Greensboro Daily Photo

Friends Homes Inc.

Friends Homes, catering to the 60+ demographic, was founded as a non-profit by the North Carolina Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends (Quakers). Friends Homes Inc. was chartered in 1958, in 1968, opened the New Garden Road facility and in 1993, opened Friends Home West. Both communities try to provide an affordable environment that fosters independence and a sense of wholeness in a secure environment* 

We chose this unit to feature because when we were out walking around, we loved the sense of individualism that radiated from the stepping stones to the dressed cement goose on the patio. If you head out that back door, you can be relatively removed from neighbors and all of the planned and structured events. If you head through the other door, to the interior hallway, you can be as connected as you want. Greensboro has plenty to offer for people at all stages of life.

*reference. 

On Church Street

Church Street is changing before our eyes. This photo of the corner of Church Street and Pisgah Church (Lees Chapel)  Road shows one of the buildings of yesteryear. At one time, Church Super Market, was a barber shop with an older barber who would give his young clients mosquito houses. They were shaped like bird houses and about the size of a quarter. Likely, given the FOR RENT SIGN from last year, it is already something else and not inconceivable that the bilding will be torn down to become a 21st-century franchise. Don't you love the way the businesses are painted different colors? So clever and practical.

Canterbury School is located about a mile up the road and, beyond that, the Lake Jeanette neighborhoods. Just south, is Skateland East. Do you have any memories of this part of town? At one time, this area was strictly country. Now, it is strictly suburbs.

Lights, Camera, Action.... On Elm Street

Elm Street is the pulse of downtown Greensboro. The above reflection was taken while walking past the Blu Martini Bar. Of course martinis are the featured beverage at the establishment. However, it is also known for music and a light show. The dots of light in the center of the photo are constantly changing color and add such visual interest to the 300 block of Elm.

While we were outside capturing the aggregate of light, the bartender invited us inside to photograph. Somehow, at the end of the photo shoot, this shot with the vehicle zipping past and the reflection of windows, branches, and lights- against a backdrop of cement gray- is the one that won out. It seems to captures the dynamic feeling of this little slice of Elm Street. Can't you almost hear the photo? 

Cheers dear readers, may you have a great weekend. For the moms out there, Happy Mother's Day. Here's a virtual toast to you! We're sharing this post with Weekend Reflections where mirror images and playing around with light are de rigueur.........

Filling Station in Jamestown (North Carolina)

Jamestown is the little Guilford County community located between Greensboro and High Point. It has a tremendous amount of history in less than three square miles. Just up the road from Dr. Shubal Coffin's house is this little, old-timey gas station (photographed above). Time seems to have stood still here, while Jamestown is changing before our eyes. If you haven't ventured down there lately, Main Street is becoming quite a destination for restaurants.

We can't help but wonder what will become of this Mayberry/Andy Griffith-looking, High Point Road filling station. By the way, if you live in High Point, the road is known as Greensboro Road. We're betting that the roof on this little slice of Americana came from the Pomona Terra Cotta Works in Greensboro. While we hope you are enjoying the present, and dreaming of the future; we hope you have a little time to appreciate the history around you.

P is for Plants

This past Saturday, an Edible Plant Sale was held in the Edible Schoolyard in the backyard of  the Greensboro Children's Museum. The Edible Schoolyard is a gem of a place that is fun for children and adults alike. As communities make more of an effort to eat local produce and to teach children how food grows from seed to plant to produce to table, events like the Edible Plant Sale bring children one giant step closer to their food source. Our regular readers know that we at GDP urge everyone to plant edible items in their yards and flower beds. Chard and lavender and rosemary make great bed fillers. Blueberry bushes are as beautiful and their non-berry producing counterparts. We hope that the Children's Museum continues to hold the plant sale every spring. They should have families come back late summer and bring their harvested vegetables to sell as a museum fundraiser. 50% to the children and 50% to the museum. The children could use their profits to purchase plants next spring. 

Today is ABC Wednesday, a favorite with many of our readers. "P" is for "plant" in our GO GREEN GREENSBORO series. May you plant many plants this spring and reap the fruits of your labor later this summer, possibly even turn some profit!  Plant, plant, plant.......

Follow the Turquoise and Orange Road

February 1st Place, a crossover street of Elm Street and stretching from Greene to Davie Streets, just got painted. This little section of street in downtown Greensboro is now a pop up promenade beside the International Civil Rights Museum. This will be a place for people to gather, enjoy food from food trucks and hang out from 6-11 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. The promenade was painted turquoise and orange, representing the seat colors of lunch counter chairs at Woolworth, where the sit-ins were held. Those iconic colors of the 1960's were also the colors of Howard Johnson Restaurants. Turquoise and orange are so old, they're trending again and just perfect for this outdoor gathering space.

