Greensboro Daily Photo

Where is Spring?

The S.H. Kress & Company building was constructed in downtown Greensboro in 1930 and was a department store for 40 years.  The chain's founder Samuel Kress took pride in his buildings and tried to make them architectural gifts to the communities in which they were built. Our Kress building is no exception. The art deco architecture sparkles today. While the department store is long gone, the building houses a night club on one side and an event center on the other. Information about the architecture can be found here and information about the event center, known as Kress Terrace, here.

Today's post does not feature the building but the brilliant art display in the front window. After the wintry days we've had lately, we just fell in love with the BURST of color and with the message, Where is Spring? Here is a display in the same window that we shared last year. Thank you Kress Terrace for these arranging these wonderful works of community art. Finally, we're sharing this photo with the great group of photographers at Weekend Reflection.

 

Knock Knock, Who's There?

Peeking inside the front door of the Junior League's Greensboro Headquarters on Friendly Avenue reveals the following.  A salute to history and commitment to neatness are as evident inside the Junior League's antebellum house as they are on the outside. Inside, on the wall in the first room on the left, are photos of prominent members over the decades (presidents?). Likely, the photos are a veritable who's who among Greensboro women. Buttery yellow and powdery blue walls, wooden elements and fine fabric are evidence that the house is decorated exquisitely.

We'll have to stop back for a proper tour. For today, we'll settle for this weekend reflection through the glass at the front door. 

 

Junior League's Antebellum Beauty

The Junior League of Greensboro got its start is the mid-1920's as the inspiration of Kathleen Price (Mrs. Joseph M. Bryan) and nine members of her book club. The organization emphasizes volunteerism, leadership and community service in its members. Here is a photo of their Greensboro Headquarters, located at 3101 West Friendly Avenue. If you are a history buff and love shows like HGTV's "If these walls could talk," you will love the detective work that went into dating the age of this house to the mid-1800's. During renovation, saw marks, square nails, roofline, and other clues lead to the dating of the house to before the Civil War. Read more here.

We LOVE the fact that the Junior League values its history and archives information on their website. The organization is a great example to all of us. From Scarlett O'Hara to Eva Peron, that balcony is just waiting for a strong woman to impart a powerful message.

 

Tree Planting Time

The City of Greensboro has begun its tree planting for the spring. Here we see a truckload of trees, some of which are being planted on the exit ramp near Highway 29 and East Lee Street. When these trees mature, they will buffer road noise for the local neighborhood as well as make the view a more attractive. We're not sure about the scope of the project; however, it is nice to see our tax dollars being spent on something green! Hopefully, the new trees will make it through the next month weather-wise. Also, hopefully, some trees will be planted in YOUR neighborhood. How about all of us planting a tree or, at the very least, nurturing an existing one? Today, we opt for a current event over quality of photo!

 

International Civil Rights Museum Opening in Forty-Eight Hours

Two more days and the International Civil Rights Center & Museum will open. Greensboro, North Carolina is bursting with pride at the thought of this museum becoming a reality. We have waited for it to open for a long time. As stated on their website, "the International Civil Rights Center & Museum is an archival center, collecting museum and teaching facility devoted to the international struggle for civil and human rights. The museum celebrates the nonviolent protests of the 1960 Greensboro sit-ins that served as a catalyst in the civil rights movement."

If you ever come to Greensboro, this is a must-see museum. We're sharing this photo with Weekend Reflections in the hopes of bringing more people into our town and this new resource. Festivities centered around the grand opening are many. From Girl Scouts to local political leaders the ribbon cutting at 8am will be well attended.

 

International Civil Rights Center & Museum

Greensboro is realizing a dream. The opening of the International Civil Rights Center & Museum is a mere three weeks away. For over a decade, we've been walking past the former Woolworth Five and Dime at 301 North Elm Street lamenting the fact that this historic place looked like all the other abandoned, boarded up, urban buildings. Not for long. When we walked by today, cameramen were inside taping a preview for the public. Hopefully, the planners have set a realistic goal as the space is renovated but empty. February 1, 2010 is the 50th anniversary of the Sit-Ins that "(l)aunched the national drive for integrated lunch counters (History marker J79)."  

Follow the above link and watch the February One Trailer, a 1 minute 43 second trailer of the February 1 documentary. To date, the fanfare seems to have remained rather local. Hopefully, the center & museum will receive the international recognition that it deserves. James Weldon Johnson had it right, "Lift every voice and sing, 'Til earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty.......

