Orthodontist in Stallings NC

It all started with the Wolfpack Club.

Charlie Stallings graduated from NC State with a degree in business management in 1977, and to maintain his connection with his alma mater’s athletics teams, he became a donor soon after.

“I enjoyed football games and wanted to continue to get tickets, but then it became about doing more for the university,” Stallings said of his evolving motivation for support.

“More for the university” has taken many forms. In the 1990s, Stallings worked with the Alumni Association to organize the NC State Club of Richmond, where he and his wife Jeanne still live. One of the club’s first projects was launching an NC State-branded Virginia license plate. To help promote the initiative and increase recognition of NC State in his home state of Virginia, he donated funds so area alumni could get the plate for free.

As Stallings’ involvement with NC State deepened, his giving has expanded to include endowed support for strategic priorities. When he was approached about supporting scholarships at the Poole College of Management, he reflected on his own experiences as a student. “I recognized how important it was to have some assistance,” he said.

In 2012, he and Jeanne endowed a scholarship of their own, the Charles E. Stallings Family Scholarship that will support students with financial need in perpetuity. The Stallingses understand that while their annual giving was important to the college’s immediate needs, endowments forever link donors and their families to NC State and Poole and unite a shared vision. In this case, that vision is for Poole College of Management to be recognized as a world-class, innovative college of management that advances business and society. The recruitment and support of diverse and talented students will continue to be a major priority for the college’s long-term success.

We have all benefited from what NC State did for us … from the time we spent there, what we learned, the social interaction, the group involvements, and all of this contributed and helped form who you are today. Honor that gift that NC State gave you and give back. Let others enjoy this same gift.

For Stallings, a senior vice president with BB&T Capital Markets’ Institutional Fixed Income Group, the fact that an endowed scholarship will help students not just for one academic year but for generations to come is crucial. He knows that the importance of the university having funds to invest in order to generate income for uses such as scholarships in perpetuity might not make for the flashiest pitch. However, endowments are critical to NC State’s goals. “That’s what’s going to make this university even greater: having the funds available to attract and retain the best faculty and the best students,” he said.

NC State’s Think and Do the Extraordinary Campaign has created multiple opportunities for the Stallings family to increase their impact. They have given back to the university in three vital ways: providing annual gifts to the Wolfpack Club and the Poole College of Management, strengthening their endowed fund and making a documented estate gift.

As a strong proponent of planned giving options, Stallings has ensured a legacy that will continue to pay forward and strengthen his endowed investment in NC State. He recently created a perpetual trust that will benefit the Wolfpack Club and the Stallings Family Scholarship Endowment. “Giving from your estate is pretty darn easy,” he said. “People hear the phrase ‘planned gift’ and they think they’ll have to change their estate plans, use their attorneys.”

Planned gifts establish the roots for the university’s future growth and development. These gifts create a lasting impact that will extend the benefits of the donor’s generosity far into the future and on a much broader scale.

Stallings explains, it can be as simple as designating NC State as the beneficiary of all or a portion of a life insurance policy. “It’s a smart way to give, and it’s long-term giving that the university can count on. I think this is so important, and I hope others will join me to include NC State in their estate planning.”

As the Stallings family understands and models, the innovative spirit of Poole doesn’t stop at the classroom door. An extraordinary university requires alumni, students, faculty, staff and partners to shape through philanthropy a new generation of leaders who make outstanding contributions, globally and locally.

In addition to his philanthropic partnership, Stallings has established a record of dedication and leadership to the university. He has served as president of the NC State Club of Richmond, as a member of the NC State Investment Fund Board of Directors, and as former vice chair and current chair of the NC State Foundation Board. He enjoys working with his fellow board members and connecting with people who love NC State and are passionate about setting an example by giving back.

Giving back through his involvement with students at the Poole College of Management has also been a gratifying experience for Stallings. He is excited by the college’s innovative approach and many accomplishments. “Every time you look at the news about Poole College, you see a positive trend,” he said. “Being part of that is important. Between the online MBA program, the Supply Chain Resource Cooperative and the Entrepreneurship Clinic – there’s so much going on.”

At a recent showcase event, a first-year student expressed an interest in meeting Stallings to learn more about investing, credit markets and bond sales. They’ve spoken by phone several times since. “That thirst for knowledge is just fantastic,” Stallings said. “It’s such an honor for me to be able to help.”

The impact of Stallings’ commitment to serving current and future alumni through leadership and philanthropy can be seen across NC State. What began with wanting to stay connected to NC State athletics has grown into campus-wide support and a legacy that will endure for years to come.

