ECA 4-13 by Elizabeth Community

ECA Board Members

Eric Davis President 704 776 3013 Greenway Avenue ericadavis0123@yahoo.com

Nancy O. Albert Editor/Newsletter Beautification/Art Chair 704 779 0932 Elizabeth Village noalbert@carolina.rr.com

(vacant) Vice President Diana Watson Secretary 704 996 9776 Kenmore Avenue dianawatson3@gmail.com Paul Shipley Treasurer 704 651 5897 Kenmore Avenue shipley_paul@msn.com ECA Special Projects Bryan Rife Membership 980 228 1921 2616 E. 5th Street bryan.rife@goldenliving.com Ken Magas Website 704 877 7151 E. 5th Street ken@kenmagas.com Janet Karner Membership Clement Avenue janetk@caro.net Robert Zabel Elizabeth 8K Road Race Chair 917 873 8028 Pecan Avenue nycrcz@yahoo.com 2

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Elle Allen Social Chair/Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Events 704 502 9101 Greenway Avenue elleallen2@gmail.com Sarah Bradley Communications/Social Media 704 491 3760 Laurel Avenue sarah@bluefeathermedia.com Beth Haenni Past President 704 562 5152 Greenway Avenue beth.haenni@gmail.com

Melanie Sizemore Zoning & Real Estate Committee 704 375 3244 Vail Avenue msizemore@realindex.com Tom Smith ECA Business Liaison/Ad Czar 630 886 2039 Kenmore Avenue tom.smith@fedex.com Ric Solow Beautification/Trees 704 334 2986 E. 5th Street ric@solowdesigngroup.com Jen Towell Social Co-Chair 704 258 0983 Clarice Avenue jennifer.towell@rht.com

Kristan Magas Park & Recreation Liaison 704 488 0051 E. 5th Street kdm2201@gmail.com Stephanie McKee Social Co-Chair Kenmore Avenue 704 907 2872 smckee@theconegroup.com Kathy Kennedy-Miller Zoning & Real Estate Clement Avenue kkm@jmainteriors.com

Save the Date: Saturday March 29, 2014

covers: Elizabeth Elementary t3rd grade 1952 courtesy Edie Turk Stanfield (econd row, second from right) / photo p2: Frances Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Amato / p3: Nancy O. Albert

ECA Officers

Notes from the Prez by Eric Davis As the new Elizabeth Community Association President, I want to take this opportunity to extend a heartfelt ‘hello’ and introduce myself. I moved to Elizabeth two years ago with my wife, Michele and children, Cameron (5), Erica Rose (3) and Taz (4 legs and furry). We lived Uptown Charlotte for over a decade, and while we LOVED all that Uptown had to offer, with two preschool children we were missing a neighborhood full of families and a yard to play in. Fortunately we found a beautiful home and a wonderful community here in Elizabeth. I have to admit, it’s a daunting task to have my very first ‘Notes from the Prez’ in an Elizabeth newsletter devoted to History! It would seem that

as a newcomer to Elizabeth, my perspective on the history of this neighborhood is somewhat limited. But after some reflection I realized that my family’s history is already intertwined with the history of Elizabeth. For Cameron and Erica Rose, the magical character of Elizabeth is already forming their personal history. Playing with their friends at the neighborhood Trunk or Treat and the Easter Egg Hunt, looking through the treasures in the Little Library and exploring the Trolley Path (or as our family calls it, the ‘Magic Tunnel’) are childhood memories they will treasure. My family is also connected to Elizabeth in very tangible ways as we make new history through the relationships we’ve built with neighbors, the trees we’ve planted to shade

deadline spring 2014:

February 15th editorial content:

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So enjoy this issue of the newsletter celebrating the history of Elizabeth, but also take the time to make some ‘history’ of your own in this wonderful neighborhood. Editor’s note by Nancy O. Albert Welcome to the third themed issue of the ECA newsletter. This time around the focus is on History – of the city, of the neighborhood and of those who lived here. From the

revolutionary days of Captain Jack, through the founding of Elizabeth in the early 1900’s, through the tumultuous civil rights era, through neighborhood decline and rebirth, the articles here offer a snapshot of our community. Because my educational background is in history and American Studies, this issue was a particular joy for me to put together. Do you have an Elizabeth memory or old photographs you might like to share? If so send them alongwe will revisit the History theme next year.