 

Market Street @ PTI Airport

Market Street stretches from one end of Guilford County to another. At the intersection in the above photo, Friendly Avenue has joined Market Street and we are at the back end of the Piedmont Triad International Airport. Recently, we learned that, according to the airport's website, no local tax dollars are used to operate it.

This photo was taken on a very cold January day when the sun managed to shine and brighten the terrain.  We fell in love with this view because of the blue and ochre pigments and the single puffy cloud hovering behind the stop light. We're sharing it with our Sky Watch Friday friends who always appreciate a pretty sky. Don't get the idea that this is a sleepy little dirt runway venue. The airport is actually quite nice and there is a side with airplanes, terminals, passengers, runways, metal and pavement.

 

US Postal Service @ 610 Pembroke 27408

The post office at Friendly Center in Greensboro is an alcohol-free version of Boston's "Cheers Bar." As we stood in line yesterday, on one of the postally-busiest days of the year, people chatted about the usual-- the details of each other's lives and the Christmas light displays on Ridgeway Avenue. Oh, and the employees are friendly too. As a matter of fact, they learn a great deal about you by your mail. Picking up a 30-day diet plan? Next time you are at 610 Pembroke, you just may be asked, "How's the diet going? If you are returning a J. Crew sweater, don't be surprised if you are asked, "Didn't it fit.. or did you just not like the color?" Or, you might even be reminded that we have a J.Crew Store at Friendly Center now! You can share as much as you want or be as quiet as you wish!

If you need to mail that last minute package and want a jolly adventure, head on over to the post office at Friendly Center. By the way, rumor has it the same service is available at the Groometown/High Point Road branch!

 

Awash with Goodness & Giving

When is the last time you used a laundry mat (or more properly, laundromat)? Would you know where to find one in Greensboro (or in your community)? Imagine getting to the laundry mat if you didn't own a car; arriving and having it be closed!  This laundry mat happens to be on Battleground Avenue in the Big Lots shopping center near Gold's Gym.

If you are fortunate enough to do laundry in the comforts of your home, consider being generous with the less-fortunate this year. Perhaps you can leave a five dollar bill in the custodian's corner of the building with a stickie-note saying, "your next cup of coffee is on me," so that the lucky finder will know the money wasn't lost.

Consider giving a gift to someone who least expects it, to someone new this year. Have an afternoon tea for a family in need. Donate money to the school in your neighborhood--even if you don't have children who attend. Drop an extra tip in a tip jar. Not only is December the season of giving and goodness, it is the countdown for charitable contribution tax write-offs for 2009. If you're strapped for cash, just drop by and spend time with someone who would appreciate your company.

Please stop back by GDP and let us know about your act of giving. Share your ideas! Today, we're posting this photo over at Watery Wednesday!

               

NL Mitchell Water Treatment Plant

Driving to town, as you round the corner, near Lake Daniel, this photographed dome takes you by surprise! To our untrained eyes, this structure at the corner of Battleground Avenue and Bryan Blvd. appears to be a geodesic dome. Buckminster Fuller coined the term "geodesic dome" in 1948-9 while at Black Mountain College, near Asheville, NC. Fuller is attributed to popularizing the structure and naming the dome; however, Walther Bauersfeld actually designed the first one to house a planetarium, just after WWI. Can you believe that this  triangular, lattice-shelled surface predates Art Deco, flappers, Suffrage, the Great Depression, and the Jazz Age!

According to the City of Greensboro's website, the NL Mitchell Water Treatment Plant is 80 years old and in deteriorating and is scheduled to be replaced. The current structure holds three million gallons of treated water, ready for our consumption.Three million gallons is a mighty big fish tank!  Wonder if the new one, slated to hold a mere one million gallons, will have the same appearance!

 

Salvation Army Kettle

The Salvation Army.. give to the Salvation Army. The bell rings and the big red kettle reminds us to help those who are less fortunate. My grandmother's first, and maybe ONLY, baby doll was given to her by the Salvation Army; so, the organization holds a special place our family's memories. Last Friday night, the Salvation Army was set up at the intersection of McGee and Elm Streets at Greensboro's kickoff to the 2009 holiday season. Tree lighting, indie arts and craft market, singers, and other performers, people of all ages came out in droves enjoying the festivities. 