“As my mother would say, those who give have all things,” Stallings said. “I’ve learned how true that really is through my involvement at NC State.”

Note: This story was written by Amy Rossi, NC State Development Communications and Stewardship

Homeowners tell WCNC Charlotte they're trying to get answers and a solution.

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STALLINGS, N.C. — Homeowners in Stallings are pushing for answers and growing concern at the Stone Creek Townhomes neighborhood. Several neighbors are discovering sinkholes and now question their safety.

Anna Gaddy is one of the first homeowners to find out about the sinkholes.

“The main concern is about safety. My safety, my neighbors' safety -- all of us living in our homes," she said, "we don’t know if this is compromising the foundations of our homes -- and this is a three-story house and this is top-heavy. We’re worried our house could collapse at any time."

Gaddy fell into one of the sinkholes that was covered in front of her home.

“I'm convinced that if I wasn't able to catch myself with my other leg and kind of like brace myself, I probably would have fell down further at that time," she said.

For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app and enable push notifications.

Credit: WCNC Charlotte

She's not alone in her fear. Roman Osipov is a first-time homeowner and tells WCNC Charlotte the issues surrounding sinkholes are far from ideal.

“At the end of the day, somebody's accountable for it, whether it's the person who has signed off on the soil test, whether it's Ryan Homes, whether it's the developer -- at the end of the day, they have to make this right," he said. "There is only one way about it. They don't live here, I live here.”

Osipov is particularly worried about letting his two-year-old child outside because of the sinkholes.

There are several pockets that are fenced off because of the sinkholes. Since Gaddy first discovered them, she's reached out to several departments, digging for help and answers about the next steps. Crews have come out to assess the issue, but no real answers have come on how to fix the problem according to Gaddy.

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“They have given us theories here of what's going on. And the solution that they say they're going to do next week is not even a guarantee,” She added.

Several people in the neighborhood plan to attend Monday's town hall meeting in Stallings and voice their concerns to town leaders and the public.

Credit: WCNC Charlotte

One of the sinkholes in the Stallings community

"My hope is that someone takes responsibility and they make sure that it is done right, and give us the assurance that we are safe in our own homes and that our neighbors are safe and that they will fix the issue and rectify things and we can trust them again," Gaddy said.

GREENSBORO – North Carolina A&T bowling continued play in its first and only tournament it will host this season, the N.C. A&T Vernell Stallings Invitational. The Aggies will enter Sunday's bracket play with a 7-3 record for the weekend and a total pinfall of 10,230 (204.6). A&T went 4-1 on Friday in Baker format before going 3-2 on Saturday in traditional play.

The Aggies, the fourth-ranked team in the nation according to the latest National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA) poll, is the No. 3 seed after playing on Friday and Saturday at Triad Lanes. Jacksonville State, the No. 1 team in the nation, will enter Sunday's action as the No. 1 seed with a total pinfall of 10,324. Third-ranked Arkansas State will be the No. 2 seed with a 10,289 total pinfall. The Aggies will face fifth-ranked Vanderbilt bracket play after the Commodores posted a 9-1 record and a total pinfall of 10,166. They will enter Sunday's Baker format against A&T as the No. 4 seed. No. 11 Sam Houston State rounds out the top 5 with a 9,868 total pinfall.

Individually, junior Chloe Newberry will likely win the tournament. She knocked down 1,151 pins over five games to average 230.20. Also in line for all-tournament honors is graduate Katie Robb. She finished individual play with a total pinfall of 1,112 to average 222.40 over five games. Graduate and reigning MEAC bowler of the week Lauren Tomaszewski finished just outside of the top-10, posting a 1,047 to average 209.40 over five games.

"Today was a great day for us as we were able to fight for a championship on Sunday," said Newberry. "Personally, it was a great day. I struggled with running out of lane at the end, but overall, I'm pretty happy with it. The team did a great job weathering whatever we faced today. We focused when things got tough."

The Aggies started on Saturday in traditional play with a showdown against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, a team the Aggies have lost to three times previously. But A&T got off to a fast start and trailed late before Rebecca Hagerman and Dannielle Henderson helped the Gamecocks rally to win a thriller, 976-963. Newberry led all bowlers with a 242 total pinfall. Robb posted a 222 score in the heartbreaking defeat.

"I feel like we all grinded well as a team," said Robb. "Going into tomorrow, we must strive for each of us to be even better. In order to beat the best, we must be at our best and then some."

