Greensboro Daily Photo

International Civil Rights Center and Museum

Sometimes on our strolls up and down Elm Street, we see people hard at work. Such was the case the other day at the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. Wandering past the south 100 block of Elm, we noticed this man washing windows. This scene looks so different from the street-level view where the bright red sign with the bold gold letters that reads F.W. WOOLWORTH dominates the view. The upper half of the building has a muted teal and ivory glow, a little more like something from a Martha Stewart Living magazine.

If you are local, you likely know that this is  the location of the original lunch counter where the Greensboro (NC A&T) Four famously sat on February 1, 1960. To protest segregation, they demanded to be served a cup of coffee. Portions of the original lunch counter are also displayed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. Contrary to recent press, the lunch counter section continues to be on display in D.C.  As for Greensboro, we can't imagine the lunch counter seats ever not being on display. Meanwhile, this lone gentleman continues his job of getting those second floor windows to sparkle so that the museum will be beautiful from top to the basement- where the lunch counter remains on view.

If you need ideas for summer staycation activities and places to take out-of-town guests, visiting the International Civil Rights Center and Museum is a good one. Oh, and be sure to notice those clean windows.

Happy Tuesday!

 

The Corner Farmers Market at St Andrew's Episcopal on West Market Street

We caught the tail end of the Farmers Market on West Market Street yesterday. We were struck by the community venture it has become. Located in St. Andrew's parking lot at 2105 West Market Street, the Corner Market is truly a community venture. They invite vendors in to sell their bread, vegetables, soups, and arts and crafts. There is a children's art corner, an Australian farmer on Elam Street, who grows produce on not much more than acre of land, a young couple bringing their bread from Virginia. All of these vendors are such an integral part of the market. And then there are the customers, like the people in the above photo, who come to support local farmers and to show their children the source of their food. All of this magic happens on Saturday morning, thanks to the generosity of St. Andrew's.

Today, on Sunday morning,  the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, at St. Andrews Church, people will gather to celebrate Christ, their spirituality, and each other. St. Andres traces it's history in Greensboro back to 1891. The Episcopal has a rich history, over 130 years,  in Greensboro.* The Episcopal church, and especially St. Andrew's, values their relationship with people. As they say on their website, "not artifacts, not architecture, or even such actions as kneeling, singing, or making the sign of the cross."  They are about people in communion with God and each other. As we look at this fine relationship between St. Andrew's and the Corner Market, we realize, this is community at its best and at the core of why Greensboro is such a great place to live. Regardless of what you believe, we hope that you have a spiritual home (even if it is your own home) that nurtures your soul, literally and spiritually. We hope your spiritual home if one like St. Andrew's that allows all people in and believes building community is a big part of their mission.

Happy Sunday!

 

*read more HERE.

Destination Bike Shop at Barber Park for the Tuesday Night Riders

Happy August 1st everyone! The above photo was taken on Tuesday night with the Tuesday bicycle group that departs from cycles de ORO on Hill Street at 6:30 pm. The Tuesday ride route took us to the Bike Shop at Barber Park in East Greensboro. This is a place where bicycles get donated and volunteers learn to repair them. When they are ready, community agencies come and pick them up to distribute to those who need transportation, usually to work. Just about as fast as they can fix them, agencies request them for their clients. Sheldon Herman (front in blue shirt) is one of the key volunteers. He helps teach people to repair and sees to it that the bikes are given away to people who need them. Also, on Sundays, there is a Bike Library where people visiting Barber Park can borrow a bike and ride it around the park.

This community resource was really good for the riders on the bike tour to see. This is a great repurposing of Greensboro old sewage treatment plant. If you are able to visit Barber Park on a Sunday, you should ask for a tour of the facility. This is such an important and innovative program in Greensboro. Meanwhile, the shop made a good half way point for riders on the 10 mile trek with the added bonus that there was a bathroom. David, who maps the routes (and was inside giving tours as he is very involved in the Bike Shop) took us along McConnel Road and we got to see all of the new houses being built. Riders also appreciated the fact that we didn't have to go on Florida Street, which, from the Bike Shop, is a steady incline for several miles- brutal for a novice cyclist. 