What a great idea! We predict that this street will hold special events long after June. For now, follow happenings at Pop Up Promenade's Facebook page! Let's hope it remains a fun, safe place to bring the community together.  Downtown, at dusk, never looked better!

West Market Street

Here is a classic view of Greensboro, the West Market Street United Methodist Church and the Lincoln Financial/Jefferson-Pilot/Jefferson-Standard building. The view was taken from a truck parked on the South side of West Market Street, facing east. As we traverse the streets this weekend, ever pursuing  future posts, we reflect on the past week. The Great Escape food truck that we featured  this week was voted best food truck of 2013 in Yes! Weekly. The Weatherspoon Art Museum was voted best museum. We were just there on Thursday  There is so much goodto do  in Greensboro.

For sure, we'll be heading to Oak Ridge for Leanne Pizio's "Keep it Local Event." We'll also head to the Children's Museum for the incrEDIBLE plant sale. By the way, the Great Escape Food Truck will be there. As we all enjoy activities in Greensboro, let's hope those fluffy white clouds remain high in the sky for all to enjoy. Let us know how you spend your weekend!

Eller Memorial Baptist

This is a photo of Eller Memorial Baptist Church, located at the corner of Fourth and Walnut Streets (between Summit and Yanceyville)  in Greensboro.  It is a classic white-steepled, brick church. The church doesn't have much of a presence on the Internet. However, it does have a great presence in East Greensboro in the part of town that was once dominated by the textill mill communities.

Previously, we featured a low, mod-brick  buliding that belongs to the church. Here is a link to an article about the Eller family and their association with North Carolina starting back in the 1800's

Otter Woodworks

Today's ride takes us to Browns Summit, just northeast of Greensboro (still in Guilford County). The colonial-red, wooden building has great provenance as it was formerly Browns Summit Broom Works, owned by the Reverend Fred Jones until 2001.* Likely, this simple rectangular building, located at 4601 E. Highway 150,  was something else long before it was a broom works.

At present, the building is the home of Otter Woodworks. The woodworkers bill themselves as designers and builders of handcrafted heirloom furniture, cabinets, and high end millwork. From looking at their Facebook page, Otter Woodworks seems to do fabulous work. Buildings like this one add so much character to our landscape. How wonderful that it is being maintained.

Happy Friday, folks. Let's hope these blue skies return soon!

 

*Rev. Jones' story is very interesting and available here.

It's Blossomtime in Greensboro

Slowly and surely, it is blossomtime in Greensboro. Pear and cherry trees are blooming and already past peak in most parts of the county. Dogwood will be blooming soon. The above photo was taken in the courtyard of the McIver Building on the UNCG campus. McIver Building formerly housed the language departments and this scene reminds us of an impressionist painting. It isn't every day one finds lavender garden chairs to photograph.

The only thing that would have pleased us more in this scene would have been for a young couple to have been sitting there sipping espresso or green tea. It is a vignette in search of characters. With the language programs relocated to the Moore Humanities Building, and Tate Street the main hangout for coffee breaks with friends and colleagues, it is likely the bistro table and chairs will remain hauntingly vacant. 

The early blossoms are already starting to show signs of being replaced by leaves. Do not delay; head out and find a nice place to sit and take in the confetti of petals while they are here for their brief visit.

Spring Blossoms at EUC

Here we see some tree blossoms blooming in front of the Elliot University Center on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. While it has been too cold for students to spend much time outside, the trees are trying their hardest to put their winter starkness behind them.  According to the union building's Facebook page, it has been considered the center of the university since it opened in 1953. And a hub of activity it is. This week has been Student Entrepreneur Week and students have lined the interior hallways of the building  with tables, products, and trifold boards. Today, a man who crocheted hats was selling his hats inside.  Recently, a spring housing fair was held in the commons. From the multicultural center to the galleries and event rooms to student services, restaurants, the bookstore, the cash machines, the walkway to the library, and so much more, it seems as if one could live at the union building. 

As busy as EUC is during the week, it will feel abandoned this evening when students take Friday off to celebrate Easter with family. Easter is early this year, a lot closer to the recent spring break than in some years. Before you know it, the above cafe tables and chairs will be occupied with people using free wi-fi and wrapping up the semester. Oh to be a student again. 

