Home RemodelingIn Mint Hill, NC

MINT HILL, NC – The Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome Potteria, owned by local potter Maria Frey.

Frey first encountered ceramics at the University of Florida, where she earned her BA in Art with a specialization in graphic design. “I graduated at a time when websites were becoming a hot commodity, and people started having their own computers and using this crazy thing called the Internet,” laughs Frey, “When you get an art degree, there’s always the question of whether or not you can make a living with it. The budding Internet gave me that option.”

In 2007, Frey took advantage of the opportunity to work remotely for an Orlando-based web marketing company and moved to Charlotte sight unseen. “I worked from home, knew no one in this new city, and really never needed to leave the house,” she recalls, “so my husband suggested I find a pottery class to take. I met new friends and artists and slowly began to self-teach myself everything I wished I would have had time to learn in college.”

Frey continued to practice pottery as a hobby for nearly two decades while working as a graphic/web/UX designer and raising a family, leaving the digital design world for pottery at the end of 2020. “It had always been a long term goal to take my hobby and make it my career, but COVID gave me a unique opportunity to jumpstart that dream earlier than expected,” says Frey. “I had worked my way up to being an Associate Creative Director for a fortune 100 company, but designing and creating digital things started to take its toll. I longed to get away from my desk, work with my hands, and interact with people face to face. So we moved to a rural part of Mint Hill, built a 1200-square foot studio on our property.”

Now a full-time potter, Frey specializes in functional tableware like, plates, mugs, cups and bowls, as well as “functionally decorative” items like vases, piggy banks and ornaments. She also does corporately branded items, like mugs for Mint Hill Coffee House and the Mint Hill Public Works crew. All of Frey’s pottery is food-, dishwasher- and microwave-safe. “They’re made to fit into daily life,” emphasizes Frey.

Frey and her family have lived in Mint Hill for over six years, and she takes pride in offering handmade pots to her neighbors in Mint Hill. “Potteria (and specifically its booth at HomeStyles) makes it accessible to get quality pottery without needing to travel to Seagrove or the mountains of Western NC, two hot spots for pottery that are great, but not ‘local,’” says Frey.

As Frey says on herself on her website, “the most fun way to know me more is to hold something in your hands that came from mine.” You can find Frey’s work for sale locally at Homestyles Gallery, Pottery 51, and Mint Hill Coffee and Social House. She’ll also be at the Tina Ross Afternoon in the Park (April 29) and the Midland Farms Spring Fair (May 6). Learn more about Frey and her work at https://www.potteriastudio.com/.

MINT HILL, NC – On Thursday, February 9, Independence High School held an open house, “Patriots on Parade,” to welcome incoming freshmen for the 2023-2024 school year. This event has been an ongoing tradition for Independence High that was unfortunately impacted in the past few years by coronavirus. Academic Facilitator Ashley Matson is proud to report that the Rising 9th Grade Open House is quickly regaining momentum, and this year approximately 200 guests enjoyed the festivities.

Independence High School is a highly-respected school that strives to meet the needs of all of its students and encourages academic excellence in all programs of study, including math, social studies, world languages, English, the arts, science, multi-lingual studies, CTE, interdisciplinary studies, ROTC, media, Exceptional Children, and various clubs and honor societies. In addition, they aim to create critical and diverse thinkers who are active problem solvers who will become life-long learners and respected leaders and contributors to the community.

Rising students and their parents were greeted at the entrance to the high school by rousing music from the Independence High School Marching Band. Guests participated in an engaging scavenger hunt, which helped students explore the school while having fun. The Independence High School Orchestra played in the foyer while the Independence High School Jazz Band soothed guests with relaxing music in the central mall area.

The mall area, upstairs and down, was lined with teachers with tables set up with information on the various classes they teach. Information was available in both English and Spanish, and students and parents were encouraged to ask questions to better understand the classes and courses of study they might be interested in for the 2023-2024 school year. Families could tour model classrooms within the school to experience what the school year would look like for these incoming freshmen. Prospective students were given information on academic programs such as the Cambridge program, Advanced Placement, Academy of Engineering, CTE Pathways, Freshman Academy, and Dual Enrollment.

