Inside Matthews: Recent Episodes
Jim Taylor
Jim Taylor served four terms as the seventeenth Mayor of the Town of Matthews and sat on the Board of Commissioners for ten years. During his time leading Matthews, Jim was also appointed Mayor Pro-Tem by his colleagues and spent time on numerous advisory boards and committees including Matthews Volunteer Fire Department, Matthews HELP Center, chaired the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO), Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC), Matthews Alive! and several others.
The objective of Inside Matthews is to get everyone in the loop and for Jim to share his ideas and thoughts about the Matthews Community, with the Matthews Community. Jim will share information on and about the Town of Matthews, from the inside, out. His vision is to communicate with the listener how Matthews has evolved from the small cotton and railroad town it began as, to the thriving destination and successful business center it is today.
Tune in periodically to hear Jim have conversations with local business, civic and political leaders from Matthews, North Carolina to hear about what’s happening Inside Matthews.
Inside Matthews is the podcast about all of the wonderful people, places and organizations that make Matthews, Matthews. Periodically, Former Mayor Jim Taylor sits down with civic, business and political leaders to have a conversation about what’s happening, Inside Matthews.
Hazen Blodgett served as the Manager of the Town of Matthews for 18 years and retired from this position in early 2022. During Hazen’s tenure, he worked under four mayors, including Lee Myers, Jim Taylor, Paul Bailey and, current mayor, John Higdon. From the Town of Matthews website, "Hazen has been an extraordinary Manager over the last 18 years," said Mayor Higdon. "His impact on Matthews truly cannot be measured. On behalf of the entire Board, we want to express our thanks and appreciation for his tireless work, thoughtful leadership, and dedication to Matthews. Indeed, his are big shoes to fill."
During his tenure, Hazen witnessed the population of Matthews climb from approximately 22,000 in 2004 to currently of 33,000. It’s quite unique for a Town Manager to continue in their role for more than an average of 5 years and in his 18, he led the town through the “Great Recession” of 2008 then through an unprecedented global pandemic.
For the second consecutive year, Inside Matthews was selected by the readers of the Matthews – Mint Hill Weekly as their favorite podcast.
Jim Taylor served four terms as the seventeenth Mayor of the Town of Matthews and sat on the Board of Commissioners for ten years. During his time leading Matthews, Jim was also appointed Mayor Pro-Tem by his colleagues and spent time on numerous advisory boards and committees including Matthews Volunteer Fire Department, Matthews HELP Center, chaired the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO), Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC), Matthews Alive! and several others.
Please continue to listen, like and subscribe to Inside Matthews wherever you hear podcasts. Follow the award-winning Inside Matthews podcast on social media. Connect with Jim on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Do you have a story to tell about growing up in Matthews? Do you have an idea for an episode of Inside Matthews? Jim would love to hear and maybe share it. Please click here to offer your thoughts and ideas.
Inside Matthews is the podcast about all of the wonderful people, places and organizations that make Matthews, Matthews. Periodically, Former Mayor Jim Taylor sits down with civic, business and political leaders to have a conversation about what’s happening, Inside Matthews.
In this installment of Inside Matthews, Jim welcomes Amy Carr to the Sweetwater Logistics Studios to chat about Matthews Free Medical Clinic, a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation that provides free, quality healthcare to low-income, uninsured patients in Mecklenburg and Union Counties.
In order to verify the residential and financial requirements are met, patients must go through a new patient screening prior to receiving a primary care provider and other specialty, ancillary and educational services provided by the clinic. If you or someone you know needs the services of Matthews Free Medical Clinic, please visit their website to begin the application process.
For the second consecutive year, Inside Matthews was selected by the readers of the Matthews – Mint Hill Weekly as their favorite podcast.
Jim Taylor served four terms as the seventeenth Mayor of the Town of Matthews and sat on the Board of Commissioners for ten years. During his time leading Matthews, Jim was also appointed Mayor Pro-Tem by his colleagues and spent time on numerous advisory boards and committees including Matthews Volunteer Fire Department, Matthews HELP Center, chaired the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization (CRTPO), Metropolitan Transit Commission (MTC), Matthews Alive! and several others.