Head to the group bicycle ride that leaves from LeBauer Park at 6:30 pm tonight. Get there early if you want a to purchase a beverage from Lawn Service by Little Brother Brewing, one of the sponsors of the ride. Plus you will need to sigh in. There is a fast group and a slow group. No shame for being in the slow boat group. You just don't have to feel like you are holding anyone up.

Happy Thursday, the first day of August! 6

Hampton Homes

Hampton Homes is an apartment community located south of downtown Greensboro, between Gate City Boulevard, Elm/Eugene, and South Street. It is in the Warnersville neighborhood, and elementary school students attend the nearby Jones Elementary School. About four years ago, the Housing Authority of the City of Greensboro did a major interior and exterior renovation to Hampton Homes.  The 20+million dollar project greatly enhanced the community.*

The Warnersville Recreation Center is located nearby and they offer a lot of programs for children in the neighborhood, as do all of the local churches. This is a neighborhood that works to provide for children in the community. Monday-Thursday, free meals are available for children at  Jones Elementary School. Hopefully, there are other options for Fridays and the weekends. The school personnel who work through the summers work four day work weeks in the summer. The above photo, with no people outside is a little misleading, as this neighborhood is vibrant usually full of life. We'll have to stop back by and take a photo with children outdoors having some good old summer fun!

Happy Friday!

*reference and more information HERE.

Look Twice Clocks

This weekend, we were eating brunch at the bar at The Sage Mule at 608 Battleground Avenue, near Green Hill Cemetery when we spotted the above clock. Actually there was one of these clocks on each beam between the north bank of windows. The clocks were made by woodcarver David M. Hinshaw.  They are called Look Twice Clocks because the hour hand it on the top and the minute hand is on the bottom. Can you tell what time it is? 

The clock in the photo is made of spalted maple with walnut plugs. The plugs represent the hour. It is wonderful to eat at a local restaurant and see local art (available for sale) on the wall. Also, we love creativity of this woodworking project. We had never seen one before. Analog clocks are going the way of cursive writing; so it takes a special person to add yet another step to reading analog time: Split hands.  If you didn't figure it out, the current time on the above clock is 9:27.

Happy Monday!

NeighborWoods Program Brings Trees to Westerwood!

This past weekend, people came out in droves to participate in the tree planting event in Westerwood. The NeighborWoods is funded by private donations to Greensboro Beautiful, with support from the City of Greensboro and the Guilford County Extension Master Gardeners. The initiative is an effort to create tree canopy in neighborhoods where trees have been lost or damaged. The trees get planted in public areas and on streets and front lawn areas. In order to be selected, the neighborhood must show that they have the person power to ensure the trees are watered for the first three years and continue with long term maintenance.*

In addition to the fact that Westerwood will get about 150 new trees, it was also wonderful that people of all ages and walks of life came out to help with the tree planting. There were teams of sororities, college groups, master gardeners, neighbors, and more. The 2021 neighborhood to win the grant was Friendly Homes neighborhood. Friendly Homes is the neighborhood between Wesley Long Hospital and Villa drive and Mimosa. It will be fun to drive around the neighborhood this spring, as well as through Westerwood to see how the trees are doing. Greensboro is known for being a beautiful, green city. These new trees are sure to contribute to the beauty. Let's hope they got planted clear of power lines. Finally, we're wondering where all the shovels get stored and if school groups can check them out for school beautification projects.

Happy Monday!

 

*reference and learn more HERE.

Under the Greenway

This photo was taken a while back under the greenway at Spring Garden Street, near downtown. It captures the vibe that will be felt downtown today during First Friday (provided the weather agrees). People will be out milling around enjoying the all of the fine things downtown offers each first Friday of the month: Art exhibits, snacks, entertainment, and shops brimming with merchandise. We suspect the pumpkin flavoring may be rolled out, in lattes, cheesecake, and more.

