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Friday Flags: A Cooperative Flag in Charlotte, NC

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Real Estate Agent with 203-206-0754

Friday Flags:  A Cooperative Flag in Charlotte, NC

I was in the Charlotte. NC area this week making a family connection. The day was quiet, there was very little wind, and as I was challenged by my special cousin Nina Hollander, Broker  to use a local flag, I was in a bit of a hole.

Fortunately, my other cousin Debe Maxwell, CRS came to my rescue, after all that's what family does, and gave me a flag that was proudly flying outside of a construction site.

That flag could be seen from a long way off, which is only appropriate. Better for me that the cooperative efforts of family allowed it to be shown this week.

The family gathering was more important than the flag, s I got to see my AR cousins, Debe Maxwell, CRS and Nina Hollander, Broker  again, after a 3-year absence.

We had a great visit, with a lot of smiles, catching up, and renewing our friendship.

Here on the platform, a gathering of this type may have once been called a Meet-up, but over time, as relationships mature, it transitions into a family reunion. No uncomfortable pauses, just smiles and catching up on the events.

I was visiting with other family 90+ miles away, but when you're this close, you just have to do it, and there are never any regrets.

For some reason, as Nina was looking at the sign over my head, she seemed to comment on how appropriate for positioning, hmmm.

 

Friday Flags:  A Cooperative Flag in Charlotte, NC

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Edward (Ed) Silva

 Retired Real Estate Broker

 

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Comments(20)

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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Author, Golfer, Traveler, Retired, Wenatchee, WA

Good morning, Ed.
What's more fun than a family reunion with cousins Nina & Debe? I laughed at the "fresh" reference, then my eye wandered to "since 1937". Is that part true, too?

Mar 06, 2026 04:48 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Carol Williams where are you when you're really needed?  It was fun, we were in a donut shop, and that could have referred to a stack of delights, that were in in a corner. 

Mar 06, 2026 05:09 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 good morning, Ed... I am so happy you decided to use that flag picture that Debe Maxwell, CRS sent. All that construction couple with patriotism defines the Queen City well. And let's not wait three more years for a family reunion! 

Mar 06, 2026 04:48 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Nina Hollander, Broker I had to use the flag as it was most representative of location and people. I would love to come more often, but my CT life is not mine to live, yet

Mar 06, 2026 05:10 AM
Patricia Feager
Appraisal Review Board, Denton County, TX - Flower Mound, TX
Licensed to April 2027

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 

You made your rounds and caught up with family. Isn't that nice that both of them showed up for you! That's a great photograph of the Flag at that construction site. America was built on greatness by great people!

Mar 06, 2026 05:11 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Patricia Feager it was successful on so many levels and all the family members were happy we came by

Mar 06, 2026 05:21 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I love hearing about you getting to spend time with Debe Maxwell, CRS and Nina Hollander, Broker, they are both wonderful women!  I am glad that you were also able to keep your Friday Flags going!

Mar 06, 2026 05:22 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Brian England   this Meet-up was a win win on many levels, and I will try to do it when the opportunity rises as well.

Mar 08, 2026 06:37 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Ed, I enjoyed the photo of you with your “cousins.” It made your Friday flag post even more fun to see.

Mar 06, 2026 05:38 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Thanks, Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400   It ws selfish and I would do it again when possible

Mar 08, 2026 06:38 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Good Friday morning, Ed.

Thanks for telling us about your special MeetUp in Charlotte.

Mar 06, 2026 06:30 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Thanks Roy, we all enjoyed the morning

Mar 08, 2026 06:39 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I sure wish I could have been there Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 , I love your cousins, Nina Hollander, Broker and Debe Maxwell, CRS very much.

 

There are always construction cranes in Minot working on projects and they always fly a flag from the top of them. Unfortunately half the time it's a Canadian flag.

Mar 06, 2026 06:35 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Bob "RealMan" Timm   I have a large family, with over 30 first cousins, and we have gathered but the numbers seem to explode. A 'family' gathering like this one allows for special times, for sure

Mar 08, 2026 06:43 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

It is always fun to get together with those two AR members when in Charlotte.

Mar 06, 2026 06:36 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543  2 very special ladies and well worth the drive to share laughs with in person

Mar 08, 2026 06:44 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

What fun! I love both photos!

Mar 06, 2026 07:12 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Kat Palmiotti   this is a matter of family helping family, as both photos were taken by Debe Maxwell, CRS  and it was a windless day in Charlotte, and she offered the flag to make it extra special

Mar 08, 2026 06:45 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Nothing better than a family reunion with our AR cousins Ed!  Glad you had a great time with Debe and Nina! Love the flag photo!  I see this quite often here in PHX and I'm always happy that they're flying the flag high on those cranes!

