Greensboro Daily Photo

Musings from the Lake at St. Timothy's

Today's photo was taken just off of Hilltop road, on the property of St. Timothy's United Methodist Church. We'll feature the actual church tomorrow, but for today, we're sharing this little spot that is perfect for reflecting and appreciating nature. It is right across from Adam's Farm at Adam's Farm Parkway. Hilltop used to be a sleepy little two lane road; now it is four lanes with a turn lane in the middle. A thin layer of trees separates this quite area from traffic and the bustle of suburbia. There are even benches for quiet reflection along St. Timothy's ponds. We are sitting on one installed by Jack and Pat Lambert in memory of Bill Shelor and Margie Kirby. What an act of love to install a bench.

 It is hard to believe that in the late 1980's, this whole area was woods and that soon, what was 710 acres of trees and fields would become 1,600 houses and 900 apartments. Adams Farm, just across the street from this spot, was a one of Greensboro's early big, planned-unit,  suburban developments.*  Adams Farm has its own, lake- 17 acres. Soon, we'll wander over to and take some photos at Adams Farm. It is hard to imagine that those first babies born in Adams Farm are now are now in their mid 30s!. As for today, we'll sit right here, listening to birds chirp and frogs croak, admiring these beautiful, yet tenacious daisies. 

Wonder what we would see and hear, were we to sit here until church starts in the morning. 

 

* Read this interesting News & Record article about the Adams Farm neighborhood concept here. (We are so thankful to community journalism and the archives it establishes).

Fledglings Vs. Nestlings

Do you know the difference between a fledgling and a nestling? Above, is a fledgling. Its parents, a pair of cardinals, were nearby, monitoring this baby bird's every move. It couldn't quite fly yet, but could hop around and balance on branches. This baby is a fledgling and should be left alone to continue on its journey to learning to fly. We saw it when we were on a walk in northwest Greensboro, near Horse Pen Creek Road. A nestling is a bird that can't even stand on its own, and it almost looks naked Nestlings, probably won't survive if they fall out of the nest, but fledglings will. As a matter of fact, their road to flying is being scaffolded. Greensboro's own Happy Tails Veterinary Clinic shares a lot about baby animals, here.a lot

We took the above photo a few weeks ago; so, by now, there aren't as many fledglings in Greensboro. But, we can still be on the lookout for small animals and, in most cases, let nature take its course. We hope you have a happy Friday and that you get out to explore the city a little today. Complete unrelated to baby birds, but, related to things to do in Greensboro, please consider attending Porchfest in Dunleath tomorrow. Unfortunately, we won't be able to stop by, but there will be so much live music going on in the neighborhood. Please check out the events (HERE), and do be on the lookout for animals in the road... including humans!

 

Historic Country Club Condominiums

Yesterday, we featured a home in Kirkwood. Today, we head a little bit southeast, just off of Elm Street at Sunset. Above, are the historic Country Club Condominiums. At one time, they were apartments and, in about 2007, they were converted to condominiums. They were originally erected in 1937 as Greensboro's first garden-style apartment complex. The facades are white brick and, what you see at the entrance are "implied quoins" at the corners. The complex was originally financed by Julian Price and Emry Green, the former being president of Jefferson Standard Life Insurance the the latter president of Pilot Life. The center of the complex forms a big circle, looping to and from Elm Street. In the center is a gated 2-acre green space for residents to enjoy.  

If you want to read more about the garden-style apartment complex, read this article by Preservation Greensboro. It is very informative. Greensboro is lucky to have Preservation Greensboro, AND this fabulous cluster of condos. If you get a chance, drive the loop.  While this property was erected in 1937, it feels as if it were brand new.

2004 Fernwood Drive

2004 Fernwood Drive is located in the heart of Kirkwood. It is one of those post- World War II homes that have held their charm for the past seventy years. The above house was built in 1948 and look at how adorable it is. The landscaping adds such great curb appeal. The white fence really punctuates the yard and the plants at the sidewalk.

We noticed it because we were driving looking for hydrangeas in bloom, and this yard was a stand-out. Curiously, most of them are blue, but there is one pinkish-purple bush on the left. Do you have hydrangeas in your yard? If so, what color are they? This three bedroom, two bathroom house last sold in 1988 and there is no sign that it is selling any time soon! Have a happy Wednesday. Here's to great neighbors and great yards! Kirkwood residents are gearing up for Fourth of July Fun, and so is downtown Greensboro!

