This week’s Five leads off with a bit of sad news. Our friend and former co-worker Jemal Horton passed away last weekend after a period of declining health.
No. 1
A gifted writer and storyteller, Jemal shared athletes’ accomplishments for many years. I started to say “of all ages,” but one of his last columns for the Independent Tribune was about a 96-year-old swimmer.
A native of Lenoir, C. Jemal Horton wrote for The Washington Post, the Indianapolis Star, The Charlotte Observer and other papers before settling in here in Cabarrus County. He told me more than once that he preferred telling the stories of high school and college athletes to those of professionals.
I first heard of Jemal when he came to The Observer as a columnist. He liked to stir the pot and create conversations. In his column photo, he wore glasses that reminded me of Malcom X. He often came on sports radio WFNZ. He welcomed differing opinions.
A few years later, he came over to the Independent Tribune. His creativity and talent were obvious from the first days he arrived. Mount Pleasant was in a deep football playoff run and had a big match-up with Shelby. I went with Jemal and photographer James Nix to meet Coach Mike Johns and the Tigers. I was there mainly to make introductions. Jemal and James went to work.
It’s amazing what creative, talented people can do with time and resources. The result was an award-winning column called “Reece’s Pieces.” Jemal wrote a beautiful piece about the offensive line, which cleared the way for Cody Reece’s record-setting running. James shot a long-angle shot of the offensive line with Reece behind them. Great stuff.
Jemal created many more award-winning stories and columns over his years here in Cabarrus County. Even as his health declined (diabetes and its complications), he often hobbled to the gym or field and created beautiful stories.
One of the most read features over the years was the Cream of Cabarrus rankings. Jemal came up with the idea, and I helped with the name. In the early years, we even did a weekly video with Nix’ help. Jemal picked six teams to feature instead of a Top 10 or Top 5 because it left more room for discussion, especially if a team might have a case to crack the rankings.
Social media is filled with coaches, parents, and former players mentioning how special he was. They’re right. Jemal made the world around him a better place.
One thing that set Jemal apart was how he set people at ease. He made you feel like the most important person in the room. That comfort level allowed him to see the story – to see what set the subject apart. It made for great stories.
We knew him as Jemal, but his given name was Corey. He was more than a sportswriter. He was a man of faith and family. He loved his wife, Sharlene, and son, Saadiq. I remember one year his mother wanted a ham, and he set out to find the best country ham possible, even though he didn’t eat pork.
C. Jemal Horton was one of a kind. He is greatly missed.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, Friday, Oct. 2, at The Charlotte Church, 2200 Ashley Road, Charlotte, and from noon to 1 p.m. before the funeral Saturday at St. Paul AME Church in Lenoir. Grier Funeral Home in Charlotte is handling arrangements.
No. 2
Another big building is going up on Glen Afton Boulevard. That’s the road behind Afton Ridge (Target) that connects to Poplar Tent. An ad is running on LoopNet, a commercial real estate site.
The ad shows 6054 Glen Afton Blvd. will have 172,636 square feet for lease. When I was out there Monday, the foundation work was in progress.
Here’s an unconfirmed rumor: Novant Health wants to put an emergency room there. I could find no evidence of that. We’ll wait and see. Of course, Novant is building a hospital not far away on Davidson Highway closer to I-85 and Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.
No. 3
Kellswater Commons at the corner of Rogers Lake Road and Kannapolis Parkway is taking shape. It is anchored by a Lowe’s Foods. Caribou Coffee recently opened. It seems like we are telling you about another coffee shop every week.
Great Clips will open soon beside Lowe’s. It is moving from Afton Ridge, where it has been for many years. The franchise owner has a handful of shops pretty close together, and this will move a little farther away. The owner also has the Great Clips at Willow Oaks (Publix on Weddington).
Kellswater Commons developer MPV Properties is also showing an AutoZone parts store will be coming to the Rogers Lake Road side of the development.
No. 4
Mark your calendar for this one. If you’re like me, you’ve probably got something that needs to be taken here. Cabarrus County residents can safely dispose of several types of unwanted household materials during the Fall 2026 Safe Disposal Event on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 to 11 a.m. The event will be held at a new location, 4100 Weddington Road in Concord.
The event will offer paper shredding, disposal of unused or expired medications, electronic recycling, and lithium-ion battery recycling. The City of Concord, Cabarrus County, and Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont are participating.
No. 5
There’s plenty to do around Cabarrus County over the next couple of weeks. Here’s some of events we know about. Let me know if there is something I missed.
Friday, Oct. 2 — Kannapolis Fire Truck Parade: The Kannapolis Fire Department will hold its annual Fire Truck Parade beginning at 6 p.m. The community event features fire trucks and emergency vehicles from departments throughout the region. A food drive and blood drive are also part of the event.
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 2-4 — NCNA Convention & Coin Show: Coin collectors and dealers from across the region will gather at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, 4751 N.C. 49 in Concord, for the North Carolina Numismatic Association’s annual convention and coin show.
