Orthodontist in Mint Hill NC

MINT HILL, NC – Local charter Queen’s Grant High School graduated it’s first senior class of just 43 students in June of 2010, so it may surprise you to hear that the relatively young and small charter school currently has many alumni on staff!

A flute player, president of the International Thespian Society, and an avid participant in anything drama-related, it’s no surprise that 2016 graduate Jacquelyn Whiteside is QGHS’ new theater and dance teacher.

After Queen’s Grant, Whiteside studied theatrical performance, design, and technical theater at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. After graduation, she worked at the local community theater as their resident costume designer and front office assistant while picking up various costume design jobs for independent films.

When QGHS Principal Josh Swartzlander reached out to Whiteside at the beginning of August with an opportunity, she went in for an interview, and, as she says, “the rest is history. The joke in high school was that I would be the one to come back and teach theater,” she continues, “and here we are!” she laughs.

Although some things have changed since Whiteside graduated seven years ago – “I remember we were not allowed to wear skinny jeans!” she laughs – QG’s mission to offer a challenging, character-based education has not. As she looks toward the future, Whiteside says, “I hope QGHS continues to enrich the lives of the students that comes through its doors.”

After QGHS, 2016 graduate Stori Cox studied English literature at Wingate University and then earned her Masters from UNCC in teaching. With younger siblings at QGHS, Cox was no stranger to campus after graduation, but she hadn’t really considered returning as a teacher until Swartzlander reached out to her the summer before she graduated from college.

“Dr. Swartzlander reached out to me and told me that I had a job at the school if I wanted one,” she says. “I felt unsure of where I wanted my post-graduate life to take me, so I took the opportunity. I ended up falling in love with teaching.”

Cox’s memories of being a student at QG center around the relationships she formed with peers, some of whom she attended school with for many years. As an English and yearbook teacher as well as the school’s National Honor Society advisor, it’s that Queen’s Grant community that keeps her around.

“I have never felt alone as a beginning teacher,” she says. Less unsure than when she began, Cox is currently working toward her doctorate in curriculum and instruction at UNCC. “I have had consistent encouragement from the administration and other teachers, which is super important to me. The first couple years of teaching are extremely difficult; I cannot imagine working anywhere else!”

“Teaching was always something I was interested in doing,” says 2011 Queen’s Grant graduate Bradley Holt, “though I never imagined I would end up doing it at QGHS!”

Post-QGHS, Holt attended CPCC, working full time while he earned his Associates Degree. Holt then transferred to UNC Charlotte, where he completed a BA in History and was accepted into their graduate program, successfully defending his thesis and earning his MA two and a half years later.

Just one month after completing his Masters, Holt began working at QGHS, where he teaches tenth grade civics as well as an elective history course and advises the student council.

While he never thought he’d wind up back in the same place where he ran cross country and pretended to know it all in AP History, Holt is glad that he landed in a place where he feels supported as a young teacher by both fellow staff and administration. And he enjoys his work with high school students, who he calls “extremely enjoyable to teach, and very willing to learn (even if they don’t like to admit it).”

Holt was part of only the second group of seniors to graduate from QGHS, so quite a bit has changed since he roamed its halls as a student. “There is now a fifth modular unit, and the number of students seems like it has doubled,” he remarks. “What has not changed, though, is a strong sense of camaraderie among the classes.”

Upon graduating from Campbell University in 2016 with a BS in Fitness Wellness Management (where he also double minored in Business Management and Marketing), 2012 graduate Austin Kegarise landed the opportunity to serve as a substitute in the PE department for two weeks at QG. He must have made an impression because when the PE teacher he subbed for resigned shortly after, Kegarise was offered the job.

Seven years later, Kegarise is the school’s Athletic Director and Head Baseball Coach. He also teaches weightlifting, sports medicine and team sports for tenth through twelfth grades. “I love the uniqueness of the job,” he says. “Every day is different. I also love seeing kids get the opportunity to participate in sports programs, and all the enjoyment that comes with it.”

Kegarise was part of Queen’s Grant’s third graduating class, so like Holt, much has changed since the days when he played baseball, including the addition of athletic fields for its sports programs. “Student enrollment has gone way up,” he adds. “The whole campus just has a different energy.”

Matthew Rabinowitz also never expected to return to QG after he graduated in 2016. “When I left for college, I expected to never even return to Charlotte,” says Rabinowitz, who moved to Washington, DC after graduation, where he eventually pursued the study of sociology and conducted research on Jewish millennial identity in the DMV area.