If blossoms bloom on a tree and nobody is there to see them, are they beautiful?

Friendly Center Face Lift

The "Old" Friendly Center is getting a facelife. The above photo was taken on the side with Radio Shack, The Animal Clinic, Chuck E. Cheese, Catherine's, and the now-closed camera shop formerly known as Ritz. A new façade is in the making and we happened to catch a worker on a sunny day. The material on the front near the roofline just happened to match the sky perfectly, creating an optical illusion. In all, the renovations will take take as long as ten months and will cost upwards of ten million dollars- a million a month! This renovation will make the older, east side part look more like the new side of Friendly, with each store having a unique appearance, as opposed to the former, generic front with nothing more than signs to distintuish individual shops.* 

From the general contractor, D.H. Griffin, to sub-contractors, to building materials, Friendly Center is making a real effort to support local people, businesses, and agencies (read here). Seems like Friendly Center just keeps getting friendlier and friendlier.

*reference and more here. See before and after photos here.

Knights of Columbus on St. Patrick's Day.......

For today's Sunday-religious post, we're featuring The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal service organization that was founded in Connecticut in 1882. Worldwide, there are nearly two million members of this men's club. The clubs, from local to international, are very involved in philanthrophy; however, at their core is support for the church and its members. When someone dies, the men don full regalia and are there from death to grave to pray for the soul of their departed brother and to assist and console the family*

The Knights of Columbus were founded by an Irish-American Catholic priest, Father Michael J. McGivney. In addition to their rituals, oaths, and prayers, they form a great support system for each other and value their fellowship together. Their motto, "In service to One, in service to all." Social events provide the earthly bonds that stay with members until their transition to the other world.

The above building is the Knights of Columbus branch at 2780 Horse Pen Creek, near St. Paul's Catholic Church. We're betting since today is St. Patrick's Day, there will be a few Irish Catholics hanging around there sporting green outfits. Maybe they'll even find something green to drink. Perhaps, they'll make Horse Pen Creek flow as emerald green as the Chicago River. Today, we'll leave you at the Knights of Columbus and with the following quote by Adrienne Cook, "St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time- a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic. Happy transforming .......

*reference and more informaiton here &  here.

 

 

Blue Oasis at Greenway at Fisher Park

The Greenway Apartments at Fisher Park have been built and people are already living in them. Here we see a photo of the swimming pool on the Smith Street side. On a hot summer day, we can't imagine anything finer than going for a swim before heading over to a baseball game. Poolside, without leaving home, residents will be able to enjoy the stadium's Friday night fireworks.

These 4.2 residential acres, that used to be part of North State Chevrolet, are less than a year old but already seem as if they have been part of the Greensboro landscape forever.  The apartments are a stone's throw from the downtown Greenwary and a mere block away from the new Deep Roots Coop. We've been thinking about purchasing a hybrid car this week. Even better, we could just live close to everything and walk. Soon, in Greensboro, it is going to start seeming like spring- and we're ready. Maybe we can rent a night on one of these lounge chairs and pretend like we are on a blue oasis...

Christ Church Greensboro

Today's photo takes us to another repurposed, industrial, brick building. This is Christ Church, located on Smith Street, in the back yard of the baseball stadium and in view of the JP building. It is in the downtown area that used to have car lots and dealerships, directly across the street from the all-new Greenway Apartments at Fisher Park.

According to the Christ Church website, they are congregation of the Presbyterian Church in America. The Christ Church community is a diverse group of people, from university students to young parents with toddlers to seniors and everything in between. We'll have to try to visit someday and see what it looks like when it is brimming with people. Between services,  it as quiet and haunting as an abandoned textile mill.

This Old Barn

This is the small, old barn that goes with the old house from Monday. It is a classic, North Carolina structure of yesteryear right here on North College Road. A  large apartment complex is in the backyard and commercial structures are found on the other three sides. However, for this little slice of land near Guilford College, time stands still. The white cat in front of the hedges seemed mighty proud of her abode. Perhaps she was on her way to look for a mouse or two. While this probably isn't a tobacco barn, it is an example of the old rural structures that are disappearing before our eyes. If you are interested, here is a preservation site about barns shared by the National Park Service. We are lucky to have so many barns in the Greensboro area. If you are nostalgic for North Carolina barns, there is a whole flickr group dedicated to them (here).

Tomorrow, the March 1 theme for the City Daily Photo community is cafe chairs. We're try to get out and feature some. At any rate, we'll have something for you tomorrow. Also, if you are local, this will be a might big "First Friday" in downtown Greensboro. Please stop back and see what we can uncover; please stop downtown and help us kick off a great event for art lovers. 