Coppin State came next for the Aggies as A&T came away with a 1,096-847 win over its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) rival. Newberry kept playing well, posting a 236. Tomaszewski complemented her efforts with a match-high 248, followed by senior Melanie Katen's 246. Robb and junior Maya Avilez also bowled well, with Avilez posting a 231 and Robb recording a 229.

Sixth-ranked Nebraska faced the Aggies next. Behind a 211 from Newberry, a 210 from Robb and a 209 from Tomaszewski, the Aggies defeated the Cornhuskers 1,054-964. Unfortunately, A&T lost another close contest on Saturday, this one to ninth-ranked Duquesne 1,101-1,037. Robb and Newberry were fantastic in the fourth match, posting 267 and 237, respectively. The Aggies closed Saturday with a 1,036-766 win over Belmont Abbey College. Katen led the Aggies with a 233, followed by Newberry's 225 and Tomaszewski's 212.

"I think we did a good job of staying ahead of moves and communicating today," said Tomaszewski.

The Aggies had a total pinfall of 5,186 on Saturday. Their total pinfall on Friday in Baker play was 5,044. On Friday, A&T defeated Norfolk State, Howard, Arkansas State and MEAC rival and 14th-ranked Maryland Eastern Shore. The Aggies' only loss came to Sam Houston State, 1,107-1,011.

"We went 4-1, and we did a great job filling frames," Tomaszewski added. "I feel we have a good idea of what our shapes needed to be and where it needed to get down the lane."

Perhaps you want to shake things up and sip coffee with friends over breakfast in Stallings. Or maybe you’re looking to find a new lunch spot in Matthews to stop in for a burger or grab a takeout salad? We’re here for you.

Sure, there are chain options galore. But we like to keep it local whenever possible. So we searched out some of the best neighborhood restaurants in the Matthews and Stallings area, then stopped in at the family-run cafes, diners and other local favorites to taste what’s out there.

Now, you can check out these spots to munch at breakfast or savor a hearty lunch:

Location: 2920 Old Monroe Rd, Stallings, NC 28104

Step inside Athens Pizza & Kabob in Stallings and meet owner Ameneh Pirhayati, who will warmly welcome you to try a few Persian items from her menu of Iranian and Italian staples. Veer out of your comfort zone with the kashke bademjan off the appetizer menu while you wait for a pizza. The dip is similar to baba ganoush, and a background note of mint pops out in each bite. The thin, warm pita it’s served with is also freshly made, by the way.

Location: 10915 Monroe Rd, Matthews, NC 28105

You’ll find the parking lot packed mid-morning at breakfast hotspot East 74 Family Dining, and it’s buzzing inside. Everyone’s there, yet it’s so roomy, it’s not hard to get a table.

If you’ve got a big appetite, order up the breakfast special with two eggs; bacon or sausage; hash browns, grits or oatmeal; and toast or biscuit, paired with coffee or iced tea — all for $6.95. If breakfast isn’t your thing, a selection of “early lunch” options is available, including chicken or tuna salad and burgers.

Location: 1819 Matthews Township Pkwy, Matthews, NC 28105

Plop down in a booth or at a table to take a break from running errands at Matthews Township Shopping Center, and grab a bite to eat at Miki’s Restaurant while you ponder your next stop.

A daily special offers entree choices including meatloaf or country-style steak, served with your choice of two sides from a long list of veggies and starches. Instead, we dug into the gyro, which rivals many in the Charlotte area, and paired it with a side of cucumber and onion salad for lunch. (Our waitress said the cucumber salad is so good, one customer comes in on the regular to take home a four-vegetable plate of it.)

READ NEXT: It’s all Greek to Charlotte: Why our BBQ joints and pizza parlors are Greek-owned

Location: 2741 Old Monroe Rd, Stallings, NC 28104

Phat Daddy’s Cafe is a charming neighborhood restaurant named after the owners’ father, John — aka Phat Daddy — who passed on in 2021. Stop in early for an omelet or a breakfast platter, and you’ll find half the town gathered to chitchat over coffee. (Pro tip: Give the squeeze bottle of grape jelly a try on your toast — you won’t regret it.)

When you come in at lunch, give the namesake Phat Daddy Burger a try. Afterward, head over to Bill and Bob’s Coffee Bar across the parking lot and get a drink to go.

[READ NEXT: Sip a Bacon Waffle Latte and talk tattoos, sobriety at this new Stallings coffee shop.]