Please continue to listen, like and subscribe to Inside Matthews wherever you hear podcasts. Follow the award-winning Inside Matthews podcast on social media. Connect with Jim on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Do you have a story to tell about growing up in Matthews? Do you have an idea for an episode of Inside Matthews? Jim would love to hear and maybe share it. Please click here to offer your thoughts and ideas.
The Town of Matthews has quite a few fantastic parks. From our “premier” event park, Stumptown Park, to small pocket parks like Country Place and KP Parks, there’s a place for everyone. In this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim sits down to talk to the Director of the Town of Matthews Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department, Cory King and Scott Rawls, our Parks Manager.
Connect with Inside Matthews on the Web, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We’d love to hear from you to. If you have any comments, questions or ideas, please use our online form.
Thanks for listening to the award -winning Inside Matthews podcast, voted by the readers of the Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly as their favorite local podcast. Jim is back in the studio this week having a conversation with an outstanding member of the “Matthews Family”, Tina Whitley.
Tina has been instrumental in many of the happenings in Matthews over the years including Artfest and Matthews Alive. She’s been active with the Rotary Club of Matthews, Kiwanis and was Executive Director for the Matthews Chamber of Commerce for many years. In this episode, Jim talks with Tina about her initial involvement with the town, why she became so engaged in her community and what she’s up to these days.
Connect with Inside Matthews on the Web, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. We’d love to hear from you to. If you have any comments, questions or ideas, please use our online form.
Jim invited Chris back from behind the computer to in front of the microphone to talk about the Inside Matthews podcast and share a few, little know historical facts about the Town of Matthews like, why is so much named Fullwood around here and where the Matthews name originated from. Our two hosts also share with you their proudest moments and long term vision for Inside Matthews.
Please listen, like and subscribe to the award-winning Inside Matthews podcast on your favorite podcasting platform. Chosen by the readers of the Matthews – Mint Hill Weekly as their favorite local podcast, Inside Matthews is your opportunity to hear former Mayor Jim Taylor have conversations with local business, civic and political leaders from Matthews, NC to hear about what’s happening Inside Matthews.
Connect with Inside Matthews on the web, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Production services for the Inside Matthews podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com
Our hometown theater group in Matthews, NC is Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts and since 1995, they’ve “enriched the lives of children, adults and families by inviting them to participate in the world of the performing arts and education”.
Earlier, in our 6th episode, we met June Bayless, Howie Labiner and Cassie Prodan of the “Playhouse” and in this new installment of the Inside Matthews podcast, we invited the new Managing Director , Sarah Baumgardner, to stop by the Sweetwater Logistics studios and have a conversation with Jim. Sarah catches us up on the current happenings around Fullwood Theater and gives us a little info on her background plus, what led her to Matthews Playhouse. She even gives us the scoop on her major, long-term goal . . . and it’s a big one.
This month (December, 2021), Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts returns to live productions in Fullwood Theater, in the Matthews Community Center, with their production of, Miracle on 34th Street. For ticket information and show times, please visit Matthews Playhouse on the web or call the box office at (704) 846-8343.
Please listen, like and subscribe to the award-winning Inside Matthews podcast on your favorite podcasting platform. Chosen by the readers of the Matthews – Mint Hill Weekly as their favorite local podcast, Inside Matthews is your opportunity to hear former Mayor Jim Taylor have conversations with local business, civic and political leaders from Matthews, NC to hear about what’s happening Inside Matthews.
Connect with Inside Matthews on the web, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Production services for the Inside Matthews podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.
For folks in Matthews, NC, Stumptown AC is our local, hometown soccer team. As a member of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), Stumptown AC plays at the “crown jewel” of the athletic world in Matthews, the Mecklenburg County owned, Sportsplex at Matthews.
Earlier this fall, the team at Inside Matthews was invited to and offered behind the scenes, VIP access to Stumptown AC’s match against Detroit City FC. Before, during and after the match, Jim Taylor walked around the pitch with club President, Alex Kantor, chatted with team General Manager, Mike Squire under the Canopy Club and had fun tailgating with fans and supporters our in the parking lot.
If you’re a fan of soccer in the Carolinas or around the world, make sure to check out this episode of Inside Matthews to get the inside story on how the team was formed, how they operate and how you can support our local, NISA professional soccer club in Matthews, NC.