With the prominence of the big RED kettle, we just had to select this photo for Ruby Tuesday. A few weeks ago, our photo of the sea of red shoes leading to the Salvation Army Select store led people to our blog in droves. May this photo lead people to the kettle.

 

Salvation Army Select

On Friday, November 13th, The Salvation Army opened an upscale thrift-shop in the Lake Jeanette neighborhood of Greensboro. Several months in the making, students from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro collaborated with the Salvation Army on the design of the Salvation Army Select Store. One of the students' many artful touches is the trail of red shoes leading shoppers across the length of the strip mall to the entrance. Both man in the background and the one in the reflection on the right are following their wives into the store. The attractive boutique does not have the usual cluttered look of a thrift shop and the goods are name brands, clean, and neatly organized. Weather you are a shopper or looking for a place to donate gently-used clothing (for men, women, and children) do visit this collaborative venture that gives back to the community. To bring more worldwide visibility to this post, we are linking to Ruby Tuesday, in celebration of the "ruby slippers!"

Since 1865, the Salvation Army has been saving souls, one donation at a time.

Natural Science Center... YES!

We at GDP usually avoid being political. However, today, we're out encouraging people to vote YES! on the Bond Referendum for the Natural Science Center. Our family has used this community resource at every step of the way. We have visited and volunteered, participated in school field trips,  held birthday parties, shot photos, and gone there to get critters (found in our yard) identified. 

If the bond passes, the museum will be renovated and expanded, making an already great facility OUTSTANDING. We are all for these projects that benefit the whole community. If you are still unsure or considering voting no, please stop by the center this weekend and talk to someone about the bond. If you can't get there in person, at lease check out their website! Please get out and vote YES! tomorrow!

International Civil Rights Museum

In Greensboro, the Civil Rights Movement is an important part of our history. In this very Woolworth Building, at 301 N. Elm St., the sit-in movement was launched. On February 1, 1960, four North Carolina A&T University freshmen refused to leave the lunch counter where they were refused service. The International Civil Rights Museum and Center has struggled with funding and for years was only a dream. It seems that the museum is closer to becoming a reality as can be seen with the construction in this photo. The sit in movement has a website. To enter the website, you have to decide if you want to enter through the "white" or "colored" entrance. If you want to learn more, we suggest you visit the museum's site.

Visit My World Tuesday to learn about other parts of the world!

Guilford Co. Sheriff's Office

These officers, six of Greensboro's finest, are leaving work at the end of their shift. While home base is Sheriff B.J. Barnes' office, likely, their collective "beat" encompasses a large part of Guilford County. We felt it was important to honor men in uniform today as neighboring Winston-Salem just lost a police officer, 27-year veteran Mickey Hutchens, in the line of fire. Next time you see a deputy, policeman, trooper, fireman, remember that these public sevants risk their lives for us every day.

On a lighter note, when taking this photograph, I wanted to run across the street and tell the deputies "You're going the wrong way on a one way street!" but decided not to joke around. You never know what kind of day they had. Besides, I would have been jay-walking.

Windsor Community Center

In Greensboro, we love our community centers. Here we see the Windsor Community Center, located at 1601 East Lee Street at the corner of S. Benbow Road. The center is intergenerational with programs for people of all ages. The center maintains an outdoor public swimming pool in the summer. We were intrigued by the rounded, lens-shaped door. The architect sends a clear message-- enter here! What kind of community resources do you enjoy? Have you seen another building with an entrance like this? If you live in Greensboro, have you ever seen this building?

Greensboro Recycles!

Greensboro's plastic bottle ban takes effect today. Plastic bottles can be thrown into the garbage can no longer. All No 1 PETE and No 2 HDPE bottles must be rinsed out and placed in a recycling bin either at home or like this one found behind the fire station on Horse Pen Creek Road. When in doubt, look for the 1 or 2 on the bottom of the item inside the triangle with arrows.

This photo is our contribution to the City Daily Photo Theme Day. October's theme: CONTRAST. We're contrasting those who recycle with those who don't. Also in this photo is contrasted MAN and NATURE. The cement parking lot and dumpster butt up to green grass and are featured front and center below a beautiful blue sky. Last time we checked, there were over 1,000 cities with daily photo cites (an outgrowth of a blog by Eric of Paris). Many daily photo sites will participate in theme day.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

J. Spencer Love Tennis Center

James Spencer Love, 1896- 1962, was the founder of Burlington Industries, and considered one of the most influential businessmen in North Carolina. Love built the largest manufacturing firm in the world. He built a textile empire in North Carolina and made rayon "artificial silk" a household name.

