Dear MARA Members,
The weather is getting cooler, and the leaves are starting to drop – Fall has begun and Fall Sports are well underway! As usual, the success of any season is the result of an extraordinary amount of hard work by the Board members, employees, and volunteers every day. Everything from overseeing the changing of light bulbs for the fields, tree trimming, grass mowing, concession stand operations, and sponsorship solicitations starts before your athletes even find out their coaches’ names much less hit the field to start practices.
This Fall season I am also happy to report the number of kids participating in baseball, softball, tackle football, flag football, and track exceeds our pre-pandemic numbers. And beginning this January we are adding a new sport to MARA – GIRLS FLAG FOOTBALL! Deon Boswell, our football commissioner (who also serves as MARA’s Treasurer), and Hazel Williams (his co-commissioner and your next President), have spent the last several months designing one for girls ages 7-12 that fits MARA’s mission and values. Registration opens in October with the season beginning mid-January 2023.
As we head into the last few months of my term serving as your President, I am happy to say MARA is in its strongest financial position since I started serving on the Board of Directors in 2016 and assumed the role of President in 2020. We have also strengthened our community relationships and engaged on a higher level with the Town of Matthews to serve the Matthews community (remember those July 4th fireworks!) – all of which benefits our members and athletes!
Finally, mark your calendars for MARA’s Annual Meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, November 15 at 6:30pm at the Matthews Community Center in Classroom 105. At the meeting we will review the past year’s expenditures, projects, and successes. We will also review the 2023 budget, planned park projects, and elect new board members. If you are interested in running for the Board or want to learn more about what is involved with serving on the Board, please don’t hesitate to contact me or any other member of the Board!
Thank you and see you at MARA!
Laura Budd
MARA President
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Have you ever wondered exactly how MARA runs? Would you like to get more information about all of the programs that MARA has? Would you like to vote for members of the MARA Board?
At this meeting we will review 2022 and preview 2023. In addition, we will elect new members to the MARA Board of Directors. Any current 2022 MARA member will be allowed to cast a ballot and vote.
MARA Annual Meeting
Tuesday, November 15, 6:30 p.m.
Matthews Community Center
CLASSROOM 105
100 McDowell Street
Matthews, NC
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INTERESTED IN JOINING THE MARA BOARD OF DIRECTORS? |
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Would you like to become more involved at MARA?
If you are interested in receiving more information about becoming a MARA Board Member or would like to run for the Board, please email Kathy Duncan, jduncan125@aol.com. by October 31.
Each candidate is required to meet with the current President or President-Elect prior to the annual meeting to discuss the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the Board.
Each prospective candidate will need to understand the expectations and standards required of a MARA Board member. Here is a preview of the key attributes we are looking for:
ACTION ORIENTED
~We are a participative Board, meaning we need people who are willing and capable of producing (programs, event support, donors, hands at the fields, etc.). It's not an oversight committee. This is a group that has to take action and generate results.
MARA-MINDED
~We need people who will put the agenda and the needs of the organization ahead of their own interests.
ORGANIZED AND INSPIRATIONAL
~We need people who can inspire others to get involved and help us accomplish specific 2023 objectives.
CORE VALUES
~We need people who can be true to our Core Value of making MARA the best Recreation Association possible.
GOOD REPRESENTATIVES
~We need people who represent MARA and the Board of Directors in a positive light both at the park and outside of the park. Anyone elected to the board will have to pass a background check before assuming the role.
Any current 2022 MARA member in good standing can submit their name to be placed on the ballot. The deadline for submitting your name for board consideration is October 31.
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As much as we think your dog is adorable...dogs are NOT ALLOWED at Arthur Goodman Park.
Kindly leave your pooch at home.
*Service dogs are always welcome. Please make sure the appropriate documents are with you.
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Please DO NOT park on the access road White Deer Trail. It is not on MARA's property and cars have been towed by Matthews Police and other towing companies. |
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Fall season is off to a great start! We are glad to see so many hungry, happy people!
As previously mentioned in last month's newsletter, there will be some menu pricing changes. Unfortunately, the cost of food is making it difficult to keep our current pricing. We will continue offering items at affordable prices so dinner at the park can still be an option. Thank you for understanding.
We are happy to serve you at both stands. Our concessions schedule for both stands is as follows*:
Monday-Thursday 5:30-8:30pm
Saturday 8:30am-6pm
Friday & Sunday TBD for scheduled events.
*Hours are subject to change based on field usage and weather conditions.
We have Concessions gift cards! You can get them in any dollar amount and they are reloadable! Available at both stands.
If you’re thirsty at the park when concessions is closed, there is a fully loaded Coke machine (and water fountains) in the breezeway of the main building!
Keep up with us on Instagram at mara_concessions! Thank you for allowing us to serve you!
Andrea Brock
Concessions Manager
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Please DO NOT dig holes or throw rocks on fields! Reminder to keep kids off all equipment.
FREE - wood pallets are available at the dumpsters near the parking lot by the main football field. First-come first-serve.
