by Alan Hodge

Sons of the American Revolution members (from left) Tom Phlegar, Ray Maxson, Jim Wood discuss Revolutionary War history with Pack 19 Cub Scouts Anthony Fabian, Nate Kincaid, Granville Caldwell III and Branson Duncan. (Alan Hodge/MIM photo)

MIDLAND – Cub Scouts from the Mountain Island area and other parts of north Mecklenburg County recently suited up in their red and blue coats, donned a fake musket or two and took a three-day peek into Revolutionary War life.

The Hornets Nest District 2012 Cuboree brought nearly 600 Cub Scouts, parents and adult leaders from 20 different churches and packs to mingle with Revolutionary War reenactors, members of the Sons of the American Revolution and other experts well versed in 18th century life skills at the Belk Scout Reservation near Mint Hill.

“We worked for a year getting everything put together,” said event organizer Mark Giacomin from Pack 23, based at Christ United Methodist Church. “We wanted an event that would be fun, but still teach kids some things about the American Revolution they might not learn in school. Scouting is not just about tying knots.”

Cub Scouts from Pack 70, located at Paw Creek Presbyterian Church, took a trip back to the 18th century during this year’s Hornet’s Nest District Cuboree, held at the Belk Scout Reservation near Mint Hill. From April 27-29, Pack 70, along with hundreds of Cub Scouts from the Charlotte area, participated in a living history weekend that featured three days of Revolutionary War reenactments and activities, including cannon demonstrations. Picture from left are: Pack 70 Cub Scout Malik Albright, event organizer Dwayne Thompson, Cub Scout Jordan Albright, event organizer Mark Giacomin, Cub Scout Justin Cobb and Revolutionary War reenactor Charles Myers. (Alan Hodge/MIM photo)

Giacomin prepared for the event by sewing his own red, white and blue Revolutinary War uniform, complete with brass buttons, knee britches and a tri-corner hat. He even created a crimson British war uniform for fellow organizer Dwayne Thompson, also from Pack 23.

Activities included lessons on writing with a quill pen and ink, reading a compass and map similar to those used by George Washington’s troops and listening to a lecture about North Carolina’s state flag.

“This is hands-on history,” Giacomin said.

A group of Revolutionary War reenactors from the 2nd N.C. Regiment set up an encampment complete with canvas tents and 18th century furnishings for the scouts to tour. Known as the official N.C. Revolutionary War group, members came from as far away as Raleigh and South Carolina to take part in the Cuboree.

The reenactors brought a cannon and muskets to fire for the scouts. Reenactor Charles Myers, of Ninety Six, S.C., helped demonstrate the historic weaponry.

“Any time we work with kids it’s important,” Myers said. “It gives them an experience that can make a difference in school. They never forget the sound of the cannon.”

Taking up the wooden muskets, the scouts took turns learning how Revolutionary War soldiers drilled and created battle formations.

Eleven-year-old Cub Scout Justin Albright from Pack 70 based at Paw Creek Presbyterian Church said he had a blast, literally.

“Boy, those big guns sure are loud,” he said. “When they shoot the cannon, it’s awesome.”

Albright’s fellow Pack 70 comrade, 6-year-old Christopher Parks, said he was drawn to some of the quieter activities.

“I enjoyed learning to write with a feather,” Parks said. “It’s nice.”

When they weren’t immersed in the war, Cuboree participants also shot bow and arrows and BB guns, played the 18th century game of wheels and hoops and made crafts. Afterward, everyone feasted on hamburgers in the mess hall, decorated with flags from the Revolutionary War period.

“We got many compliments on the event,” Giacomin said. “It was truly an educational weekend where everyone learned something about the past.”

CHARLOTTE – Commuters on N.C. 16 and Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road may see a reduction in traffic congestion by the end of the year if the state approves a city traffic proposal.

District 2 Charlotte City Council member James Mitchell, who represents the Mountain Island area, said he will petition the N.C. Department of Transportation in late May for a turning lane off of N.C. 16 into Walmart, located near the intersection of N.C. 16 and Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road, to help improve traffic flow. He has enlisted area businesses to help the city fund the $750,000 to $1 million project.

“It’s great that we’ve had all this growth during the last few years, but we’ve waited long enough,” Mitchell said. “We need Raleigh to give us the OK.”