If you notice the bike in the front of the photo, we thought we'd take a moment to remember Christopher Robert Fulp who died yesterday morning when his bicycle was hit by a car on Country Club Drive. Mr. Fulp's family and the family of the man who struck him will carry this sad event with them for the rest of their lives. Hopefully, they have friends and loved ones to help them through these very sad times. The road will be a long one. Greensboro is making an effort to be a bike-friendly community. However, as we can see from yesterday's sad event, we're not quite there.............. As always, be safe this weekend, dear readers. 

Beth David Synagogue

Beth David Synagogue, located at 804 Winview Drive, is a conservative egalitarian synagogue. The congregation dates back to 1944. In addition to Friday night services, they have Shabbat morning services, daily minyans, and many other services celebrating holy days and important life celebrations. Built in 1982, the exterior of the synagogue resembles an office building; however, on the inside, the artwork, the stained glass and holy spaces are spectacular. The above photo is a vertical mosaic of people with a Star of David in their heart. An attached plaque on the this artwork reads: 

TO REMEMBER THE PAST

TO LIVE THE PRESENT

TO TRUST THE FUTURE

ABBA KOVNER

HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR

The Greensboro Jewish Community has been contributing significantly to our city since the arrival of the first Jewish families in the 1890's. If you are interested in learning more about Greensboro's Jewish community, read here.  As stated in this article, a component of the great philanthropic tradition, the mitzvah, is centered around the belief that a better community as a whole is good for the Jewish residents too. Shabbat shalom and may this beautiful synagogue be with us for many generations to come! (Dina in Jerusalem, this one's for you)! Finally, we just can't resist sharing today's post with Weekend Reflection!

 

Inside J. Douglas Gaylon Depot

If you are in Greensboro and have never gone inside the J. Douglas Gaylon Depot, we suggest putting it on your "to visit" list. It was built in 1927 as the replacement facility for Greensboro's train terminal on Elm Street. The mural behind the clock depicts the Southern Railway network in the 1920's, in the era when the facility was built. Today it is known as a "multi-modal transportation facility" because not only trains but also busses-- local, regional, and national-- provide transportation here. With good reason, it is billed as one of Greensboro's treasured places. The extensive 32 million dollar restoration project took over four years to complete. Wouldn't it be wonderful if every child in Greensboro would have the opportunity to take a train ride to and from this depot?

In case you can't visit in person: To the left, just beyond the viewfinder, are what must be the original benches for passengers to wait. Down the hallway from the clock and mural are the platforms train platforms. To the right are the ticket counters. Just beyond the view on the right is the new Carolina Blues Coffee Shop. While on site for our photo shoot, we just had to go and treat ourselves to a bagel and coffee. The atmosphere is so inviting. The staff is friendly, the coffee is good, and the shop fills a much needed void in the depot. Previously, the only beverages available were the vending machines. Now, travelers and visitors alike can head on in for a cup of coffee and chat with locals. Also on site is an information center. 

We're sharing this with our Weekend Reflection friends. The marble floor is clean and shiny, we could see our reflection in it.

 

526 A South Elm Street

Here we see a vintage building at 526 South Elm Street being transformed from an antique store into a restaurant. It was near Lion's Crown Antiques, which has moved. In the last ten years, downtown Greensboro has transformed from a low rent to prime real estate area. When the new business is established, we'll show you an updated shot.

For now, we encourage you to look back through the photos from the previous week and to leave a comment on this, our Mellow Yellow Monday photo!

 

David Caldwell Park

David Caldwell Historic Park is located on the grounds of the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden between Hobbs and Holden Roads. According to the park's website, "(t)he Reverend Dr. David Caldwell (1725-1874) was a Presbyterian minister, a self-trained physician, and an early educator in colonial North Carolina. At this site in 1767, he opened an academy for young men. The academy produced five state governors!" 

The interpretive center, shown above, was dedicated April 20, 2007. The center is dynamic, offering several programs for people of all ages. It is believed that the property may be a wealth of history waiting to be unearthed. If you look to the right, you can see a couple out walking the trails and enjoying the warm, fall day under the sapphire blue sky.

UNCG's Bryan School of Business

Correction, thanks to reader! This is the Bryan School of Business and Economics, not the administration building. We STILL do not have a picture of the Administration Building. The day we photographed Yum Yum Ice Cream Company, all we had to do was make a 180* turn to snap a picture of the Bryan Building.

