Terry Lett block captain/advertising 704 377 0052 terryp.lett@gmail.com
Todd Rubenson secretary 704 386 4401 todd.rubenson@bankofamerica.com
Freda Zeh membership 704 333 3127 fzeh@gmail.com
Amanda Loftus race 704 608 9089 aemloftus@yahoo.com
Melanie Sizemore zoning 704 335 0909 msizemore@realindex.com
Kara Gooding cankerworm/trees 704 604 5660 Kara_gooding@hotmail.com
Matt Nurkin ECA president 704 617 8610 mnurkin@cogdellspencer.com
Peter Tart zoning 704 372 4147 petart@carolina.rr.com
Beth Haenni social 704 332 7992 beth.haenni@gmail.com
Maya Packard
Roxie Towns zoning/beautification 704 342 1000
Dana Inge crime 704 968 3234 kayak1010@hotmail.com
Ruffin Pearce
Deborah Johnson membership 704 353 1179 djohnson147@carolina.rr.com
Susan Plott treasurer 704 575 2259 splott@carolina.rr.com
social 704 334 2196 mpackard@carolina.rr.com vice president 704 331 4989 rpearce@wcsr.com
Save the date: Elizabeth holiday party
Saturday, December 12 Drop-in from 7 to 11 pm 2404 Kenmore Avenue at the home of Reid and Diana Watson Please bring an appetizer or dessert to share.
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Amy Williams social 704 491 8240 awill@catocorp.com
J O I N THE E C A Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has..– Margaret Mead
cover photo by Steve Perill circa 1974 – all other photos by Nancy Albert except as noted
Nancy Albert newsletter 704 719 1255 noalbert@carolina.rr.com
Basketball helps church get in the game of rethinking church by Susan Passi-Klaus
What started out as a free place to shoot hoops has turned into a ministry for Christian b-ballers.
For almost 85 years children have played there, youth groups have gathered there, Boy & Girl Scouts have assembled there. Beneath the wooden rafters, since the days before Plexiglas backboards, back when free throws were tossed from the keyhole and basketballs were laced together – generations of amateur hoopsters have scored there. High on the newly painted wall surrounding the timeworn basketball court is a sign that says, “If you enjoy our gym, you’ll love our sanctuary. Join us for Worship Every Sunday 11:00 AM.”
“There’s a right way and a wrong way to play basketball,” said Mike Carr, associate pastor at Hawthorne Lane.
The old gym at Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church has always been a kind of community landmark in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was built back in 1925 – eleven years after the church sanctuary went up in the urban community that is close to downtown. Although church members have used it through the years for everything from dodge ball and sock hops to fundraiser events and children’s activities, it is finding renewed life as a regular sports venue for an enthusiastic team of young men who gather to play basketball every Monday night.
deadline for spring 2010:
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“On the court guys can get pretty hot-headed and not treat each other very well, but in our gym we can model Christ-like behavior and get players to think before they act or speak.” Carr himself is right in the middle of the Monday night court action. Joined by three or four church members, he has opened the doors of the gym to welcome average guys from the local young adult community. In the beginning some folks in the congregation wondered what basketball had to do with church, but the young pastor
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has been successful at getting them to understand that sometimes the door into church can be a back door – or in the case of Hawthorne Lane United Methodist Church, a gym door. “At first, some of our churchgoers felt that people in the community should find their way to our church at 11 on a Sunday morning, but by opening up the gym on Monday nights from 7-9, we essentially meet people where they are,” Carr said.
workdays to help clean-up the gym and other church buildings. Michael Reishman, one of the Monday night players, put it this way, “Prior to coming here to play basketball, I knew there was
there and met some of the great members who play with us on Monday nights. I’ve also paid attention to the church’s Web site and activities, whereas I never did before we started playing.”