Charlotte’s history dates back to the Revolutionary War by Frances L. D’Amato Today Charlotte is a new South City welcoming residents from all over the world. It is also the home place of many whose families trace their heritage to before the Revolutionary War. Indeed, Charlotte played a major role in the Revolutionary War: our militia held back General Cornwallis’ troops. The British were quartered in buildings on Trade and Tryon in Charlotte from September till October 1780. Cornwallis said Charlotte was a “hornet’s nest of rebellion” and today we celebrate that tradition. In 1860, Queens College was founded but was not chartered by King George. Even then, the King wanted to prevent the college from being a place to stir up trouble about paying taxes to the crown. The town fathers instead levied a six pence tax on rum and supported the college until Cornwallis took over the building on Tryon Street to serve as a hospital for the British soldiers. The college relocated to Salisbury and has no relationship to the present day Queens College in Myers Park. Mecklenburg County wrote its own Declaration of Independence on May 2031, 1775. Captain James Jack carried the Declaration

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photo p4: Frances D’Amato / p5: Nancy O. Albert

the next generation and the volunteering opportunities offered by the ECA.

to Philadelphia. He rode on horseback. He risked his life, since if caught by the British, he would have been hung as a traitor. It wasn’t until the following year that the Congress signed the Declaration of Independence that began the Revolutionary War.

Please take the opportunity to trace the steps taken by our ancestors as you travel the Liberty Walk.

Captain Jack had moved to Charlotte from Pennsylvania. He managed the family Tavern on Tryon Street for his father and was a citizen soldier in the Mecklenburg Militia. After the Revolutionary War, Captain Jack moved his family to Georgia where he died at age 84, in 1823. He was survived by his wife, daughters and a son, Colonel Patrick Jack.

An Interview with Mr. Richard Foard by Jennifer Monroe

The Spirit of Mecklenburg – artist Chas Fagan’s bronze equestrian Statue of Captain James Jack (p.4) now graces the corner of Kings Drive and the Little Sugar Creek Greenway at Third Street. The statue is part of the Liberty Walk.

For more information on the Liberty Walk go to the website: http:// americanrevolutioncenter.org/ connections/charlotte-liberty-walk

If I were handing out awards for Charlotte’s Most Charming Gent, I’d have had an easy task of it after spending an afternoon with the senior Richard Foard of our local Foard Construction Co. I fully enjoyed his lovely southern charisma as we delved into the long history of of the Foard family and their ties to the Elizabeth community. Of Scottish-Irish descent, John Foard, the 5th greatgrandaddy of Richard Sr. was a surveyor who migrated from Pennsylvania to Charlotte.

He surveyed the Albermarle Highway and became involved in the early seeds of the Revolutionary War. In 1775, he and twenty-seven local men came together to sign the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Believed to be the first of it’s kind from the 13 colonies, North Carolina was the very first to declare independence from Great Britain. Shortly after, Captain James Jack of Charlotte delivered this Declaration to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. It was another year before the Declaration of Independence was formalized. Richard Sr.’s grandaddy, Jefferson Davis Foard, started the family business we now know as Foard Construction in 1898. He was a farmer who knew how to build, so it made perfect sense for a man with ten or more children to make his living doing what he knew best. The rest, as they say, is history.

The Liberty Walk starts on Tryon Street and winds its way to Little Sugar Creek Greenway and marks many of early Revolutionary War locations. Each of the 15 sites is designated by a round, granite marker engraved with a silhouette of The Spirit of Mecklenburg. Participants in the walk are able to access information about each site on their iPhones. I hope this article has made you aware of a part of our history. the people pages

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photos courtesy Andrew Foard

J.D. Foard’s son Earnest, like so many other patriots of his generation, was unable to find work upon his return from France after WW1. Broke, he moved his family to Columbia, SC in hopes of finding work to keep them afloat. His fortune changed though when his father wrote him a letter informing him that he had secured construction work enough for them both. Upon his return to Charlotte in 1922, they would henceforth be known as JD Foard and Son Construction. In addition to becoming the NC state checker champion, Earnest Foard successfully carried on the family business, while his cousin Edison Foard provided a little friendly competition with his own construction firm here in Charlotte.

President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, on a home they built together in 1984. After Richard Sr. retired, he spent nine months working on the Lakewood Daycare project, and just this month was busy on two additional projects. Given the extreme longevity of the Foard clan, we can expect to see him swinging his hammer for Habitat for many years to come.

book details the ways the city changed during a rapid period of growth after the Civil War and includes a chapter on the development of Elizabeth.

