A Love Letter To Charlotte
Thank you Charlotte...
For welcoming me so warmly when I moved to Charlotte 32 years ago.
With all the charm that southerners, especially Charlotteans, can muster, neighbors brought food and well wishes, lists of babysitters, and invitations to join walks, playdates and dinner parties.
Upon moving here I transferred my Junior League membership from Winston-Salem and the day I first stepped into Junior League headquarters at Freedom Park I felt I’d found a second home. The young women I met wrapped around me - a newcomer - and helped me find my place to serve. (No standoff-ish folks here! In Charlotte if you want to serve and contribute, you will be welcomed with open arms.) I found women who would challenge and inspire me and who today I count among my closest friends.
Today, the League is still solving problems, training its members and nurturing women for leadership. But instead of lengthy phone calls after dinner - members email. And instead of “dropping something off at the League building” as I did a million times, members scan documents and dropbox photos.
Thank you Charlotte...
For nurturing me spiritually.
I quickly found a welcoming church home, enrolled children in the Weekday School at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, taught Sunday School, joined Bible study groups and reared the children in the church.
Thank you Charlotte....
For beautiful, walkable neighborhoods.
Newcomers to North Carolina’s #1 city for walkability are always amazed at the abundance of neighborhood choices - many with towering trees, sidewalks and historical charm. We’ve lost some of these trees over the years to Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and other storms but retained all the charm.
Neighborhoods have expanded way beyond uptown and in the 1990's, Ballantyne, named for the founder’s great aunt, was established. Formerly a place for hunting, Ballantyne began with two 30-foot monuments which represent finance, transportation, technology, and the human spirit of Charlotte. Charlotteans would drive “out to the country” to see them before the first building or home was constructed. Ballantyne grew abundantly around those massive pillars to become the popular home today for families, business, and entertainment.
While newcomers might get confused when Providence Road abruptly turns into Morehead Drive and Queens Road becomes Kings Road at a five-light intersection, there’s no denying that city planners brilliantly designed its neighborhoods, many in which you can walk to parks, shops, restaurants and amenities.
Thank you Charlotte...
For your proud history and also your wild streak that’s helped you grow and thrive.
In 1988 you attracted the Charlotte Hornets amid a flurry of excitement. All of Charlotte celebrated, and welcomed as rock stars Coach Dick Harter and his wife Mari, Muggsy Bogues and Dell Curry. Today five (soon to be six) professional teams make Charlotte home.
You have grown into the second largest banking town and your uptown skyline continues to expand while staying clean and welcoming. Each spring Meck Dec day reminds us that the first Declaration of Independence was signed at Trade and Tryon in 1775. A few Charlotteans remember the streetcar of yesteryear while today North Carolina’s first rapid transit system, Charlotte’s light rail, provides over 29,000 passenger trips a day.
Thank you Charlotte...
For the places that are the backdrops to everyday living and the memories of others.
We all have them. For me, I’ve shopped at Reids for 32 years, first at its home by Morrison-Smith and today at its new homes on Selwyn Avenue and at South Park. I enjoyed burgers at Five Steps Down and now walk down those same five steps to Zio’s. Sadly, we must say good-bye to the Manor Theater after its 72 years on Providence Road.
Thank you Charlotte for being the backdrop to my life for all these years. I miss you when I’m away and even sitting in traffic I tell myself “I ENJOY this” as a reminder that you are home to me and that you have no rivals for my affection. I’m here to stay.