“In the United Methodist Church, we hear a lot about open doors. In our case, the open door is a back door in a separate building, away from our sanctuary – but it’s a door of opportunity nevertheless.” Carr says the friendly basketball showdowns are “are no strings attached.” Players are welcome to attend church services and activities, but not hounded to participate. An unexpected perk of the on-court relationships is that several of the players have shown up at congregational 4
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a church building on 7th Street, but that was about the extent of my knowledge,” he said. “I’ve become a lot more aware of the church now that I’ve been
Carr suspects that several of the players had preconceived notions of what “church” is all about, but have changed their minds after getting to know members of the congregation.
“Preconceived notions make for walls, but when people meet on common ground and get to know each other – like they do in a game of basketball – walls come down,” the pastor said. “My hope and prayer is that these young men who come on Monday nights will know that this church loves and cares for them and that they can call upon us if they ever need a church home.” For more info on Monday night basketball contact Mike Carr, 704-332-8131. Yard Yak: what kind of gardener are you? by Kay Minor a.k.a. Gardenbelle
Kay Hardin, photos here and merman p.16 by Diane Chase
The Purist: all your plants
medicine calls, liver lines. [My lines are from excessive pinot noir.] Needless to say, in the philosopher’s garden, more thinking is involved than doing. Which leaves the garden to look a bit undone. The thinker prefers to wear earthy tweeds with elbow patches. Females wear coarse denim skirts with sensible shoes. Beverage of choice for both men and women would be tea.
Conversations with this gardener can be brief or endless but always effusive. How does this person dress? Colors always compliment. No miss matched socks here. Drinks same beverage same time same amount everyday. The Happy Gardener:
gardeners in general are a happy group of people (including all above interpretations). Pink cheeks The Collector: collectors and muddy boots reflect a true gardens appear at first glance and balanced love of nature, to be small plant nurseries their soul revealed in every Road trips and Google searches nook and cranny. Wardrobe leave little time for planting. is of little concern. Any This person knows all botanical legal beverage will do. Their names and precise planting crow’s feet, i.e. laugh lines requirements of collected deepen every season with the plants. Information is gleaned knowledge that the best vitamin from printed material, as for friendship is always: B-1. opposed to actual experience growing the object of his or her affection. The Collector is not fussy in apparel but usually disheveled and dated owing to limited funds towards wardrobe. The stamina needed for search and rescue, require caffeine drinks as the preferred beverage.
are native. No immigrants from China or Europe are permitted entrance to your sanctum. Yes, winter evergreens would be nice, but NO CAN DO. Resulting garden appears somewhat higgledy-piggledy. Of course everyone knows exactly how The purist feels about this issue. The purist wears all organic cotton clothing, enjoys libertarian bumper stickers,and The Obsessive Compulsive: drinks beverages of the fair clean lines and sharp edges trade nature. are the hallmark of the OCD The Philosopher: this person, Gardener. No leaf is out of if male, almost always sports place, grass cut exactly 3 and a beard. When engaged in 3/4” from ground. Getting botanical conversation, tugging it just right can create a on said beard stimulates the “pinched” look on the face. brain into olympian style feats Objects of interest in this of intellect. Furrowing of the garden are often out of brow can create, what eastern scale, too big or too small.
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Walking the Greenway by Nancy Albert Terry Lett and I like to walk; between us we’ve probably walked every street in Elizabeth. So looking to expand our horizons and inspired by a booklet put out by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, we decided to try walking Charlotte’s Greenways. The booklet includes maps of each greenway segment, gives the number of miles for each trail, shows parking areas and contains lots of helpful information. It decribes the Greenways as “linear parks that connect people and places by linking neighborhoods, schools and shopping areas. They also protect water quality and wildlife habitat while providing alternative ways to move through the city.” There are currently more than 30 miles of greenway trails in Mecklenburg County with more being built every year. We began our project on a cold late October day by attempting to walk the Little Sugar Creek trail from Alexander Park, off East 10th Street. No luck. The greenway was closed due to construction. So we drove down Central Ave. and tried the Briar Creek greenway, which you enter from Masonic Drive. It is a pleasant wooded trail but it was not long enough to satisfy our need for a good walk. If you try this one, make sure to take a close look at the 6
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Art Nouveau-style bridge over Briar Creek on Central Ave.