Dilworth, built by Edward Dilworth Latta, was Charlotte’s first streetcar suburb, developed for the middle and upper classes and built along the street cars lines, far from factories and poor and black In 1960, Richard’s boys, neighborhoods. Elizabeth Richard Jr. and Gary Foard, was next to be built. In 1896 joined him the firm and they real estate developer W.S. once again became Foard Alexander began developing Construction Co. Today, both lots on the land surrounding boys continue the family the city’s main reservoir, a business while Gary’s son spring-fed stream dammed to Andrew has become their rising form a lake, located in what star. With a vision of his own, is now Independence Park. his warm countenance and He donated land to found big smile, it seems he may be Elizabeth College, a Lutheran angling for his Granddady’s school for women. The college’s Most Charming Gent award suburban campus would When JD Foard retired in 1930, as well! “shelter the young ladies from Earnest changed the name urban strife and provide them Knowing your place: again and built their current with the wholesome benefits of a short history of headquarters, where they Nature.” Then he began laying Elizabeth happen to be my neighbors out several subdivisions. One of by Nancy O. Albert here on Pecan Avenue. They them, known as Piedmont Park, don’t keep extra cups of sugar was particularly innovative. For anyone interested in the around, but whenever I need A trapezoidal plot bordering history of Charlotte there is a crane or a Bobcat, they are Seventh Street and what no better place to start than always happy to lend me one! was then known as Lawyer’s Dr. Tom Hanchett’s book, Road (now Central Ave,) its Sorting Out the New South Besides his infectious smile, sharply angled streets did not City. Published in 1998, it is I most appreciate Richard connect with the existing city a detailed study of the city Sr.’s 30-year (and counting!) grid, breaking a traditional from 1875-1975. Many of devotion to Habitat for pattern. A second innovation Humanity. A source of obvious you will know Tom as resident pride, he has given generously historian at the Levine Museum that separated Piedmont Park from the rest of the city was of the New South and go-to of his time, his heart, and the introduction of restrictive person whenever the Charlotte his expertise with over 100 covenants in every lot deed. homes built thus far in his long Observer publishes anything These specified that dwellings even remotely historic. This career. He collaborated with the people pages

appearance was prized and building styles included Colonial Revival, clean, simple and dignified, and Bungalow style. Originating in British India, bungalows hugged the ground, had sloping roofs, deep porches and were often finished in a rustic mode, using natural stone and wood shingles.

Medical facilities began moving out of the center city; Mercy Hospital was built in 1916 and Presbyterian moved to what had been the campus of Elizabeth College. When Eighth and Pecan became the home of Piggly Wiggly’s grocery store, it was no longer necessary At first Elizabeth was purely to take the trolley downtown residential. Husbands took to shop. In 1921 Charlotte’s the trolleys to their offices, premier secondary school, the housewives also rode into the city to shop or sent their maids. all-white Central High was Purchases were delivered from built on Elizabeth Avenue, a the downtown stores by wagon convenient location to attract students from all of white-collar each afternoon. Children suburban southeast Charlotte. played on grassy lawns or in the new Independence Park, As time went on newer and the neighborhood’s pride of grander neighborhoods like place. By the 1920’s small Myers Park and Eastover were food markets and drug stores built and Elizabeth gradually appeared. Churches were fell out of favor. During the also founded, starting with St. 1920’s and 30’s multi-family Martin’s Episcopal in 1912 and structures and small apartment Hawthorne Lane Methodist buildings like the Rutzler were in 1915. Large mansions built along Hawthorne Lane were built by bankers and and Louise Avenue, convenient department store owners along to the Central Avenue trolley the main boulevards, middle and within walking distance managers lived on the side of nearby factories. Things street. Most were built in ones changed more rapidly with or twos by different developers, the ending of trolley service giving the neighborhood a in 1938. During the 1940’s pleasant variety of architectural the neighborhood was cut styles. A distinctly suburban in two with the construction 8

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of Independence Boulevard, a highway built with Federal funding. The highway’s route was decided upon behind closed doors by city officials and Mayor Herbert Baxter, who was also President of Myers Park Country Club, and announced to the public as a done deal. It began in the traditionally black neighborhoods of Brooklyn and Cherry, skirted Myers Park, cut through Independence Park, destroying most of the Rose Garden, and continued on through Chantilly. Despite protests from residents, it opened in 1949. It was only the beginning of urban renewal and highway construction that transformed Charlotte but destroyed many city neighborhoods. Tom Hanchett’s book covers the period only up to 1975,

photos: Nancy O. Albert

costing less than $1,500.00 not be erected, that there be no commercial or industrial use and that “no part of said real estate shall ever be owned or occupied by any person of the Negro race.” The covenants, common in well-todo areas of many large cities, were new to Charlotte. They initiated the idea of restricted neighborhoods where the “best population would suffer from no intrusions from people who did not know their place.” Such deed restrictions spread rapidly through all of Charlotte’s new neighborhoods.

but he does mention the founding of neighborhood organizations. As an awareness of and appreciation for historic structures grew in the late 1960’s and 70’s, young middle class families began moving back into neighborhoods like Elizabeth, which were at that point rather down at the heels. “Articulate citizens groups” began forming; among the first was the Elizabeth Community Association, founded in 1970. One of its early successes was the defeat of a plan to build a cloverleaf exchange that would have decimated much of the neighborhood along Hawthorne Lane.

