The Chamber of Commerce has a strong, bright team player willing to participate and seek collaborative players for any activity. Celebrate Charlotte and Frontier Days partner with innumerable players from the community including that team player from the Chamber team. Further, the City of Charlotte, DDA and The Square have hosted concerts on the lawn with the Farmers’ Market, which have expanded to the Artisans of all sorts providing local fares even in the winter.
Committing to the education of all youngsters is beyond difficult when meeting public attitude, both the polite and others. However, those who are willing to rise to the ever-shifting demands by the state and federal requirements and rules, prove the job is not for the weak of heart. But, education isn’t just boxed; enthusiastic information sharing makes many teachers outside of the classrooms. Courthouse Square Museum has created unlimited programs and activities dedicated to learning, teaching, playing and growing for adults as well as children. One of our best educators is such a humble, but “opportunity” cheerleader.
This dedicated historian has deep love and appreciation for architecture, not just the famous structures. The fixer can see the “bones,” the potential and the opportunity to breathe new life into those buildings prior destined to demolition. As well, the fascination with the history of antiques is rarely interest of monetary value, rather the beauty, the skill necessary to have created, the odd, useful and just plain weird. Once again, the stories and the history, the heart of Charlotte is what has a hold on our historian.
Hearing people say, “downtown Charlotte is dead,” would never have been acceptable to Eleni Nicolau-Sparks, who was often out in front cheering on her community. It wouldn’t be acceptable to her now. She believed that and lived knowing Charlotte can and will thrive. So do those who see new visions, new opportunities, especially the new “historic district” being led by the City of Charlotte and Courthouse Square. The huge historic district includes residences and businesses and makes significant tax opportunities for property owners for those building improvements and rehabilitation. Making the museum and Square shine as the anchor of downtown Charlotte, this “part-time” director commits hours and hours of every week giving to the community.
By now, you may have figured out that our E Award winner this year is fondly referred to as the best “curb shopper,” ultimate recycler, energizer bunny, leader, teacher, historian and true friend, Julie Kimmer.