When we arrived, we hadn't anticipated the construction. On the Spring Garden side of the building, the university will construct a new School of Education, likely a project in the pipeline well before Chancellor Sullivan retired to battle, quietly, the cancer that would bring her life to an end. 

We love this photo in black and white because the geometric shapes are so prevalent. This is our contribution to Monochrome Weekly.

Cathedral of HIS Glory

Cathedral is a 26-acre, 2,000 seating-capacity church located on Lake Jeanette Road. Their pastor, Dr. C. Paul Willis is an ordained minister of the Southern Baptist Convention. While the literature does not state explicitly that the church is Baptist, the do state that they are Christ centered, inspired by the Bible, and believe in the laying of hands for healing. The church has an extensive website and their television ministry reached millions each week. Pastor Willis can be followed on Twitter!

Today, on Sacred Sunday, we elected to post a photo of the sign as opposed to the gigantic, angular, geometric building. We like the peaceful, inviting look of the well- landscaped sign.

J. Spencer Love Tennis Center

James Spencer Love, 1896- 1962, was the founder of Burlington Industries, and considered one of the most influential businessmen in North Carolina. Love built the largest manufacturing firm in the world. He built a textile empire in North Carolina and made rayon "artificial silk" a household name.

Spencer Love Tennis Center, located at 3110 Forest Lawn Drive, named for the businessman, is a public facility and used by players of all ages. Here we see a Thursday night ladies league having a blast and getting great exercise. Prices to participate in clinics, private lessons, and camps are very reasonable.

"Field of Dreams" Bookmobile

The Greensboro City Library system serves our community in so many ways: books, other media, literary events, learning software, tutoring programs, special exhibits to name a few. On Monday, August 3rd, this bookmobile arrived in the Lake Jeanette, parked in the field where the future library will be built. The bookmobile is parked next to the fire station on Lake Jeanette Road. Mostly, services are limited to checking out children's books and picking up books that you request to be sent to this location. We couldn't resist quoting the 1989 baseball movie Field of Dreams with its saying "build it and they will come." If the other branch locations prove true, once the Lake Jeanette Public Library is built, it will be well used, FREE, and open to the public.

This is our contribution to Sky Watch Friday. We loved the way the color of the blue bus matches the color of the sapphire blue sky! This is a case where using a flash actually enhanced the photo. Please follow our link if you want to see the sky in almost 400 other locations worldwide!

At Grove & Portland, The Beat Goes On

This music venue is located at the corner of Grove and Portland in the Glenwood neighborhood. Glenwood is making a real effort towards gentrification. As you can see, the building is beautifully painted with a snazzy banner of musical notes and instruments framing a plywood window and a bedsheet-curtain. This neighborhood is starting to spark to life on the weekends. Optimistically, wikimapia says about Glenwood, "A historic and very diverse lower-middle class to middle class neighbourhood in the southwest corner of Greensboro. It has seen some tough times in the years, but through local community efforts, the neighbourhood is to be expecting a revitalization. This will be like Greensboro's downtown."  Wikimapia, we sure hope you are right! If you follow that site, you can see a google map of the actual neighborhood-- very 21st century!

Halloween on Battleground

When Halloween is just around the corner, empty retail businesses fill temporarily with Halloween costume stores. This year, among other venues, there are costume stores in Brassfield Shopping Center on Battleground and in Friendly Center near Pier 1 Imports. In today's photo, Spiderman and the Purple Pumpkin Eater are featured lurking on the corner of Battleground Avenue and New Garden Road. At first you wonder what is going on, then you realize-- costumes! Side-of-the-road characters have been very popular as a way to garner the attention of consumers during this economic downturn. These guys seemed rather flattered to have their picture taken, to be noticed and to have someone say something positive. 

Watch out! Halloween is on a Saturday this year. In many neighborhoods, the trend has been for people to attend private or church parties with less children going door to door. Does your neighborhood have any special traditions? Anything that GDP should try to get out to photograph?

