Mr. Sharon and his streets

I’ve just finished reading Mary Kratt’s great history of Charlotte book and nowhere in there did I find anything about some guy named Sharon who had all those streets named after him. To this outsider it seems that every time I’m driving around lost in my old hometown, it turns out that I’m on some street named Sharon something or other.

I feel kinda dumb for not thinking of this sooner, but the name Sharon is from the Bible….and means “plain,” as in flatland. I’m confident that is what the name is referring to. It seems so obvious to me now. I’m sure all of you knew that, but didn’t want to embarrass me by correcting my twisted thinking. (Below, Rose of Sharon)




Now, here’s something I’ll bet you didn’t know: Shakespeare spoke SOUTHERN!

I didn’t know it either until I read fellow CHS’r(1950) John Brock’s book “Southern Breezes Whistle Dixie.” (Yes, he is the son of Mr. Brock who owned the barber shop around the corner from Stanleys on Pecan Ave.)

Here’s John’s proof:

“Thine eyes tell the story. Ya’ll have come from over yonder for a mess of fried okra, ain’t ya?” –King Lear, Act XII, scene 14.

“Lay on McDuff..and dammed be him that cries a rebel yell.” –As You Like It..Act CXXIII, scene 17

“Woe to him that forsakes the grits of life.”-Midnight’s Summer Dream, Act IV, scene 40.

There you have it; straight from the Bard’s mouth. And that’s no joke, because as Shakespeare himself said, “I will bite thee by the ear for that jest.”-Romeo and Juliet, Act II, scene 4

(I think Bill was having an “off day” when he penned that.)

-Ed

John's book can be purchased from:
Southern Observer Press
PO Box 1711
Pawley's Island, SC 29585

To order Mary's book call 866.457.5971 ext 112. ...and you will receive a 20% discount and the shipping and handling charge will be only $5 if you mention “Charlotte Central High”.

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