“When the pandemic began in March of 2020, I moved to Minneapolis and finished my degree online,” he says. “Over the years I excitedly came to campus to visit my teachers from high school, but I certainly never expected to be offered (let alone accept) a role at the school.”

Nowadays, Rabinowitz enjoys a role as MTSS Coordinator and Administrative Assistant/Generalist for QGHS. “I helped build our MTSS (Academic Support for students) program, work as a substitute teacher, conduct IT support, and do anything and everything necessary to help the school run smoothly,” he explains.

He may not have thought this where he’d end up, but now that he’s here? “I love the close-knit and small community that we support here at QGHS,” says Rabinowitz. “It’s incredibly enjoyable and powerful to be able to know nearly every student on the campus so well. We can really elevate the levels of support and quality of education our students receive this way. It’s funny how the world can work,” he concludes, “and I’m honored to be a part of the QGHS team.”

QGHS Principal Josh Swartzlander has been instrumental in actively recruiting alumni to return to Queen’s Grant. “Students stay in touch,” he says, noting that they want to be a part of the school, and he’s happy to bring hardworking, eager alumni back into the fold as opportunities arise.

“QGHS isn’t very glamorous and doesn’t have big lights and fancy bells and whistles,” he admits. “It takes a bunch of people that see beyond the superficial to see that the heart of a school is the people. We have and have had some really ‘good people’ around here. I know it’s cliché but it’s all about community. If you build trust and develop relationships. I think that draws what those people want from a role in society.”

MINT HILL, NC -As a home buyer, you might have started shopping for a new home recently. You spent the time getting pre-approved, set up a list of the things you want and need in a home, and even contacted a local real estate agent.

After all this work, you found out there simply are not that many homes on the market that fit your criteria. This might have you questioning your criteria for a home or even your buying budget. However, there simply are not that many homes on the market right now, across the United States.

Of course, the national real estate market doesn’t always match every local area. The Mint Hill real estate market might have more homes for sale compared to a market out west. Each local market will be a bit different, so make sure to check your market before you just give up on your home search.

Where are all the Homes For Sale?

Before the pandemic happened, there was already a shortfall estimate of about 4 million homes across the nation. This number went up to about 6.5 million by 2022, according to Realtor.com.

The inventory decline was first kicked into gear by low mortgage rates and high demand. This caused many buyers to pay a premium to get a new home. However, times have changed rather quickly with higher mortgage rates pricing many would-be buyers and sellers out of the market.

Is the Solution More Inventory?

Some experts think the real estate market issues would simply be solved by more inventory. However, this might be like throwing money at an issue and it might only be a short-term fix. Even if more homes were on the market right now, there is no guarantee those homes would appeal to current buyers or would fall into their price range.

Other experts will trace this to not enough homes being built. However, with home builders having to offer deals to unload the stock they have, it’s not much of an incentive to increase the amount of homes they are building.

The Bigger Issue is Mortgage Rates

Sometimes, we cannot just look at the symptoms, but we must get to the root of the issue. The bigger issue causing the lack of inventory is the mortgage rates.

Often, we only think mortgage rates impact home buyers and we don’t consider the impact they have on home sellers. Since most homeowners don’t want to go back to renting, when they sell, they also buy. This leads to a rather important question, would you list your home for sale right now, if you have a 3% mortgage rate?

If you sell, and you have a mortgage rate under 5%, currently, you are going to buy with a higher mortgage rate. For some, it would be double their current rate, which will cost them far more than it’s worth, even if they could get above fair market value for their current home.

While new inventory might help with market recovery, the real solution is time. If mortgage rates are not going to come down, it will simply be a matter of time before these homeowners decide there is a good reason to sell their home, such as relocating to a new area or downsizing.

There is likely no quick fix to the current inventory and mortgage rate issues. Over time, things might get sorted out, but in the short term, it’s likely we are headed into a summer real estate season with bidding wars and higher home prices.

I would love to be part of your journey when the time is right for you. If you ever have a real estate question or need, or know someone who does, trust that you can turn to me. I will help you make the right move! Anna Granger (704) 650-5707 | annagrangerhomes@gmail.com | www.1stchoicepropertiesinc.com

MINT HILL, NC – Lisa Long has always had a love for animals. Her warm yet disciplined demeanor puts people and pets at ease, and she has that confident energy you want in a trainer. Working with dogs brings her immense joy, which shows in her approach to each dog. Lisa Long is a balanced trainer, which means that she is well-versed in a wide variety of the top training methods, as well as training tools so that she can create a personalized training program that matches not only your dog’s personality but also the needs of you and your family.

