to go for walks. He would love to be your forever dog! Cabarrus Pets Society P.O. Box 5042, Concord, NC 28027 704-786-7729 petpals@cabarruspets.com www.cabarruspets.com

DUPER looks to be a Jack Russell mix. (Jack Russells are intelligent and active.) He’s three years old and weighs about 17 pounds...a great size for any home. Duper is a character, always trying to gain attention. He’s also neutered and up-to-date on his vaccines. If you’re looking for a canine companion that will make a great friend, come visit Duper at Ruth’s Memorial Shelter. Humane Society of Concord & Greater Cabarrus County Ruth’s Memorial Shelter 2010 Wilshire Court, Concord 704-784-7387 www.cabarrushumanesociety.org

This is STEVIE, a male Redbone Coonhound, about one year old. Although he is a Redbone, he is not a hunter, he does not like loud bangs. Stevie is very sweet and goodnatured, and gets along with other dogs. Pictures do not do him justice, he is absolutely gorgeous. He is up-to-date on vaccines, neutered and microchipped. Let’s find Stevie his perfect forever home!

Mt. Pleasant Animal Rescue P. O. Box 1076, Mt. Pleasant 980-439-6505 mtpleasantanimalrescue@aol.com www.facebook.com/ mtpleasantanimalrescue

November 2017 23 n

On the Go Operation Build and MUSE Residential Partner in Home Renovation

24 Cabarrus Magazine n

A&E television Show Operation Build filmed Concord contractor MUSE Residential and singer Rockie Lynne’s organization, Tribute To The Troops, as they worked together to renovate the home of a Concord Gold Star family. With only 30 days to plan, MUSE Residential jumped on board at the request of Tribute to the Troops to plan and execute the renovation of Mark and Susan McClamrock’s master suite. The renovation was completed in only five days with the help of donated materials and labor, and many volunteers. After losing their son – PFC James McClamrock – in Iraq in 2010, Susan’s health deteriorated to the point that it was nearly impossible for her to climb the stairs to their second-floor bedroom. Additionally, their bathroom required updates to accommodate her physical challenges. MUSE owners Jerehmy and Wendy Warner, and their team, relocated the master bedroom and bathroom to the first floor. In the bathroom, a new handicapaccessible walk-in shower, vanities, sinks, plumbing fixtures and flooring were added. New flooring was installed throughout the The McClamrocks’ master suite, downstairs, new bedroom relocated to the ground floor and dining room furniture was provided, as well as drapery, rugs and accessories throughout. MUSE worked with vendors to provide some of the materials for the renovation and all labor Rockie Lynne and the was donated to make this possible. Tribute to the Troops McClamrocks at the reveal raised funds to cover any materials not donated and had volunteers participate all week. The big reveal took place September 29, with Rockie Lynne and his band performing a concert afterward. The two-part series will air later this year on A&E and FYI networks.

DHMRI Welcomes Finance Director Ann Wilson

Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation Establishes Endowed Chair

Preparation of the FY18 Budget, software needs and business processes are just a few of the items that Ann Wilson is balancing as she settles into her role as director of finance for the David H. Murdock Research Institute (DHMRI), located on the N.C. Research Campus (NCRC) in Kannapolis. Wilson brings more than 30 years of financial experience to the job. Throughout her career, she’s learned there is one central truth. “If there is no money, there is no mission,” she says. “Every entity has to be able to make payroll, pay the bills and keep the doors open, so we have to have a business model that can support the science. That’s my job − to help provide for the scientists so they Ann Wilson can succeed.” Her expertise is critical to the DHMRI’s next phase of growth where the institute’s biomarker discovery and method development services are being translated into scientific products. The combination of services and products will expand the DHMRI’s ability to collaborate with academic and industrial scientists at the NCRC and around the world. After graduating from Wake Forest University in the early 1980s, Wilson has since served as finance director for Rowan and Cabarrus counties as well as Mecklenburg County’s behavioral health services. In her first few weeks, she’s been impressed with the sense of mission. “They are all doing their best to make headway in the research. It translates into better lives for people worldwide,” she says. “In my mind, the mission boils down to trying to feed the hungry, heal the sick and keep people well. Who would not want to be part of that?”