As traffic patterns stand, Walmart shoppers coming from Mount Holly on Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road have to cross N.C. 16 and turn left onto Callabridge Court to enter the store’s parking lot. During peak hours, traffic often backs up behind the two left turning lanes at the entrance of Callabridge Commons. With even more drivers trying to access additional Callabridge Commons businesses and restaurants, such as Chick-fil-A and Mountain Island Fitness, traffic worsens, Overlook resident Steve Swicegood said.

The proposed turning lane, Mitchell said, would allow drivers coming from Uptown Charlotte on N.C. 16 to make a direct right into Walmart and drivers coming from Denver to make a direct left. The lane would divert Walmart traffic away from Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road.

“During Christmas time when Walmart is really busy, traffic gets so backed up that you can pretty much finish reading the newspaper while traveling less than three miles,” Mitchell said.

Scott Cole, an N.C. DOT engineer, said the state will consider adding the turning lanes if the city can show that adding the lanes will not slow down traffic on N.C. 16. He said the state wants to prevent the stop-and-go traffic found on Independence Boulevard, caused by cars using left and right turning lanes to turn into businesses.

“We want to limit access (to N.C. 16) because access can sometimes restrict flow,” Cole said.

Mitchell also has proposed a $250,000 project that would place a median and traffic light at the intersection of CoulOak Road and Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road. The city’s capital improvement program would fund the project, and Mitchell said he will know when, or if, the project will begin after the city finalizes its budget in June.

Swicegood, who also has served as president of the Mountain Island Neighborhoods Organization, said the intersection’s trouble started brewing when N.C. DOT began extending I-485 in 2008.

Exit 16 off I-485 to exits onto N.C. 16.

The additional traffic from the interstate brings a barrage of vehicles through the intersection, Swicegood said.

“Common sense told us trouble was coming because of the closeness of the ramps to the intersection,” Swicegood said.

The transportation department initially told nearby residents that it planned to build bridges over the intersection with interior roads underneath to alleviate the problem, but state transportation officials did not include the project in their 20-year plan. Then the economy tanked, Swicegood said, leaving residents to believe that it may take decades before N.C. DOT starts up discussions about the redesign.

Cole said plans for the bridge structure are still on the table but will probably not materialize for a while.

“It’s an eventuality,” Cole said. “It’s not a funded project at the moment.”

If the transportation department turns down Mitchell’s proposal, residents would have to wait indefinitely for N.C. DOT to step in or for new development. Cambridge Properties plans to eventually build Mountain Island Promenade, a mixed-use residential/retail development located directly across from Callabridge Commons. Once construction starts, developer George Maloomian would have to pay for intersection improvements.

But both solutions seem unlikely, Swicegood said, because Mountain Island Promenade has been stalled for about five years due to the economy.

“The ideal solution is that they should make intersection improvements without waiting for the next developer,” Swicegood said. “The (state) government created this problem, and I don’t think it’s fair for the next developer to come in and pay for the sins of everyone else.”

N.C. DOT turned down a similar request for turning lanes about eight years ago. But Mitchell said he feels hopeful that Raleigh will give the city’s transportation department a go-ahead. He said at least five area corporate businesses have shown interest in helping with funding, with the city offering to fund the remaining cost.

If the transportation committee approves the proposal, lane construction could begin in August, Mitchell said.

“We feel that Raleigh has looked at this project as project No. 281 that will be built in 2028,” Mitchell said. “With the corporate community and citizens working together for the same cause, hopefully we can show them how badly this is needed.”

Field producer and cameraman Garrett Caffacus film Mount Holly City Manager Danny Jackson (left) and Mayor Bryan Hough for a segment of “Today in America.” (Alan Hodge/DW photo)

It was “lights, camera, action” last month when the crew of a cable TV show that profiles unique towns and businesses throughout the country made a stop in the Mountain Island area.

Today in America, a show that broadcasts on CNN Headline News and the Discovery Channel, travels America in search of towns, places, business and people with attention-grabbing stories. In about a month, “Today in America” will feature the people and places of Mount Holly.

“The filming went well,” said Mount Holly City Manager Danny Jackson, who spoke to the show about the city’s greenway system. “Hopefully, it will bring positive results.”