Mar 06, 2026 09:32 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Anna "Banana" Kruchten  it was a Meet-up that needed something a bit different and Debe had it on her phone. It was actually a 4 second video that showed the flag billowing

Mar 08, 2026 06:47 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS

I feel the same way, Anna "Banana" Kruchten! It always makes my heart smile!

Mar 08, 2026 02:11 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Saw a few yesterday Debe Maxwell, CRS - waving high!  Love it!

Mar 09, 2026 11:06 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Ed it does not get better than sharing our proud American Flag flying high with two of my favorite AR Members.

Mar 06, 2026 11:55 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

George Souto  there are a lot of special people on the platform, but to have these 2 ladies in the same market is a stretch

Mar 08, 2026 06:47 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Ed, so jealous, and would have loved to be a part of your family reunion, and meet you.   I have met Nina several times, and Debe only once early at a Rain Camp.

Mar 06, 2026 12:13 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner  maybe, if I get to Portugal while you are there you can meet my other cousin with me

Mar 08, 2026 06:48 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 that would be very nice!

Mar 08, 2026 06:58 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754  How lucky are you to see my two fabulous sisters, and how lucky are they to have the pleasure of seeing you? I miss your friendly smile and conversation, but I am thankful for all the good times we have had. I have never met Nina or Debe, but I love them dearly. We keep in touch and speak often.😍

Oh, I do appreciate the flag - Great choice 

Mar 06, 2026 12:40 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Hannah Williams   we make our luck at times, and I just look at the distance I have traveled and think a few more miles won't hurt and is more than offset for the joy.

Mar 08, 2026 06:55 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Love the photos, Ed, especially the one of you, Debe and Nina. How wonderful that you were able to get together on your journey home.

Jeff

Mar 06, 2026 03:35 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Jeff Dowler, CRS   As you can appreciate, when we are close to people we like; we do a little extra

Mar 08, 2026 06:56 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Ed- this was a two for one post. We have your Friday Flag and better yet, the photo of you and your "cousins" Debe Maxwell, CRS and Nina Hollander, Broker 

Mar 06, 2026 04:47 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Kathy Streib  in deed it was, and you have made it your mission to let others know how special the ActiveRain family really is

Mar 08, 2026 06:57 AM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Ed. Nice flag as always. You have two great cousins worth the 90 mile drive to sped some time with them. Ok, I admit it I am jealous. Enjoy your day.

Mar 07, 2026 05:47 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Wayne Martin   it was worth the extra time in the car but the smiles and the laughs and the warmth justify each mile

Mar 08, 2026 06:58 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Mar 07, 2026 06:16 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Thank you for the additional recognition Kathy Streib 

Mar 08, 2026 06:58 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, what fun, Ed! It was so great to see you last week! I’m SO thrilled you made the trek to Charlotte. That’s true family devotion, for sure! 

Love that you used the flag. That was actually taken from Ray’s hospital room the day prior to your visit. It was definitely a special flag for us too.

And I did make the “Fresh” reference as it seemed fitting for you! LOL Can’t wait to see you again. Please don’t wait as long as you did this time! 😘

Mar 08, 2026 02:10 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754

Debe Maxwell, CRS  I look at going to North Carolina, especially the western side as family obligation, as my wife has her brother and their families there and I need time to also visit my extended family as well.

The flag was just a bonus, and most appropriate

Mar 08, 2026 06:07 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS

❤️ Well anytime you need to do the obligatory family visit, your extended family will welcome you with open arms, Ed Silva, 203-206-0754!

Mar 08, 2026 10:13 PM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

I'm glad you were able to make the trip to Charlotte to see Debe Maxwell, CRS and Nina Hollander, Broker , but I don't quite understand about the flag. Is that a construction project you are overseeing or involved with? Perhaps you said in another post? At any rate, happy you could visit the "cousins" in Charlotte,

Mar 09, 2026 08:18 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS

Hey Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty! Ray was in the hospital and out his window, the new ICU/ER/OR tower was being built. I loved that they hung a flag from the crane. I took a video of the flag flying and showed it to Ed. So, for his picture, I screenshot the video for a pic for his weekly post.

So, that’s the backstory! LOL

Mar 10, 2026 09:02 PM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Great flag photo, Ed Silva, 203-206-0754, and how nice that  you could get together with your AR "cousins".

Mar 13, 2026 05:17 PM