tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post6356881510498566821..comments2024-03-05T10:58:13.425-05:00Comments on New Around Town: Care about Charlotte? Learn about John BelkLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10916922360940636719noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-71216368205170084362007-08-29T14:26:00.000-05:002007-08-29T14:26:00.000-05:00Besides those much-loved Belkie bears from the Cha...Besides those much-loved Belkie bears from the Charlotte Belk department stores, if they had some stores in Russia, they could add some Belkie squirrels to the roster since "belka" and "belki" are the Russian words for "squirrel" and "squirrels."<BR/><BR/>For that matter, since the genetive form of the Belk family name would be "Belka" in Russia, then the Russian Belk squirrels could be known as "Belki Belka."<BR/><BR/>This would surely brighten somebody's day in Moscow, St. Petersburg or old Irkutsk.<BR/><BR/>Das vidania!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-6536084184488499662007-08-24T09:54:00.000-05:002007-08-24T09:54:00.000-05:00all I want to learn about Charlotte is where the e...all I want to learn about Charlotte is where the exit door is and I want my $50,000 dollars back I brought here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-89449013724530539722007-08-21T13:53:00.000-05:002007-08-21T13:53:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-46386985373638857222007-08-21T12:34:00.000-05:002007-08-21T12:34:00.000-05:00I think John Belk recognized that other people did...I think John Belk recognized that other people did things for Charlotte every time he sent a hand-written note of thanks. Every time he greeted people cordially he set aside his wealth and power to acknowledge our mutual humanity and worth. It takes nothing away from the countless Charlotteans who give of themselves every day to the city to acknowledge that John Belk's contributions were special and transformative.<BR/><BR/>If nothing else, I would point to the new airport and subsequent international hub that his efforts produced. There are but a scant few others whose work and commitment produced such a lasting impact for Charlotte. We know who they are and they of course love Charlotte just as much.<BR/><BR/>One thinks of Leona Helmsley who also passed recently at the same age. She cared not a whit for anyone she touched. John Belk cared deeply for his hometown and for those whose lives intersected his.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-30368056055031844852007-08-21T10:32:00.000-05:002007-08-21T10:32:00.000-05:00Oh please let this be the errant CAPITALIZER's las...Oh please let this be the errant CAPITALIZER's last post! <BR/><BR/>Granted, Belk has done a lot for Charlotte, but so have a lot of other people. I think his death, funeral, obit, and media coverage over the years has been blown way out of proportion and has been way over the top. I could have done a lot around here growing up too had I had all the money he had! Money equals power, even here in Charlotte.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-80511998447286665492007-08-21T08:10:00.000-05:002007-08-21T08:10:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-49491257008189425722007-08-21T08:09:00.000-05:002007-08-21T08:09:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-92020490644161641132007-08-20T22:58:00.000-05:002007-08-20T22:58:00.000-05:00I have to add...I remember the time that Piedmont ...I have to add...I remember the time that Piedmont Airlines made its first non-stop trip to London from Charlotte/Douglas and the tv news showed us John Belk, on the steps of the plane, shouting "hooray for Piedmont!" I know he surely also meant, "hooray for Charlotte."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-92176059437103189062007-08-20T22:54:00.000-05:002007-08-20T22:54:00.000-05:00Leigh, thank you (and Hugh McColl!)for making me l...Leigh, thank you (and Hugh McColl!)for making me laugh. I find that I have been much saddened by John Belk's passing, since we have lost someone who was indispensable to building today's Charlotte. I never knew him, but growing up in Charlotte I always thought he was bigger than life. He wanted to be remembered as someone who was good to Charlotte and he of course will be. I can't imagine Charlotte without him-his love for the city was plain to see for years and years.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29766289.post-50107151745794997242007-08-20T21:11:00.000-05:002007-08-20T21:11:00.000-05:00Growing up in the malls of the South, I have alway...Growing up in the malls of the South, I have always loved Belk department stores, complete with Belkie Bears during the holidays. I had no idea of his history in Charlotte. <BR/><BR/>Thank you for introducing me to his character and legacy. It makes my memories shopping with grandma in Belk's, from Greenville, SC to Hartwell, GA's tiny store, a little more connected to where I'm living now.Julie Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11999666163773473120noreply@blogger.com