During filming, field producer and cameraman Garrett Caffacus was joined by Jackson, Mayor Bryan Hough and other city officials for a tour that included the Municipal Complex that houses the city’s government departments; the corporate headquarters of American & Efird LLC, a manufacturer of sewing threads and industrial yarns; the Freightliner Trucks manufacturing plant; Tuckaseege and River Street parks; the National Gypsum Company plant, which manufactures construction and building materials; the site of the future ReVenture Park, an eco-industrial park to be built on the former Clariant Corporation dye manufacturing facility; the Stonewater Bay neighborhood off of N.C. 16; and the Catawba River.

Although NFL Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw hosts the show, he did not make an appearance in Mount Holly. Filming created a buzz around town as many downtown business owners and employees gathered in front of City Café to talk about Mount Holly’s second time in the national spotlight in recent months. President Barack Obama visited the Freightliner manufacturing facility during a televised March campaign stop.

“I’m stoked,” said Whitney Huffstetler, who works at the William Henry Salon. “Downtown Mount Holly is growing and exposure is good.”

Artist Renee Clemmer and photographer Tom Pacheco, both with the Catawba River Artisans, said that recent efforts to showcase the town on a local, regional and national stage should help boost its economy.

The city paid “Today in America” $24,800 for the airtime with funds from its economic and tourism development coffers, in hopes that the exposure would generate interest. City officials also recently launched a marketing campaign to rebrand the city, including a new logo and several advertisements in regional publications.

“Mount Holly is growing by leaps and bounds,” Pacheco said. “Showcasing the town is bound to bring more business.”

Caffacus said he couldn’t reveal the exact day the episode will air on CNN Headline News and the Discovery Channel, but Mount Holly viewers should expect to see their home on the small screen sometime in the next month.

Want to tune in?

For a complete list of air times for “Today in America,” go online to www.todayinamericatv.com/airings/.

Members of the Mount Holly City Council received an update on next year’s proposed municipal budget last month, and the outlook is good.

At the April 16 meeting, Assistant City Manager Jamie Guffey presented the council with information about projected 2012-13 revenues, expenditures, personnel matters and fees. According to Guffey’s figures, the city tax and utility rates, as well as fee costs, should remain the same as those currently in place. Guffey, who pointed to increased efficiency in collecting taxes as a factor driving revenues, said the total projected 2012-13 revenues should come in at $9.2 million.

“People are paying earlier than ever,” he said.

Even the weather, Guffey said, has helped improve the city’s cash flow.

“With the end of the drought we are collecting more water and sewer revenues,” Guffey said. “People are washing their cars and watering their lawns more. Our revenues are looking good.”

Budget discussions also touched on personnel matters, including three new firefighter positions with estimated $41,800 salaries, two street and sewer worker positions with estimated $34,300 salaries, and an administrative position with a $39,000 salary. The new position requests still require job descriptions, and all salary totals include benefits.

Guffey’s presentation included a 3 percent cost-of-living raise for all city employees. City council member Jason Gowen balked at the raise by pointing out the scarcity of across-the-board raises in the private sector.

“I am disturbed by this blanket raise,” Gowen said. “I don’t agree with it, but I respect it.”

Guffey also told the council that the city pays about $1 million a year for health insurance for its employees. He said the premium increase for this year had been kept low at 6.9 percent and credited the city’s wellness program for keeping it that way.

“The healthier our employees are helps our rates,” Guffey said.

The final numbers for the 2012-13 municipal budget will be presented to the council in May, with a public hearing and vote in June.

MOUNT HOLLY – A hefty price tag prevented the Mount Holly City Council from another step toward closing or making repairs to its water treatment plant, after at least six years of talks about the facility creeping to capacity.

The council voted last month to table a $20,000 preliminary study of the plant by HDR Engineering and seek proposals from other engineering firms. Last year, the city paid Carollo Engineering $35,000 to determine cost estimates for improving or replacing the facility. The study recommended several options, including closing the plant at for $10 million or upgrading it at a cost of about $31 million. The need to either replace or upgrade the city’s wastewater treatment facility became a focal campaign issue during the last election, as several city council candidates declared the urgency of the situation.

“Our perception is a feeling of frustration,” Mount Holly Mayor Bryan Hough said. “We have been working on this a long time and look back at the money we spent and now we feel like we are spending it again to get to the real, real numbers.”