Fishbones Restaurant

Fishbones is a modern bar and grill, located at 2119 Walker Avenue between Sunset Hills and Lindley Park. It was opened by Neil Reitzel in 2000 right beside the former location of the Blind Tiger. The Blind Tiger has long since moved to Spring Garden Street, but Fishbones is still going strong at the corner of Walker and Elam for over twenty years. Over the last two decades, this part of town has seen a lot of young families move into the neighborhood and Fishbones has the ambience of a restaurant and bar for locals.

Fishbones serves a wide variety of food with seafood being among the most popular dishes- especially the fish and chips. Since Fishbones has reopened from the pandemic, they have stayed busy. We arrived around 6:00 pm one evening last week, and by 7:00 pm, all of the seats were taken. They offer indoor and outdoor seating and take out. The above photo gives you a feel for the ambience. The tin roof and wooden floor are charming. The photo also gives you an idea of the seating; indoors, the chairs are tall, outside, they are not. Here is an article from the News & Record when they first opened. Happy Tuesday. Where is your "go to" place. Is it the same as it was pre-Pandemic? 

The Carolina Buddies, Old-Time String Band

This past weekend, the 49th annual, Mt. Airy Blue Grass and Old-Time Fiddlers Convention was held in Mt. Airy, Surry County, North Carolina. While the convention was held about an hour north of Greensboro, our city was well represented at the event. Home base for many of our local musicians was the tent of the Piedmont Old Time Society. The above photo was taken while the Greensboro group, Carolina Buddies, was performing. The fiddler on the right is Aran Garnett-Deakin. Beside Aran is Greyson Leybourne, also on fiddle. Beside Greyson L. is Grayson Drum on guitar. Doug Shadwick is playing upright bass. The stage is located right in the middle of the field at Veterans Park and the performances serve as great entertainment for those people who either aren't camping or who just want to enjoy a good concert.

How wonderful that Aran, Greyson, Grayson, and Doug love playing acoustic, string-band music together. Let's hope they have a chance to perform locally in Greensboro. All four are talented and versatile musicians. Here's to a great week. The summer sure is looking better and better now that opportunities to hear live music are becoming available. The Piedmont Old-Time Society has an open jam on the first and third Thursdays at Pig Pounder Brewery. It is a nice opportunity to hear some great music. Who knows? You just may see some Carolina Buddies there!

Here is a link to their performance.

Spirit of Life

Do you ever notice a path and take it to see where it leads? We did that the other day, not too far from Lake Higgins. Initially, we were struck by the change in elevation*; the hill was quite steep. Sometimes Greensboro seems like it is completely flat, but as you head north of the city, change in elevation becomes more apparent. At the bottom of the hill in the photo, beside this triangular, moss-covered boulder, with birds chirping all around, Carolyn McDade's song, spirit of life came to mind. 

Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.

These six lines are so calming and peaceful. While most closely associated with the Unitarian Universalist church (see here), the message seems fitting for any religion. We hope you have a lovely Sunday and that perhaps take that walk off the beaten path and find your special secret place in Greensboro. 

*Officially, Greensboro's elevation is listed as 892'. Having spent the last thirteen years trying to develop expertise on Greensboro, we reckon we should know elevation, and population (291,303). We get asked the population question a lot, but don't think we've ever been asked about Greensboro's elevation.

South Battleground & Bellemeade Area

If you've walked along South Battleground and Bellemeade Street in downtown Greensboro, you've noticed the changes. The above photo was taken at Keto, just being the Carroll & Bellemeade Apartments.  The Zeto wine and specialty food shop just got a built in clientele with the addition of the apartments in their backyard. They have really brightened up the entrance and the signage is a stand-out feature. This part of town is looking very crisp and inviting. Of course, we are always happy when we can sneak in a view of the JP building, or, as the time and temp light on top remind us, the LFG- Lincoln Financial Group. Just think, those who live in the apartments to the right are only a block away from Zeto, Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, LeBauer Park, First National Bank Field, and more.

If we keep adding to this post, we just may convince ourselves to downsize an move to town! Happy Saturday! If time permits, head to town and explore!