The Cambridge program allows students to more deeply explore studies that they are highly interested in and is an international education system centered around a broad and balanced study program. The Cambridge program holds honors (IGSCE) and college credit. The Academy Of Engineering is an intense four-year program in STEM specific to engineering. CTE Pathways is a career path designed to prepare students for life beyond high school in areas such as Biomedical Science, Culinary Arts, Automotive, Carpentry, Business, and Marketing. Finally, advanced Placement is a course of studies developed by the college board to provide college-level courses with the potential for college credit. Please visit the school’s website here for additional information on their programs.

Before the event, a team of dedicated teachers visited the middle school to promote “Patriot’s On Parade” and distribute high school registration cards. This year’s rising freshman class is expected to include 500 students. Independence High School has a long legacy of meeting and exceeding all students’ needs and is looking forward to getting to know them when they arrive for the new school year.

MINT HILL, NC – The housing market in Charlotte is starting to look a lot like it did in 2019. While the past few years have been hard to predict and have provided a crazy housing marking, things seem to be going back to pre-pandemic levels in Charlotte.

Home sales nearly came to a standstill in March of 2020, and then took off with the low-interest rates and remote work throughout 2021. The data from 2022 shows that the market is finally starting to return to a balanced market.

What do the Numbers Say?

Last year, 50,286 homers were sold across the Charlotte region. While that is a decline of 15.3% compared to 2021, it’s closer to what 2019 looked like. In 2019, 50,854 properties were sold throughout the Charlotte region.

According to the numbers, it might be that 2021 was an anomaly and not a healthy real estate market in Charlotte. The slower pace of sales is expected to help with inventory, which will also help provide more options for buyers.

Will the Housing Market in Charlotte Remain Balanced?

With higher interest rates making it harder for some buyers to enter the market and for some sellers to be enticed to sell, the market might not go completely back to the way it was in 2019. Currently, the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is 6.15%.

While some economists believe an incoming recession will slow home sales, others think the housing market could help the economy bounce back. However, we have already been in one for nearly six months by the typical standards of what defines a recession.

It’s important to look at the Charlotte market in a different light than the national real estate market. There are some markets across the country where prices are falling drastically and sales are declining, too. Charlotte isn’t that type of market.

It will likely continue to be a roller coaster ride when it comes to real estate, but the numbers indicate a good sign for 2023 in Charlotte. Many experts do believe a more typical spring market is coming for Charlotte.

I would love to be part of your journey when the time is right for you. If you ever have a real estate question or need, or know someone who does, trust that you can turn to me. I will help you make the right move! Anna Granger (704) 650-5707 | annagrangerhomes@gmail.com | www.1stchoicepropertiesinc.com

MINT HILL, NC – Mr. Kim Heimbach and New Hope Financial Counseling Services, LLC are out to change the lives of those dealing with financial stress and mounting debt. Mr. Heimbach is a financial coach who focuses on helping individuals, families, and small businesses become focused on their life goals, guiding them through a transformative process to meet their goals and become financially stable. New Hope Financial Counseling Services offers a free, no-obligation assessment meeting to understand your needs better and explain the program’s process toward financial freedom.

New Hope Financial Counseling Services does not sell any investment, insurance, or financial products—they offer guidance toward meeting your personal financial goals. Mr. Heimback is a financial coach who helps people build a quality budget that will help clients get their financial house in order and work towards building wealth.

Mr. Heimbach states that some of the biggest challenges to being financially stable are our everyday habits. Unfortunately, many individuals and families live beyond their means, creating a vicious circle of constantly playing “catch-up” to stay financially afloat. New Hope Financial Counseling Services guides you toward making decisions that will help you to stick to a reasonable budget, decrease your financial stress, and make small behavior changes (such as skipping that daily Starbucks run) to build a solid financial foundation.