The proposed HDR Engineering study would feature more detail, including field investigations, engineering evaluation, an estimate of probable construction cost, a permitting review and a conceptual design report. The study would analyze the work that needs to be done before replacing or upgrading the facility and would only include preliminary design work.

Council member Perry Toomey questioned HDR engineer and former Carollo engineer David Parker as to why the city should pay for another preliminary study when it has already spent $35,000 on preliminary work.

“I’m wondering why it costs $20,000 for another preliminary study,” Toomey said. “Why not use some of the information from the previous study?”

Parker said the first study took a more conceptual approach and the proposed study would include more detail.

“It did not have the level of detail as now,” Parker said. “There were no details, such as topographical surveys and floodplain impacts. Better details will make it better to gauge the treatment plants’ costs. I want you to have confidence in the numbers.”

Several members, however, also questioned the $20,000 price tag and said they didn’t see why such an expensive second study would be necessary.

“There’s got to be value in the first study,” council member Jim Hope said.

Carollo told council members that the price, while not a set figure, was calculated based on similar project costs.

“It was a fairly quick number based on my experience on similar projects,” Parker said. “The number is in the ballpark, but there are things we can cut out.”

Mount Holly Utilities Director James Friday told the council that the next step toward answering the wastewater treatment question is to seek other candidates for the job. He said the utilities committee will invite other engineering firms to speak with the committee and “pick two or three to come and talk with the council, and we will go from there.”

Ranked by scores

• China II, 595 Highland St. 90.

An employee’s drink was found on or above the food prep areas. Potentially hazardous foods were found at improper temperatures.

• Shoney’s, 2539 Little Rock Road. 90.

Inspectors observed uncovered food in walk-in cooler and freezer and no sanitizer prepared in the kitchen at the beginning of the inspection. Cooked sausage patties were placed in a steam table pan at temperatures less than 135 degrees.

• El Valle Mexican Restaurant, 791 W. Charlotte Ave. 91.5.

Inspectors found potentially hazardous food stored above 45 degrees and non-sanitizing solution at the food prep area. Dirty knives were found on knife rack.

• Tops China, 2127-A Beatties Ford Road. 92.5.

Inspectors observed a bowl of raw shell eggs stored directly above a container of cooked, chopped pork spare ribs.

• Excelsior Club, 921 Beatties Ford Road. 93.

Inspectors observed container of maraschino cherries uncovered in cooler at small bar downstairs. A box of raw pork chops was found stored directly on top of a box of raw fish, as well as a box of raw shrimp stored above bags of roasted corn.

• Upscale Restaurant, 3108 Independence Blvd. 93.

Food debris was found accumulating in refrigerator door gaskets and the ice machine drain was stopped up.

• Circle A Food Store, 1301 N. Main St. 93.

Inspectors found potentially hazardous food stored above 45 degrees in refrigerator.

Mountain Island (28214 zip code)

• 7-Eleven, 2825 Little Rock Road. 96.

• BI-LO, 2924 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road. 97.5.

• Casey’s Grill, 2707 Little Rock Road, Charlotte. 96.5.

• Food Lion deli/bakery, 2526 Little Rock Road. 97.

• Hampton Inn & Suites, 2731 Little Rock Road. 98.

• Hardee’s, 2604 Little Rock Road. 94.5.

• Mountain Island BP, 2211 Vinnie’s Way. 93.5.

• Little Rock Deli, 2615 Little Rock Road

• Pine Island Country Club, 1701 Stoneyridge Drive. 96.

• Pine Island Country Club Turn Kitchen, 1701 Stoneyridge Drive. 99.5.

• Showmars-Little Rock, 2540 Little Rock Road. 97.

• Sonic Drive-in, 265 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road. 94.5.

• U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Pkwy. 99.

Mountain Island (28216 zip code)

• Barefooter’s Neighborhood Grille, 8470 Bellhaven Road. 96.5.

• Bojangles’, 9145 Sam Furr Road. 99.5.

• Burger King, 4100 Brookshire Blvd. 98.5.

• Latino Grill, 4601 Sunset Road. 98.5.

• Madison Saints Paradise South, 1821 Bishop Madison Lane. 95.5.

• Niyoshi II Japanese Restaurant, 3625 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road. 97.

• Olive Garden, 8225 Northlake Commons Blvd. 99.

• P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, 10325 Perimeter Pkwy. 98.