Thank you from the MARA Park Staff
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MARA'S Park Staff has been busy with several complex-wide improvements. Most recently we replaced over 50 lightbulbs along with lighting repairs. Fields 1, 4, 12 & 13 received new fencing along with Field 2 had new yellow fence toppers installed. Trees and other landscaping were cut & trimmed. |
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Field 2 Yellow Fence Toppers |
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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS |
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BASKETBALL REGISTRATION OPEN |
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2022-2023 Mara Basketball Assessment Dates and Times
- AA (5-6 Year Old) COED Basketball on Saturday Nov 12th from 3:30-4:45pm
- A Girls (7-8 Year Old) and B Girls (9-11 Year Old) on Saturday Nov 12th from 4:45-6:00pm
- A League Boys (7-8 Year Old) Saturday Nov 12th from 6-7:30pm
- B League Boys (9-10 Year Old) Sunday Nov 13th from 3-4:30 pm
- C League Boys (11-12 Year Old)Sunday Nov 13th from 4:30-6:00pm
- D League Boys (13-15 Year Old) Saturday Nov 12th from 6-7:45pm
Games will be played on Saturdays 3:30-4:45pm and Sundays from 3:00-7:30pm, with 1-2 practices during the week.
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Contact Antoine Johnson, Basketball Commissioner, for more information about the MARA Basketball Program.
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MARA @MATTHEWS ALIVE PARADE |
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Check your team page for schedules and rosters.
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Play Flag Football - Player slots are going, going, gone!
If you are interested in coaching, please complete the volunteer application at I want to coach.
Here are some key dates to know:
- Registration closes when all player slots are filled
- Season starts - 11/12/22
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Girls ONLY Flag Football League for Ages 7-12
Mara Colts Football is kicking off inaugural season for Girls ONLY Flag Football League in January 2023. Registration opens on October 15. CLICK HERE for more information.
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Contact Deon Boswell, Football Commissioner, for more information
about the MARA Colts Football Program.
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Luca Reyner, AAA Commissioner & Coach, held a memorial balloon release on field 8 in honor of Max Shanks at the start of the fall season. |
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about the MARA Baseball program.
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Contact Bobby Young, Softball Commissioner, for more information
about the MARA Softball program.
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Apologies that the 10U Orange Challenge team players were accidentally omitted from the August newsletter.
CONGRATULATIONS to these girls:
10U Orange Team:
Megan Burgun
Shannon Burgun
Nolyn Corkey
Chloe Crowe
Mia Ferrara
Katherine Garner
Kinsley Gunn
Zoey Harper
Elizabeth Khimji
Loralei Madsen
Saylor Preuss
Rebecca Young
Good luck this season. Go Mustangs!
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Congratulations to 10U Blue Team taking 1st place! |
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Congratulations to the following Softball Challenge Teams (not pictured):
8U Blue Team - 1st place
8U Orange Team - 2nd place
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Contact Bobby Young, Softball Commissioner, for more information
about the MARA Challenge Softball program.
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MARA 7U Venom won the HQ4 tournament on September 25 |
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about the MARA Baseball Challenge program.
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about the MARA Travel program.
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about the MARA Colts Cheerleading program.
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about the MARA Southside Storm Track program.
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MARA is always looking to partner with Boy Scouts needing a beneficiary for their Eagle Projects.
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Dick's Sporting Goods coupons can be used an unlimited number of times at ANY DICK's location - even out of state so please share with family & friends. |
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SPONSOR NEWS & INFORMATION |
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6 MYTHS, SUPERSTITIONS, AND MORE ABOUT SNEEZE ATTACKS
Sneezing is a universally-recognized physical reaction in people, but what people don’t often know is what sneezing means, or what it does to the body. In fact, myths and superstitions have swirled around sneezing for almost as long as civilization has existed. Today, we’d like to go through just a few of the many, many odd beliefs about sneezing.
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Fall is here...
At Charlotte Heating & Air we are preparing our client’s heating systems for the arrival of the cooler months. This fall let us assess your heating systems as well as your indoor air quality to be sure you are ready to enjoy every “inning” of your fall.
Call us for our specials!
Charlotte Heating & Air
704-330-3177
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Save time. Shop Online.
Harris Teeter Express Lane online shopping makes it easy to shop at home anytime you like. Our personal shoppers will shop for you. For orders over $100.00, the service fee is FREE. For orders between $50.00 and $99.99, the service fee is $2.95. For orders between $25.00 and $49.99, the service fee is $4.95. Monthly Subscriptions are available for $16.95 and Yearly Subscriptions are available for $99.95.
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Providing excellent surgical patient care and customer service through cutting edge technology and education. We specialize in wisdom teeth, dental implants, and teeth in a day.
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M&M Hardwood Flooring
Your local one-stop shop for ALL of your flooring needs!
136-B East Charles St.
Matthews, NC
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Matthews United Methodist -- A Church FOR
the Community & FOR the World
You're invited to Trunk or Treat - Sunday, October 20 from 6:00-7:30 pm.