A charitable commitment from the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation has established a $2-million endowed chair in support of academic and research efforts at Levine Children’s Hospital. The funds will be designated to create the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation Endowed Chair in Cancer and Blood Disorders. “Thanks to the support of Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation and many in our community, our researchers have the academic and scientific freedom to move forward, pursue new treatment options and discover the next generation of medical science,” Gene Woods, president and CEO of Carolinas HealthCare System, says. “Cancer remains the leading cause of death from disease in children in the United States, and better cures for children with cancer will only come through research,” says Gordon, chairman of the Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation. “I’ve never faced anything on the racetrack as tough as childhood cancer. I won’t stop until we beat it.” Javier Oesterheld, MD, who is the specialty medical director at the Levine Children’s Hospital Torrence E. Hemby Jr. Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplant Center, has been named the first Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation endowed chair. Spearheaded by its Developmental Therapeutics Program, the center offers novel therapies using investigational drugs or new combinations of approved drugs through Phase I and II studies for children and adolescents with recurrent and refractory cancers who currently have no curative treatments available.

November 2017 25 n

CSM Production’s Golfing 4 Good Tournament Raises Much-Needed Funds

Intimidators Name New Team President

With a rally cry of “keep pounding,” Harrisburg’s CSM Production’s Golfing 4 Good tournament raised $60,651 for a Mooresville family battling cancer and DKMS, an international nonprofit dedicated to the fight against blood cancer and blood disorders. At the 7th annual event held last month at Cabarrus Country Club, 22 participating teams raised muchneeded funds for Marshall Keister and DKMS. At the age of 34, Keister was diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer. With a sizable tumor in his colon, he is currently undergoing a nine-month intensive treatment plan including chemo, radiation, and surgery later this year. While undergoing treatment, Keister and his wife welcomed their daughter, Quinn, into the world on September 5. “When you’re diagnosed with cancer, it’s like winning the lottery,” Keister says. “But rather than people wanting to be around you for their own personal gain, they surround you with encouragement, love and, in the case of CSM and all those participating in the golf tournament, financial support. My family and I are grateful for this event and will never be able to put into words how it will impact our life. The only thing we can say is thank you all.” John Sloop, brother of CSM employee Chuck Sloop, passed away unexpectedly in July. As a volunteer and bone marrow donor, a donor registry drive also was held in his memory, collecting 26 bone marrow swabs. “My family and I are excited to remember John with such a fitting tribute,” Sloop says. “Our family is excited to rally together for his favorite charity, knowing a donor drive is a perfect celebration of his heart and soul.” CSM Production rallied more than 80 employee volunteers to organize and execute the day of service. The annual fundraiser is funded by CSM Production, so 100 percent of the proceeds directly benefit the Keister family and DKMS. In seven years, more than $260,000 has been raised benefiting several worthy causes and members of the CSM family. In addition, CSM Production is celebrating its 30th anniversary on November 2 with a 30 to 30 Instagram campaign that features milestones, memories and its culture each day until November 2. To follow along, visit www.instagram.com/ CSMProduction.

The Kannapolis Intimidators have named Brian C. Radle the team’s president. Radle joins the Intimidators after working for Main Street Baseball’s Wilmington Blue Rocks and Lowell Spinners since 2012. Radle, who will oversee all facets of the club’s operations, spent the 2017 season with the Lowell Spinners, shortseason affiliate of Brian Radle the Boston Red Sox, where he served as the assistant general manager. Prior to that, he worked as the Wilmington Blue Rocks’ director of advertising sales. He helped secure the naming rights partnership for the 2014 California/Carolina League AllStar Game and festivities with Bank of America, which the Blue Rocks hosted. He also increased the team’s overall advertising revenue each of his four years with the club. “We have a very special opportunity in front of us as an organization to build something much bigger than ourselves; for the city of Kannapolis, and the residents of Cabarrus and Rowan counties,” Radle says. “I am driven to have the Intimidators play a vital role in making the collective vision we all have a success and, in the process, establish us as a model franchise in Minor League Baseball.” The Kannapolis Intimidators open the 2018 season on Thursday, April 5, at Intimidators Stadium supported by Carolinas HealthCare System against the Lakewood BlueClaws. The Intimidators are coming off a 2017 Northern Division Championship, advancing to their first South Atlantic League Championship Series since 2005. Season tickets for the 2018 season are available by calling the F&M Bank Box Office at 704-932-3267 or by visiting IntimidatorsBaseball.com.