Elizabeth Home Tour a success by Rosalie Spaniel
Avenue, Jim and Linda Nash of East 9th Street, and Pat and Hillary Rondero of North We had better luck the next Caswell Road. Gardens were time we tried. After parking at We did it again – thanks to open at the homes of Peter the Nature Museum in Freedom the generous support of local and Kay Minor and Adrienne Park and sharing a simple business, the willingness Thompson, both on East 8th picnic, we took Little Sugar of Elizabeth home owners, Street. The Charlotte Council Creek Greenway all the way to incredible volunteers and nearly of Garden Clubs house was Brandywine Road behind the 600 visitors who toured the six artfully decorated for various Park Road shopping center. homes and two gardens on the holidays and special occasions. This gave us a good couple of 2009 Elizabeth Home Tour. St. John’s Baptist Church miles of walking. If you walk “We can chalk up another showcased its new Letourneau here be sure to check out the success for the Home Tour, in organ with concerts throughout sculptured wood creatures at spite of today’s challenging both tour days by organists the little sitting area at the economic conditions,” said from across the city. trail’s end. From Freedom Park Maya Packard, 2009 Home This year’s sponsors were: it is also possible to walk toward Tour chair. “Many of our local Morehead on a paved trail that Title: Crisp Seventh Street businesses stepped up to closely follows the creek bed. Café and Presbyterian Hospital support their neighborhood, Our goal is to eventually and folks from all over Platinum: Carolinas Medical walk all of the greenways. We Charlotte and beyond came to Center, Mercy; T.R. Lawing particularly look forward to walk our tree-lined streets and Realty, Inc. and Fuze Salon the opening of the segment see our beautiful homes. Gold: Diana Watson – Helen running from Morehead and “Once again, tour-goers were Adams Realty; Carpe Diem; M. along Kings Drive, behind enthusiastic in their praise and Pete, Inc.; Open Door Studios; the Metropolitan complex, we heard so many comments Brixx; and Elizabeth Square which is quite close to our about the welcoming spirit of Apartment Homes own neighborhood. Already an the Elizabeth neighborhood. impressive array of terraces, Silver: Iron Butterfly Studios; Of course, the generosity of fountains and bridges are Prudential of the Carolinas Elizabeth homeowners and appearing there. All of the businesses is the real reason we -- Fred Holder; Cooking greenway trails are pedestrian, Uptown; Hawthorne’s NY Pizza can boast of another success. bicycle, child and pet friendly We couldn’t do this without all & Bar; Charlotte Council of and we in Charlotte are very Garden Clubs; 8th Street Yoga of you.” lucky to have them. So put Studio; The Royal Gardens; The 2009 homeowner a leash on the dog or pull Jane & Roxie Towns, Dickenshosts were Robb and out the jogging stroller. Mitchener; Dish; Woodruff Tammie Beatty of East Perhaps one day soon our Architecture; Emily Zarbatany 5th Street, Tanja Bechtler paths will cross. -- HM Properties; Edward Jones and Bob Teixeira of Lamar Investments, Tom Higgins; For more information Avenue, Eleanor Hatcher Solow Design Group; Jackalope go to: www. and Mark Staub of East 8th Jacks; Visulite Theatre; Nothing parkandrec.com/ Street, Kathy Kennedy-Miller But Noodles; Ooh-La-La’s; greenways and Brent Miller of Clement Isabella; Charlotte Urban Home the people pages
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Magazine; and Music Together of Charlotte.