Spencer Love Tennis Center, located at 3110 Forest Lawn Drive, named for the businessman, is a public facility and used by players of all ages. Here we see a Thursday night ladies league having a blast and getting great exercise. Prices to participate in clinics, private lessons, and camps are very reasonable.

"Field of Dreams" Bookmobile

The Greensboro City Library system serves our community in so many ways: books, other media, literary events, learning software, tutoring programs, special exhibits to name a few. On Monday, August 3rd, this bookmobile arrived in the Lake Jeanette, parked in the field where the future library will be built. The bookmobile is parked next to the fire station on Lake Jeanette Road. Mostly, services are limited to checking out children's books and picking up books that you request to be sent to this location. We couldn't resist quoting the 1989 baseball movie Field of Dreams with its saying "build it and they will come." If the other branch locations prove true, once the Lake Jeanette Public Library is built, it will be well used, FREE, and open to the public.

This is our contribution to Sky Watch Friday. We loved the way the color of the blue bus matches the color of the sapphire blue sky! This is a case where using a flash actually enhanced the photo. Please follow our link if you want to see the sky in almost 400 other locations worldwide!

At Grove & Portland, The Beat Goes On

This music venue is located at the corner of Grove and Portland in the Glenwood neighborhood. Glenwood is making a real effort towards gentrification. As you can see, the building is beautifully painted with a snazzy banner of musical notes and instruments framing a plywood window and a bedsheet-curtain. This neighborhood is starting to spark to life on the weekends. Optimistically, wikimapia says about Glenwood, "A historic and very diverse lower-middle class to middle class neighbourhood in the southwest corner of Greensboro. It has seen some tough times in the years, but through local community efforts, the neighbourhood is to be expecting a revitalization. This will be like Greensboro's downtown."  Wikimapia, we sure hope you are right! If you follow that site, you can see a google map of the actual neighborhood-- very 21st century!

North Carolina Railroad in Greensboro

This eastward view of the railroad tracks over South Elm Street looks like a scene out of a classic movie. No signs of modernity and fully expecting Clint Eastwood to walk across the tracks any minute!

Near this part of the tracks is an historic marker (J-102) with the following inscription: "North Carolina Railroad _._ Opened interior of N.C. The groundbreaking took place nearby, July 11, 1851. First president, John Motley Morehead." According to the North Carolina Railroad Company's historic timeline, for the grounbreaking ceremony, Senator Calvin Graves lifted the first shovel of dirt. Quickly, Greensboro became known as the Gate City, the great crossroads between Goldsboro and Charolotte.

Young Men's Christian Association of Greensboro

Here we see a photo of the downtown branch of the YMCA of Greensboro. The YMCA was founded in London in 1844 and, today, has more than 45 million members worldwide. According to their website, the YMCA began serving downtown Greensboro in 1859. The Kathleen Price Bryan YMCA, located at 501 West Market Street,  opened in 2003, replacing the Central YMCA Branch. From childcare to silver-sneaker yoga, the YMCA offers services for members of all ages. If you haven't been to a Y lately, turn crank up this original 1978  Village People tune/ video and head over for a tour. You won't regret it! No matter how tired you are, you can walk into one of the Y yoga classes and be transported to a restful state of mind.

The YMCA has an interesting history and if you are interested, is available here.

Labor Day-- Transition to Fall

Happy Labor Day!. Today, we have one last hurrah with family and friends, our white shoes get put away, community pools are open for one last day, and children ponder school resuming tomorrow.  Perhaps more than anything else, Labor Day reminds us that fall is upon us. We hope you are having a restful Labor Day. 

In the photo above, we see a young man sitting in Greensboro's Piedmont Triad International Airport waiting for his flight. We don't know if he was leaving home or returning; however, he captures that pensive look of moving on, just as Labor Day captures the transition from summer to fall. 

This is our contribution to Monochrome Weekly.

The Natural Science Center of Greensboro

The Natural Science Center of Greensboro, located at 4301 Lawndale Avenue, is a tremendous community resource. In addition to the engaging permanent exhibits and the zoo, the center continually offers special programs. The current traveling exhibit is, "Extreme Deep: Mission to the Abyss."  