26 Cabarrus Magazine n

Move Kannapolis Forward 2030 to be Unveiled Following extensive community outreach at events in downtown, Village Park, Cannon Boulevard, Main Street and western parts of the city, the Move Kannapolis Forward 2030 Comprehensive Plan is ready for its unveiling.

Concord City Council Approves Land Annexations At the October Concord City Council meeting, Council voted in favor of annexing land off N.C. Highway 49 near the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center. The proposed development will be mixed-use and will include a hotel as well as apartments and condominiums on 14.5 acres on Cold Springs Road. At the same meeting, Council also annexed 36 acres on Archibald Road,

west of Zion Church Road. The 36 acres – along with another 24 acres already within the city limits – will become a residential development of 149 homes. Half-acre lots and 21 acres of open space are tentatively planned. Council utilized its 2015 Land Use Plan and opposed a residential project that would have seen 595 homes built on 402 acres on Zion Church Road near Flowes Store Road. n

Move Kannapolis Forward is the community-driven process to update the City’s comprehensive plan and establish a blueprint for its future. This public policy document sets forth the long-range vision, goals and policies for transportation, housing, development, the environment, the economy and public services. The plan will serve to coordinate the many existing, ongoing and future plans and projects in the city. Move Kannapolis Forward asked citizens to dream big, while respecting and cherishing the resources and cultural heritage that make Kannapolis great. The process is nearing its end, so come out to the public unveiling of the Move Kannapolis Forward 2030 Comprehensive Plan being held November 20, 6:00 to 8:00pm, in The Laureate Center of Kannapolis City Hall.

November 2017 27 n

NOVEMBER LAPS AND TAPS November 2-3 • 12:00-4:00pm • $49 Charlotte Motor Speedway 5555 Concord Parkway S., Concord • Tour includes transportation, escort, two brewery stops (Cabarrus Brewing Company and Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Company), souvenir glasses, four beer tastings and laps around the 1.5-mile track. • Food trucks available for food purchases • Age Range: Adults 21+ • 704-455-3223 TODDLER STORY TIME November 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 • 10:30am Mt. Pleasant Branch Library 8556 Cook Street, Mt. Pleasant • Children from walking age to three years old with caregiver. Songs, stories, finger plays followed by playtime for toddlers and networking for parents. • 704-436-2202 BROWN BAG COLORING FOR ADULTS November 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 11:00am-12:00 noon Mt. Pleasant Branch Library 8556 Cook Street, Mt. Pleasant • Coloring books aren’t just for kids anymore. Bring your lunch and color your stress away. We provide the materials or bring your own. • 704-436-2202 SOUTHERN FRIED FUNERAL November 3-5 • $20 Old Courthouse Theatre 49 Spring Street N.W., Concord • Funerals bring out the worst, the best and the funniest in people, and the Fryes are no exception. A big-hearted comedy about family, Southern-style. • 704-788-2405; octconcord.com

