Greensboro Daily Photo

1899 Depot Coming Soon!

The Southern Railways, 1899 Depot, is being brought back to life and  is something we've all been waiting for. If you go downtown for the Festival of Lights this Friday, December 1st, have a look at this building as you cross the railroad tracks at 400 South Elm Street. If you peek to the left, you can see the railroad tracks running along the building. Trains come by here all day long, so it will be important for the building to be structurally sound and as soundproof as reasonable.

The above building was only used for 28 years as a train railway when, in 1927, it was replaced by the station on East Washington Street. In an WFMY2 News article from early summer, Downtown Greensboro Inc. President Zach Matheny mentions that the hope the restored building will have a restaurant, bar, and social space inside. Given the fact the building is 124 years old, it remains in remarkably good shape- at least what we can see on the exterior. See this link for a view of how the building looked back when it was a train station. We love the way Greensboro makes an effort to respect the history of the downtown's architectural footprint, knowing that updates are needed for a space to be 21st century relevant.

Happy Tuesday!

Greensboro-opoly

We saw the Greensboro edition of Monopoly, Greensboro-opoly, the other day at Walgreens. On the one hand, we regret not purchasing it (19.99), because it would be so much fun to see what they feature. On the other hand we don't usually make it through a game of Monopoly, so we resisted. If you are a local business and have a game section, this would be a great addition. Let us know, and we'll come play a round and purchase a round of coffee and pastries- or whatever you're business features.

Here is a list of all the licensed and localized versions of Monopoly. Perhaps the list has not been updated to include Greensboro. If you have a copy of Greensboro-opoly and ever want to meet up to play. Let us know. It could be fun.

Happy Monday!

Moravia Moravian Church of Oak Ridge

 

Last week, in preparing a post about the First Moravian Church of Greensboro, we were searching for more Moravian history in the Greensboro area. In searching, we were actually directed to the Greensboro Daily Photo post (4/3/22) about the Moravia Moravian Church in Oak Ridge (see HERE). Moravia Moravian, located at 2920 Oak Ridge Road, was started by Jennie Donnell, who had been a Methodist, but adopted her husband's faith upon marrying Robin Kerner in the late 1800s. The original church was a wooden structure. In 1964, a brick church was constructed to replace the wooden one and held its first service on Christmas Eve. The property has an ample yard with a play area for children, a covered picnic shelter, a cemetery and a new columbarium. 

Since last year's photo featured the exterior, we thought we'd share an interior view of the church. The stained glass windows add great visual interest. We wanted to feature the Moravians again because this Friday and Saturday are the big Candle Tea days for the Moravian Church at 304 South Elam Avenue. This tea has been a Greensboro tradition since 1962. There will be music in the sanctuary, a putz, arts and crafts, and plenty of people to answer any questions you may have. See the schedule HERE. 

Happy Sunday!

Finn Phoenix Music

Happy Small Business Saturday! Today is the day we are all encouraged to make purchases from small businesses. The Greensboro farmers markets are a great place to start. The Piedmont Triad Farmers Market opens at 7:00 am. The Greensboro Curb Market opens at 7:30 am. The Corner Farmers Market on West Market Street opens at 8:00 am. The above photo was taken at the Greensboro Curb Market at the special event last Sunday. It features Finn Phoenix who bills himself as a singer/songwriter/kid. At only 13 years of age, Finn has already been playing and performing music for five years. According to his website, Finn has performed at over 50 events. You may have seen him at Dunleath Porch Fest, Art in the Arboretum, The Festival of Lights, or Fun Fourth, or more. Finn is a local talent who will likely go far with his career. His parents manage his social media and event calendar for him, but he has the drive and motivation to keep his career on a successful trajectory.

We're not sure if Finn will be playing at any of the farmers markets today, but keep your eyes open. You will see him around town. Here is a sweet song he wrote when he was ten years old, "Raindrops on the Roof in Alabama."  While he is performer more than a small business, this is an example of supporting people in our local community. Let's all give positive words, tips, likes and shares on social media, and listen to his music while we are out making those local purchases.

Enjoy your day!