In the photo above, you see three of the taxidermied animals on display in the hallway of the museum. Within the past year, the museum acquired a privately-owned, local collection. The collection is reminiscent of the efforts in the 19th century to provide specimens. The taxidermied animals were studied in an era when living, exotic, zoo animals were not widely available.  

If you haven't been to the Natural Science Center lately, and you live in Greensboro, you really must stop by and see how the place has transformed in the last few years!

Foucault Pendulum in Greensboro

A Foucault pendulum is used to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth. In the above photo, we see the Foucault pendulum at the Natural Science Center in Greensboro. The Paris Observatory displayed the first one publicly in 1851. Perhaps the most famous Foucault pendulum is the one in the Pantheon in Paris, named after the French physicist who conceived the experiment. Wikipedia has a complete list of Foucault pendulums in the world categorized by country and by state for the USA. From this list, we learned that Greensboro actually has two: one at the Natural Science Center and one at NCA&T University. There are four total in North Carolina, one in nearby Winston-Salem and another in Fayetteville. According to the Wikipedia list, 39/50 US states boast at least one pendulum. 

This is our contribution to Monochrome Weekly. The monochrome theme recently celebrated its first anniversary. 

Greensboro Farmers' Market(s) on Saturday

Saturday is Farmers' Market(s) Day for us. First, we'll head to the Greensboro Farmers' Curb Market at 501 Yanceyville St. and then we'll head out to the Piedmont Triad Farmers' Market. Between the two venues, there will be plenty of local produce; plus, we'll see friends and take plenty of photos! This photo of peaches was taken earlier in the season but is still in the spirit of buying locally! We've got a bushel of hot peppers waiting for us at the Farmer's Market off of Sandy Ridge Road. We love hot peppers but still aren't sure what we'll do with a whole bushel. If you have ideas, let us know. If you are local and want to teach us to can in exchange for some of the spoils, let us know!

The People's Market and Gardens in Glenwood Neighborhood

The People's Market and Gardens is located in the heart of the Glenwood neighborhood, just south of Lee Street and east of the Coliseum. Perhaps the garden IS the heart of Glenwood. On the day we stopped by, this neighbor was taking a break from web designing to come out and chat with locals while pruning, weeding, and watering.

Community gardens are an urban trend, bringing neighbors together and providing a local food source. The garden area in the photograph has so much potential. The large parking lot in front would be the perfect venue for a small farmer's market, community yard sales, you name it. Kudos to the residents of Glenwood for making such a commitment to bringing your neighborhood back to its original beauty. We're convinced that a good coffee shop would help significantly. In the meantime, we enjoyed our chat in the garden!

Plantation Pipe Line Company

Plantation Pipe Line Company is located near the Piedmont Triad International Airport. They sell all kinds of fuel for commercial, private, and military vehicles. They have over 3,000 miles of pipeline for their refined petroleum. Without a vehicle in the photo, it is hard to tell that these drums are actually several stories high. The ladders help provide some perspective.

We love the sky in this photo, taken last week as a storm was rolling in. The drums really look illuminated by that bright-foreboding sky. That acute angle of clouds almost looks like it is going to crush those drums. We decided that skyline deserved to be shared on Skywatch Friday.

The Preyer Federal Building

The L. Richardson Preyer Federal Building/Courthouse,  located at the corner of W. Market and Eugene Streets, is a gem of an Art Deco building from the 1930's. Preservation Greensboro has written extensively about the building, including its construction which took 12 boxcars of Mt. Airy granite and 55 train car loads of Indiana Granite. So many architectural details can be seen by walking around the building, carvings, lamp posts, art deco details. Carved into the façade are the words, "United States Post Office and Court House." Unfortunately, cameras are not permitted inside and, since it is a federal building, they are strict. Formerly, there was a post office, federal courts, and offices inside; now, the post office is gone but the courts remain. 

On the day we were out taking this photo, one of the workers, outside waiting for a ride, talked about the beauty of the interior. "Why they still have the original marble dividers between the bathroom stalls. And, oh, you should see this one courtroom that has a detailed, gold painted ceiling. The building is just beautiful." We were touched by her pride in the building. We love the massive, solid look of this public building, constructed in the years of the Great Depression.

Aerial View of the Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO)

Here we see an aerial view of the Piedmont Triad International Airport, known in three-letter-airport-code as GSO. The photo was an afterthought on the part of Mrs. GDP. During a recent departure from GSO, thinking we were on a brief holiday from photographing Greensboro, we realized, "Wait, we don't have a picture of Greensboro from the air!" Out came the camera and snap, snap, snap. If you look closely, on the left-center edge of the photo, you can just barely see the tip of the wing.