28 Cabarrus Magazine n

A BOY AND HIS SUPERHERO November 4 • 6:00-8:00pm • $40/couple Laureate Center 401 Laureate Way, Kannapolis • This program is designed for boys ages five and up to be accompanied by their mom, stepmom, grandma, big sister, aunt or special lady. • Dress anywhere from superhero in full costume or t-shirt to as mild-mannered as Clark Kent in your casualwear. • RSVP; space is limited. • kannapolisnc.gov HOPS & HEAT BEER AND CHILI FESTIVAL November 4 • 1:00-5:00pm • $20-$30 Barbrick Avenue, downtown Concord • Live music from David Childers, The Mike Strauss Band and PALEFACE! • Unlimited beer tastings from your favorite local and regional breweries • 704-784-4208 PIEDMONT FARMERS MARKET November 4, 11, 18, 25 • 8:00am 518 Winecoff School Road, Concord • Open year-round. Fresh local produce, honey, free-range eggs, antibiotic and hormone-free beef, chicken and pork. • 704-425-5559; piedmont-farmersmarket.com SALUTE TO VETERANS PARADE November 4 • 11:00am Tryon Street, uptown Charlotte • Showcases local middle and high school bands, the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program units, Boy and Girl Scout troops, active military units, antique cars and veteran organizations • 980-314-1901; Janene.Mcgee@ MecklenburgCountyNC.gov VETERAN’S SALUTE 5K November 4 • 9:00am Downtown Concord • A 5K and Fun Run raising funds for the Military Order of the Purple Heart Combat Wounded Veterans Chapter 634 • Enjoy music, games and inflatables for children • Hosted by the City of Concord Parks & Recreation Department • 704-920-5619; rodgerss@concordnc.gov

RUN KANNAPOLIS - FALL BACK 5K November 5 • 1:30am Downtown Kannapolis • The run will take place during the time change at 2am. For example, if you run a 30-minute 5K, your finish time will be around 1:20am. We’ll have lots of fun staying awake and falling back in time! • kannapolisnc.gov A VET TOGETHER November 7, 14, 21, 28 • 9:00-11:00am Carm’s Cafe´ 42 Union Street S., Concord • Join Cabarrus Veterans Coalition for free coffee and conversation. • 704-960-4394 EXHIBITION: CLAY AT THE GALLERIES November 9-30 The Galleries 65 Union Street S., Concord • The Galleries’ most popular exhibit, Clay is an annual show featuring artists from throughout North Carolina. • cabarrusartscouncil.org VETERANS LUNCH November 9 • 12:00 noon Cabarrus County Senior Center 331 Corban Avenue S.E., Concord • All military veterans and their spouses are invited. • Call 704-920-3484 to reserve your spot. POLAR PIG BBQ COOK OFF November 10-11 • 5:00-6:00pm Cabarrus Arena & Events Center 4751 N.C. Highway 49N., Concord • Hosted by GMAX Automotive & Xccessories and KCBS sanctioned • A non-profit event with proceeds going to St. Jude’s Research Center • Vendor alley for early Christmas shopping and lots of mouth-watering BBQ to taste from our competing pit masters • Kid-friendly zone, live music • 704-920-3976

VETERANS DAY BREAKFAST & TOUR November 10 • 8:00-10:00AM • Free The Billy Graham Library 4330 Westmont Drive, Charlotte • A special morning with a hot buffet breakfast, fellowship and an inspiring word from Brigadier General Jim Walker USMC (Ret). Walker currently serves Samaritan’s Purse as the deputy director for international projects and executive director for Operation Heal Our Patriots. • Tour reservations: 704-401-3263 2ND SATURDAY OPEN STUDIOS AT CLEARWATER ARTIST STUDIOS November 11 • 10:00am-4:00pm 223 Crowell Drive N.W., Concord • Several art studios on premises will be open with resident artists present to talk to, watch work, etc. • 704-784-9535; clearwaterartists.com DANCING FOR THE ARTS November 11 • 6:00-11:00pm The Davis Theatre 65 Union Street S., Concord • A dance competition that puts local stars on-stage to raise funds for the Cabarrus Arts Council. • Begins with a cocktail buffet and ends with dancing under the stars. • 704-920-2787; info@cabarrusartscouncil.org GUIDED HISTORIC WALKING TOUR November 11 • 10:30-11:45am • $10 • Downtown Concord was ground zero for events that shaped life for those throughout Cabarrus County and the entire South. • Join local author and historian, Michael Eury, through a guided historic walking tour of downtown Concord. • 704-784-4208; info@concorddowntown.com KEYSTONE VETERANS DAY PROGRAM November 11 • 11:00am-12:00pm Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County 247 Spring Street, Concord • An Honor Guard, singers and speakers recognize local military veterans. • 704-786-3711; jhelms@bgclubcab.org THE CABARRUS QUILT GUILD November 13 • Doors open 6:00pm Forest Hill United Methodist Church 265 Union Street N., Concord • Meet & Greet: 6:15-6:45pm • Presentation of our cuddle quilts to CVAN whose representative accepts the quilts and gives information about current activities. • www.CabarrusQuiltersGuild.org

