Greensboro Daily Photo

Our Lady of Grace

This is a sad time for Catholic Christians around the world. Last Sunday was Easter and Pope Francis was celebrating his last Easter on earth. He was special to many for lots of reasons, some of which are the fact that he was the first Latin American pope, the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church, and the first to serve while his predecessor was still living. He was an advocate for many of the traditionally marginalized groups. The above photo of the façade of Our Lady of Grace (OLG) church in Greensboro looks so somber with those dark clouds behind it and with no sign of people. What is a church without its members? without its leader? The conclave of cardinals usually convenes within 20 days of the pontiff's death. 

We wish we could be in one of Greensboro's Catholic Churches today to hear  the service. The church will be switching from Easter celebrations to a period of mourning. Perhaps there have already been special masses.  OLD was built in 1952 and it is so lovely inside and out, and it has a very special history. Read here to learn more.

316 South Eugene St.

If online sources are correct, 316 South Eugene Street was built in 1963. It is hard to believe that 62 years ago, it was still possible to build a single story structure in downtown Greensboro. The Brown Law Building is the law office of Attorney Kent Brown and his firm. They specialize in traffic, criminal, and expungement cases. This location is so convenient to the Greensboro court house, the federal building, the police station, jail, and the municipal building. 316 South Eugene is only 1,376 square feet and on a .14 acre lot. The building last sold in 2012 for $179,200.*  

We wish we knew the original purpose of the building  and what each of the four owners have used it for. We wonder is the brick was locally sourced. Old Carolina Brick Company is still going strong in Salisbury, NC.  If you are looking for something to do today, head downtown and find a building or two that intrigue you. It is amazing what you can learn from a simple search.  As for us, we might put it on our list to head to Salisbury and see just what buildings in Greensboro have used bricks from their company.

Happy Saturday!

* information found here.

Azalea Time

Azalea time is quickly moving past peak in Greensboro. However, this city is still displaying the beauty of spring, with all of the fresh greens and varied blossoms. Azaleas are commonly grown in Greensboro and can be planted spring or fall. If you like planting native plants, try the Piedmont azalea, the orange azalea, or the sweet azalea. The orange azalea is known for being easy to grow. Also, the encore azalea is popular because it reblooms. Interestingly, all azaleas are rhododendrons, but not all rhododendrons are azaleas!

The above azaleas are hovering near a mature tree that is actually on the old Jessup property on Horse Pen Creek Road. This would be a great time to get out and enjoy the beauty of spring, even if you experience a raindrop or two!

Happy Friday!

Westover Terrace at Green Valley Road

Green Valley Road and the Westover Terrace/Battleground Avenue area is changing before our eyes. Most recently, it started with the demolishing of Women's Hospital. This week, another icon in the area is no more. The above pile of debris used to be the Hardee's . The Hardee's at 1501 Westover Terrace opened in 1980 and closed 43 years later,  in 1923. Now, it appears the one acre lot may become a bank. It is a little hard to keep up with all of the growth and change in Greensboro.

We had to chuckle, not being overly impressed with this photo. But, we're telling ourselves that it is in the style of German photographer, Andreas Gursky. In 2011, his photo Rhein II (see HERE) sold for 4.3 million.  We're hoping ours will command a similar price. Hahaha! Seriously though, by the time you blink your eyes, a new building will be in its place.

Happy Thursday!

Dave's Hot Chicken Opening Soon!

All of the finishing touches have been put on Dave's Hot Chicken at 1949 Battleground Avenue.  They are ready to open for business. The official opening will be on Friday, April 25th. However, if you see the doors open today, you just may be able to go in and give it a try.  Word has it they will be doing a soft opening, just to iron the kinks out and to give employees a chance to experience the work flow. There has been a lot of talk and excitement centered around this opening. It will be fun to go in and try the chicken. Will you be ordering, no spice, lite mild, mild, medium, hot, extra hot, or reaper? Do you like krinkle fries and dipping cheese? You can't miss the store on Battleground at Cornwallis. Just look for the bright graffiti and the corrugated/krinkle fry shaped façade. And, then, there are the fire engine red chairs and tables out front.