Yum Yum Ice Cream-- Since 1907

Yum Yum Ice Cream in its first incarnation was sold from a cart beginning in 1909 in downtown Greensboro. An early Greensboro postcard features the ice cream cart in front of the Courthouse. In the 1920's, the business was moved to a free-standing building at the corner of Forest and Spring Garden Streets. Since the location was at the western limit of the city, the owner called the business West End Ice Cream. Around that time, he introduced the ice cream flavor Yum-Yum, a flavor that is believed to have included grapes, raisins, a grain. At any rate, people began saying, "Let's go get some of that Yum-Yum ice cream."  The name stuck and became the official name for the store.

The shop is actually an ice cream factory with the product made in a back room, the old-fashioned way with vintage 1920's equipment. They have had the same ice-cream maker for 25 years now.  He is very picky about the source of his ingredients as well as quality and consistency. The proof is in the taste of the ice cream. Currently, they feature 18 flavors at $2.00 a scoop. The store is, perhaps, equally famous for its tasty, bright red hot dogs which start at $1.00 for a basic dog and cost $1.60 for one "all the way." Yum Yum is surrounded on all four sides by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Let's hope the university remains a good neighbor and allows this century-old business to continue in this prime location. 

We don't usually do a Tuesday meme; however, today we're posting on Ruby Tuesday! Visit there if red is your color!

Village Tavern

Village Tavern, located at 1903 Westridge Road at Battleground Avenue, is a Greensboro institution. Although there are locations in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Arizona, and Colorado, Village Tavern has that small town, one-location feel. You sort of expect Ted Danson and the whole Cheers crew to walk past while you are having dinner, to clap for you when you walk into the bar. They have great specials, affordable fixed-price, multiple-course meals, award winning brunches, great food, and reasonable prices. The above photo shows the happy hustle and bustle of the main dining room, especially cozy on a cold or rainy day. 

This is our contribution to Monochrome Weekly. Go here if you like black and white photos and want to see more!

Christ United Methodist Church

Christ United Methodist Church, located at 410 N. Holden Road, with the tall cross-topped structure and sprawling campus, has been one of our most challenging Sacred Sunday photo shoots yet! The church, organized in 1956 met initially in neighboring Sternberger School and had 246 charter members; amazingly, 40 of whom are still members today. Christ United was sponsored by West Market United Methodist Church when it was determined that Greensboro needed a Methodist Church west of the city. Groundbreaking for the first building took place in 1958. Over the last 50 years, the church has expanded significantly not only the physical facility but also the mission and outreach programs. Fitting with today's trend, they offer a range of services from traditional to contemporary.

Driving along High Point Road

We started our week in traffic and we so we end our week. Here we see the  section of High Point Road, near the Habit for Humanity Restore and with the Khoury Convention Center in the background. High Point Road has grown from a sleepy little road to a busy place dotted with businesses!

We hope you are having a good weekend.

Stone Bluff Court: Blaze of Color

This blaze of color on Stone Bluff Court, anchored in this breathtaking sky, is proof positive that summer has yet to relinquish its hold. Last Sunday was such a gift to us in Greensboro. Warm with sunny skies. The weather did take a turn for the wetter and colder on Wednesday. We do, however, need the rain.

Regarding the flowers in the foreground, up close, they resemble poinsettias. Unfortunately, we're not entirely sure what they are. If you know, do share! And here's to a great Sky Watch Friday!

North Carolina Railroad in Greensboro

This eastward view of the railroad tracks over South Elm Street looks like a scene out of a classic movie. No signs of modernity and fully expecting Clint Eastwood to walk across the tracks any minute!

Near this part of the tracks is an historic marker (J-102) with the following inscription: "North Carolina Railroad _._ Opened interior of N.C. The groundbreaking took place nearby, July 11, 1851. First president, John Motley Morehead." According to the North Carolina Railroad Company's historic timeline, for the grounbreaking ceremony, Senator Calvin Graves lifted the first shovel of dirt. Quickly, Greensboro became known as the Gate City, the great crossroads between Goldsboro and Charolotte.