the Charlotte Observer is responsible for establishing Independence Park, the city’s first public park, in 1905. The park was situated at the site of the former municipal waterworks, which featured a lake bordered by a shoreline road (now Park Drive.) When the Charlotte Waterworks vacated the site at the beginning of the 20th century

the lake was drained. Use of this property eliminated the need for the city to purchase land to create a park. Another advantage of the site was that it was served by two trolleys, the Piedmont Park and Elizabeth College lines. Thompson, long a spokesman for the New South movement, felt that public parks were a prudent and wise investment

And from that auspicious start the Elizabeth that we know today came into being. A few notes about our favorite park by Nancy O. Albert We walk through it, our children play on the playground, dogs chase Frisbees. ECA volunteers work to keep it looking good. It is Elizabeth’s center. There are plaques here and there offering bits of information but what do we really know about Independence Park? Here is a short history, compiled from surveys and reports found in the Robinson-Spangler Carolina Room at the Main Library. Daniel Augustus Tompkins, industrialist and founder of the people pages

preserved the existing features of the lake valley. He planted many trees; oaks, poplars and maples in informal clusters. Footpaths meandered through the park and small granite benches, meant to offer havens from the bustle of city life, were tucked here and there. Over the years the park changed in many ways. According to historian Tom Hanchett, when Independence Park first opened the Board of Aldermen passed an ordinance specifying that “no colored person shall be allowed except as nurses to white children.” In 1914 a children’s playground was constructed. A grammar

School (now Elizabeth Traditional) was built on the park’s Elizabeth Avenue side. Tennis courts and baseball fields followed, overlooked by a vast stone open-air amphitheater. Memorial Stadium was completed in 1937. The Lillian Arhelger Memorial, built to honor a young teacher who gave her life to save a drowning child, and its accompanying reflecting pool, both designed by Helen Hodge, was built in 1931. The Sunnyside Rose Garden was created by the Charlotte Garden Club, also in 1931. It was long recognized as one of the most beautiful public spaces in the city. Sadly, most

photo p10: Kristan Magas / p11: Nancy O. Albert

because they improved the “moral and economic climates” of cities where they were built. He hoped the park would remain as much as possible in its natural state. A call for landscaping proposals was put out and the competition was won by John Nolen, who was still a graduate student at the School of Landscape Architecture at Harvard. Charlotte was fortunate in its choice- Nolen went on to become one of the nation’s premiere landscape architect and city planner. He later was hired to design and layout Myers Park, the city’s most prestigious residential area. His original designs for the park

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of it was destroyed with the construction of Independence Boulevard and the Brookshire Freeway between 1949 and 1960. If you walk through Independence Park today you can still see a few of John Nolen’s stately but aged trees. You can also see some of the new young trees planted by the ECA, which adopted the park a couple of years ago. You are likely to see birthday picnics and family gatherings and the playground bustling with a multicultural mélange of children reflecting Charlotte’s now-diverse population. The ECA road race begins and ends along Park Drive. The park hosts Saturday morning soccer games, Juneteenth celebrations and annual events like the Easter Egg Hunt and Petpalooza. It has seen many changes but remains what it was designed to be: the heart of Elizabeth. Another day in the park by Kristan Magas It was a glorious day to be outside on November 2nd working in Independence Park! 40 volunteers came out to work in the park for Elizabeth Park Day to complete jobs that Parks and Rec staff are not able to get to. Things like limbing up trees for safety, mulching, planting and pruning. Thanks to Golden Living Center on 5th for the hard working volunteers and the coffee and donuts and to

Hawthorne’s for the delicious pizza afterwards. I hope you’ll notice how nice the park is looking.

blood brothers which we are so proud of.

Within a year, we put in an offer on a house on E. 5th that had just been listed. It was owned by the principal of South Meck high school, Ken Wells and his wife Donna. Wanting to be closer to work, they priced the house to sell. One afternoon of quick negotiations and the house was ours. The house was in walk-in condition with four bedrooms and three baths, perfect for our crew. So began the moving “train” from Greenway, down Ridgeway, up E. 5th with our belongings in tow. Of our three cats, two of them would not “nest” at the Join us for our next Elizabeth new house, even after keeping Park Day in the spring. Thanks them inside for 2 weeks. As soon to all who participated! as we opened the door, they went back to Greenway where Our Elizabeth history eventually neighbors adopted by Kris and Ric Solow them! They say once you live in Ric and I have lived in Elizabeth Elizabeth always an Elizabethan which couldn’t be more true. for many years. For six years Ric lived on the Greenway side We know many neighbors who have swapped, bought and of the duplex at the corner of sold, determined to stay in the Ridgeway and Greenway, now ‘hood as families have grown, or owned and being renovated downsized. by the Dagenharts who live diagonally across from it. In Early owners of our house were 1992 Kris accepted Ric’s the family of Bill Lee, former proposal to blend families. CEO of Duke Energy (then Kris sold the home that she Duke Power). At some point, had lived in for 15 years off of we’re not sure exactly when, our Albemarle Road, and with two house was converted to a duplex sons and a cat in tow, moved in to accommodate members of with Ric and his son. It was tight the Charlotte Checkers hockey quarters and the boys had some team. Also, when Kris was adjusting to do during those attending a yard sale at her young formative years, but over neighbor’s next door, a woman time their bond thickened like came up to her and asked who the people pages