ART WALK November 17 • 6:00-9:00pm Downtown Concord • Galleries and shops display visual art and host artists’ demonstrations. There are often interactive displays, live music and refreshments. • cabarrusartscouncil.org CONCORD ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY November 17 • 6:00-9:00pm Bicentennial Plaza, Downtown Concord • Music, children’s amusements, horsedrawn wagon rides and trolley rides, and, of course, Santa Claus! The event is highlighted by a fireworks display. • 704-920-5215 89TH ANNUAL CONCORD CHRISTMAS PARADE November 18 • 2:30-5:00pm • A long standing-holiday tradition, the Concord Christmas Parade draws hundreds of entries and thousands of spectators to historic downtown Concord. • Organized by Cabarrus Events Association • 704-932-3808 INTERGALACTIC BEAD & JEWELRY SHOW November 18-19 • 10:00am-5:00pm Cabarrus Arena & Events Center 4751 N.C. Highway 49N., Concord • Wholesale/retail exhibitions unite artisans and buyers from across the globe. Gemstones; ancient, lampworked and vintage beads; cabochons; freshwater pearls; charms; pendants; and supplies • www.beadshows.com KANNAPOLIS ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY November 25 • 6:00-10:00pm Village Park 700 West C Street, Kannapolis • Join us as we kick off the holiday season with live music, entertainment, children’s activities, fireworks and, of course, Santa Claus. • www.kannapolisnc.gov

KANNAPOLIS WINTERLAND EXPRESS & CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS November 25-30 Village Park 700 West C Street, Kannapolis • Ride the Winterland Express train through the park and enjoy more than 250,000 Christmas light displays. Admission to the park and viewing of the lights are free; tickets to ride the train are $2. • Kids of all ages can visit Santa in his studio from 6:30-9:00 each night. There will be special storytelling appearances by Mrs. Claus and local musicians performing your favorite Christmas songs. • kannapolisnc.gov SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY November 25 • All Day Historic Downtown Concord • Make a purchase at any participating business and enter into a drawing for $100 in Downtown Concord Dollars to be spent in participating businesses. • 704-784-4208; concorddowntown.com CABARRUS CHAMBER BUSINESS AFTER HOURS November 28 • 5:30-7:00pm First Citizens Bank & Trust Co. 18 Lake Concord Road N.W., Concord • Ribbon-cutting at 5:15 • Premier networking event for business professionals; held at various locations. • Free for Chamber members; nonmember guests are welcome to attend up to three times. • Chemin Duffey: 704-260-8110; coordinator@cabarrus.biz IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE – A LIVE RADIO PLAY November 30 • 8:00-10:00pm • $20 Old Courthouse Theatre 49 Spring Street N.W., Concord • This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. • 704-788-2405; info@octconcord.org

November 2017 29 n

Accounting Firms

Potter & Company 434 Copperfield Boulevard N.E Concord, NC 28025 704-786-8189 www.gotopotter.com

At a Glance

Page 2

Antiques & Collectibles

The Depot at Gibson Mill Page 2 325 McGill Avenue N.W., Concord, NC 28027 704-787-9351 www.depotgibsonmill.com

Attorneys

Country Law Shack Page 18 Paula J. Yost, JD, LPCA 5605 Highway 49, Mt. Pleasant, NC 28124 704-280-3624 www.countrylawshack.com

Automotive Maintenance

Certec Automotive Page 19 2215 Roxie Street, Kannapolis, NC 28083 704-795-2426 • 800-264-6823 www.certecautomotive.com

Churches

New Hope Worship Center Page 31 452 Brookwood Ave. N.E., Concord, NC 28025 704-786-0155 www.newhopewc.org

Cleaning Services – Office

Blue-J Serving Cabarrus County and Greater Charlotte Metro 704-589-3148 www.bluejsmallofficecleaning.com