Fairview Baptist Church

Here we see Fairview Baptist Church at 2319 Yanceville Street on the East Side of Greensboro. It is located in the Cone Mills community, not too far from Billy "Crash" Craddock Brigde and 16th Street. There doesn't appear to be anything about this church on the Internet. It is hard to believe, in this day and age, that a church can survive/thrive without visibility on the Internet. Perhaps a young student could take this on as a service learning project. The church and its grounds are always well groomed, and obviously well loved. The white façade pops, seeming out of nowhere, as you drive past it. 

In the early 1900's, Cone Mills built five self contained villages. These villages contained houses, schools, churches, recreation facilities, parks, company stores and so much more.  At their peak, the villages covered 450 acres with about 1,500 houses and over 2,600 people. (reference, here). If Fairview Baptist were built back at the beginning of the 20th century, it would have been part of the mill villages. For now, until we can learn more about the church's history, we'll have to settle for watching it remain majestically unchanged as the trees around it adapt to each season. With Catholics gearing up for Ash Wednesday this week, Fairview Baptist will be content to usher in the Lenten season with a little less fanfare.

Whatever you celebrate, happy Sunday, dear readers.

Market Street at Elm, Facing east

Here we are on Market Street approaching Elm Street, the street that splits east and west Greensboro. Market Street splits north and south. So, the corner of Market and Elm is something of the epicenter for the city. In the early years of the city, the courthouse stood at the corner of Market and Elm. Back in the early 1800's, our city grew slowly, radiating from this downtown area. In 1829, there were less than 500 residents. By 1833, there was a steam-powered cotton mill nust north of this spot. Today, the Guilford County population is approximately a quarter of a million residents and we are not just a town "on paper." Look our beautiful city. Aren't you glad you live here?

Even since the early days, residents were hoping for bad weather to bypass our community. Hopefully, the skies will be blue; however, if it does snow.... well, we'll all be glad we've already been to the store for bread and milk! People have been anticipating inclement weather and predicting an early release from school for today. We'll see..........

Welcome to Elon University's Elder Law Clinic

Elon University Law School has been so successful in downtown Greensboro that it is expanding into more buildings. Above is a photo of what has been for years, Clemmons Florist beside the West Market Street United Methodist Church. Now, the building is Elon University Law School's  Elder Law Clinic.  The clinic provides free legal counsel and services to low income residents of Guilford County ages 60 and over. The building is less than a block from the courthouse and very easy access to the main building of Elon Law School.

By the way, Clemmons Florist is still going strong, on Battleground Avenue, across from T.J. Maxx and near Rice Toyota. Likely, a lot of their business is phone and Internet based and the move won't negatively affect them. However, for many, it sure was convenient to walk in and order flowers at Clemmons.

Lincoln Financial on the Skyline

Happy Monday! As many of us gear up for the work week, we share a photo of the iconic building representing Greensboro's business community. It can be seen from so many vantage points around the city. The 18 story building, Greensboro's skyscraper, is 233 feet tall and, when it was built in 1923, it was the tallest building in North Carolina as well as the tallest building between Washington D.C. and Atlanta. A 20-story addition, the Jefferson-Pilot, now Lincoln Financial, was added in 1990. Actually, it is the 20-story addition that is primarily visible in this photo. The Jefferson Standard side is hidden behind and slightly visible to the right.

The above photo was taken yesterday evening, around 4:30, from the Greensboro College campus. Greensboro College is a perfect vantage point from which to view downtown Greensboro. The slight elevation of the campus affords such a nice view. Now is the time to take advantage of wandering around this beautiful campus while the college students are still away for winter break and parking is not an issue. Hurry! Classes begin on Wednesday.

203 South Elm Street

For folks who have lived in Greensboro for a while, a step inside 203 South Elm Street is a trip down nostalgia lane. Above, we see the central staircase of the Elm Street building that was constructed in 1949 for Ellis-Stone, a locally-owned department store. After about eight years (in 1957), Ellis-Stone sold the building to Talheimer's Department Store. Talheimer's also opened a location in Friendly Center, in 1958, and by 1975, the department store era ended downtown and other businesses occupied this building. Now, Elm Street Center is owned by investors who have converted the space into two ballrooms.