The garage/studio used to be a one story, two car garage with a side “galley” room for “the help.” This room had a sink and enough room for a single bed. In back of the garage was an outside shower head. When we bought the house, the garage was “as is,” filled all the way up to the garage doors with old paint cans, broken items, you-name-it, etc. We hauled everything away, or put things curbside. Then Ric gutted 12

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disassembled and then stored on a pallet in the gutted garage for 13 years. When we decided In 1996, Kris’s father in to build our present two story Massachusetts passed away. In garage/studio, American the basement of her parent’s Billiards came and got it, stored house Kris had stored a 1912 it in their warehouse, restored antique Brunswick pool table it, and then reassembled the that she had bought in the early table on site where it stands 70’s. Her mom had used it as today. a laundry table since Kris was The garage/studio was designed gone. Now with her father’s to accommodate the table so passing, Kris had to find a way that the cues would never hit to get it to NC. She contacted any walls. The footprint of the American Billiards on E. 4th Street. They make runs to New building was pushed back 4 feet from its original position England a couple times a year to buy antique pool tables and to clear the magnolia so that as few limbs as possible would we were able to piggy back on one of their runs. The table was have to be trimmed. Upstairs is the interior and we used it as storage for yard equipment.

photos: Kris Solow

lived at 2109 E. 5th. When Kris said that she did, the woman pointed to the side bedroom and told Kris that she gave birth to her child there!

Kris’s art studio and overspill guest accommodations with full bath. We have thoroughly enjoyed playing pool, throwing darts, entertaining small and large parties including our own wedding party and that of one of our son’s, and family gatherings in this space adjacent to our inviting landscaped backyard. So, give us a holler sometime for a friendly, neighborly game of pool or darts! Viva Elizabeth! An Elizabeth childhood as told to Nancy O. Albert by Edie Stanfield Born at Mercy Hospital to Olus and Clemmie Turk, Edith

Stanfield was an Elizabethan right from the start. From 1943 to the early 1980’s her family which, included grandparents Charles and Eda Coone, lived at 2300 East 5th Street. “As best I remember, my parents paid $4,000 for our house in August 1943.” Edie’s father was a warden during the Second World War, making sure no one on the street had any light escaping from their house. During her early childhood her father had a grocery store in in Fourth Ward uptown (in the building where Alexander Michaels is currently located) and

commuted every day by car. Later on he operated a grocery on Park Road, called Turk’s Little Supermarket, across from what became the Park Road Shopping Center. When the Center was built it included a big A&P and he closed his store; later he sold insurance. In 1960 he passed away at home from a heart attack at the early age of 52. Edie’s mother then went back to school at King’s College and eventually worked in the office of the Baptist bookstore in Charlotte. Edie attended Elizabeth Elementary (now Elizabeth Traditional School) and shared the people pages

She has vivid and fond memories of growing up in the neighborhood. Days were pleasant and filled with pastimes like roller skating and going to Stanley’s Drug store on the corner of 7th and Pecan to buy a treat. Sometimes exciting things happened like the Sunday morning her neighbor, Miss Ester, was listening to her radio and lightning hit, came in through the radio and caught the curtains on fire. Fortunately it was not a big fire and was quickly put out. In the summer trucks would drive up and down the alleys behind the houses at night spraying for mosquitos. “During those years there were 14

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no four-way stop signs on East 5th between 7th Street and Caswell Avenue. As Laurel Avenue was a main crossthrough, there were numerous wrecks on the corner where I lived – 5th and Laurel – from people who were traveling south on Laurel and would run the stop sign on Laurel. Several of the cars ended up in our front yard and I remember one accident involving a bride and groom who were being followed by well-wishers. They were traveling south on Laurel from 7th Street, ran the stop sign at 5th, were hit and the bride was thrown from their car where she landed on the curb still dressed in her wedding dress!” Edie describes Elizabeth as a perfect neighborhood for children to grow up in and is delighted to see so many families with young children living here today. Focus On Justice: Carolina Photographers and the Civil Rights Movement by the Levine Museum of the New South

Sturkey, Bruce Roberts, James Peeler, Cecil Williams and others. The exhibit focuses on the photographers’ stories and experiences as they recorded Civil Rights history for local and national newspapers and magazines. Each photographer is represented by biographical information, a personal narrative and a selection of photos. Visitors will see press passes and vintage cameras as well as learn more about how photo editors select an image for publication.