• Sports Page Food & Spirits, 8400-H Belhaven Blvd. 98.

• Subway, 3611 Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road. 96.5.

• Super Target Food Avenue, 9841 Northlake Center Pkwy. 98.5.

Mount Holly (28120 zip code)

• Backwoods Fancy Vittles, 119 N. Main St. 94.

• Billy’s Famous BBQ, 1127 W. Charlotte Ave. 95.5.

• Black’s Bluewater Seafood and Grill, 1118 S. Main St. 95.

• Christy’s Place, 1015 W. Catawba Ave. 94.5.

Kelly Grindstaff, owner of Kelly’s K-9 Homemade Treats, cradles a kitten she adopted at last year’s Pet Project. (MIM file photo)

MOUNT HOLLY – Mountain Island pet owners and art lovers will have the opportunity in May to help a local nonprofit save abandoned animals while enjoying an afternoon of art.

The Catawba River Artisans, a group of local artisans who exhibit their work at GALLERY@CITY will hold its Second Annual Pet Project on May 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the gallery, 128 S. Main St., Mount Holly Proceeds will go to the Animal League of Gaston County, a group that works to save unwanted animals from being euthanized at the Gaston County Animal Shelter.

“We are all animal lovers,” Catawba River Artisans President Renee Clemmer said. “Last year, before we planned our first (Pet Project), we were looking for something we could do and a cause we could support. The Animal League of Gaston County does such a great job with rescuing animals that we thought it would be a great fit.”

The event will include arts, fine crafts and pet products for sale and a silent auction featuring local artists. Participants who contribute a bag of pet food or make a donation to the animal league will be registered to win prizes. Organizers will also set up an animal adoption booth for those interested in adopting cats or dogs.

Last year’s event brought in about $1,000, 250 pounds of pet food and homes for one kitten and two dogs. This year, Clemmer said, the organization hopes to go beyond those numbers.

“We hope to exceed what we raised last year, even double it if we can,” she said.

Members of the animal league help other nonprofit organizations and no-kill animal shelters rescue adoptable pets from Gaston County’s animal shelter, said Ann Isenhour, who serves on the animal league’s board.  Animals at the shelter who are not reclaimed or adopted out in a set number of days are killed to make room for new animals.

“Every animal that is in that shelter is there because of a person,” Isenhour said. “We really need to work on increasing adoptions. There are some really good dogs and cats that die there every week.”

The Animal League of Gaston County also manages the Gaston Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, at 972 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia. The event marks the animal league’s 10th anniversary, and the clinic has performed more than 9,000 surgeries since opening in 2009. Proceeds from the event will be split between the clinic and the group’s rescue efforts.

Because the clinic, owned by a private veterinarian, has no residency or income level restrictions, all pet owners may use the clinic’s spay-and-neuter services, Isenhour said. The clinic offers the surgeries for the following prices: $65 for dogs up to 60 pounds, $95 for dogs 61to 95 pounds, $125 for dogs more than 91 pounds, $65 for female cats and $40 for male cats. Heartworm, feline leukemia and feline AIDS tests are available. Animals undergoing surgery may also receive vaccinations for an additional $10.

“We are trying to reach people who don’t already have a regular vet,” Isenhour said. “We are very grateful to the Catawba River Artisans for taking the time to help us out with our efforts.”

Want to help?

Send an email to catawbariverartisans@gmail.com to volunteer at this year’s Pet Project event.

CHARLOTTE – Mountain Island’s Coulwood neighborhood is about to get a Wild West makeover.

Keep America Beautiful, a national volunteer-based community action and education organization, has awarded Coulwood’s neighborhood volunteer board a $4,200 Adopt-a-Neighborhood beautification grant to create a Wild West Park. The natural play park, to be created with recycled materials, will resemble an old western logging town, said board member Marissa Moses, who applied for the grant.

Plans include surrounding community gardens featuring cooking herbs, tea leaves and other easy-to-grow plants. A worm bin will be located near the garden for community composting.

The dream, Moses said, is that “parents and grandparents can sit on benches or garden while they watch children play.”

The grant money will also be used to create a National Wildlife Backyard Habitat butterfly and bird garden on the neighborhood’s vast wooded property. Throughout the year, Moses said, the neighborhood plans to hold National Wildlife Federation “Be Out There Days” to encourage Coulwood residents to step outside and enjoy nature. The board plans to use Charlotte’s Reedy Creek Nature Park as a model.