Golf in Greensboro, NC

Golf is a major sport and form of recreation in Greensboro, North Carolina. We have at least 12 courses: Bryan Park, Bur-Mil Park, Cardinal Golf & Country Club, Forest Oaks Country Club, Gillespie Park Golf Course, Grandover Resort's West and East Courses, The Greensboro Country Club's Ross and Maples Course, Pleasant Ridge Golf Course, Sedgefield Country Club, and Starmount Forest Country Club.

Historically, we are perhaps best known for the Greater Greensboro Open, first played in 1939 with Sam Snead winning. The tournament has been renamed more than once and played at Sedgefield, Forest Oaks, and Starmount Country Clubs. 

During this hot, dry, drought-like fall in Greensboro, we had to practice great restraint not to run through this starburst of water to cool off! We post this picture of a hole being watered  (NOT a watering hole!) for Watery Wednesday.

Edward McKay Used Books & More

Edward McKay Used Books & More, located at 1607 Battleground, has been "feeding your head since 1975." Of the four locations (Greensboro, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, & Fayetteville), the Greensboro location is the largest with over 10,000 square feet of inventory. Books, games, DVD's, game systems, Kindles, CD's, this story is a candy store of used media. Reasonable prices, unbelievable selection, and an atmosphere that encourages you to stay a while is the reason the parking lot is always full. They even have a free section for discarded, unwanted, and slightly damaged books. We usually purchase a book or two and head to nearby Starbuck's or Ghassan's for something to drink and a place to sit and peruse our acquisitions. We especially love the store credit earned for books and media we are no longer using.

The photo above represents a tiny, tiny part of the inventory, but gives you an idea of the no-frills, all books and media atmosphere. Are you a used bookstore aficionado?

Traffic Gridlock on Battleground

As we sit in Greensboro's version of gridlock traffic where Battleground intersects Holden Road, Cone Boulevard and Benjamin Parkway, a Saturday letter to local paper comes to mind. Marilyn Trivett writes about the memories of her 81-year-old Aunt Libby. Aunt Libby recounts catching a trolley into downtown Greensboro from old Red Road, the road's name before it became sprawling West Wendover. She tells niece Marilyn about the building on Elm Street where Natty Greene's Pub is now located. Decades ago, it was a "beer hall" where children could order hot dogs and hamburgers from a window to the street, but only wonder about the appearance of the building's interior. Our friend Alice tells similar stories of catching the trolley and heading east to the Bessemer and East Wendover (Old Burlington Road) area after shopping in town with her dad. 

Somehow, it sounds much more charming to be riding a trolley to and from town, with your fate in the hands of the able conductor, than it does to be beating the clock, gridlocked, with the traffic light seemingly interminably red! 

Marilyn, we hope you will listen to as many stories of yesteryear as Aunt Libby cares to tell and that you continue to share them with the rest of us. The 20th century is starting to feel like a century ago! 

Visit Monochrome Weekly for more black and white photography-- a real holdover from yesteryear!

Bell Tower at Guilford College UMC

The Bell Tower at Guilford College United Methodist Church is the highest point of the sprawling church complex located at 1205 Fleming Road. The bell tower was built as part of the 1988 construction of the new sanctuary under the supervision of then pastor Dr. J.C. Groce. We believe it was dedicated to the memory of his daughter, Jennifer, who died in a car accident. 

For centuries, bell towers have been found on church grounds and attached to civic buildings worldwide. They are used to mark time or to announce present and imminent danger. Bell towers can also be referred  to as a belfry or a campanile. The GCUMC belltower in the photo above, against the backdrop of the sizzling blue sky, is reminiscent of something found in California. The white tower glows in the afternoon setting sun. 

In June, the church celebrated its 50th anniversary. While  the first worship service was held in the Guilford College Student Union in 1959, with 57 persons in attendance, it is not affiliated with Guilford College, a local institution of higher education started by Quakers. We had the good fortune of meeting current Pastor Tom Gibson and his wife. Pastor and Mrs. Gibson were hospitable and welcoming to us, as we were traipsing about the church grounds snapping photos right and left. Guilford College United Methodist Church congregants are lucky to have this charming, energetic husband and wife team at the helm. 

We hope you have a restful, reflective, and spiritually renewing Sacred Sunday-- regardless of your belief system.