Recently, an arts and crafts market was held here and we had a chance to photograph the interior. It looked especially festive with the chandeliers polished, poinsettias well-placed, and the brass railings and marble staircase shiny and polished. Somehow, ascending a staircase seems so uplifting and hopeful. As convenient as it is to shop the new malls, the old ones have so much character. With the success of Elm Street Center, this piece of Greensboro history remains a vibrant and dynamic place- open to the public. If we could gift wrap memories, we would give them for Christmas presents.

The Old South

The last couple of days, we've focused on new buildings. Today, we take you to the remains of an old motel, near the Wings of Healing Tabernacle, on the east side of Highway 29 between Cone Boulevard and Hicone Road. All that remains of this once thriving roadside motel is the brick exterior and stoops leading to hollow rooms filled with shrubs, trees, and weeds. 

Motor hotels, shortened to motels, became increasingly popular in the United States after World War II. As the highway system grew and long distance journeys were more commonplace, motels sprang up everywhere. They peaked in popularity in the 1960's, and in the following decades, the interstate system took motorists around cities and towns.* It is easy to see why we no longer find motels useful and opt for the brimming-with-amenities hotels. It is harder, however, to figure out which current cultural icons will be abandoned later in this century. We'll ponder that question as we traipse around Greensboro this weekend, looking for places (new and old) to feature for you. Happy weekend, dear readers.

By the way, do you know why North Carolina is considered part of the Old South, moreso than the Deep South? Do you know why the term has fallen out of favor? If not, the answer is a click away.

 P.S. If you live in an "S" neighborhood, we'll probably be driving by for our ABC Wednesday photo!

*reference and additional information here.

Happy 85th Birthday, Carolina Theatre

Last night, hundreds of people braved the winds of Hurricane Sandy to watch and celebrate the premiere of Paula Damasceno's documentary film about the Carolina Theatre. Carolina 85 features the glamourous as well as the rocky history of the theater. At the time it opened on October 31st, 1927, the 2,200-seat Carolina Theatre was the showcase of the Carolinas. In the documentary, one patron called it, a "palace for the poor." People could go and bask in the "light of the dark" to enjoy a movie. Damasceno documents the theater's transformation from a seggreated venue to one one that embraces diversity. The film documents the theater's many other obstacles, including surviving the decline of downtown Greensboro, financial struggles, structural setbacks, and extensive fire damage. 

The above photo features the reception and partaking of the birthday cake onstage, at the conclusion of the documentary. All were invited to the afterparty, a befitting gesture appropriate for Damasceno's humble demeanor. She made it clear that, for her, "The community, who support this theater, make it beautiful." Thank you, Paula Damasceno, and all involved, for documenting the history of one of Greensboro's cultural treasures. In the above photo, Damasceno, second from the left, has her right arm extended in conversation with an attendee (quite possibly the youngest) who was extremely interested in film.

                                                                    

Diamond Bingo Hall

The game of B-I-N-G-O can be traced to an Italian lottery game in the 1500's. Modern Bingo, as we know it, dates to 1929.*  Bingo night in parrish halls has been a revenue-generating, Catholic tradition for a long time. Even network TV has featured Bingo from time to time. Bingo seems to be fading from churches and other venues, somewhat attributed to the no-smoking regulations. However, virtual Bingo is a big hit to the game-playing, Facebook crowd. 

Greensboro's own Diamond Bingo Hall, featured above, is located at the corner of Summit Avenue and Rankin Road in northeast Greensboro. Diamond Bingo doesn't have a website, so we have no idea of what it is like in side, how much it costs, what you can win. A google search reveals 19 bingo halls in Greensboro and the surrounding area; so, at least some people in the Greensboro area must enjoy playing bingo. Children love the learning versions in school. Civic Organizations and non-profits host Bingo games for fundrasiers, too. Guilford Green's bingo events have brought tens of thousands of dollars to the Greensboro community. 

Well, the weekend is here. Let us know if you're out playing BINGO and, if you are, here is some Bingo trivia to share with fellow gamers. Happy Friday folks. Please do something fun, even if it isn't Bingo.

 

* reference.

View from Revolution Cotton Mill Hill

A couple of weeks ago, we featured Palm Street Christian Church in McAdoo Heights and mentioned that it overlooked Revolution Mill. Here we see a view of Palm Street Christian from Yanceville Street. The photo was taken with a telephoto lens zooming from Revolution Mill, across Church Street and up on Palm near State Street. With the two, modest mill houses to the left of the church, you have an idea of just how compact one's path was early in the 20th century. From home, to church, to shops, to work, to recreation all on foot, if necessary. There is a lot to be said for that type of lifestyle.

