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About Jody
Jody is a North Carolina native, through and through. She grew up in Davie County and has lived in several large cities across North Carolina before settling in as an LKN resident 14 years ago.

Jody started with the PARC Department in 2007, then spent some time in Planning, and in 2016, returned to PARC to take on the role of Special Events Manager.

When she's not planning events for the Town, you can find Jody exploring wineries and restaurants, baking for friends and family, honing her photography skills, showing off her sharp-shooting with some target practice, or relaxing at her beach home in Florida.
Jody supports the community in more ways than just working for the Town, she is also involved in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program and has had the same little sister for six years. This past year kept Jody and her little sister apart, resigned to FaceTime calls and text messages, but in January the two were finally (safely) reunited.
How PARC Has Adapted to COVID-19
As the Special Events Manager, Jody is responsible for planning, developing, monitoring, and coordinating a large range of events and programs. She works closely with community leaders and groups to plan for events and secure sponsorships. Prior to COVID-19, some of Jody’s favorite events to plan were the Cornelius Jazz Fest, Symphony in the Park, All American Dog Show, Light Up Cornelius, and the Veterans’ Day Program – which is especially dear to Jody, since her husband is a Marine.
COVID-19 was a huge challenge but Jody and the entire PARC Department quickly sought ways to pivot and adapt. At a time when virtual events had yet to become the norm, PARC found opportunities to safely keep spirits high and people engaged.

The first event they modified was Operation Easter Bunny. For three days, PARC coordinated with Cornelius-Lemley Fire Rescue and the Town's Police Department to drive the Easter Bunny all over Town and return some holiday spirit to those that needed it. The event spread rapidly through social media, reaching 24,000 people. Being able to reach so many people during such a difficult time brought Jody a lot of joy, and she says the best part of the job is the opportunity to work with so many amazing people to include sponsors, vendors, staff, and leaders in the community to create such memorable experiences.

Jody's main focus as we continue to forge through this pandemic is ensuring that everything is done in a way that is compliant with the latest advisories and protocols. Safety comes first, but rest assured, there will be no shortage of things to do in the coming months.
Upcoming Events
One new event that 2021 has brought us is the Mayors' Fitness Challenge! Though the challenge has already begun, you can register at any point during the competition and help us bring home the title of Fittest Community.

Each week, participants will work to have the highest total number of active minutes. We encourage everyone to invite their family, friends, and co-workers who live in one of the three northern towns or Mooresville to join in the fun!

There is also still time to celebrate Black History Month with the Town and Smithville CommUNITY Coalition. Stop by Town Hall Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., to view the works of Charlotte artist Bryan Wilson. The final day to view this exhibit is February 26.
Mobile Food Pantry
Providing for Those in Need
On Tuesday, February 23, the Town is partnering with local churches to distribute food to those who need it during these challenging times.

Pickup will be available between 3-5 p.m.; all in need are encouraged to register.

Cornelius PD will be on-site to assist with traffic.
Vaccine Update and Waitlist
Additional first dose appointments have been made available through Mecklenburg County Public Health (MCPH) for Feb. 22-March 9. These appointments continue to prioritize Groups 1 and 2.
A formal online waitlist for COVID-19 vaccination appointments launched Feb. 12. The wait list is intended for individuals who are eligible to receive the vaccine but have not been able to secure an appointment. Individuals in Groups 3 and 4 who would like to receive the vaccine when eligible are also welcome to sign up.