Greensboro Daily Photo

Elks Pool Swimmers Ready for City Meet 2025

Greensboro has two Elks Lodge Locations. One is at 2201 W Cornwallis Drive (#602, photographed above)  and the other is in Kings Forest in East Greensboro at 2008 Phillips Avenue.  Lodge #602 was established in 1901. Based on  four virtues, Charity, justice, brotherly love, and fidelity,  the Elks focus on community involvement and charitable activities. The lodge on Cornwalis has three pools and is one of twenty teams in the Greensboro Community Swim Association.  When the photo was taken yesterday afternoon, the Elks swim team was either finished practicing for the day or set to arrive later that afternoon. 

While the summer dual meets are over, 2025 City Meet begins today, at the Greensboro Aquatic Center (GAC). If you want to see an example of how Greensboro comes together to celebrate community, head to the GAC and cheer on these young swimmers. Good luck to all the teams. May each member of the Elks Stampede team swim their personal best and bring back some great stories to share at their home pool. Let's hope the weather holds out.

Happy Thursday!

Train Depot Starts the 400 Block of South Elm

We know we've featured it before, but today, we're featuring the train depot as it represents 50% of the buildings in the 400 block of South Elm Street; with Christman's, on the south side of the railroad tracks, representing the other 50%. The east side of Elm in the south 400 block has a pie-shaped, vacant lot. The address of the (currently unoccupied)  Southern Railway Passenger Depot is 400 South Elm Street. Built in 1899, it has one chapter of its life  in the 19th century, several chapters in the 20th century,  and is about to get a new life in the 21st century. 

The North Carolina Railroad Company purchased the building in 2022 and, through a partnership with the City of Greensboro, will develop the space as commercial, mixed-use, in a way that maintains the integrity of the building. We love the way this photo shows the "railroad crossing" sign and there is a bicycle in view. You can also see the tip of the Blumenthal Building.  If you've been around a while, you will remember the Blumenthal Clothing Store, that catered to "big and tall" men. It was a step back in time to shop there in the 1990s, but then, it had been a Greensboro institution for almost a century (1926-2012). 

Happy Wednesday!

Pedestrians In Front of the 523 South Elm Street Mural

The above scene was captured during the Fun Fourth Freedom Fest this past Friday. There were so many people walking downtown, taking advantage of outdoor music and other activities along Elm Street. The photo also shows off the mural at 523 South Elm. While the building dates to the early 1900's, it appears that several changes have been made to the original structure.* One change is the fact that the second floor no longer has windows. However, the flat surface was the perfect "canvas" for the mural of an acoustic guitar and roses. The building looks so different from the early years where there was a hardware store and hotel there.

The mural is by JEKS who is based in Greensboro and has done several murals in Greensboro and beyond.  He is self taught graffiti artist and muralist. The lower blocks of the South Elm Street area are really being known for entertainment. Ziggy's, replacing Artistik, is a live music venue so the mural fits with the building's current purpose. Seeing all of the people, adds great warmth to the mural, and the photo, and just may be reminiscent of the early 1900's years when the downtown area where most business was conducted.

Happy Tuesday!

 

* see Section 7 p. 54 here for more information.

Summer Travel Through PTI Airport

Before we start today's post, we hope everyone is OK after all of the rain and flooding in the Central North Carolina. Also, if you are seeing pop up ads embedded in Greensboro Daily Photo, we apologize. We are working to try to figure out how to get rid of them. Now, on to today's post.

While Greensboro is a great place for staycations, summer travel elsewhere can be memorable, too.  The Fourth of July is one of the most traveled weekends of summer. In Greensboro, we are about half way between the mountains and the coast and the options are many. For air travel, options are limitless. The above photo was taken during a recent approach into Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI).  In the air, it is fun to keep looking out the window, until something recognizable comes into view. Here, just behind the plane's wing,  is a clear view of Embassy Suites at I-40. 