Saturday, Oct. 3 — Mount Pleasant Fall Festival: The Town of Mount Pleasant celebrates fall from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the Town Hall Complex, 8590 Park Drive. The annual community festival includes vendors, food, children’s activities and more.
Saturday, Oct. 3 — Concord International Festival: Downtown Concord celebrates cultures from around the world from noon-6 p.m. The free festival features international food, music and dance performances, cultural displays, arts and crafts and children’s activities.
Saturday, Oct. 3 — Burgtoberfest: Percent Tap House in Harrisburg hosts its Oktoberfest-style street party with beer, food, live entertainment, games, vendors and family activities.
Saturday, Oct. 3 — Camp CARE Memorial 5K & Fun Run: The PJ St. Martin and Zack Dobbin Memorial 5K and Fun Run returns to Frank Liske Park in Concord. The evening glow-themed event benefits Camp CARE and its programs for children who have or have had cancer and their families.
Saturday, Oct. 3 — Midland Farms Fall Festival: Midland Farms welcomes families for a day of fall activities including a pumpkin patch, barnyard, tractor-drawn hayrides, corn pit and photo opportunities. The festival returns Saturday, Oct. 10.
Saturday, Oct. 3 — Movie Night at the Ballpark: Atrium Health Ballpark in Kannapolis hosts a free showing of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. A royal meet-and-greet is scheduled from 6-7 p.m., with the overall event running from 6-9 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3 — Garba Night with Geeta Rabari: Indian folk singer Geeta Rabari headlines an evening of Garba music and dancing beginning at 7 p.m. at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord.
Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 3-Nov. 22 — Carolina Renaissance Festival: The Carolina Renaissance Festival returns for eight weekends at its 25-acre village, 16445 Poplar Tent Road, along the Huntersville-Concord border. The festival features jousting knights, costumed villagers, music, comedy, falconry, games, food and an artisan marketplace. Gates are open from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Sunday, Oct. 4 — A Royal Breakfast: Cabarrus Brewing Company at Gibson Mill in Concord hosts a 90-minute character breakfast from 9:30-11 a.m. featuring Belle, Mulan, Snow White and Tiana, along with a buffet breakfast, character visits and photo opportunities. The event is at 329 McGill Ave. NW. A current event listing confirms the Oct. 4 date and 9:30 a.m. start. HopCLT
Sunday, Oct. 4 — Live Music at Whiskey Prison: Southern Grace Distilleries in Mount Pleasant hosts an afternoon performance by Chris Vercauteren.
Monday, Oct. 5 — Mission Monday: Cabarrus Brewing Company hosts the Early Childhood Foundation of Cabarrus County from 5-8 p.m. A portion of beverage purchases will support programs providing music, literacy and art experiences for economically disadvantaged children.
Wednesday, Oct. 7 — Cabarrus County Mental Health Simulation: Cabarrus Health Alliance at Brown Mill, 526 Cabarrus Ave. W. in Concord, hosts an interactive simulation designed to give participants a better understanding of navigating the mental-health care system during a crisis. A panel discussion and question-and-answer session follows.
Thursday, Oct. 8 — Cabarrus County Senior Expo: The annual Senior Expo begins at 10 a.m. at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord, bringing together resources, services and information for area seniors.
Oct. 8-18 — Spider’s Web: Old Courthouse Theatre, 49 Spring St. NW in Concord, presents Agatha Christie’s comedy-thriller Spider’s Web. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8-10 and Oct. 16-17, with 2:30 p.m. matinees Oct. 11 and 18.
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 9-11 — The Collectors Showcase: Sports Wax Promotions brings its Collectors Showcase to the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center for three days of sports cards, memorabilia and collectibles.
Saturday, Oct. 10 — Midland Farms Fall Festival: Midland Farms holds its second fall festival Saturday with family activities including a pumpkin patch, barnyard, hayrides, corn pit and photo areas.
Saturday, Oct. 10 — Wonders of Wildlife Festival: Cabarrus Brewing Company hosts the Carolina Wildlife Sanctuary’s Wonders of Wildlife Festival from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., with an emphasis on wildlife education and conservation.
Saturday, Oct. 10 — Rockin’ the Burg: Harrisburg’s free community concert series wraps up its season at Harrisburg Park with Gump Fiction. The opening act begins at 7 p.m., followed by the headliner at 7:30 p.m. Food trucks and a beer garden will be available.
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 10-11 — Repticon Charlotte: Repticon returns to the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center with reptiles, exotic animals, vendors and supplies. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 10-11 — IBJJF Charlotte Fall International Open: Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitors come to the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center for a weekend of gi and no-gi competition.
Saturday, Oct. 10 — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Blue Cross NC 250: Charlotte Motor Speedway begins its major NASCAR weekend in Concord with O’Reilly Auto Parts Series racing.
Sunday, Oct. 11 — NASCAR Bank of America 400: NASCAR Cup Series racing takes center stage at Charlotte Motor Speedway with the Bank of America 400.
If you have anything for the Friday Five or something I can rant about, email Plemmons.mark@gmail.com or text me at 704-786-0001.