Resident artisans contribute to historic Ziem House on 8th St. by Peter Tart
craftsman style detail. While these dissimilar design details are uncommon together, they Flowers for the homes were seemed to have satisfied the supplied by Something Classic; creative Ziem family – Nancy The Blossom Shop; Carolyn In 1909 when Harry and Nancy was a milliner (hat maker) Shepard Design Group; Ziem bought their vacant lot at with the Hamilton Millinery Midwood Flower Shop; Nectar 1812 East 8th Street, they had Company on Tryon where Floral Designs; and Flowers certain ideas about what makes Harry was a salesman until Plus. A special thanks goes to a good home. Solid materials, a 1914 when he left to paint Ooh-La-La’s for opening its touch of the day’s architectural ornamental signs full-time. doors for our Homeowners’ fashion and a meaningful Dinner on Saturday night. collection of art, some by Mr. Unfortunately, wear-&-tear Ziem himself, gave the Ziem and over 9 different owners Serving with Packard on the home the character that the since Mrs. Ziem’s passing in planning committee were Dawn Ziem’s felt was so important to 1962 had tarnished the overall Ballenger, Dianna Desaulniers, a comfortable life. physical appearance of the Jane Maguire, Stephanie home. The 100 year-old roof McKee, Megan Roberts, Rosalie Born in Chicago in 1865, Harry was rusting (but not leaking), Spaniel, Michel Van Devender, was witness to the Chicago the decorative leaded-glass fire at the age of 6 and that and Jessica Woodruff. Home accent window had long ago bios were written by Ann experience left a lifetime been removed and replaced impression. In choosing the Baldwin, Glynda Bullington, with a single sheet of glass, materials for the family’s home, Miriam Durkin, Kathy Haight, the porch railing had been Mr. Ziem made the practical and Spaniel. Graphic design replaced, if it had ever existed decision to use fireproof and materials for the 2009 at all, with a makeshift 2x4 Home Tour were provided by components. Likewise, his cap and three different ad-hoc artistic background – his uncle Ken Magas Design, Inc. picket profiles at a confining was the German painter Felix We urge you to support these 36” high and the entry steps Ziem – gave him the courage companies and thank them for had been replaced with poured and confidence to design and their support of this event. concrete risers too high for build his own home. Ziem chose comfort. And now it’s time to begin cast, articulated, concrete block thinking about the 2010 and a tin shingle roof to avoid Overall, the dark red paint on tour. Planning will begin early the devastation of fire and had the exterior walls concealed next year and all community the home built to reflect the the varying textures of the residents are encouraged fashion of the day, a foursquare cast concrete block. Being to become involved. E-mail style type house using primarily aware of the lost luster of the mpackard@carolina.rr.com if mail-ordered parts. Eclectic in original home, Jared and Nicole you’d like to have your home his taste, Harry chose classic Gardner sought design help to featured on the tour or if Ionic columns, a Victorian oval restore an aesthetic character you’d like to join the planning glass entry door, a split-sash to the home and bring life back committee. “We need the leaded glass accent window to the exterior once again. support of everyone in the typical of a foursquare, and Local architect Peter Tart community to continue to have exposed rafter tails at the eaves (Elizabethan for 13 years) successful tours,” Packard said. of the main roof – a common and local landscape designer 8
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Rick Solow (fixture of the neighborhood for 22 years) were commissioned for the design work, restricted in scope due to the Historic Landmark status of the property. The designers, working in partnership with the Historic Landmarks Commission, were able to present elements to enhance the home without compromising the historic property with: 1. a low granite wall at the
sidewalk edge giving the sloping yard a sense of cohesion and grounding;
deteriorated tin shingle roof.