Father & Daughter Walk

Saturdays are father & daughter day in Greensboro. Here you see a dynamic duo strolling on Elm Street in Downtown Greensboro. The pre-schooler followed her daddy imitating his every move. Both took their stroller pushing very seriously. What are you up to today?

SPLURGES Fashion, Accessories, and Gifts on Sky Watch Friday

Splurges is a fashion, accessories, gift store with locations in at 2207 Fleming Road in Oak Ridge and on Main Street in Kernersville. This is a photo of the fluffy, white clouds hovering above the Oak Ridge store during their Labor Day Second Anniversary Event. This business is another example of the importance of a proprietor on site. From the minute you enter the store, owner Susie Blackwell makes you feel welcome with a personal greeting, something to drink, and a promise that, at the very least, you will receive a 20% discount on one item. 

We loved the store and we were quite taken with the way the clouds framed the building. Now that we're faithful a Sky Watch Friday we're always noticing the sky. Click here to enjoy sky shots from around the world.

Bryan Family YMCA

 

Here we see a photo of the downtown branch of the YMCA of Greensboro. The YMCA was founded in London in 1844 and, today, has more than 45 million members worldwide. According to their website, the YMCA began serving downtown Greensboro in 1859. The Kathleen Price Bryan YMCA, located at 501 West Market Street,  opened in 2003, replacing the Central YMCA Branch. From childcare to silver-sneaker yoga, the YMCA offers services for members of all ages. If you haven't been to a Y lately, turn crank up this original 1978  Village People tune/ video and head over for a tour. You won't regret it! No matter how tired you are, you can walk into one of the Y yoga classes and be transported to a restful state of mind.

 

The YMCA has an interesting history and if you are interested, is available here.

Sailboating on Belews Lake

Sailboating on Belews Lake is a load of fun-- and work!  The area surrounding the nearly 4,000-acre Belews Lake has experienced a tremendous surge of construction in the last few years. Just a 30 minute drive from Greensboro, Belews Lake is Duke Energy's gift to aficionados of water sports. This photo is our contribution to Watery Wednesday .

Elon University Law School

Here we see Elon Law School, located in downtown Greensboro on 201 North Green Street. Originally, the building was the Central Branch of the Greensboro Public Library. When the new library was built, the building housed city government offices like the Water Resources Department. When the new facility for the water resources department was build near I-85, the building in the photo above became the School of Law for Elon University. The school has been tremendously successful in its few years of being open and graduates have a good success rate in passing the bar. While Elon University is located in Elon, NC, just outside of Burlington, Greensboro was lucky to have the new law school open in our downtown.

Labor Day-- Transition to Fall

Happy Labor Day!. Today, we have one last hurrah with family and friends, our white shoes get put away, community pools are open for one last day, and children ponder school resuming tomorrow.  Perhaps more than anything else, Labor Day reminds us that fall is upon us. We hope you are having a restful Labor Day. 

In the photo above, we see a young man sitting in Greensboro's Piedmont Triad International Airport waiting for his flight. We don't know if he was leaving home or returning; however, he captures that pensive look of moving on, just as Labor Day captures the transition from summer to fall. 

This is our contribution to Monochrome Weekly.

Sanctuary of West Market Street United Methodist Church

Happy Sacred Sunday! Recently, we published an exterior view of the West Market Street United Methodist Church in downtown Greensboro. Several commenters thought the exterior of the building looked German. 

Today, we take you inside to see sanctuary. The beautiful Dobson-Rosales organ sounds even better than it looks-- and it looks stunning!  The stained glass windows are said to be Tiffany. The rounded pews wrap around the sanctuary and soften the look of the interior. In person, the rounded shape and minimal hard edges is even more apparent. Truly, the building is a feast for the eyes and the soul outside as well as inside. In future weeks we will share examples of the artwork. Fortunately, this downtown church continues to thrive. Hopefully it will be here for another century, or two, or three...

If you are visiting the blog today for the Sacred Sunday post and want to see our earlier posts in this category, please click here for eight months of Sundays!

