Charlotte, NC

Over the past few issues of About Charlotte, I’ve covered a bit of things to do, and two of our schools that “made the grade” in the Nation’s Top 100. So, gotta take off my hat in respect … ’sides, it’s gettin’ a mite steamy under the cap.

But there’s something else we can be proud of (in fact, I heard this from a Crown Town visitor from Big Sky Country): we have some of the most caring helping hands in the nation! He was reallyimpressed with our Hands On Charlotte organization, and how many of us are actually involved with it.

HOC is a non-profit, volunteer org that promotes direct community service in helping meet the critical needs of Charlotte’s people. Some of their services include the CharloTEEN program at the Crisis Assistance Mission (they help with clothing for the poor), Cradles to Crayons for The Summit House, Fairmarket Friends, and many, many more!

It’s easy to get involved! All ya gotta do is click on the link up there (the one that says “Hands On Charlotte”), and it’ll give you all the information ya need. Believe this Eagle, it’ll be a feather in your cap — and you’ll not only have a great time, but also help hundreds of other fine folks here in the Queen City. Folks who may not have anyone else to help but you!

Beginning with this post, I wanna take you back down a sorta-personal “memory lane” for some takes on Charlotte area life way-back-when.
First, though (and since I was raised there), I wanna ask if anyone remembers how Pineville looked years ago. No, I mean YEARZZZZZZ ago … like, in 1915? Awrighty then … ready for a rarity? Click here to see it!

Back in the 1960s, Pineville was blessed to have Bo McCoy’s Barber Shop. It was a little like Floyd’s in the fictional Mayberry, only with three barbers. I was told that, if ya wanted your hair cut right, you’d have to use at least two of ‘em: Bo (who was also the mayor) would cut it on the left side, ’cause if he was on the right, he’d be so busy waving at folks passin’ by on the street that he could mess it up. Then, to cut it on the right, you went over to where Lyle Brassfield was. Y’see, there was a TV in the corner, and if he was cuttin’ the left side and the Redskins scored a touchdown during football season, he’d get excited if and maybe clip your ear by mistake!
Oh … the third?? That was Jimmy, in the middle. He had the shakes. Daddy said to go around him.
But one cloudy Saturday morning, while my brothers were gettin’ their “revolving” haircuts, I sorta felt sorry for Jimmy, and let him do mine. Figured it’d at least be even, and I wouldn’t have to play “musical barbers”.
A short while later, when we got back into daddy’s truck, my brothers looked neat and clean. And me? Well … ya ever been attacked by a wolverine? On the head?? Man, between the shame of that and the pain felt by the whupping I got, I was in baaaaaad shape for awhile.

But, then again, it’s a pleasant memory … from a wonderful town that continues to grow …