Happy Black Friday

For us, today calls for a relaxing photo for Black Friday. If you are not up for the frenzy of shopping sales and getting out with the crowds, consider taking a nature hike. The above photo features crepe myrtle seed pods and the orange blur in the background are the leaves still holding on to their fall glory. Especially during the 1990s in Greensboro, when so many new neighborhoods were being created, crepe myrtle was the prescribed, seemingly required landscaping item- de rigueur  as the French would say. It seemed like every lot in Adams Farm and Lake Jeanette had at least one crepe myrtle in the yard. Now, some of them have grown into power lines. Some have been "crepe murdered" as some call the thick trunks that get lopped off. The Lagerstroemia indica variety of crepe myrtle was introduced in the United States in the early years of the arrival of Europeans. Since then, so many varieties have been developed with special attention paid to color and length of blooming season. Read this great article if you want some great crepe myrtle history. *

If you are looking for a different kind of Greensboro adventure today, head to Glenwood for to the Really, Really Free Market. You don't need to bring items in order to take items home, but it is so fun to see things you no longer need go to a new home. The market is located on Florida Street between Glenwood and Lexington Avenues. Start some crepe myrtles from seed this year and take the young plants to next year's Really, Really Free Market. If you need a retail fix, remember to shop local, especially tomorrow which is Small Business Saturday.

Happy Friday!

 

*Learn more about crepe myrtle, HERE.

Happy Thanksgiving 2023

Happy Thanksgiving! Today, we're featuring the "Helping Hands" sculpture by Gary Lee Price, in front of the Cone Health Cancer Center on Friendly Avenue. The sculpture was installed in recognition of volunteerism by the Wesley Long Hospital Auxiliary. For Thanksgiving, celebrated by so many, let us not forget those who are at work today, caring for our loved ones or seeing that needed services are available. Those of us who are off, let us be thankful.

As we enter the holiday season between Thanksgiving and Christmas, may we all remember to help each other. If you are able, please volunteer, either formally for an organization or informally for a friend or neighbor. If you need help, may someone be there with helping hands. Often, something as simple as a phone call, letter, or card makes all the difference. In Greensboro, Jewish volunteers fill in for Christian employees at the hospital on Christmas. This is such a lovely gesture. Today, we are thankful for those who give the gift of time. The sculpture also reminds us of the importance of touch. Here's to all of us touching the lives of others, in any way we can.

Happy Thanksgiving! We are grateful for you!

Gate City Pharmacy at Friendly Center

All was calm at Friendly Center yesterday. Likely, Black Friday, it will be filled with shoppers. The waving Santa should be there on Black Friday, waving and bringing joy to shoppers. The above photo features the view from the door at Gate City Pharmacy in the original part of Friendly Center. This family-owned pharmacy opened in the late 1960s and have been building their loyal customer base since then. Gate City is known for its customer service and the ease with which you can talk to a pharmacist. A very nice article was written about Gate City in "Our State Magazine" ten years ago (see here). For only having 3,500 square feet of retail space, they sure pack a lot into the store. And in spite of being sizably smaller that an chain pharmacy, they always seem to have just what you need.

 

The Healing Gardens At Wesley Long

When we talk to civic groups about Greensboro Daily Photo, often people make suggestions of people, places, and events we should feature. Almost always, we have already written a post about the suggested place. One place we have yet to publish is the Healing Gardens on the grounds of Wesley Long Hospital at the Cancer Center. Yesterday, we had an opportunity to walk the path and oh how much we enjoyed the gardens. The gardens have different sections, some for walking, others for sitting with friends and family, and others for reflecting. Different phases of the gardens were completed in 2016 and 2017. They are open year round. At first we were disappointed to be their past peak of spring, summer, and fall phase. As we walked, however, we realized that every season will hold its own beauty- just like life Now, brown and rust are dominant, but as you can see from the above photo, there are other colors standing out at the moment.  The feather grasses majestically flank the path back to the Cancer Center.

The two acres of gardens have Wendover Avenue and Buffalo Creek on one side. That side is heavy on trees to help as a sound and visual screen. According to an O. Henry Magazine article, there are 353 trees within the garden and 234 more along Wendover Avenue. It is well worth a visit to these gardens, with someone special or alone. Look for additional posts of this special area.

Happy Tuesday!