Friday Five: A new leader at Historic Cabarrus, a road rant and things to do (2024)

We won’t talk about the weather today, but it’s hot and so are some of things we’ve got going on around Cabarrus County, including a new leader appointed this week.

No. 1

New leader at Historic Cabarrus Association. Historic Cabarrus Association, Inc., announced this week the appointment of Dr. Shanaee Bodrick as its new executive director. A press release from HCA said Bodrick brings a wealth of experience and a deep passion for historic preservation. She is a Charlotte native who holds a bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy, a master’s degree in public history, and a Ph.D. in philosophy of education and educational leadership.

In her more than 10 years of experience, she has worked in archives and on an oral history project with Barber-Scotia College. In the nonprofit sector, she has managed fundraising and membership development, project oversight and community engagement.

In her new role, Bodrick will oversee all aspects of HCA’s operations, including strategic planning, fundraising, community engagement and program development. She will work closely with the board of directors, staff, volunteers and community partners to advance the organization’s mission of preserving and promoting the rich history and cultural heritage of the community.

“On behalf of the board of directors, we are delighted to welcome Dr. Shanaee Bodrick to HCA,” said John Misenheimer, chairman of the board. “Her experience, innovative approach and unwavering commitment to historic preservation makes her the perfect leader to guide our organization into an exciting new chapter.”

For more information about the Historic Cabarrus Association and its initiatives, visit www.historiccabarrus.com.

No. 2

Rough church street in Concord. One of our readers suggested that I should rant about how rough Church Street is. He is exactly right.

The manholes and utility covers are all over the place. Several are really low — below the asphalt surface — and others are above the pavement.

The low ones are like hitting potholes. Do we need off-road vehicles to travel around town?

Church Street is not the only place. Have you driven across the Glen Afton bridge over near Gordon Foods? Why is the bridge not level with road? They’ve got engineers who designed this project. It shouldn’t be like driving in the Baja 1000.

And speaking of roads, it looks like NCDOT has about finished the turn lanes and new signal lights at the intersection of Rock Hill Church/Eva Drive intersection with Poplar Tent. Be careful if you drive through there. I expect there will be people who are not used to the new traffic pattern.

No. 3

Fireworks and animals. We’re in fireworks season and that means terror for many of our pets. Last year our cat, Sunshine, was scared away by the illegal fireworks shot off in our neighborhood. We found her a few weeks later. She was injured and sick. She died less than a week later.

We have new kitties, Bryce and Luke, and they are indoor cats. They will be a year old in August.

Don’t let your pets out if you can help it. Let’s keep fireworks to the professionals.

No. 4

Food needed for our community’s hungry. Last week, Cooperative Christian Ministry posted on Facebook that its shelves were getting low. If you would like to help, here is what they need.

“Our pantry shelves and warehouse are getting low, and we need your help to restock them. Your donations will help us serve families in need in our community. We’re specifically in need of the following items: canned chicken and tuna, other canned meats (hash, chili, Vienna sausages), peanut butter, cereal (whole grain and low sugar, if possible), rice, pasta, and macaroni and cheese, canned corn, peas, carrots, potatoes, and mixed vegetables, canned beans (especially baked, chili, white, and kidney), canned fruit, and shelf-stable milk.”

Please consider donating low-sodium, no sugar-added and whole-grain items if you can.

The drop-off location: CCM Crisis Center in Concord, 246 Country Club Drive NE.

Drop-off times: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

CCM will be closed July 1-5, so if you don’t get by there today (June 28), they will reopen on July 8. I am sure there will still be a need then, too.

No. 5

A couple of things to do this weekend. The Charlotte Symphony will have its patriotic concert at Village Park Saturday at 7 p.m. Fireworks will follow.

And speaking of music, the Piedmont Choral Society is in the midst of its patriotic concerts. The first concert was on Thursday. There will be another at 7 p.m. Friday, June 28, and Sunday, June 30, at 3 p.m. All are at Calvary Lutheran Church, 950 Bradley St. NE, Concord.

Do you like quilts? The Cabarrus Quilters Guild will hold its “Splash of Color Quilt Show” Friday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, June 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at West Cabarrus High School, 4106 Weddington Road, Concord.

If you have Friday Five, story suggestion or something I can rant about, email mplemmons@independenttribune.com or call or text 704-786-0001.