Revolution Cotton Mills, a 2-million-square-foot complex, was built in 1899. At one time, it was the world's largest flannel production facility. This whole part of town played an important role in Greensboro's early history. We hate that Revolution is no longer a mill; however, we are happy that the structure is there for us to explore, photograph, and share. The brick shell is proof positive that Greensboro played a role in the Industrial Revolution.

 

Dance Center of State Street

We lament the "passing" of the Saltbox, a Greensboro store that closed earlier this year after thirty eight years in business. Their specialty candles and folk art collection were fabulous. We will be especially nostalgic for their fall and winter treasures and events.

Fortunately, the Dance Center of Greensboro has moved into their building, bringing positive energy and movement back to that little corner of State Street (at Golden Gate). State Street is starting to develop a niche market in wellness and rejuvenation. From plastic surgery to massage, to the magic, spells, and potions offered at Eclectic by Nature, there is a little something for everyone on this charming little street. The Dance Center should be a perfect fit. State Street, their second Greensboro location, is situated in the heart of McAdoo Heights. Let's hope we see dancers coming and going from this building for a very long time.

Let's also keep our fingers crossed that Nancy Moore (owner of the gone-but-not-forgotten Saltbox) finds a little place to work her retail magic. 

An Afternoon in the Life of the Brown Building

UNGC's Brown Building, in the above photo, has been featured on Greensboro Daily Photo on more than one occassion. Since it was built in 1927, the Brown Music Building has served as one of the eastern-most buildings on campus and has been the subject of many postcards. It is nice to know that 85 years later, even though a newer music building has been built, The Brown Building remains a vibrant place for students to congregate both inside and out. Theater students keep the building brimming with life just about 7 days a week and the Brown Building Theater holds some amazing performances. Up next in the theater is Polaroid Stories. UNCG's radio station also broadcasts out of this building. Tune in to WUAG 103.1 FM to get the full college broadcasting experience. 

This photo was taken a few weeks ago at the Tate Street Festival when so many students were out enjoying the afternoon. After yesterday's rain in Greensboro, it will probably be a little soggy to sit on the grass today. Since the sun is supposed to shine, we just may get to walk along Tate Street and admire UNCG's stunning buildings.

Wendover Hills Wesleyan Church

Wendover Hills Wesleyan Church is located near the airport at 205 South Swing Road. The stark white, industrial building catches the eye by surprise as you approach the area. The Trinity and Bible-based church puts a lot of emphasis on worship and fellowship through music. They appear to be an active congregation and very inviting to visitors and new members.  If you are interested in this church, their small group sessions start today and run through December 9th. 

We love Greensboro's religious diversity and try to feature something to reflect the spirituality of Greensboro every Sunday. We only know what their website says about this church; it seems to be a happy and inviting place. For some reason, seeking spirituality in a warehouse seems intriguing. The non-conventional church building looks so clean, uncluttered and contemporary. We'll have to try to go inside for a visit sometime. 

True Deliverance Apostolic Church

Right at the 315-degree angle where Liberty Road bends back on itself, intersecting with Alamance Church Road, you will find True Deliverance Apostolic Church. Led by Pastor Esther Richardson, on Sunday mornings, the congregation has a morning of great sermons and fellowship. This red brick and cinder block building is transformed into a house of salvation. The main entrance to the modest structure has a candy-striped awning. To the left of the main entrance is a white cross made out of fence pickets: No frills, but lots of deliverance for those who enter in.

True Deliverance is located in what we call the "religious deversity" corridor of Guilford County. Just about every religion imaginable- from Buddhism to Jehovah Witness to Baptist to everything in between- is concentrated in a few square miles southeast of downtown. Last Sunday, we enjoyed sitting in the parking lot of True Deliverance listening to the service. At some point, we'd like to step through the door to see what awaits on the other side.

If you are out for a Sunday drive today, head to the Alamance Church/Liberty Road part of town and start counting houses of worship. You will have enough faith-based conversation to fill all the waking hours in a week.

Greensboro's "Tree of Life"

Nothing says "weekend" in Greensboro like a shot of the heart of the city. Here we are at the railroad tracks looking northward towards downtown with the JP building on the horizon. The train says City of Asheville on the side window. Maybe it is headed from the mountains to the coast. Every North Carolinian should make that very journey at least once. It should be a standard school field trip.  

While looking up rail history in North Carolina, we came across these videos on the city's website. They were part of the Bicentennial production about Greensboro. We also found this timeline on the history of the North Carolina Railroad (NCRR) company. In the 19th century, the rail system was referred to as North Carolina's "tree of life." Finally, a "must do" is click on this NCRR interactive map, to see the route and learn about the UNCG/pedestrian underpass project.

