Greensboro Daily Photo

Southern Line and the Norfolk Southern Corp.

Today's rustic photo represents a bygone era. The above rail cars, to the right of a pile of used railroad ties, look retired. The scene gives the illusion of being in a rural area, when actually is is located on a busy section of road on Spring Garden Street between Gay Terrace and Merritt Drive. It is very near the site of the long-gone Pomona Cotton Mill.  It reminds us that Greensboro has changed a lot over the last few decades.

However, the Norfolk Southern Corp still maintains the track that runs through this area (barely visible on the right side) with a terminal at Merritt Drive. Norfolk Southern is a dynamic corporation that still carries over 70 freight trains in North Carolina. Greensboro is nicknamed "The Gate City" because so many freight and passenger lines cross through here and the rail network dates back to the mid-1800s, before the Civil War. Let today's little bit of nostalgia remind you that planning a train ride would be a great addition to your summer plans- even if you just took Amtrack to another North Carolina City. With the taxi and car ride-hailing services widely available, you have plenty of transportation options as you reach your destination. While you wouldn't be going on the above cars, you do get an idea of some of the pretty scenery you would see along the way.

If you like catchy rail slogans, Norfolk Southern has had several: Tarwheel, is our favorite. As for Amtrak, our choice is "For the America you can't see anywhere else." Hop on for a little nostalgia this summer. Happy Tuesday! Public schools are rapidly coming to a close for the academic year; so, many of us really do need to secure some summer plans!

2426 Camden Road

Yesterday afternoon, Camden Road was filled with families out for a stroll. Some children were riding bicycles, one toddler was dressed in a princess outfit, many people had dogs, neighbors were in their front yards talking. Truly, the Sunset Hills/Lindley Park neighborhoods were enjoying every moment of the overcast skies. Temperatures were in the mid-60s, but it seemed cooler since the sun wasn't out. The above photo is of 2426 Camden Road, just a few blocks away from Lindley Elementary School. According to the signage in the yard, this house has a graduating senior. Most of the schools are having in-person graduation services this year. Let's hope that is the case for this soon-to-be graduate.

This house, built in 1927, is a lot bigger than it looks from the front. According to Zillow, it is 2,400 square feet with five bedrooms and two baths. The landscaping on the property continues to delight people who are out strolling along the sidewalks. As you can see, the front yard of the house is filled with raised beds, and right now, the foxgloves are putting on a glorious show. Foxglove stems were a big hit when they were at the Corner Market on Walker and Elam. Now, we're wondering if by chance they came from this house! We're also wondering if the black cat lives here, or if he has just stopped by for a visit.

Happy Monday! We hope you have a great week and you are in a position to get out and enjoy all of the effort people are putting into their Greensboro yards.

West Market Street UMC

Today's photo is a view of the iconic Lincoln Financial Corporation building and the West Market Street United Methodist Church. It was taken from the northwest corner of the Governmental Plaza, near the Dr. George Simkins statue. The JP Building, now LFC. At one time, it was the tallest building between Atlanta and Washington D.C. Especially with the time and temperature at the top, it stands as a beacon in Greensboro. To the left in the photo, you see the south side of the West Market Street United Methodist Church. This vibrant, dynamic church offers traditional and contemporary services. They have something for everyone! Their music services are quite impressive. Dating back to 1873, West Market Street UMC is one of the oldest churches in Greensboro. Their stained glass windows are stunning and the sound of the Dobson-Rosales organ is memorable. There are approximately 2,000 members at West Market Street UMC, and do, if you are looking for a church that offers many programs and services for its members, this may well be the church for you. 

Fortunately, the church has an extensive history online. See their timeline and more photos here. Have a happy Sunday, no matter how or where you spend it!

Yum Yum Ice Cream on Spring Garden Street

Yum Yum has been a Greensboro tradition since 1906. While workers, ice-cream flavors, owners, and location have change over the last century, all of the goodness of Yum Yum has remained constant. The hand-scooped ice cream is fresh and tasty. After 100+ years, the Aydelette family has soul the business to the Lipp family and  the Lipps are making an effort to keep the ice cream shop the same. They do take credit cards now. That is a big different. Today would be a great day for an ice cream. Head on over, get some good ice cream, and make  some good memories. You can eat indoors, outside, or get your order to go!

People build so memories going to Yum Yum, especially when they are attending UNCG. One of the old, stand by flavors is Oreo cookie. Today sounds like it would be a perfect day for ice cream, at the corner of Stirling and Spring Garden Street. Happy Saturday!