“

This pic of The Visulite came from The Observer archive, which was given to the Public Library a number of years ago. It was taken by Don Sturkey in 1957. The Klan was protesting because in the movie being shown, Island in the Sun, a black man kisses a white woman. —Byron Baldwin

”

at the Levine Museum of the New South: August 14, 2013 through January 26, 2014 Photographer Byron Baldwin has curated an exhibit of 24 photographs documenting the regional Civil Rights movement as seen through the eyes of Carolina photographers Don

photos: Don Sturkey

with me class photos from first and second grade. Later on she attended Piedmont Junior High; no one thought anything of children walking all the way from 5th and back by themselves. Her older sister Kathy Turk Stith, graduated from Central High in 1955 but Edie only attended for one school year, 1958-59, when she was in in the 10th grade. That was the last year Central was a high school. Charlotte College, which later became UNCC, met in the basement of Central High School. When Garinger High School opened in September 1959, the students from Elizabeth were reassigned. Edie graduated from Garinger and went on to Wingate University.

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According to Baldwin, “The photographers represented in this exhibit witnessed history being made. These photographs of courageous young people who challenged the existing social order and of those who resisted that change illustrate a significant pivotal point in our history. Our culture is forever changed because of these events. And we are indebted to the photographers who spread the word of this struggle through their images, and recorded these events for history.”

Pecan Avenue thoughts by June Lambla Pecan Avenue was named that because of a pecan orchard stretching eastward from the street. The original farmhouse is on East 9th St., now occupied by Laurie Reed. Her family completed many renovations to the house since they purchased it. Sadly, about eight of the original pecan trees went down during Hurricane Hugo on our block alone, including the ‘Mama Pecan,’ the largest in midblock next door.

The water tower is treasured by many who’ve lived in our block, including Mrs. Dimos, the Greek lady that lived across the street from us from 1946 until a few years ago when she passed away at 96 or 97. There was a front page photo of her in the Observer when the water tower was being renovated, a process that made it look like a local Christo / JeanneClaude wrapped art project. Mrs. Dimos had great stories of the fruit orchard that was next door to her before the water tower, and vegetable and milk deliveries to her back door. Home Tour a success by Ashley Nurkin & Kim Lineberger

This annual event is traditionally one of Elizabeth’s largest fundraisers and this year was no exception – through ticket sales and the support of our community sponsors, the 2013 Home Tour raised more than $10,000 that will support the community association’s efforts in the years ahead. In addition, both Elizabeth House (an affiliation of Charlotte Family Housing) and our CMPD Providence division were given a portion of this year’s proceeds. This event would not have been possible without the 16

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photos: Nancy O. Albert

The ECA’s 2013 Home Tour took place on October 12th and 13th, and was a rousing success!

coordinator or call 311 to request a zone check of your residence while you’re away. You’ll need to provide your address, dates you’ll be gone and how you can be reached. Some other security measures to consider when leaving: Put lights and a radio on timers. Have a neighbor or family member pick up deliveries, newspapers and mail every day. Lock all doors and windows. generosity of our neighbors and community members. A special thanks goes out to our gracious neighbors and businesses who opened their beautiful homes, gardens and workplaces so the greater Charlotte community could tour our neighborhood and learn what makes Elizabeth so special. More than one hundred hardworking members of our community also volunteered their time during the weekend to assist with tickets, home tours, advertising and event organization. Finally, the generous support of our community sponsors (Savvy & Co., Cowbell restaurant, Banister Homes, Royal Gardens and many others) helped make this successful event possible. On behalf of the Home Tour committee, we would like to thank our homeowners,

volunteers, sponsors, and attendees for making the 2013 Elizabeth Home Tour a success! We look forward to seeing you again in 2014! Holiday safety and security by Officer Robert Sprague, CMPD The holiday season is officially upon us and, while this is an exciting and fun-filled time of year, we have to keep in mind that there are some who will look to take advantage of the season. Before heading out of town or venturing out to the stores to do some shopping please remember these tips to help ensure your holiday travel and shopping experience is a fun and safe one. If you’re headed out of town during the holiday’s please take advantage of the free zone check service the police department offers. You can call or email your community

Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway while you’re away Leave a phone number with a neighbor so you can be contacted in case of an emergency Shopping