We like this view because of the bent horizon line and the comparison of the cars on the road to the airplanes on the tarmac. Also, those giant square buildings are quite imposing for a city with less than 300,000 residents. 

This is our contribution to Monochrome Weekly. We love monochromes because, often, published black & white photos look like pictures that have been in someone's attic for decades!

National Conference of Christians and Jews

The National Conference of Christians and Jews was founded as an interfaith organization in 1927. To be more inclusive and appeal to members of all faiths, the organization was renamed the National Conference for Community and Justice -- NCCJ in both instances. The organization's objectives include promoting harmony between people with different belief systems and ethnic backgrounds. One important event for the organization hosts is Anytown, where high school students come together to learn conflict management and how not to judge, bully, discriminate, or have biases against others. Today, August 2, 2009, Anytown Session II kicks off another weeklong session in Greensboro.  

Rabbi Fred Guttman and Reverend Mark Sills are co-recipients of the organization's 2009 Citation Award. In 1991, Local  Chief Justice Henry E. Frye was awarded the Brotherhood Award when the organization was still called the National Conference of Christians and Jews. The above photo is of the Fisher Park office, located across the street from the First Presbyterian Church. Follow the above Anytown link to see photos of last year's participants.

Music in the Air: Eastern Music Festival & MUSEP Concerts on Sunday

 

Summer is the perfect time for playing music outdoors in Greensboro and there are many opportunities to enjoy music for FREE! The above photo was taken on Sunday, July 12, 2009 on the Guilford College Campus. The Eastern Music Festival Student Orchestra gave a concert that through the free MUSEP series. The center of the photo features the guest conductor for that concert, Chelsea Tipton, who is originally from Greensboro.

Tomorrow's free, outdoor MUSEP concert (July 26th) will again be held at Guilford College, starting at 6pm. It is also part of the Eastern Music Festival featuring The New Familiars. Allow plenty of time to park, walk, and set up your own picnic space to enjoy while watching the concert! If you follow our link to The New Familiars'  my-space page, you will see that Sunday's FUN, GREAT, acoustic concert will be fringe-like and informal! 

Greensboro is celebrating our 30th year of free, outdoor music concerts in the summer. If you have a chance, follow the links to read more about opportunities to enjoy music this summer; it isn't too late. Of course, for those in the position to lend financial support to these well attended events, donations are greatly appreciated and can be arranged through the EMF and MUSEP websites!

Belews Lake Steam Station

Yesterday, you saw one side of Belews Lake. Here you see the side that reminds us that the lake was built as a cooling system for this coal-fired steam station.  As stated on Duke Energy's website, "(u)nlike most Duke Energy lakes, there is no hydroelectric generation at this dam so Belews Lake is not under FERC license. It is used as cooling water for the Belews Creek Steam Station." If you happen to hit the stream of water ejected from the plant, you can swim in its warmth even in December.

This week's Thursday Theme is POWER!

Belews Lake

For summer water fun near Greensboro, try driving a few miles north to Belews Lake. The lake, completed in 1973 by Duke Energy, boasts a surface area of 3863 acres and a shoreline of about 88 miles. The lake is located between Stokes, Rockingham, and Forsyth counties, making it easily accessible. The water is almost unseasonably warm as it is used to cool the coal-burning power plant at Belews Creek Stem Station. Boating, jet skiing, and swimming are permitted in the lake with a public boat ramp and access through Carolina Marina and Humphrey's Ridge.

This is our contribution for Watery Wednesday.

Railroad History in Greensboro

This is part of the North Carolina Railroad system which was built in 1849 as a 223 mile stretch of track connecting Goldsboro to Charlotte, stopping in Greensboro along the way. As a city, Greensboro flourished with the construction of the railroad. Here we see the track near Davie Street, Elm St. and Martin Luther King Drive. In the distance you see the back side of the Southern Railway Station, restored as J. Douglas Gaylon Depot, our multi-modal transportation center. The city's nickname, Gate City, came about in recognition of our rail-hub position.

On his blog, Jim Schlosser talks about the colorful train engines and cars seen passing through Greensboro. Preservation Greensboro Incorporated writes about the Elm St.Train Station. Faithful reader Sue, whose father worked for the railroad in Greensboro, has been requesting photos of trains, tressels, and train stations. We finally got out to take a few; so, here's to you Sue, a part of your world that we're including in the My World meme!