FM 107.5 WKZL Mobile Frequently Seen Around Town

The FM 107.5 WKZL mobile was driving around town yesterday. This photo was taken where MLK Drive, McGee, Elm, and Church Streets all converge. It was a lovely day to be downtown as shops, galleries, and restaurants celebrated First Friday as well as the first Indie Arts and Crafts Night downtown. 

We don't know what 107.5 was doing downtown; however, according to their schedule, they stay quite busy. The way the van is decorated gives you insight into the peppiness of the radio station. 

We hope you are enjoying your Labor Day Weekend!

Rainbow Car Wash on Battleground

Rainbow Car Wash, located at 2606 Battleground Avenue, is a burst of cheerful color on a busy road that gridlocks during rush hour. Imagine our delight when stuck in traffic only to look up and see the sign of the RAINBOW beside fluffy white clouds. The sign is much larger than it seems in this photo. We also took this picture at Rainbow Car Wash.

We are one of 340+ people participating in Sky Watch Friday where you can enjoy photos of the sky from around the world! At least four North Carolinians participate: here!

Caryl's Pool & Christmas Shop

Caryl's Pool & Christmas Shop, located at 2616 Lawndale Drive, is in the process of transitioning from a pool supply and service store to a Christmas shop. The stuffed diva in a bathing suit all tangled in Christmas lights, on the floor of Caryl's shop, says it all. It is as if she were too tired to open another shipment of decorations. You've gotta have a sense of humor when you are clearing out bags and bags of pool chemicals and other supplies to make room for dozens of stunning, designer-decorated Christmas trees. 

Caryl's store has survived several economic downturns because of her great service, her expertise on swimming pools and their needs, and her reasonable pool-maintenance rates. Additionally, around October, the store becomes a winter wonderland of lighted trees with ornaments. At some point in the year, you should stop by and look around this great store and meet the people working there. Nothing beats an on-site proprietor. Caryl, let us know when you are decorated for Christmas and we'll get back for another photo!

The Natural Science Center of Greensboro

The Natural Science Center of Greensboro, located at 4301 Lawndale Avenue, is a tremendous community resource. In addition to the engaging permanent exhibits and the zoo, the center continually offers special programs. The current traveling exhibit is, "Extreme Deep: Mission to the Abyss."  

In the photo above, you see three of the taxidermied animals on display in the hallway of the museum. Within the past year, the museum acquired a privately-owned, local collection. The collection is reminiscent of the efforts in the 19th century to provide specimens. The taxidermied animals were studied in an era when living, exotic, zoo animals were not widely available.  

If you haven't been to the Natural Science Center lately, and you live in Greensboro, you really must stop by and see how the place has transformed in the last few years!

BIG Rock on the Campus of Greensboro College

Here we see the BIG painted rock on the Greensboro College campus. The back side says "Have a Great Summer." The side visible above looks like a graffitied, foil-covered baked potato! On many school campuses in the USA, these rocks are installed so that students spray paint their messages in an approved area. Many campuses have their own BIG ROCK traditions. For example, usually graduating seniors post a message for their class; students who have died tragically are remembered; competing teams paint unwanted messages on the opponents' rock. Now that the fall semester is underway, likely this BIG ROCK at Greensboro College has a new look. What are your school's traditions for students making their mark? Have you ever been involved in painting one? Would you like to have one in your yard?

This is our contribution to the City Daily Photo theme day. The theme for September is BIG. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants. 

Foucault Pendulum in Greensboro

A Foucault pendulum is used to demonstrate the rotation of the Earth. In the above photo, we see the Foucault pendulum at the Natural Science Center in Greensboro. The Paris Observatory displayed the first one publicly in 1851. Perhaps the most famous Foucault pendulum is the one in the Pantheon in Paris, named after the French physicist who conceived the experiment. Wikipedia has a complete list of Foucault pendulums in the world categorized by country and by state for the USA. From this list, we learned that Greensboro actually has two: one at the Natural Science Center and one at NCA&T University. There are four total in North Carolina, one in nearby Winston-Salem and another in Fayetteville. According to the Wikipedia list, 39/50 US states boast at least one pendulum. 

This is our contribution to Monochrome Weekly. The monochrome theme recently celebrated its first anniversary.