Southern Conference Softball Championship 2021

The Southern Conference Softball Championship continues today and tomorrow, hosted by UNCG. The above photo, taken yesterday during game 1, features the softball field on the northwest corner of the UNCG campus. * The stadium was built in 2006 on the site of the old softball stadium and this beautiful facility has hosted the Southern Conference Championship every other year since 2014. It also hosted in 2007 and in 2013.

At 12:30 pm today, #1 UNCG will play #2 Western Carolina in Game 4 of the tournament.  Game 5 will be held at 3:00pm with #4 Mercer playing the Game 4 loser. Game 6 will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday with a match up between the Game 4 and 5 winners. If necessary, there will be a Game 6. The Chattanooga team earned the 2019 championship title. Chattanooga lost to Mercer in Game 3 today.

If you love softball or have a child who plays, you should consider attending a game here some year. However, at present, it looks like it is "pass list only", as UNCG is still taking every precaution in these Covid times. Last year the championship was cancelled altogether, so players are super happy to be back out on the fields and looked so ready to play as they filed into the stadium yesterday in their uniforms and representing their universities.

This is the 100th year of the Southern Conference. Let's hope the Spartans take all!  See the conference website here.

Rainbow Alley... and Reflecting on the Concept

Historically, alleys served a very important purpose. The narrow passageways behind buildings facilitate the delivery and removal of things. They lead to service entrances. They a provide a quick exit. As the weather warms up, alleys have a way of staying cooler longer and providing much needed breezes for the buildings around it. Often they become great public spaces.* Greensboro is not really known for its use of alleys, although with a little intervention by artists, people are starting to take notice. Rainbow Alley, by Gina Franco, starts beside the Biltmore Hotel at West Washington Street and continues behind Scuppernong Books, Jerusalem Market, Deuterman Law, and other businesses. It changes character with the weather. Last week, the shadows cast on a sunny day punctuated the painted stripes. It was as if there were a railroad on the rainbow road.

This alley, and the alley behind Elsewhere Museum in the 600 block of South Elm Street are the two alleys that seem to get the most use in Greensboro.  Let's examine our Greensboro alleys and imagine the possibilities. What alleys exist in Greensboro? Google searches only yield links about the Rainbow Alley and bowling alleys! Is there a list? If you want to orient to the location of the photo, find that JP/LFG clock peeking at you.

 

* Here is a publication for Seattle, WA meant to encourage additional use of alley spaces for the public. Perhaps this initiative is worth considering for Greensboro (#DGSO?).

Greensboro Bound Virtual

Yesterday, on GDP, we celebrated Greensboro's public library system. Today's photo is the window of Scupperonong Books, advertising the Greensboro Bound Virtual Literary Festival begins tomorrow; another example of literary goodness in our community. Greensboro Bound is billed as a festival for "readers, writers, students, academics, and volunteers who are passionate about books, writing, and reading". It is a non-profit organization established in 2017 (reference and more information). The festival is the brainchild of  Steve Colyer and Scuppernong Books owners. The annual festival has hosted many writers, many of whom are known internationally. 

Here is a link to see the list of events and RSVP to attend virtually. Many of the topics are timely and something for everybody across genres from young adult fiction to short stories, poems, cookbooks, crime writing, and more. When community partners, businesses, writers, and volunteers come together, in an event celebrating reading and writing, everyone benefits and the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts! Drop into a session and enjoy!

Central Library of the Greensboro Public Library System

Have you been to a public library lately? Today's photo is of the Central Library of the Greensboro Public Library system, the children's section. It is so beautiful, clean, and inviting. We visited on Saturday and there were just a few people in the whole building. The public library system is one of the few places where anyone and everyone has the right to visit. Truly, it is for the public. They are back to regular hours, yet are still offering curbside pick-up. They are also starting to reinstate special events, although most are still online (see an example, HERE).

The Greensboro Library system was established in 1902. Construction for the Central Branch in the current location began in 1997. Previously, it was located in the building that currently houses the Elon Law School at 201 North Greene Street. That other building was completed in 1960 with the local architect Edward Loewenstein and Gregory Ivy involved in the design. But, this former property is history and the current building is built with the public in mind. We have easy access to all the books and there are plenty of computers to use. Dust off your library card; the amazing world of books is just a swipe away. Happy Tuesday!