The High Point Museum

The High Point Museum, just a few miles down the road from Greensboro, is one of Guilford County's little treasures. The museum houses an array of permanent and temporary exhibits, from an interactive display about the life of jazz musician John Coltrane, to an historical timeline of the High Point end of Guilford County; to a chair exhibit and display about the making of furniture. On property is an historical park with two houses, one from 1786 and another in 1801, and costumed interpreters providing living history demonstrations and guided tours of the grounds.

In the photo above, shared with the Monochrome Weekly crowd, we see one of the interpreters quilting. She is living her dream at work, home, and at school. She is studying history in college and works at the museum interpreting the past. If you have the time and interest, she and her mom, also an interpreter at the museum, will fill you with information about colonial times and everything authentic to the area. They also have great expertise in genealogy, know how to sew authentic period costumes, and, in their spare time, the participate in historical reenactments. Also on property is a blacksmith shop and, on certain days, a blacksmith providing demonstrations.

This museum and the people working there are invaluable assets to Guilford County. Perhaps best of all, the entrance is free. Check the schedule before going to know what will be going on when you plan to visit.

The Greensboro Arboretum: Relaxing on a Bench

If you haven't been to the Greensboro Arboretum yet this summer, please make an effort to visit. With all of the rain this spring, the gardens are in full splendor. The hydrangeas, cone flowers, bee balm, walking trails, mature trees, fountains, and open green space, make the Arboretum one of the most photogenic places in town. Take your tennis shoes as it is a great place to exercise. The women in the photo are fanning themselves and taking a break from the heat.  If you like sepia and black and white, view more photos at Aileni's site.

SWIM Greensboro

In Greensboro, summer is a time for swim meets, swim meets, and more swim meets. What a great way to stay fit while enjoying the warm summer days. The beauty of swimming is that everyone gets to compete, not just the best athletes. 

Here we see swimmers at the Eastern Invitational Swim Meet, held this past weekend at Lindley Pool. Greensboro Swimming Association has been sponsoring the meet for 54 years. Swimmers in the far lanes were in the process of swimming the individual medley after just finishing their mile event. 

Many of the Greensboro swimmers who participated in the Eastern Invitational will be back in the water tonight as Tuesday is the day for the Community Swim Association's dual meets... Greensboro Country Club, Bur-Mill, Lake Jeannette, Friendly, Green Valley, Cardinal (to name a few of the club teams)..... fun will be had by all! July 9th-11th, all 2,000 swimmers will converge on Lindley Pool for their Grand Rivalry: CITY MEET!

Once we get the natatorium built, Greensboro will have fine swim facility to provide a first-class place to compete as well as a place for all of our swimmers to practice. That's My World! See you at the pool.

Sportsplex

The Greensboro Sportsplex, located at 2400 16th Street, just off of East Cone Boulevard and US 29, is a multi-sports facility. The 106,000 square ft. venue offers basketball, hockey, volleyball, badminton, and soccer. It is located near the former Carolina Circle Mall and, along with the Wal-Mart and Lowe's Home Center, represents an effort to revitalize the east side of Greensboro in recent years. 

If you or your children are looking for a great sports camp this summer, it is worth checking out all that the Sportsplex is offering. Additionally, the RUSH fitness complex has a branch at the Sportsplex. As seen in the photo above, Sportsplex is clean, well-lit, and offers fabulous floor surfaces, appropriate for each sport they offer.

Farmers' Market on Sandy Ridge Road

The North Caroline State Government: Farmers' Market Piedmont Triad is one of five farmers' markets owned and operated by the State's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. And a mighty fine farmers' market it is. Visiting the Farmer's Market at 2914 Sandy Ridge Road is a great way to start the day. You get to interact with friendly people and buy locally. We get many of our plants from here as well as our produce. Most weekends, the Farmer's Market has a theme: strawberries, blueberries, peaches...... that keeps us attuned to what produce is currently at peak season. Oh, the Moose Cafe, on site, is a down to earth place to eat while shopping. Arrive hungry!

For us, the skies are inherently beautiful but are even more meaningful when serving as a backdrop for the rest of nature, including man. So, here's to Sky Watch Friday, from our vantage point under one of the retail shelters at the farmers' market.