Please listen, like and subscribe to the award-winning Inside Matthews podcast on your favorite podcasting platform. Chosen by the readers of the Matthews – Mint Hill Weekly as their favorite local podcast, Inside Matthews is your opportunity to hear former Mayor Jim Taylor have conversations with local business, civic and political leaders from Matthews, NC to hear about what’s happening Inside Matthews.
Connect with Inside Matthews on the Web, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Production services for the Inside Matthews podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.
The Matthews Human Services Council, in essence, connects community non-profits in and around Matthews, NC. Their mission is to “enhance the quality of life for the people living in the Matthews area by collaborating and being the driving force with local agencies, organizations and institutions to help resolve community needs”.
In this episode of the Inside Matthews podcast, recorded in the Historic Reid House, Jim sits down to talk to HSC Board President Bill Helms and Vice President Kathy Shumacher about the history of their organization, it’s impact on Matthews area non-profits and the Nancy Glenn Community Service Award. “The award is given in memory of Nancy Glenn who passed away in December, 2006. Nancy was a hardworking dedicated individual who was known for her love of the Matthews Community.”
This year’s recipient of the Nancy Glenn Award is Natisha Rivera-Patrick, CEO of Greater Matthews Habitat for Humanity. Listen as Jim has a group discussion on the positive impact of Habitat for Humanity has had on the Matthews community and how Natisha was chosen to receive this year’s award.
Please listen, like and subscribe to the award-winning Inside Matthews podcast on your favorite podcasting platform. Chosen by the readers of the Matthews – Mint Hill Weekly as their favorite local podcast, Inside Matthews is your opportunity to hear former Mayor Jim Taylor have conversations with local business, civic and political leaders from Matthews, NC to hear about what’s happening Inside Matthews.
Connect with Inside Matthews on the web, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Production services for the Inside Matthews podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, send an email to info@downtownpodcasting.com.
Earlier this year, Commissioner Jeff Miller made the decision to not seek re-election to the Town of Matthews Board of Commissioners. Not including his time on the Park & Recreation Advisory Committee, Jeff has proudly served the citizens of the Town of Matthews for over fourteen years. During this time, Matthews has certainly grown and become quite the destination not only for restaurants, entertainment venues but for it's parks and cultural resources as well.
Listen as Jim Taylor, the former and 17th Mayor of the Town of Matthews, sits down with Jeff to talk about his time as a leader in the Town of Matthews, the Four Mile Creek Greenway, South Trade Street and several other "jewels" in our community.
For well over twenty years, Nate Huggins has been a fixture in the Matthews Community. Always having a contagious, positive attitude, Nate embodies what we at Inside Matthews love to share; the special people and organizations that make Matthews, Matthews.
Now in their third decade, Nate's organization, Blessed Assurance Adult Daycare provide a necessary service to seniors in the Matthews Community. Listen as Jim has a conversation with Nate about his community involvement, as well as the history and future of Bless Assurance Adult Daycare.
We're thrilled to kick of the second season of our award winning podcast that features the special people and organizations that make Matthews, Matthews. In this episode, Jim takes you behind the scenes of Inside Matthews and has a conversation with Chris Melton. Chris edits and produces the podcast and, along with Jim, shares his vision and mission Inside Matthews.
Justin Vick and Adrian Garson are the editor and publisher of our community's local newspaper, The Matthews - Mint Hill Weekly. Each week, they're responsible for publishing and distributing thousands of copies throughout Matthews, and neighboring town Mint Hill, and they also create content for two additional publications, plus twelve social media sites.
In this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim talks to Justin and Adrian about what goes in to producing one of the area's top publications as well as their engagement with the business and civic organizations in the Matthews Community, plus, we get a quick "sneak peak" into a few upcoming features in The Matthews - Mint Hill Weekly.
Chief Clark Pennington has led the Matthews Police Department since January, 2018 and, in this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim has a conversation with Chief Pennington about his background in law enforcement and what led him to Matthews, NC. Public Information Officer (PIO) Tim Aycock joins the Chief and Jim to discuss the make-up of the police department, including the different divisions (or bureaus), policing strategies and the Chief's vision for the future of Matthews Police Department.
Paul Bailey served the citizens of the Town of Matthews for 30 years, most recently as the 18th Mayor of the Town. In this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim talks to Paul about his role as a charter member of the Matthews Transportation Advisory Committee, his time serving parents and students, representing District 6 on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education and the transformation of Matthews during his terms as Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem of Matthews, NC.