From the pop up business in a parking lot in California, to a franchise sweeping North America, Dave's is gaining a lot of traction. It will be interesting to see how the Greensboro market will be for them. It is fun to follow a new business and get to know the people involved in bringing it to town. One of the best part is that they moved into an existing building, bringing life to this little corner near Kirkwood and Irving Park. We're betting they sell a few orders to people going to the Greensboro Elks for swim practice and meets this summer. Oh, and for sure we'll head in to admire the artwork of Splatterhaus and 

Happy Wednesday!

Featuring Canada Geese on Earth Day 2025

Happy Earth Day 2025. Earth Day is a fixed date holiday, always April 22. We were out looking around trying to find something to feature and happened upon this family of Canada Geese. They reminded us of the extent to which animals have adapted to co-exist with humans in and around asphalt jungles.

These migratory birds, Canada geese, are found as far north as the Arctic. In Greensboro, they are most likely to be found in Wal-Mart parking lots. They love freshly mowed grass next to a water source,- even retention ponds. Such is the case with the above family. They were grazing on the little patch of grass near a retention pond at the North Battleground Wal-Mart.

North Carolina has both migratory and resident populations of the geese.  It is estimated there are 10-12 thousand in migratory Canada geese and over 100,000 residents. They are a good food source to native predators like foxes and coyotes. The above male goose was pretty aggressive about protecting his hen and their six babies. Traditionally, they lay eggs in March and April and the incubation period lasts 66-30 days. This past week, we have seen them popping up everywhere.

If you get a chance, do something today to celebrate nature and to help it along. Key concepts include, reduce, reuse, recycle, share, protect, plant edibles and native plants. And, don't feed the Canada geese. They know what they need to survive!

Happy 55th Anniversary of Earth Day! Happy 45+ years of resident Canada Geese in Greensboro!

3118 Horse Pen Creek Road

The old Jessup family homeplace at 3118 Horse Pen Creek Road sold in December 2024 for almost 1.5 million dollars. Built in 2015, the home back in the day was a real beauty and was well cared for. However, we're betting that more valuable than the 4 bedroom 2 bathroom house and outbuildings was the 6.38 acre lot. This is prime property in an area  that is quickly being redeveloped.  The home belonged to Kenneth Jessup, Sr. and his wife Margaret. Both Jessups were born in 1927; however, Mr. Jessup died in 2020 and his wife in 2017.  

Mr. Jessup had an HVAC business on Battleground Avenue, Mrs. Jessup was a nurse and accomplished potter. Both had active civic engagement and were devout members of Jessup Grove Baptist Church. They raised their children on Horse Pen Creek and in Jessup Grove Baptist.  Soon, the old home place will be torn down and the new tenants will know nothing of the land's previous history.  

Over the years, the Jessup family's church, Jessup Grove Baptist,  has been sold and renamed several times. For now, there is still a Jessup Grove Road as a reminder of a time when things in a community were often named after people in the community.  The Jessups were a great, civic minded family. Let us all aspire to contribute to family, friends, and community in the way the Jessups did.

Happy Monday!

Easter Sunday 2025 at Grace Lutheran Church

Happy Easter. The church being featured today is Grace Lutheran, located at 1315 East Washington Street. The photo was taken on the property of the L. Richardson Hospital Apartments where Bonbon and McConnell Roads intersect. Grace Lutheran is 128 years old this year. Pastor Warren Lattimore will be conducting Easter services today, one of the most holy days on the Christian calendar. It is also Easter in the Orthodox Christian churches. Due to different calendars, the Orthodox Church celebrates Easter on a different Sunday from Protestants and Easter about every three of four years. 

Grace Lutheran is at least one of six Lutheran Church in the Greensboro area: Christ Lutheran, First Lutheran, Ebenezer Lutheran, Prince of Peace Lutheran, Lutheran Church of Our Father, and Grace Lutheran.