Mary Ann Maxson has passed on leadership duties for the Weddington Optimist Club to Bill Deter. Both remain on the club’s board of directors. Photo courtesy of the Weddington Optimist Club
Weddington Optimists announce new leadership
WEDDINGTON – Bill Deter has been elected as the new president of the Weddington Optimist Club.
Deter, who is the former mayor of Weddington, has continued to stay active in the area, serving on the board of the Centralina Council of Governments and as a member of the North Carolina League of Municipalities.
Deter has been a member of the Optimist Club for two years. Originally from Texas, he moved to North Carolina after retiring from a senior management position with the Maytag corporation.
Mary Ann Maxson has served as club president since 2017.
Under her leadership, the service organization has greatly expanded its social media activities. The club has launched a new Facebook page and Instagram account, as well as a new website as www.weddington-optimist.org.
Club membership has almost doubled. Its 2018-19 focus has been growth and engagement.
Maxson has been active with the Weddington Optimist Club for 13 years and was one of the founding members of Optimist Park. The park serves hundreds of families in the area through WCWAA sports activities.
The club’s new board of directors includes Deter, Maxson, Milton Sheffield, Chris Killion, Joan Beaulieu and Mike Maxson.
Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center expanding into Monroe
CHARLOTTE – Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center is expanding its services in the Monroe area.
The nonprofit will host a grand opening from 9 a.m to noon Nov. 2 at 2605 W. Roosevelt Blvd.
Guests will be treated to tours of the new, expanded hearing technology center and speech-language therapy suites. Audiologists and speech-language pathologists will provide consultations.
The center will offer free hearing screenings (ages 2 and older), as well as free speech language screenings for children (ages 2-12). The event will have a bounce house, crafts, corn hole, apple bobbing and drawing for a free pair of hearing aids.
“Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center is thrilled to be expanding our services in Union County.” Executive Director Shannon Tucker said. “Through our new facility, we can serve more people in need than ever before and continue working towards our mission of providing access to superior speech-language and hearing services that empower and transform lives.”
Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center of Union County’s office operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and from 8 a.m. to noon Fridays. Call 704-523-8027 for an appointment. Visit www.CharlotteSpeech Hearing.com/GrandOpening for details.
Kay joins county as general counsel from Charlotte
MONROE – Jason Kay, of Indian Trail, began his tenure as Union County’s general counsel on Oct. 21.
Kay joins Union County’s staff to fill the key role that Jeff Crook held for 30 years. Crook has announced his retirement at the end of November.
“We thank Jeff for his decades of service to Union County government and are thrilled to have Jason fill this key position,” County Manager Mark Watson said. “He brings a strong commitment to government in North Carolina.”
For the past seven years, Kay has been with the City of Charlotte, where he served as senior assistant city attorney and most recently as special assistant to the city manager. Prior to his position with Charlotte, he served as general counsel for the office of the speaker in the N.C. House of Representatives.
Kay will oversee the county’s legal department and work as a strategic advisor to the county’s management team and commissioners.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to serve with dynamic and highly skilled professionals in one of North Carolina’s fastest growing counties,” he said.
Union Day School appoints board member
WEDDINGTON – Jim Lovell has joined Union Day’s school board.
Lovell, who has 30 years of experience as a certified public accountant, is honored and excited to join the board.
“I look forward to helping UDS achieve its goals and impact the community in a positive way,” he said.
Erin Kirkpatrick, who chairs the board, said members are pleased about Lovell’s appointment.
“His passion, dedication and expertise elevate our joint skill set as Union Day School grows into a middle school and our new building,” she said.
AMG Heritage Awards heading to Charlotte
MONROE – The Artists Music Guild presents the 2019 AMG Heritage Awards on Nov. 9 at Ovens Auditorium.
Regina Belle and Montell Jordan will host the 2019 AMG Heritage Awards Show.
Belle is best known for performing on “A Whole New World” (theme from Aladdin) with Peabo Bryson. Jordan is best known for his hit, “This Is How We Do It.”
This year’s main show line-up includes David L. Cook (“I Go Crazy”), Gloria Gaynor (“I Will Survive”), Skip Martin of Kool & The Gang, Russell Thompkins Jr. and the New Stylistics (“You Make Me Feel Brand New”), Norman Greenbaum (“Spirit In The Sky”), CeCe Peniston (“Finally”), and Shayy Winn of “American Idol.”
The pre-show line-up includes Clay Page, American Idol alum Drake McCain and William Oliver Jr.
Buy tickets at www.ticketmaster.com or at Ovens Auditorium.
CATA previews competition performances
MONROE – Central Academy of Arts and Technology will present previews of its North Carolina Theatre Conference performances on two nights this weekend.
Performances include the festival presentations of “The Great Gatsby” and “August Osage County” at 7 p.m. Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. Tickets cost $5 at the door and http://cata.seatyourself.biz.
Visit https://cataperformingarts.org/event/nctc-performances/ for details.