Page 12

Events and Festivals

Automotive Sales

Banking/Financial Institutions

Experience Christmas in Paris Page 3 The Ballroom at Chez Francois 9 Union Street N., Suite 200, Concord, NC 28025 980-439-6602 abefrancois@hotmail.com www.chezfrancoisthecreperie.com

Wells Fargo Page 20 125 N. Main Street, China Grove, NC 28023 704-857-2435 948 Concord Pkwy. N., Concord, NC 28027 704-721-6207 868 Church Street N., Concord, NC 28025 704-784-1245 50 Union Street N., Concord, NC 28025 704-788-3122 400 Ashdale Court, Concord, NC 28027 704-723-4844 5075 Highway 49 S., Harrisburg, NC 28075 704-455-2516 9725 Rocky River Road, Charlotte, NC 28215 704-494-0690 2600 Captains Watch, Kannapolis, NC 28083 540- 899-0110 1501 S. Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis, NC 28083 704-938-6111 704 N. Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis, NC 28083 704-939-1020 216 West Avenue, , Kannapolis, NC 28081 704-939-1000 215 Main Street W., Locust, NC 28097 704-888-5251 www.wellsfargo.com

Carpet/Flooring

Carpet To Go & More Page 13 701 Concord Parkway N., Concord, NC 28025 704-956-2866 www.carpet2go.com

30 Cabarrus Magazine n

Southern Christmas Show Page 27 The Park Expo & Conference Center 800 Briar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28205 704-333-7709 www.southernchristmasshow.com

Funeral Homes

Hartsell Funeral Homes Page 26 460 Branchview Dr. N.E., Concord, NC 28025 704-786-1161 12115 University City Boulevard Harrisburg, NC 28075 704-247-1722 13575 Broadway Avenue, Midland, NC 28107 704-888-5571 522 N. Second Street, Albemarle, NC 28001 704-983-1188 www.hartsellfh.com Wilkinson Funeral Home Page 11 100 Branchview Drive N.E., Concord, NC 28025 704-786-3168 www.wilkinsonfuneralhome.com

Insurance Companies

Physicians Mutual Insurance Co. 855-733-6616 www.dental50plus.com/119

Pharmacies

Harrisburg Hometown Pharmacy Page 20 5006 Highway 49 S., Harrisburg, NC 28075 704-454-RX4U (7948) www.harrisburgpharmacync.com

Photographers

Carolina Renaissance Festival & Artisan Marketplace Page 25 16445 Poplar Tent Rd., Huntersville, NC 28078 704-896-5555 www.renfestinfo.com

Ben Mynatt Family of Dealerships Page 9 281-289 Concord Parkway S. Concord, NC 28027 704-786-2151 (Cadillac) • 704-788-2121 (GMC) www.benmynatt.com

1706 S. Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis, NC 28083 704-933-6337 1402 N. Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis, NC 28083 704-933-7948 www.cannonpharmacies.com

Page 31

Cannon Pharmacy Page 15 760 Cabarrus Avenue W., Concord, NC 28027 704-788-6337

Michael A. Anderson Photography Page 11 38 Union Street S., Concord, NC 28025 704-701-5908 mike@michael-a-anderson.com www.michael-a-anderson.com

Professional Skin Care/Health Products

Essential Skin and Laser 1048 Copperfield Blvd. N.E., Suite 117 Concord, NC 28025 704-782-7546 www.essentialskinandlaser.com

Print & Technology Services

Modern Impressions 5029 West W.T. Harris Boulevard Charlotte, NC 28269 800-840-2554 www.modernimpressions.com

Residential Properties

Choquette Properties 21031 Catawba Avenue, Suite 105 Cornelius, NC 28031 704-765-1839 www.choquetteproperties.com

Page 9

Page 10

Page 32

Restaurants

Chez Francois The Creperie Page 21 9 Union Street N., Concord, NC 28025 980-439-6602 www.chezfrancoisthecreperie.com

Satellite TV and Internet Providers Dish 1-844-403-6138 www.dish.com

Page 14

Spectrum 1-855-412-1569 www.spectrum.com

Page 22

Theatres – Live

Old Courthouse Theatre Page 2 49 Spring Street N.W., Concord, NC 28025 704-788-2405 www.octconcord.com

November 2017 31 n