Location: 1600-A, Matthews-Mint Hill Rd, Matthews, NC 28105

Picadeli’s Pub-in-Deli may give off bar vibes, but it’s nonetheless one of the best spots in Matthews to pop in for a quick takeout lunch. The kitchen staff has been cranking out the same items for years, so they’re fast and it’s always top quality, our waitress said.

Try the Horiatiki salad, loaded with cucumber, green peppers, red onions, tomatoes, feta, oregano, olives and pepperoncini peppers. It’s served with crackers and the house Greek dressing. (Pro tip: It also keeps well, so you can order a second one and stash it in the fridge for later.)

[READ NEXT: Where to buy the best pies in the Charlotte area — both sweet and savory.]

Location: 11100 Monroe Rd, Matthews, NC 28105

Location: 1315 N. Broome St., Waxhaw, NC 28173

Family-owned Stacks, where you can get breakfast all day, is a can’t-miss staple in Matthews and Waxhaw that’s lasted for generations.

The extensive morning menu includes benedicts and skillets. At lunch, the dining room is hopping with customers chowing down on burgers, salads, sandwiches and wraps. There’s a fully stocked dessert case waiting up front to tempt you, as well.

Where is your favorite neighborhood place in the Matthews area? Drop us a line at charlottefive@charlottefive.com and fill us in, so we can stop in sometime.

EAST GREENSBORO – The 2022 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) regular-season bowling champions, the North Carolina A&T Aggies, are back in action in the city of Greensboro for the second straight weekend. Last weekend went very well for the Aggies in the Gate City, as they wrapped up the conference regular-season title with a 7-1 showing at MEAC Meet #2 at Triad Lanes. The Aggies will participate in the fourth annual NCATSU Vernell Stallings Invitational at AMF All-Star Lanes on 910 S. Holden Road.

In addition to winning the regular-season title, there was history made. Junior Melanie Katen became the first Aggie to bowl a 300-game in program history, as she accomplished the feat in a win over Howard on Saturday. Katen won the individual title with 1,957 total pins and a 217.44 average. The Aggies had four other bowlers finish in the top-10, including two others in the top-3.

Sophomore Maya Avilez totaled 1,923 pins (213.67) to finish second, and sophomore Chloe Newberry finished third with 1,865 pins (207.22). Lauren Tomaszewski rounded out the top-10 with 1,774 pins (197.11) to finish seventh. A&T totaled 9,137 pins for the weekend.

THE WEEKEND A&T comes into the Stallings Invitational 68-24 overall and 15-1 in the MEAC. The Aggies are the sixth-ranked team in the nation in the latest National Tenpin Coaches Association (NTCA). The Aggies are looking to reclaim their tournament. After winning the first two Stallings, the Aggies placed second to Vanderbilt last season.

On Sunday, the Aggies will honor Jada Bassette as a part of Senior Day. The Aggies have captured their rhythm again after a slow start to the second semester. The Aggies are 17-3 in their last two tournaments, finishing second at the James Brown Invitational and first at MEAC Meet #2. A&T will face six other ranked teams this weekend, including defending champion and second-ranked Vanderbilt.

The Stallings invite is played in honor of Vernell Stallings, who is considered the Godfather of collegiate bowling at A&T. Stallings, a 1964 A&T graduate, led his alma mater to MEAC bowling titles in 1996, 1997 and 1999 before the conference sponsored the sport. He retired as the team's first head coach after the 1999 championship.

"Coach Stallings has been instrumental in providing the foundation of the bowling program here at A&T," Aggies head bowling coach Kim Terrell-Kearney said. "Without his many years of hard work, these young ladies may not have all the opportunities we can offer them today. I am so thankful for all he has done, and we are honored to host this event in his name."

THE TEAMS Belmont Abbey, Coppin State, No. 16 Delaware State, Florida A&M, Howard, No. 21 Lincoln Memorial, No. 10 Maryland Eastern Shore, Norfolk State, No. 9 Sam Houston State, No. 22 Tulane, Tusculum, No. 2 Vanderbilt, No. 6 North Carolina A&T.

THE FORMAT The doors open at AMF All-Star Lanes at 8 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Each team will play five Baker-format games on Friday starting at 9:45 a.m. On Saturday, teams will play five traditional games starting at 9:25 a.m. Sunday's play begins at 8:30 a.m. with three best-of-seven bracket play Baker games to determine the champion.

LOOKING AHEAD The Aggies have one remaining regular-season tournament when they travel to Smyrna, Tenn., to participate in the Vanderbilt U Music City Classic, March 17-19. The following weekend the Aggies go after their third straight MEAC title in Virginia Beach, Va.