“The park is going to be a natural playscape,” said Coulwood board member Jill Robbins. “We are excited to be adding play equipment to our park that flows with the natural setting of Coulwood. We feel that it is most cost effective, safe and beautiful to use recycled, hand-built products for this park.”

The well-known Mountain Island neighborhood, built in 1953, does not have a formal homeowners association or collect homeowners fees from its 1,200 residents. Members of the neighborhood’s board of directors serve on a volunteer basis.

Coulwood Board of Directors President Andrew Decann said the project should help the community reach out to new, younger families.

“Coulwood is in transition. It is becoming a young community slowly,” Decann said. “The future will be determined by how the new residents that have only been in the community for a few years work within the community.”

The board hopes that the park will become a gathering place for community members, where residents can meet their neighbors while children play in a safe environment, Decann said.

Even those outside of the Coulwood community are stepping in to lend a hand. Various Scout troops plan to pitch in, and students from Allenbrook Elementary, an inner-city Charlotte school, have signed up to help.

“The hope is that children can learn to work with nature and still enjoy themselves,” he said.

Out of $5,000 awarded by Keep America Beautiful for projects within the Charlotte area, $4,200 went to the Wild West Park. The organization forms public-private partnerships and programs that encourage residents nationwide to take greater responsibility for improving their community’s environment.

“The future of Coulwood is going to be amazing,” Moses said. “We have been working hard as the torch has been passed from the older generations on to the younger. We are hoping to see more of the young home owners in our neighborhood join in.”

Want to help?

To help the Coulwood neighborhood complete its Wild West Park, email
Marissa Moses at moses_family@yahoo.com

HUNTERSVILLE – Area residents will have easier access to their next luxury car and service now that Rick Hendrick is expanding his Charlotte-based, 12-state, 79 dealership automotive empire to north Mecklenburg.

Hendrick Luxury Auto Mall at Northlake, comprising a BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz dealership, opened Tuesday, April 24. The dealerships, at 10720 Northlake Auto Plaza Blvd., near the intersection of Interstate 485 and N.C. 115, will serve the Lake Norman area, expanding from Hendrick’s Independence Boulevard dealerships in Charlotte.

The $55 million investment will bring 137 jobs to Huntersville, Hendrick Auto representative Kendra Jacobs said.

Hendrick has filled those positions with veteran employees from Independence dealerships and Hendrick businesses around the state.

“Bricks and mortar don’t make a dealership. It’s the people that make the dealership,” Market Area Vice President John Desmond said. All auto mall employees have been promoted from within to provide customers with the “true Hendrick experience from day one.”

The project has created jobs in the Charlotte region, with hiring at the three Independence Boulevard dealerships to backfill open positions.

Cliff Spangler will manage Northlake BMW after serving as new car manager at the Independence BMW.

Former Hendrick Lexus Independence service director Chris Calder will lead Lexus Northlake, and new Mercedes-Benz Northlake General Manager Brian Porta comes from Hendrick Motors of Hickory.

Hendrick and his staff are banking on demand that’s built up in the area over recent years of belt-tightening. Signs are already supporting that projection.

More than 300 service appointments were locked in before the dealerships opened, websites went live or phones were hooked up, Desmond said.

As for sales, Hendrick thinks these numbers will follow service.

“Service always comes first,” Hendrick said. “With the population that’s up here at the lake, we’ve identified some 7,000 customers that need to be serviced. We think the timing’s right and the market’s right.”

Experts say the auto industry is recovering. Edmunds.com recently raised its projection of 2012 new vehicle sales to 14.4 million from 13.6 million after first quarter sales exceeded expectations.

The luxury auto mall has been on Hendrick drawing boards for a decade. Halted construction of I-485 as the economy stalled in 2008 delayed the project, which Desmond said was a blessing in disguise.

“We feel it’s impeccable timing,” Desmond said. “We’re very lucky to be right here… this is a destination location.”

Hendrick Luxury Auto Mall has a three-year agreement with nearby Northlake Mall to share services and customers. A shuttle service will run between the auto and shopping malls every hour on the hour, so customers can shop while dealerships service their cars.