 

Volvo 122S.... Just Might Be Spotted on I-40......

Beep, beep; move over (please). This weekend is summer's last hurrah and many Greensboroians will be heading to the beach. I-40 will be busy, busy, busy. Perhaps one local family will be lucky enough to travel in the above vintage Volvo. What a beauty! This four-door, Volvo 122 S model is a station wagon from the 1960's; a classic, Amazon estate. Right now, this Volvo wagon is parked in front of Import Specialty of Summerfield on Highway 220, just north of Greensboro in Guilford County. The opposite of this vintage Volvo is the very 21st century Volvo Technology Group, also located in Greensboro. 

Those who are headed to the mountains this weekend might be going to the North Carolina Apple Festival in Hendersonville. The Labor Day Flea Market and Gun Show at Hillsville, VA will be another day trip for many. People not leaving town will want to check out the John Coltrane Jazz Festival. For those who want to hit the trail and prefer to travel by horse, Purgason's Leather Products is right next door to Import Specialty. Have a great weekend and HONK, if you see this 122S on the road!

GTCC on East Wendover at Burlington Road

If you haven't been out East Wendover Avenue lately, you won't believe how it has changed. Gone is that rural feel of being way beyond the outskirts of Greensboro, and the area continues to get more built up. In the above photo, you can see the East Wendover campus of Greensboro Technical Community College (GTCC) in all its glory. The campus is comprised of four buildings on 69 acres. This campus provides many useful trade programs: architectural technology, machining technology, manufacturing technology, industrial systems technology, turfgrass technology (just about "technology" everything); plus, paralegal studies, plumbing, residential carpentry, and so much more.

The main building, featured in this photo, is GTCC's first LEED-certified, "green" building. It is 45,000 square feet of total energy efficiency.  Watch this short little video clip if you want to take a peek inside. Greensboro is very proud of GTCC as it provides such an important community service. It is a way for people to continue their postsecondary education affordably and without having to leave home. If you peek at the street signs at the top of the photo, you can see that this campus of GTCC is located at the precise point where Wendover Avenue "changes" to Burlington Road.

Shaw Residence Hall

After a little over a year of chain link fences and non-stop construction, The Quad Residence Hall is nearing completion on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The above photo is of Shaw Residence Hall, gateway to The Quad on the campus. The quad has been a part of UNCG since the 1920's, and, the institution had to decide whether they would raze the buildings or rebuild the outdated facilities. In the end, it was decided to honor history and rebuild.* At least a million dollars of the renovation is funded by gifts from alumi.

If you have a chance to get by to see these residence halls and learning communities before the students return next weekend, you will not be disappointed. Hats off to UNCG for finding a way to honor tradition while honoring 21st century technology and innovation.

*read more about construction here.

Gate City Baptist

Hilltop Road forms the northeast border of the Adams Farm neighborhood. Located on Hilltop Road is Gate City Baptist Church. Greensboro is known as the Gate City from the days when we had so many trains coming through Greensboro; it was as if we were the gateway to the world. Likely, we could fill a year of Sundays with Gate City "somethings" around town.*  As for today, we're featuring the one and only Gate City Baptist Church in Greensboro. 

Gate City Baptist Church is a large, dynamic church with an active congregation. Today's photo is a companion posting to Wednesday's featuring of a home in Adams Farm.

*A great article on the Gate City phenomenon here.

Farm Bureau Insurance

The Farm Bureau movement was started in 1911, by John Barron, a Cornell graduate. For over 100 years, farm bureaus have served the purpose of providing not only financial support but also advise for rural families. Some farm bureaus are independent of the original American Farm Bureau Federation.

The above business, located at 2800 Battleground Avenue, is part of a North Carolina non profit organization that started in 1953 and originally headquartered in Greensboro. Their mission is to provide affordable insurance to farmers, to advocate for their members, and to provide educational services to their members.* Today, the agency also serves non-farmers and they are the largest property and domestic insurance agency in North Carolina and they hold an A rating (reference). 

The no-frills building on the east side of Battleground Avenue looks sturdy and inviting. We'll have to go see what the inside looks like sometime. Or, if you do business there, take a minute and let us know.

 

* read more here.