The typically three-month initial plan involves Mr. Heimbach meeting with his client to draw up a monthly budget that meets their needs while increasing their savings. Clients then meet with Mr. Heimbach over the next few months to assess how their budget is working and make any necessary changes. “You don’t have to be rich to live debt-free,” Heimbach states, “it’s not how much you make; it’s what you do with it.”

For Mr. Heimbach, New Hope Financial Counseling Services is a labor of love. Mr. Heimbach retired from the financial industry at 56 years old and is now focusing his wealth of knowledge on helping others gain financial freedom and work towards their dreams, whether it’s living debt free, paying for your kid’s college, owning a house, or retiring with enough wealth to live comfortably for the rest of your life. New Hope Financial Counseling Services is a no-pressure business; he wants to use his knowledge to help others in the best way possible.

New Hope Financial Counseling Services has a 100% success rate for those who stick to the planned budget. One of his clients, a husband and wife team of business owners, followed the program and was debt free within three years. They then sold their thriving business for 5 million dollars! Mr. Heimbach teaches you to follow a budget to become debt free, after which you can increase your savings, have a lower cost of living, and even look into investing your money for the future.

If you are interested in setting up a free financial assessment with Mr. Heimbach, please get in touch with New Hope Financial Counseling Services at www.accountable.network/KimHeimbach or reach out to him via phone at 704-604-3485. New Hope Financial Counseling Services, LLC is located at 8501 Silver Maple Lane in Mint Hill. You can also find them on Facebook at New Hope Financial Services LLC.

MINT HILL, NC – The Independence basketball team defeated the Lady Bulldogs 58-38 in their third meeting of the season with a 20-point blowout primarily earned in the second half of the rivalry matchup. The Lady Patriots are now 23-2 overall, and 13-0 against conference competition. They now will face off against new conference rival Charlotte Catholic for the 4A Conference 59 Tournament Championship.

Indy beat the Lady Cougars twice during the regular season going head-to-head, and will pursue the trifecta on Friday night down in “The Pit.” Independence won the regular season conference championship going undefeated 12-0. However, beating a very good Catholic team a third time in one season will not be an easy task. The Lady Cougars are determined for some sweet revenge to put a blemish on the Patriots outstanding season.

This will be the second consecutive season the two teams will meet in the Conference Tournament title game. Charlotte Catholic won the big game last year, and Independence is surely motivated to win the title, and become the first Lady Patriot team to go undefeated in the long history of the program winning the conference tournament.

The Butler game was hard-fought and with plenty of emotion. However, the more talented and deep bench Lady Patriots began to wear down their arch-rival as the game progressed.

The Pats overcame a slow start to this contest, but were led in the first half by Jessica Worthey who played possibly her best game of the season. “Mr. Ron, long time Indy photographer said, she was outstanding, best game I have seen her play.” He does not miss a game, so we will take his remarks as spot on.

The turning point of this game came from the Indy bench, Coach Galvani-Lewis called on senior Lily Gorum, she entered the game and quickly scored 4 points in the second period, this extended the Pats lead to 8 points, they never looked back again. Independence took a 29-19 advantage at the intermission.

At the start of the second half Kamryn Kitchen and Worthey drilled 3-pointers, along with excellent contributions from Lola Cabaniss-Ali 5 points, and Hannah Moss 4 in the period. This is when Indy took complete control of this basketball game. Cabaniss-Ali dominated under the boards, and inside the paint for the Pats. She had a double-double scoring 10 points and hauling down 12 rebounds in the contest.

The final period belonged to Pats junior Chloe Moss who scored 8 points to extend Indy’s lead and domination of the Lady Bulldogs.

Jessica Worthey had 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double, Cabaniss-Ali 10, Chloe Moss 10, Kamryn Kitchen 8, Hannah Moss 8, Gorum 4, Brimmer 2, Clark 1 for Independence. While Brooklyn Saunders led all scorers with 17 points, Chloe Ross 10 with 11 rebounds for a double-double, Jessica Ralda 9, and Sydney Reynolds 2 with 11 rebounds for Butler.