The Green Dog operates on the premise that training is a partnership between the trainer and the dog’s family. For any training to be effective, all parties involved must be on the same page, using the same commands, rewards, and corrections so that the dog gets consistent training across all parties. “Dog owners want a chill, well-mannered dog that they can take anywhere,” Ms. Long remarked, and that’s what she delivers. With her proven training methods, commitment to client involvement, and desire to bring out the best in all dogs, The Green Dog is fast becoming the premiere dog-training program in the area.

If you’re thinking of adopting a dog, you should already be thinking about training. The earlier you start socializing and training your dog, the better the outcome you’ll have in the long run. The Green Dog begins with a basic training format that includes on-leash training, basic manners, and commands, as well as working to extinguish bolting, jumping, and excessive barking behaviors. Additional training includes off-leash training, advanced programs, and therapy dog training. Ms. Long uses the K-9 Good Citizens program as the first step to therapy dog training. With therapy dog training, as opposed to basic training, you must ensure that your dog has the right demeanor to become a therapy dog. Ideal candidates are calm and responsive, and Ms. Long will help you determine if therapy dog training suits your canine.

“Consistency, clarity, and clear communication are key in training,” Ms. Long continued, “the entire family must use the same training techniques, routines, and methods for training to be successful.” The Green Dog believes that training is best when it’s kept “short and sweet,” with sessions lasting approximately 30 minutes, 2-3 times daily. “Each session should always end positively,” Ms. Long recommends. Training sessions that are too long can lead to dogs that act out or fail at commands due to distraction or boredom. The best thing about dog training is that you will see immediate results if you follow the protocols you and your trainer outline for your program.

The Green Dog offers board and train programs as well as in-home programs. With either choice, client involvement is the key to success. You need to expect a lot of repetition with rewards for correct behavior and consequences for incorrect behavior. Lisa evaluates each dog thoroughly and will help you determine if your dog needs additional therapy tools, such as specialized collars or harnesses, to learn or extinguish behaviors. “The first step is to figure out what works with your dog, what motivates your dog, and then balance rewards and corrections,” Ms. Long explained, “you don’t want the dog to shut down. You want to motivate your dog to want to behave in a well-mannered way.”

Ms. Long wants dog owners to understand that training is a process. It takes approximately three months to learn a new behavior thoroughly. Ms. Long notes that dogs are not fully trained if they require a training tool to elicit a behavior. Training tools are just tools—the goal of using them is to start a behavior response, but ultimately that response should depend upon the command, not the continued use of a tool.

The Green Dog would like to thank the community of Mint Hill for their warm welcome and continued support. Ms. Long truly enjoys being a Mint Hill resident, appreciating the unique shops and restaurants that call Mint Hill home. “When I moved to Mint Hill, I felt like I had found a hidden gem,” Ms. Long remarked. Her goal is to help dog owners genuinely enjoy their dogs. Her plans include organizing a free meet-up group at Veteran’s Park where current and prospective clients can gather, practice their training, and create a welcoming community of dog owners.

For more information about The Green Dog and the services available, please visit their website at trainmymutt.com or call Lisa at (646) 272-8876. In addition, you can follow The Green Dog on social media as the dogs learn and complete training via Facebook at The Green Dog and on Instagram @greendogtrainer.

MINT HILL, NC – On Tuesday, May 9, Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation welcomed the Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce for their monthly member luncheon.

Mayor Pro Tem Dale Dalton and Commissioner Tony Long were in attendance from Town Hall, and Chamber Liaison Dalton provided some informative updates. Construction on and around the soccer fields at Mint Hill’s Veterans Park continues; the town still hopes to open the fields to the public in July. There are also plans in the works to build a permanent stage at the park. Originally planned to be completed for use this summer, the project will now be delayed to the fall due to permitting issues.

Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Paige McKinney congratulated UNC-Charlotte interns Keniston Mullis and Jacob Webb, who are studying marketing and finance respectively, on the last day of their internship with the Chamber. McKinney and the interns visited Atrium Health Union West recently, where the interns were presented with a stipend for their work. McKinney expressed her thanks to Atrium Health for their support of the Chamber’s internship program.

