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INSIDE ▼ Teppers commit $10M+ to food banks PAGE 2A Friday, July 4, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 27
thecharlotteweekly.com
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TowneBank commits $1.5M to Symphony Park campaign CHARLOTTE – TowneBank is committing $1.5 million to support access to public space at Symphony Park, according to SouthPark Community Partners.
“We are thrilled and grateful to partner with TowneBank as we transform Symphony Park into an extraordinary destination that strengthens the fabric of our city,” said Adam Rhew, president and CEO of SouthPark Community Partners. “TowneBank’s generous support brings us one step closer to fulfilling a decade-long desire for a signature public space in the heart of this vibrant district.” The 7.4-acre green space will be renamed
TowneBank Symphony Park in recognition of the company’s investment. “Our TowneBank family is truly excited to play a significant role in the extraordinary transformational plan for Symphony Park here in SouthPark, the corporate home of our Charlotte regional headquarters,” said Ted Wolfe, president of TowneBank Charlotte. TowneBank’s contribution to the capital campaign adds momentum to the $21 million public-private partnership led by SouthPark Community Partners. Earlier this spring, Simon Property Group committed to construct two anchor restaurants and outdoor dining areas at an estimated investment of $8 million. Charlotte City Council voted June
23 to approve $8 million in capital funds to support improvements to the park and improve pedestrian access to it. TowneBank’s investment brings the project to 83% of its total capital goal. After renovations are complete, TowneBank Symphony Park will include: • Enhancements to the bandshell including light or projection art. • A SouthPark Loop trail segment along the park’s Carnegie Boulevard perimeter. • Two bridges to connect the SouthPark Loop directly to the park. • Permanent public restrooms. • Micro-retail space to support emerging entrepreneurs.
• Flat and terraced lawn areas for small and large events. • Interactive areas for children. • Public art. SouthPark Community Partners will steward the new park through an agreement with Simon Property Group that ensures community programming and events The project timeline calls for construction to begin in late summer 2026 and be complete by mid-summer 2027. Businesses and individuals interested in supporting the capital campaign can find more information at https://southparkclt. org/symphonypark.
Getting Ahead grad already seeing results Longtime Lion to lead off Indian Trail July 4 Parade Jessica Rittenour celebrates graduating from Common Heart’s Getting Ahead program. Photos courtesy of Common Heart
INDIAN TRAIL – Getting Ahead graduate Jessica Rittenour has turned a hobby into a business that’s bringing in enough to ease the burden of bills. All it took to get started was a little encouragement and support from Common Heart Success Coach Jen Savage.
“Sometimes people just need someone to tell you ‘I believe in you, you can do it’ and ask the question ‘what’s standing in your way?’ That’s when it gets really exciting,” Savage said. After several years of serving on PTO boards at her children’s schools and managing their social media accounts, Rittenour learned that she was good at it. Rittenour wondered if she could turn this passion into a job to help support her family. Simple Solutions CLT is up and running with two paying clients so far and a third in the works with a fellow Getting Ahead grad who is starting a home baking business. Rittenour’s meetings with Savage about her goals are helping her move toward that $500 deposit into an emergency savings account as part of Common Heart’s Emergency Savings Incentive Plan. Rittenour and her husband, Dee, have three children and learned about Getting Ahead from a flyer in their Thanksgiving basket last year during Common Heart’s Great Turkey Countdown. The food pantries are a lifeline for them because Dee is disabled and unable
to work. He is a Getting Ahead grad now too – graduating a few weeks ago. “Having outside validation is so important. My family said it was a good idea, but was it? I think I just needed someone else, a third neutral party, to give honest feedback,” Rittenour said. “Jen was that person for me and I’m so grateful.” During the 19-session Getting Ahead program, participants like Rittenour and Dee discuss 11 resources that we each need to thrive: financial, emotional, mental/cognitive, language, social capital, physical, spiritual, integrity and trust, motivation and persistence, relationships/role models, and knowledge of hidden rules. Poverty isn’t just about money, but it is often the first thing people think of when talking about instability. Getting Ahead graduates are also eligible for free success coaching to help them achieve the goals they set for themselves. The Emergency Savings Incentive Plan allows graduates to earn a $500 emergency savings account as they build skills needed for success. “I was in my little bubble and Getting Ahead pulled me out,” Rittenour said. “It’s a big commitment but so worth it. Look how much has changed in my life and my family’s life. When you invest in something like GA just look at what doors open up to you and all the resources you get.”
Photo courtesy of Town of Indian Trail
Jessica Rittenour and her husband, Dee, learned about Getting Ahead from their participation in Common Heart’s Great Turkey Countdown.
Want to enroll?
The next session begins July 8 in Marshville. Participants receive a $35 Walmart gift card plus free dinner and free childcare (if needed) for every session they attend. Graduates have the opportunity to receive free success coaching and earn a $500 emergency savings deposit into a bank account. Call Ruth Wilson at 704875-7887 or email GA@CommonHeart.org with any questions. Want to help?
If you would like to help support the Getting Ahead program with meal donations, email EmpowermentOutreach@CommonHeart.org. Speakers are also needed to share expertise during monthly resource meetings.
Matthews Alive announces entertainment lineup MATTHEWS – Matthews Alive returns Aug. 29 to Sept. 1 to downtown Matthews.
Festival organizers have announced several attractions for the weekend: • The Carolina Barnburners and the Band of Oz will perform on Aug. 29. • Aug. 30 and 31 will feature “Mixtape Sides A & B,” with a range of genres. Nathan Morgan, KRVE, Petty Rewind and 90 Proof will share the stage. • The Tina Turner Tribute featuring LAbased Debby Holiday, will perform classic Tina hits from the 1960s to the 2000s, when they headline Aug. 30. • New York-based Don Jovi headlines Aug. 31 with a slate of Bon Jovi classics. • The Castaways and Y2K Kids take to the main stage on Sept. 1. Story continues, see ENTERTAINMENT page 3A
Matthews Alive offers opportunities to eat, listen to music, shop and have fun. CMG file photo
INDIAN TRAIL – Gayle Ford, a retired minister and longtime member of the Indian Trail Lions Club, will Gayle Ford serve as grand marshal of the Town of Indian Trail’s July 4 Parade.
The Indian Trail Town Council selected Ford for his decades of service to the community. “Mr. Ford is an excellent choice to lead the parade this year,” Mayor David Cohn said. “He has lived a life of service, positively impacting countless people in our community and beyond.” Ford served as minister for numerous churches across North Carolina, including Stallings Church to be closer to his ailing father. Ford retired from full-time pastoral service after five years with Stallings Church and continued to serve in retirement as an assistant minister for many years in Monroe. Ford has been a member of the Lions Club for 50 years, including the past 20 years with the Indian Trail chapter. He lives in the same home in which he was born, just outside of Indian Trail. Ford has a daughter, a son and two grandchildren. Ford will lead the parade, which kicks off at 10 a.m. July 4 at Post Office Drive. Parade floats will travel one mile down Indian Trail Road, where they will exit just before Old Monroe Road into the Food Lion parking lot. Parade-goers can expect to see floats, vehicles and walking groups from first responders, businesses, organizations, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Legion, VFW and elected leaders. Plus, there will be lots of candy. Parking will be available at Chestnut Square Park, Indian Trail Town Hall and Crossing Paths Park. Additional spots will be available along the route to watch the parade. Indian Trail Road will be closed from approximately 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for the parade. Samson Tree LLC is sponsoring the parade. On the web: www.itsparksandrec.com