Acting as their own contractor (like Mr. Ziem before them) 2. a low substantial porch the Garners enlisted the help guardrail similarly providing of David Gardner (Jared’s a needed consolidation of brother and craftsman) and architectural elements; other neighbor artisans to complete the work. Margaret 3. a decorative leaded glass Fleeman, Elizabeth resident accent window at the front for 10 years, several doors porch filling an obvious void; away on 8th Street, was 4. restoration of the Victorian consulted extensively on entrance door, rebuilding of color schemes. Her career in the entrance steps & approach, developing product lines for and replacement of the home fashion for Springs Mills
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and Fieldcrest Cannon has now led to consulting for home interiors and exteriors. Her choices of color complimented the rich architectural trim while revealing the unusual texture of the building’s concrete block exterior. 8-year Elizabeth resident Brian Snyder has lived on Lamar just a block away and beautifully restored the worn and damaged Victorian door, reconstructing parts of the hand carving damaged over time. He’s a musician and singer/songwriter by trade but had previously trained as a furniture restorer under the guidance of Master Craftsman Alan Noel in Atlanta. The project’s architect, Peter Tart, who lives several blocks away had also trained in an earlier life as a craftsman of furniture. Peter built & installed the hardwood railing system and the detailed accent window, reflecting the substantial materials and craftsmanship that helped create this home 100 years ago. Aware of Mr. Ziem’s penchant for quality, longevity and the artist’s touch, I think he would be pleased with the work and the participation of residents in the renovation. Elizabeth is rich with homes eclectic in style and character and it’s gratifying to see a 100-year old house that has benefitted from the talents of artisans who call this neighborhood home. 10
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If you would rather contribute to the cause from behind the scenes, we can certainly use your help as more than 60 volunteers are needed on race day to ensure a well-executed and successful event. Please contact Amanda Loftus at 704.608.9089 or aemloftus@yahoo.com with questions or to get involved. Mark Your Calendars for the 2010 Elizabeth 8K by Amanda Loftus The 2010 Elizabeth 8K will hit the streets on Saturday, April 17. This will be the 24th annual edition, making it the second oldest 8K race in Charlotte. Runners and walkers are delighted year after year with the scenic course through our neighborhood and the hospitality of our community.
We hope you’ll be a part of our annual tradition! Baking 101 by Nikki Sawyer Moore
The holiday season is upon us, which means that on top of being busy and stressed, we also have very long to-do lists. Most likely in the midst of all this holiday chaos, you also have plans to exert your domestic god or goddess gene and bake homemade treats for the Proceeds from the race directly holidays. Your goal of finding benefit the Elizabeth residents. an hour or two for baking may The event is one of the ECA’s be overly ambitious (what goal largest fundraisers and in 2009 during December isn’t?), but contributed more than $7,600 in an effort to help you achieve towards the beautification of success I’ve included some our common areas and the tips for better baking. Take replenishment of trees. my advice and I promise that The 2009 race saw record your afternoon of baking will participation despite less than yield not only edible, but also ideal weather, and we hope delicious holiday treats. to see even more people at Measure your ingredients the starting line on April 17. properly. A little of this and Registration is now open, and some of that may work well with you can sign up by visiting cooking, but baking requires www.elizabeth8k.com and you to be exact. Consequently, registering online or printing be sure to follow recipes and mailing an entry form. exactly as they are written
and be precise with your measurements. Measure dry ingredients in dry ingredient measuring cups (the kind that stack inside each other) and measure liquid ingredients in a liquid measuring cup (this is a glass or plastic measuring cup with measurements listed on the side). When measuring flour, spoon the flour into a dry measuring cup and then level it off with a knife. For brown sugar, be sure to pack the brown sugar down to get the proper measurement.
butter in an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Add the sugar, egg, vanilla, and milk and continue mixing until the ingredients are well combined. Add the Grandma Betsy Sawyer’s remaining flour and mix until Sugar Cookies just incorporated. The dough will be thick. Remove the 2 cups all-purpose flour dough from the mixer and 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder wrap it tightly in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours. 1/4 teaspoon salt
Know the temperature of your oven. Just because you set your oven to 350 degrees, does not mean that it is 350 degrees. Oven temperatures vary and finding out the actual temperature of your oven is crucial for proper baking. An oven thermometer is a cheap purchase that will immediately prove itself useful when you realize that your oven is actually 10 degrees cooler than you thought it was!