When you head out to a store or mall to do some shopping there are some things to consider that can reduce your chances of being a victim. If you’re visiting multiple stores, store your bags in the trunk of your car. If you must store them in the passenger compartment, make every effort to keep them out of sight. Be aware of loiterers near your vehicle or in the parking lot. If you have any question, return to the store and ask to be escorted by store security or an employee. Consumers are typically in a generous mood and often distracted, so be wary of strangers approaching the people pages

you in the parking lots asking for something. Consider using a credit or debit card rather than cash when shopping. Thieves are on the look-out for people holding large amounts of money. Don’t leave your purse, cell phone, iPad, or other electronic devices unattended at any time. Following these tips can help make your Thanksgiving and holiday season a little safer and more enjoyable.

about a Public Art initiative the city is partnering with the ASC on. We met with Nicole Bartlett, Public Art Director for the ASC and an Elizabeth neighbor. Another Elizabeth neighbor, Sarah Gay, who has public art and grant writing experience, put in countless hours of work on the proposal, which was submitted on November 14. Many good suggestions and ideas grew out

Yard Yak by Kay Minor

of a brainstorming session with Terry Shipley, June Lambla, Chris Jarrett and Elizabeth Madrey. Sarah Bradley and Ken Magus also helped out. We are working on gathering community support for public art projects, such as in-kind contributions and volunteer labor and will keep the neighborhood appraised as the process goes forward.

One seed created many, and in turn, kept us rather busy, with little time spent fretting over achieving one’s potential. We shared chores, and our bounty too. My father gave freely to folks in need, modeling an innate generosity, the ability to trust.

No matter where we reside, our experience of life is always colored by a personal history. Along with the inherited DNA of a physical body, we carry individual ideas and world views formed by a “conditioned past.” Our story. For example, being farm raised, abundance ruled our world.

Happy Holidays from the Providence Division (CMPD)! Beatification/Art Committee by Nancy O. Albert

We’ve been moving right along in our attempts to bring public art to the neighborhood. First we met with Mr. Andrew Foard of Foard Construction regarding a mural they would like to have painted on their office building on Pecan Ave. That conversation led to the Foards offering to donate to the ECA the brownstone “gargoyle” that has been lying in their yard for a number of years, in hopes that we will be able to find a more permanent home for it. I am currently researching the gargoyle’s history. Then we found out 18

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Does the abundant mindset really exist? Alex Mandossian

photo p18: Nancy O. Albert / p19: courtesy HLUMC

The ECA has a new committee, which will be chaired by me and ably assisted by Kris Solow.

says ”it’s a challenge to define abundance because it’s one of those unique words that must be experienced to really be understood, not just explained.” Feelings are inevitably involved. At some point, in the natural course of life events, an opportunity to crack the conceptual shell of who or what we think we are, will present itself. This window of possibility often presents itself as suffering. A closed door. A loss. My late mother-in-law showed me that bumping up against the world lets us know we’re alive. Together, we peck a small hole into the collective shells of scarcity, judgment, (name your demon). In the process, we learn to feel from the inside out. Joyous in being alive, and selflessly sharing the vast, endless bounty of who we truly are. A note to the neighbors by Kristan Magas The Park and Recreation horticulture team has worked with the volunteers from the Elizabeth neighborhood for three years. We’ve been the conduit for getting the projects planned, but the neighbors have always been the ones to initiate contact and do the physical work. Our projects have been many and varied: sometimes supervised, sometimes untended. We have planted trees and shrubs, mulched landscapes, elevated

trees, and cleared brush. Each project has enhanced the park in ways that could not have been accomplished by Park and Recreation staff. Mulching produces an immediate improvement in the looks of the park, but also saves time by controlling weeds and reducing watering needs. Clearing brush is a chore that also provides immediate improvements in the appearance of the park. Elevating trees helps the staff by making areas more accessible and it also improves that looks and health of existing trees. Last but not least: planting trees. Anyone who’s never done this can’t imagine the effort needed. Trees are expensive. The price of the individual trees varies, but each tree has to be located (particular species are usually only available in select nurseries), delivered, placed in the landscape, planted, pruned, mulched, watered,

and tended for the first months after planting. Take a minute or so to calculate the hours you have spent volunteering for Park and Rec. Multiply that by your hourly labor rate. Multiply that by the number of people who were willing to come out and help on any given Saturday. This is the calculated value of your efforts. The true value is hundreds of times this amount. Thank you, THANK you, THANK YOU!!!! Randall Orozco and Ken Carlson, Maintenance and Operations Specialists Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation

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Hawthorne Lane celebrates our history in the Elizabeth and reaches out to the future by Jerry Holshouser Adams

December 22 – 5:30, 6pm and 6:30pm live nativity

The first service of Hawthorne Lane Methodist Episcopal Church South (Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church) was held in Elizabeth College, which is now Presbyterian Hospital, on December 5, 1915.

