Greensboro Daily Photo

MLK Bust Recast in Bronze and Installed in Ole Asheboro

Wilbur Lee Mapp's cement bust of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., sat for years at the corner of MLK, Jr. Drive and South Elm Street (featured, here, in 2010). Over the years, it began to show wear, as cement is not durable with respect to holding up to the elements. Greensboro sculptor Jim Gallucci worked with Mr. Mapp to cast the bust in bronze. Mr. Mapp was an integral part of the process to the very end. While he saw the bust completed in Mr. Gallucci's studio, Mr. Mapp did not live to see the dedication and the work of art in its new home at the corner of MLK, Jr. Boulevard and Bragg Street.

Mr. Gallucci says that the situation is bittersweet. On the one hand, Mr. Mapp lived to see his sculpture converted to a more durable material, but he did not see it installed in the heart of the Ole Asheboro neighborhood. Fortunately, many of his family members were on hand  Monday for the dedication. They are featured above, with Mr. Gallucci who is on the left wearing a Russian-inspired hat.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Ole Asheboro

Yesterday was a busy day at the corner of MLK, Jr. Boulevard and Bragg Street, in the heart of  Ole Asheboro. The above photo features the ribbon cutting ceremony for Monday's opening of another segment of the Downtown Greenway. This part of the greenway is very special to the history of Greensboro, not  only for its significance to the revitalization efforts in Ole Asheboro, but also for the installation of three pieces of very meaningful art.

The family of Wilbur Lee Map was on hand for the installation of Mapp's 1994 bust of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. In close collaboration with Mr. Mapp, local sculptor Jim Gallucci took Mapp's cement bust of Dr. King and recast it in bronze. Mr. Mapp lived to see the bronze bust completed, but not installed. Also installed on the southside of the greenway were two steel sculptures by Vandorn Hinnant, a Greensboro artist now living in Durham. It is so nice to see citizens, artists, and politicians coming together to celebrate Greensboro. The well-attended event was just perfect for MLK holiday.

Super Blood Wolf Lunar Eclipse Moon

The super blood wolf lunar eclipse moon was beautiful as it rose over Lake Higgins last night. The sky was clear and the breezes were cold. Near Lake Higgins, owls were communicating with each other, filling the night with interesting sounds. Hopefully this full moon be the start of a good day where the Greensboro community comes together to remember Martin Luther King, Jr.'s activism and leadership in the civil rights movement.

Equity is a key component to every community. If you want to be involved, there are plenty of options. Today from 11-1pm, you can enjoy the Martin Luther King Parade downtown. After the parade is the unveiling of the bronze bust at the corner of MLK, Jr. Drive and Bragg Street. The Four Seasons Mall will also have students performing, helping with a blood drive, and so much more. Consider spending the day in service and in support of civil rights for all. 

St Benedict

The above photo features an exterior view of Saint Benedict's Catholic Church on North Elm Street. It was taken last night, just before the 5:00 pm Saturday night mass. It was a gray, overcast day, and St. Benedict's looked so warm and inviting with the lights on and the stained glass windows glowing. Built in the late 1870's it is the oldest Catholic church in Greensboro. 

The church was recently renovate and the interior is breathtaking. Last year, the interior view was featured on Greensboro (see, here). While the exterior is landlocked and right at the street, when  you go inside, it is as if you are transported to another world. The congregation is extremely guest friendly, if you are interested in visiting. Happy Sunday!

Lincoln Financial Building 2019

Today's featured photo is of Greensboro's iconic Lincoln Financial (Jefferson Pilot) building in all of its glory. Perhaps because winter has so many gray days, it is special on the sunny winter days with blue skies. Yesterday, the afternoon sky in Greensboro was breathtaking. 

This photo was taken from Spring Garden Street, in College Hill, just west of Fulton Street. The Jefferson Standard Building, the white "wing", peeking out on the right, dates to 1923, when it was the tallest building in North Carolina. The central part, with the pyramid on top, is the 20-story addition built in 1990. Together, the cluster is the anchor view of Greensboro's skyline. 

Have a great weekend, and, if you get a chance, participate in the many events centered around the Martin Luther King holiday weekend. 

Nathanael Greene Watching over Greensboro

Time to say goodbye to another week and hello to another weekend. Above is a photo of the commemorative Nathanael Greene statue. The 22-foot tall statue by sculptor James Barnhill has been guarding the city since 2008, the year of Greensboro's bicentennial. A Quaker himself, General Greene reminds us of our city's Quaker heritage.*

The statue in the Holliday Circle roundabout, at Greene Street, has a lot of information at the base and is well worth visiting if you are downtown this weekend. If you are visiting from elsewhere, this statue is a great place to start a tour. Happy Friday!

* reference and link to more information, here.

January in Greensboro

It has been said by many a merchant that January is not the best month for retail in Greensboro. Actually, that is the case with the "J" months in general. January is cold and dark, and people are all spent out from Christmas. This January is especially hard given the situation for federal employees. However, June and July are low retail months, too, as so many locals head to the beach. 

The above photo was taken, earlier in the week, in front of Pier 1 Imports in Friendly Center, where leftover holiday merchandise was 70% off. On a bleak January day, it was so heartwarming to see a precious doggie, loved, well cared for, and on THIS side of the window, waiting for his owner to come back outside and join the rest of his family.

These Shoes

Do you ever go to a yard sale or antique mall and find things that make you chuckle? The above photo is the source of one such chuckle. These shoes are currently available at the Antique Marketplace on Burnt Poplar Road, near the I-40/Highway 68 intersection. If memory serves, the price is $55.

The tradition of bronzing household items has been around since the BC era. The American Bronzing Company of Ohio (established 1934) has bronzed over 14 million pairs of baby shoes. The nostalgia factor for parents wanting to preserve their baby’s shoes is understandable. However, seeing a pair of men’s lofers bronzed certainally evokes many questions. Why? Whose were they? If they were so important to bronze in the first place, why are they up for sale now? Who will buy them, and what will they do with them? So curious. How did they end up in an antique store in Greensboro? One thing is certain, these bronzed shoes are not made for walkin’….