Hendrick will provide a free valet service at Northlake and staff a concierge desk inside the mall.

David Eve, of REDLINE Design Group, designed the auto mall, which broke ground in 2005. The elevated boulevard and pedestrian-friendly design encourage customers to park and walk around dealership lots without drowning in a one-level sea of cars. Eve also worked with Hendrick and the three luxury companies on unique designs for the individual dealership buildings to reflect unique corporate identities.

The blue tones in the Lexus service area play up the brand’s flashy identity. BMW’s showroom is wide open, with a waiting area and meeting spaces open and connected. The Mercedes-Benz dealership invites customers to get comfortable with smaller spaces, private meeting areas, earth tones and a fireplace.

The mall will eventually include a gas station and convenience store, with zoning for additional luxury dealerships.

CHARLOTTE – Patricia Cleo Cowan Eaker, 80, of Charlotte, died April 20, 2012, at Harris Hospice at Presbyterian Hospital.

Born Oct. 7, 1931, in Tulsa, Okla. to the late Admiral Dewey Cowan and Frances Ramsey Cowan, Ms. Eaker was a member of Mountain Island Church of Christ.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Davis, of Charlotte; sons, Paul Ness Smith, of Portland, Ore., Jimmie D. Davis, of California, and Richard E. Davies, of Olympia, Wash; brothers, sisters and a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Her husband, Arnold Max Eaker, preceded her in death.

A graveside service, officiated by Terry Wheeler, was held April 24 at Forest Lawn West Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at www.forestlawnwest.com.

Boyd Arndt

MOUNT HOLLY – Boyd Arndt, 86, of Mount Holly ,died April 4, 2012, at Gaston Memorial Hospital.

Born in Catawba County, Mr. Arndt was a son of the late Everett and Nell Danner Arndt. He graduated from Lenior-Rhyne College and was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran, serving as a member of Naval Task Force 58, which led the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. He was a charter member of the Mount Holly Life Saving Crew and participated in various hunting clubs. He was retired from the Mount Holly post office.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy Calvert Arndt; a brother, John Lewis Arndt and wife, Frances, of Hartwell, Ga.; a sister-in-law Nancy Calvert, of Fairfax, Va.; and three nieces.

A funeral service was held April 10 in the Woodlawn Funeral Home chapel. Burial followed in Hillcrest Gardens.

Robert L. Wilkinson Sr.

CHARLOTTE – Robert (Bobby) Lewis Wilkinson Sr., 82, of Charlotte, died April 14, 2012, at Presbyterian Hospital.

Born in Charlotte on May 2, 1929, Mr. Wilkinson was a son of the late Robert William and Bessie Taylor Wilkinson. He attended Calvary Baptist Church of Charlotte at Mountain Island, where he was a member of the church’s Ideal Men’s Sunday school class and served as a deacon. He was retired from Consolidated Freight Lines where he worked as a driver.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Joyce (Honey) Boone Wilkinson; daughter, Cheryl Bowers and husband, Steve, and Cathy Bridges and husband, Tony, all of Charlotte; son, Bobby L. Wilkinson Jr. and wife, Joy, of Charlotte; grandchildren, Michael, Travis, Melissa, Tony, Jayme, Jenna, Alicia, Bobby III and Kurt; and 22 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Barbour.

A memorial service was held April 16 at Forest Lawn West Funeral home, and interment followed at Forest Lawn West Cemetery. His grandsons served as active pallbearers, while his fellow Sunday school class members and Calvary Baptist deacons serve as honorary pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church of Charlotte at Mountain Island, P.O. Box 2, Mt. Holly, NC 28120.

Freeman Carver

MOUNT HOLLY – Freeman Carver, 69, of Mount Holly, died April 19, 2012.

A son of the late Nevel and Vivian Crisp Carver, Mr. Carver was born in Graham County, served in the U.S. Army and was a member of Lighthouse Full Gospel Church.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Danny Carver.

Survivors include wife, Mollie Louise Aiken Carver; a sister, Pat Welch and husband, Ray, of North Belmont; two brothers, Ricky Carver, of Robbinsville and Kyle “Pee Wee” Carver, of North Belmont.

A  celebration of life service, officiated by the Rev. Herman Winkler, was held April 23 at the of Woodlawn Funeral Home Chapel.

Woodlawn Funeral Home in Mount Holly served the family.