Victory Baptist Church

Victory Baptist is an independent Baptist Church at 810 Meadowood Street, just down the road from Costco at Wendover. We couldn't find out much about the church as it doesn't have a website. However, according to Wikipedia, independent Baptist churches generally adhere to conservative Baptist beliefs. They are independent from the authority of denominations. Less than 15% of those who consider themselves Baptists are independent (reference).

Victory Baptist's marquee slogan this week is thought provoking, "Preach the gospel. If necessary, use words." 

We feature something spiritual every Sunday. If you are interested, see our other entries here. Also, please know that many people search our Sunday data base. For places that have websites, we link back. This is a great opportunity for those who are seeking to find you-- a great opportunity to bring in new members. We encourage you to not only have a website for your church, synagogue, temple, house, hall, etc. but also to provide a description of your beliefs as well as a short history. Sometimes it is necessary......... to use words.

Y is for Y...... (Formerly known as YMCA)

Knowing that ABC Wednesday would trump a Fourth of July photo, we have been posting Fourth of July photos this past week. Plus, we should have one for you tomorrow. However, TODAY, we're bringing you a photo of the Hayes-Taylor YMCA, located at 1101 East Market Street. The Hayes-Taylor Y is the oldest Y building in the city, dating back to 1939. The facility was built with 50 thousand dollars donated by Ceasar Cone and $50 thousand raised in the community, to match his contribution.*

As you can see from the red building to the left, the Y is landlocked. It needs to expand, but NCA&T University is all around the facility. The Hayes-Taylor has just cleared a zoning hurdle for opening a facility down the road at Barber Park.  In addition to a larger building, they want to expand services, including adding athletic fields, increase parking, and double capacity for people working out. 

The next hurdle for the new Y facility would be to secure 7 million in funding, which, if you think about it, is a nano-drop-in-the-bucket when you consider The Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering & Gateway Gardens projects cost over 64 million dollars. At any rate, even without a one-man benefactor like Ceasar Cone, Greensboro will find a way to get this new Y built. As a community, we're like that. We find a way to realize our dreams.  Today is Wednesday and Y is for the Hayes-Taylor YMCA, the Y in our 2012 series on A-Z worthy causes and noteworthy issues of Greensboro.

*reference.

Vertical City

It isn't very often that we get to think of Greensboro as being a vertical city; however, this photo, taken at Hamburger Square at the corner of Elm and McGee Streets evokes verticality. Patrons at Natty Greene's are using the fire exit stairs. Two young girls are sitting in the second floor windows. There is more to life than what is seen at eye level. Greensboro might not be Hong Kong, but we are starting to add more to the upper levels of buildings, which is a sign of a thriving community and a city where retail space is at a premium.

This photo was taken the other day, after a brief rain shower, hence the spots in the upper left-hand corner. The building was built in 1895 and formerly housed Jones Wholesale Grocers. It has housed Natty Greene's since August 2004. Can you believe it has been almost 8 years since Natty Greene's burst onto the scene? It is as if they have always been there. Next time you are downtown, have a look high above. It is interesting to see what is happening on the upper levels of a building.

Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church

Mt. PIsgah United Methodist Church is located at the corner of Pisgah Church Road and Battleground Avenue. We've featured it several times before (here & here). However, it just looks so majestic as we are leaving the Lowe's Home Improvement Store that we can't resist photographing it! This congregation of over 1,200 people dates back to 1845-- before the Civil War. The original one-room wooden building was located about a half a mile west of the current brick building.* The church offers both traditional and contemporary, non-liturgical, services. 

We hope you are enjoying your Memorial Day Weekend. In driving around town yesterday, Greensboro sure seemed empty. Greensboroians are like that. On extended weekends, the mountains, lakes, and the beach lure our citizens away only to have them return and be thankful that they are part of our community. We bet the people at Mt. Pisgah feel the same way after missing a week or two of church.

*history here. 

Tritech Electronics, Inc.

Tritech Electronics, Inc. is an analog and digital electronic service located at 1327 Headquarters Drive in East Greensboro. The business is an independently-owned, full-service repair facility for musical instruments and music related electronics. Owner Ben B Phillips III has been in the business for over twenty years. He got his start in Winston-Salem working for another company. He was thrilled to have the opportunity to buy the business and move back to his native Greensboro.

We haven't had a chance to meet Ben yet, but we can tell by the display of keyboards at the entrance to his little space, just off Bessemer Avenue, that he is a creative soul. We can tell by his website (linked above) that he is dedicated to his craft and his customers. He likes takinng broking electronics and giving them new life-- whether they are analog or digital. We should have saved this photo for the Fourth of July. It is very red, white, and blue.

Happy Tuesday, folks!