1 large egg
for the holidays, these cookies freeze well allowing you to bake them well in advance and then pull them out as needed during the busy holiday season.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon whole milk 2 egg whites, beaten Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Sift together 1 1/2 cups flour and baking powder. Beat the
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough until it is 1/8” thick. Cut out your desired shapes using cookie cutters and place the cut-out dough on the parchment lined baking sheets. Using a pastry brush, brush the tops of the cookies with the egg white and decorate with sprinkles if desired. Once the cookies are decorated, bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool slightly before transferring them to a wire cooling rack. Enjoy!
Rotate your baking sheet. Have you ever noticed that some cookies on a baking sheet will brown more quickly than others? This happens because all ovens have hot and cold spots. For even baking, rotate your baking sheet halfway through the cooking time. Ready to hit the kitchen? Try out my Grandmother’s recipe for sugar cookies that have been a favorite holiday treat in my family for years. Perfect the people pages
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Today we’re seeing that climate change is about more than a few unsea patterns that global warming is beginning to set off around the wo
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asonably mild winters or hot summers. It’s about the chain of natural catastrophes and devastating weather orld, the frequency and intensity of which are breaking records thousands of years old. –Barack Obama
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Yikes! by Nancy Albert The remnants of Tropical Storm Ida brought heavy rain and high winds to Charlotte in early November. This large tree fell onto the Baxter McRae house on Greenway Ave. Fortunately the house was unoccupied at the time and no one was hurt. This dramatic scene remained for nearly a week, attracting the curious, until the tree was finally removed.
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I was a teenage thrift shop junkie by Little Shiva My mom got me started early on the path of trash worship, if you expand the definition of trash to include stuff other people don’t want anymore. We were regulars on the yard sale and thrift shop circuit, and she kept me dressed in all kinds of funny little outfits that she’d either make from scratch or assemble from various thrift
shop finds. It’s not like we never bought anything new, but you can’t beat shopping on the cheap. In California in the late 70’s we even got into dumpster diving behind big supermarkets ‘cos it was a disgrace to see all the still-good food they threw away – but that’s another story. The Big Three in the charity shop biz are The Salvation Army, Goodwill and St. Vincent De Paul. They all have ties
This statue is part of a group in the Children’s Memorial Walkway along the Irwin Creek Greenway. ▼
to religious organizations, of course, and you can read all about that on their websites. Speaking of websites, I just discovered that Goodwill has an online auction site, the thrift shop version of e-bay! Check it out at www. shopgoodwill.com.
pound; I’m still envious of a fab tutu someone got to before me. It’s in the same run-down strip mall as another one of my Charlotte faves, Value Village. They’re a little more upscale at VV – they put their clothes on hangers. Of course, most other Goodwill stores do too.
goes to landfills for that much longer. Use it, use it some more, and pass it on. And when you just don’t want your stuff any more, you know what to do: donate! To make it easy for Elizabeth residents, Goodwill is sending a trailer your way. Get your stuff ready, people!
Charlotte artists and theatre people are surely fans of the Goodwill on Freedom Drive, where the clothes are piled up in bins and you pay by the
Shopping at thrift shops is good for the environment: buying used stuff instead of new uses less natural resources and reduces the amount that
www.salvationarmyusa.org
Grrrr, what about the climate? by Little Shiva
action. org) It’s an international call to civil disobedience with tons of fun protest activities planned for the duration of
You’ve probably heard about the United Nations Climate Change Conference coming up in Copenhagen in December (http://en.cop15.dk). But have you heard of Climate Justice Action? (www.climate-justice-
www.goodwill.org www.svdpusa.org
the summit. I’ll be in the streets of Copenhagen on Dec. 12 wearing a polar bear mask made of white plastic grocery bags. In case you have no idea what I’m talking about, check out “fondle yer stuff” at www.visibletrash.net. the people pages
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