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Its Time for your Seasonal Tune-up from Team-Tock!
Please contact our office today to schedule your Seasonal Tune-up!
DON'T DELAY: get on our schedule NOW while all of the preferred days and hours are available!
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Due to the pandemic, many patients delayed or missed their appointments. If this happened to you, make sure you get back on an annual mammogram schedule. Don’t wait until serious symptoms appear to get tested or treated.
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Briana Cicero-Johns State Farm has sponsored a MARA softball team every season since the business opened. Why? Because no one sponsored the girls teams back in the 1980s whenever she started playing ball!!
Briana started playing softball at age 6 in her local youth league and ended up earning a full scholarship to pitch at the Division I level. After lettering all 4 years, she coached at the Division II level for two years.
Playing softball was life changing for Briana and she is passionate about paying it forward here in Matthews.
Briana Cicero-Johns State Farm is passionate about protecting our families through insurance products and supporting our community to many ways, including continuous sponsorship of our MARA teams!
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We invite MARA Families to begin shopping with us at Johnson Volvo Cars Charlotte and to swing by our dealership for a test drive. You can schedule one online by contacting our sales team, or by calling us and swinging by our dealership on E Independence Blvd in Charlotte, NC. Visit us today!
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Weaver & Budd Law is here to provide your family and/or business with the quality legal services they may need. We understand that every case, including yours, is of the utmost importance. We pride ourselves on our personalized interaction with both current and prospective clients. We will listen to you, review the details of your legal needs, and use our experience and knowledge to provide a beneficial solution to whatever your issues may be.
Our work includes dealing with a variety of matters in civil litigation, helping entrepreneurs with their business startups, preparing trusts and estates, working with families to try and make beneficial solutions to a separation, helping drivers fight against traffic tickets, and assisting our clients in appellate courts.
Our attorneys have combined experience of over 40 years in practice. Laura Budd is currently on the board for ARAG, a national legal insurance company, and is also a certified mediator for the North Carolina Civil Superior Courts with Mediation Solutions, Inc.
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INTERESTED IN 2023 SPONSORSHIP? |
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Looking to Advertise Your Business at MARA with a Sponsorship for 2023?
2023 Sponsorship information and forms will be posted on the website in January 2023. Remember MARA is a non-profit 501 3c organization.
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Please review our park rules before coming to the Park. This is for your safety and the safety of all members.
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NO dogs allowed in the park
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NO inappropriate use of language
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NO handguns or weapons of any kind
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NO drugs allowed in the park
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NO tobacco use of any kind (cigarettes, e-cigs, chewing tobacco, etc.)
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NO motorized bikes, go carts, ATV'S or scooters
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NO skateboards, hoverboards, roller blades, or roller skates
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NO RC/ airplanes or model rockets
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NO kicking or batting balls into fences
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NO climbing fences or trees
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NO climbing on buildings or roofs
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NO parking on sidewalks or access road that connects our park with the Courtney Neighborhood (Matthews Police WILL ticket you!)
Please DO NOT park in the Concession Managers spot, she has to unload supplies and needs to park near concessions.
Park at you own risk: MARA is not responsible for your vehicle or you property.
Handicapped Parking at MARA: Please be respectful of the Handicapped parking spaces. If you do not have a placard that allows you to park there, you risk receiving a fine and having your car towed.
MARA Is A Privately Owned and Operated Complex. It Is Not A Public Park. Use of Fields Are For Association Members Only. Unauthorized Use Of This Property Will Be Viewed As Trespassing. Violators Will Be Prosecuted For Any Of The Above.
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IMPORTANT: LIGHTNING SAFETY SYSTEM
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The safety of the players, spectators, and officials is our main concern at MARA. No weather event is more dangerous than lightning. Because of this threat, we have installed the Thorguard Lightning Prediction System. This system can provide advance warning of a lightning hazard, allowing you the time to seek shelter. The system continually monitors and evaluates the electrostatic atmosphere and predicts the probability of a lightning hazard in the immediate area of our facility. You will be alerted by one loud horn blast that will last 15 seconds.
Upon hearing the horns, everyone should seek shelter immediately.
When this occurs, strobe lights located on the top of the horns
will activate and remain active while under a weather alert.
Every attempt should be made to seek shelter in a safe environment like a permanent building or car.
The Thorguard system will determine when conditions are safe to return. Three 5-second blasts will indicate that all is clear and the strobe lights will cease operation.
ALWAYS AVOID THE FOLLOWING:
· Athletic Fields & Bleacher
· Open Areas
· Field Lighting Poles
· Isolated Trees
· High Elevation
Questions regarding Weather and Field Conditions contact
Mara Weather Line: 704-845-6337 or your Commissioners.
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Follow mara_sports on Instagram to quickly and easily receive updates on weather and field conditions directly to your smart phone. Also, email communications will be sent out to the the email address in the registered account. Please make sure your information is up-to-date!
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MARA
Arthur Goodman Park, 1200 S. Trade St. Matthews, NC 28105
PO Box 1023, Matthews, NC 28106
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