We try to use PTI, as opposed to driving to Raleigh or Charlotte. Our local airport is small, but efficient. Lines and crowds are rarely an issue. Chances are, you will you will see someone you know and people don't dread giving you a ride.  Over the past two years, flight options at PTI have increased, as has passenger usage. In reading this article, we also learned that in 2024, PTI had more than 300 international flights on corporate and private jet charters. International travel requires U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. While this won't be happening for the general public at PTI this summer, perhaps it is on the horizon.

Have a great rest of July with these extra hours of daylight!

Meredeth Summers, Minister of Choral Music-- White Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church

Today, we’re featuring Meredeth Summers, Minister of Choral Music at White Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church. White Oak Grove, located at 2600 Assembly Road in East Greensboro, traces its roots back to 1905, when a group of believers established a Baptist church under a tree in their community, known as Smith Village.

This photo was taken not at church, but in front of the Gallery of Leaders at the Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Pretoria, South Africa. The location is fitting, as Meredeth wears many leadership hats and serves as a role model to many. In addition to sharing her musical gifts at church, Meredeth is Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Board of Trustees at Guilford College. She refers to herself as a “serial entrepreneur,” having started businesses since childhood and mentored others to do the same.*  Meredeth is also both a lawyer and accountant.

Meredeth has just returned from South Africa where she lead a group of eight participants on a U.S. Department of Education Fulbright-Hays grant, focused on developing an entrepreneurial curriculum and providing cross-cultural awareness. This was the first Fulbright-Hays grant awarded to Guilford College—made possible by Meredeth’s leadership and initiative.

Now back from South Africa, Meredeth hasn’t missed a beat. She’ll be at church today, sharing her musical talent, inspired by the memory of her mother’s pitch-perfect voice and wisdom.

Happy Sunday!

* While Meredeth holds many titles, we’re honoring the Guilford College/Quaker tradition of using first names.

Freedom Fest 2025

Greensboro's Freedom Fest 2025 was so much fun yesterday. The festival was spread out from Gate City Boulevard to Market Street, along Elm and there were stages for singers on each end. People were singing and dancing. The sun was shining, but temperatures weren't unbearably hot.

The above photo was taken at Hamburger Square, at the railroad tracks, The City of Greensboro had a firetruck out spraying water for all who were interested. Children were thrilled to run through the water. Some were building up confidence, learning to not be afraid of water. The little boy on the left was still in diapers, but already ready to  join the fun.  The next holiday is not until Labor Day and it marks the end of summer. We hope you find a way to enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Happy Saturday!

 

Happy Fourth of July 2025

In researching these posts this week, we learned that the "Fun Fourth" festival in Downtown Greensboro was renamed "Freedom Fest" in 2023. The event will be held from 1:00- 6:00 pm downtown. After a concert in the "Grasshopper stadium," and at dark, the fireworks show will begin.

While the Freedom Fest mostly takes place downtown, today's photo features a scene in the Kirkwood neighborhood, just north of town. For the past 76 years (1949), the families of Kirkwood have been celebrating the holiday as a neighborhood. The event was initiated  by four families who walked around the neighborhood carrying a flag. From this meaningful and humble beginning, the event has grown into a giant celebration with music, a parade on Independence Drive with a  giant flag draped over the street.

Here is a three minute WFMY YouTube video detailing the history. This event is enough to make one want to live in this family-friendly neighborhood, just north of Irving Park.

In Anticipation of Fun Fourth Freedom Fest

This photo in downtown Greensboro shows you how, tomorrow,  Fun Fourth Freedom Fest comes by its name. Hamburger Square will be filled with adults and children gleefully enjoying the event. Community service workers like firefighters, police officers, and community representatives will be milling about connecting and engaging with the public. Most businesses will be open and will appreciate your patronage. There will be street vendors, performers, and activities for children.

Starting tonight, some streets will be closed off. So, allow plenty of time and to plan ahead for parking due to not only festivities, but also construction taking place at Greene and Bellemeade.  Here is more information, provided by WFMY.  Remember to dress up in your festive red, white, and blue gear for more of an immersive experience.

See you there!