Blessings to you in the New Year.

In 1993, the CharlotteMecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission and Charlotte City Council designated the church a historic landmark. This designation was awarded because of architecturally significant features and appointments: bell tower, slate roof, nave ceiling constructed of now extinct wormy chestnut panels which resembles an ancient sailing vessel, and stained glass windows with cast stone tracery.

For over 100 years, Children’s Home Society of North Carolina has been working tirelessly to promote the right of every child to a permanent, safe, and loving family. Children’s Home Society recently merged with Family Life Council, Youth Homes, and Lifegains to expand the scope of services we are able to provide to North Carolina’s children and families. Today, CHS has one of the most comprehensive and seamless offerings of child welfare and family support services in the state. We provide programs in parenting education (Right Start Parent for Life), family preservation (Intensive family preservation and reunification on (IFPR) and family support and self-sufficiency ( FSS), teen pregnancy prevention (Wise Guys), foster care, and adoption - all from one agency. Our western region office is now located at 2200 E 7th Street, and we are excited to be a part of the Elizabeth Community!

Advent 2013 at Hawthorne Lane UMC

December 1 – 9am family Advent craft adventure; 5pm greening of the church; 5:45pm tree lighting and supper December 11 – 6:30pm lessons and carols led by children and youth choirs December 21 – 10am birthday party for Jesus and live nativity rehearsal; 7pm longest night service of solace 20

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December 24, Christmas Eve 5:30pm family service; 11pm candlelight communion service

ECA partners with Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, “Hope for the Holidays” gift drive by Katie Gauntner

Each year, Children’s Home Society hosts Hope for the Holidays Gift Drive. This event provides gifts to over 400 children who might not otherwise receive one during the holiday season. The ECA will be sponsoring Right Start Parent for Life during our toy donation drive. Right Start is a support group for young mothers ages 17 to 24 who have been in or aged out of the foster care system. Mothers and their young children who participate in the voluntary program receive weekly home visits, attend activities, share support, and learn how to have fun and nurture themselves and their children while building a strong parenting foundation. Right Start will service approximately 45 children during the holidays. The ECA will be hosting a special gift drop off on Sunday, December 8th from 1 to 5 at children’s home society offices on 7th Street. Please stop by and enjoy coffee and donuts while supporting this wonderful cause. Gift suggestions include: Leaf Frog Toys, Megablocks, Dolls-African American, Books, Ride or Push Toys, Puzzles, Coloring books, Sticker Books, Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Toys, Cars and Trucks, Footballs and Soccer Balls and Boys and Girls Coats sizes 6 months to 4T.

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Who are these people

and whatever happened to them? Do you know?

Edie Stanfield sez: “The teacher in this picture (Mrs. Frick) was my first grade teacher, so it would be the 1949-50 school year at what is now Elizabeth Traditional School. I’m on the 4th row on Pat Tillman’s right side (her twin, Pris, is on her left, and they’re dressed identically). The girl with pigtails and bows is right behind me. The picture you use on the cover was my third grade class, I think, which would have been 1951-52.” Your turn! Do you know anyone in these school pics? We’ve put both pictures online and comments are open, so come on over to www. elizabethcommunity. com/who-are-they and help us figure out who’s who.

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Please contact Katie Gauntner at kagauntner@gmail.com or 773/859-4196 with any questions regarding this event. Next Door by Jennifer Monroe Hey neighbor! Wouldn’t it be nice if we had a private, dedicated forum just for those of us residing in Elizabeth? I must admit I’m pretty intrigued by this fairly new website, www.NextDoor.com, which offers us precisely that. Our household joined recently and we’ve found it to be a pretty slick venue for interacting with our neighbors.

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We also appreciate that we had to offer proof of our residency before admission. This was pretty simple, so don’t let it discourage you. In some regards this is a forum, but also classifieds, referrals, announcements and events. Local groups can also form and manage their membership privately. Need a great plumber? A babysitter? Want to share your thoughts on a new restaurant? Wondering where that ECA Christmas party will be? This is a terrific, yet simple place to do all of this and more. For an invite, write to me at jenmonroe77@gmail.com and I’ll send you one right away!

More websites

by Nancy O. Albert If you’ve enjoyed the HISTORY issue, you might also enjoy these websites. They provide information as well as historic images of Charlotte and the Elizabeth neighborhood. http://landmarks commission. org http://cmhpf.org/ homelocalhistory.htm www.cmhpf.org/Elizabeth www.cmstory.org/ imageGallery/ www.cmlibrary.org/Locations/ mainCarolina.asp

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