Matthews Alive! is returning in this Labor Day Weekend and in this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim sits down to have a conversation with Executive Director Lee Anne Moore and the Chairperson of the Matthews Alive! Board of Directors, Julie Bee. They talk a little bit about the history of the festival, currently in it's 29th year, and the inner workings of hosting one of the area's largest events as we emerge from a pandemic. Listen to the entire episode to hear the exclusive announcement on the artists performing live music in Stumptown Park at this year's Matthews Alive!
Jim is back on the road for this episode of Inside Matthews to have a conversation with the current and a few of the previous Chiefs of Matthews Fire & EMS. Recorded on-site at Station 1 on South Trade Street, this episode features Rob Kinniburgh, Dennis Green and Cal Higgins as they tell the story of how the department has evolved from Matthews-Morningstar Volunteer Fire Department in 1953 to the current, modern day, Town of Matthews Fire and Emergency Medical Services.
"Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts began in January of 1995 with the idea to create a theatre for children in the Matthews area. The original Board of Directors consisted of parents, theatre professionals and educators that wanted to create a venue for young people to perform and view quality theatre."
In this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim sits down at center stage, in the Fullwood Theater, to have a conversation with MPH Founder and Artistic Director, June Bayless, previous Board member, Howie Labiner and the Production Manager of Matthews Playhouse, Cassie Prodan.
The Matthews Historical Foundation was formed in 1987 by a group of local citizens and currently owns and operates the Historic Reid House and the award winning Matthews Heritage Museum. In this special episode of Inside Matthews, Jim Taylor goes on location to the Reid House to have a conversation with the current President of the Matthews Historical Foundation, Becky Willard, John Urban who serves on the Board of Directors for the Matthews Historical Foundation and the Executive Director of the Matthews Heritage Museum, Barbara Taylor.
As a part of this conversation, our three guests detail the importance of preserving and promoting the history of the Town of Matthews through, not only the Reid House, but also via the Matthews Heritage Museum which explores 150 of Matthews' history.
Throughout this episode, Becky, John and Barbara take you through many historical aspects of the Town of Matthews and paint a wonderful image in our minds of the importance of documenting and preserving the historical legacy of our people, places and events.
Lee Myers, a life-long resident of Mecklenburg County, served as the Mayor of the Town of Matthews for 18 years, from 1991 to 2009. Prior to his election as Mayor, Lee was a member of the Board of Commissioners in Matthews for four years. In 2009, NC Governor Beverly Perdue awarded Lee the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is one of the highest civilian honors in the state of North Carolina.
In this episode of Inside Matthews, Jim sits down to have a conversation with Lee about what led him to run for public office, his 18-year tenure as Mayor, the impact and success of the Matthews Alive festival, Novant Health Matthews Medical Center and how the Matthews Sportsplex was almost a landfill.
Sergeant Michelle Archer (Ret.) most certainly left her mark on the Matthews Community before retiring from the Matthews Police Department a few years ago. Michelle served our Town as a School Resource Officer (SRO) for several schools but she made the greatest impact on students during her time at Butler High School. She possessed an incredible ability to relate and connect with students, known affectionately as her "Butler Babies", like no one else.
In this Episode of Inside Matthews, Jim sits down with Michelle to have a conversation about what led her to a career in law enforcement with the Matthews Police Department, her belief in communicating and connecting with youth and her role in the creation of the community program, "Matthews Gives Back".
In 1969, life-long resident Kress Query became the 12th Mayor of the Town of Matthews. Since then, Kress has made an immeasurable impact on our town, including playing a key role in the development of the Town's first zoning ordinance. The Query Family can trace their roots in Matthews back to the 1700's and they're descendants of an individual who signed the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence (Meck Dec), prior to the national Declaration.
Jim recently sat down to have a conversation with Kress to talk about growing up in Matthews, the creation of the Veteran's Advisory Committee, the historical preservation of the Reid House and his induction into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
In this initial episode, Jim Taylor, former four-term Mayor of the Town of Matthews shares his objective and vision for Inside Matthews. Tune in periodically to hear Jim have conversations with local business, civic and political leaders from Matthews, North Carolina to hear about what's happening Inside Matthews.