The Chamber welcomed new member Marie Sproul, owner of Family Origin Stories. A professional genealogist, Sproul helps people not only find their ancestors but bring their stories to life through family history books, photo restoration and more. Not present at May’s luncheon were new members Creation Acre, Mint Hill Photography, Haltiwanger Enterprises, and Magnolia Med Spa.

April’s luncheon speaker was Rachel Ezzell from the NC Farm Bureau. Many people may be familiar with the NC Farm Bureau Insurance Group, represented in the Chamber by Blakely Atkins. “We do auto, home, and life insurance, small business insurance,” explained Atkins as she introduced Ezzell, “but farming is our first love.”

In existence since 1936, the NCFB is a grass roots organization structured to give farmers the opportunity to influence issues affecting the business of farming. Farm Bureau Federation Representative Ezzell grew up in Union County, where her family raised beef cattle. Ezzell pointed out that North Carolina ranks second in the country for loss of farmland, and Union County is actually 13th in all the counties across the United States. For 8th generation farmer Ezzell whose family sold their own farm two years ago, those numbers hit close to home.

NCFB is a nonprofit organization that provides a unified voice for the interests and needs of that dwindling farming community, advocating for farmers both in Raleigh and in DC, and providing a host of other useful services to its members. You don’t have to utilize NC Farm Bureau insurance to be a member, but you do have to be a member to have insurance through the Farm Bureau.

Anyone can join the NC Farm Bureau, and membership comes with a long list of benefits you may not be aware of, including discounts on travel, Budget truck rentals, and Dollywood tickets. “Joining is a great opportunity to help your community, and you can easily get that $25 back in just one hotel stay,” said Ezzell.

If you need electrical work done in your home, May is the month to call G&B Electrical Services! In celebration of their 15th anniversary in the community, G&B Electrical is offering a 15% discount on work completed in May with a donation to Sunflower Club Outreach. Use code GB15L to take advantage of this offer.

The next Monthly Member Luncheon will be at Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation on Tuesday, June 13. The speaker will be Anne Mavian from the Mint Hill Library. To learn more about joining the Chamber, visit https://www.minthillchamberofcommerce.com/.

MINT HILL, NC – Bright Blessings is pleased to announce their Summer of Caring campaign!

Founded in 2005 as a monthly birthday program for children staying at the Salvation Army Center of Hope in Charlotte, Bright Blessings has grown into a robust, volunteer-led program that impacts the lives of more than 27,000 children annually through its four core programs: Bless-A-Birthday, Bless-A-Baby, Gift of Care, and Gift of Literacy.

“Bright Blessings’ mission is to provide joy, care and hope to homeless and impoverished children by mobilizing community volunteers of all ages!” says Marketing & Development Associate Chloe Margraves. “We serve children in shelters and schools in six counties across the greater Charlotte area.”

Summer of Caring is a fundraising campaign that aims to bolster Bright Blessings’ inventory and funds in order to sustain requests through the end of the year. The campaign will run from June through August and aims to raise $50k.

To aid in reaching this goal, Bright Blessings has planned a Self Care Fair on June 22 from 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm at Bright Blessings’ facility in Matthews. Guests will enjoy vendors like spray tans, botox, lash and brow tinting, a “curl and braid” bar, permanent jewelry, a bouquet bar, local boutiques and more.

There are two types of tickets available for the Self Care Fair. $30 General Admission tickets include free access to the Curl & Braid and Bouquet Bars as well as amazing appetizers and a wine tasting. Purchase a $75 “Mystery Bag” ticket and add a Mystery Bag full of discounts, coupons and products from vendors at the Self Care Fair and local business partners.

“The Self Care Fair will serve as a way to raise funds for the Summer of Caring campaign and also awareness about Bright Blessings!” says Margraves. “The event will take place at the Bright Blessings facility in Matthews and will have a few service projects for people to participate in if they choose.”

The Self Care Fair is only the beginning of Bright Blessings’ Summer of Caring, which will continue through August. Each month will focus on a different program for which Bright Blessings needs in-kind donations. June will focus on Bless-A-Baby, July will focus on Gift of Literacy, and August will focus on Bless-A-Birthday.

Bright Blessings hopes to close out the Summer of Caring with another event towards the end of August. Follow Bright Blessings on instagram, check out the event calendar on their website, or subscribe to their newsletter to stay in the know about the Summer of Caring and everything going on at Bright Blessings. Visit https://www.brightblessingsusa.org/ for more information.