Greensboro Daily Photo

Happy Halloween Greensboro!

Meet Trick and Treat! They're staying inside this Halloween and waiting patiently by the window to see who will stop by. Time to stir some witches brew and get the candy ready for the little ones.

Halloween on a Saturday is good for teachers as students don't come to school the next day with excessive sugar in their bloodstream. Unfortunately, weekend Halloweens allow more time for tricking. Keep your house well lit. Drive safely and watch for pedestrians!  What was your favorite costume this year? What is your favorite Halloween candy? Which neighborhoods have the most festive houses?

Our favorite Halloween memory is the scene in To Kill a Mockingbird where Scout is traipsing through the woods in her Halloween costume. Another is visiting the NC Zoo's "Boo at the Zoo." Another is the Ghost Train at Tweetsie Railroad; finally, there is the "Zoo Boo Bash" at Greensboro's Natural Science Center!

Today, we are participating in Camera Critters-- the home of adorable animal photos!

Sunset on I-40

This past weekend, we drove from New Bern westward to Greensboro. As the sun set, it created breathtaking views through the windshield glass. Mostly the sunset was spectacular on the south side of the interstate, making it hard to photograph. However, on this stretch, the view was also spectacular in front of us. Since Mr. GDP was driving, I was able to cheat a little bit and use the tint of the windshield glass to add the blue filter at the top. To us, the sunset was a real gift and on this Sky Watch Friday, we have decided to share it with you. 

Mangum Sculpture at Chavis Library

This sculpture, "Lamp of Learning," is mounted in front of the Vance Chavis Branch of the Greensboro Public Library. William Goodson Mangum is the sculptor. The work was commissioned in 1968 by Dunning Industries and the Centennial Decade Advisory Committee of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. It is a tribute to the five institutions of higher education in Greensboro (University of North Carolina at Greensboro; North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University; Bennett College; Greensboro College; and Guilford College). 

There are (at least) two artists in this part of North Carolina named William Mangum. One is primarily a watercolorist with a studio in Irving Park. The second William Mangum, William Goodson Mangum, painter, sculptor, and former Chairman/Professor of Art at Salem College, sculpted the piece in today's photo.  William Goodson Mangum, born in North Carolina in 1924, studied at the Corcoran School of Art as well as the Chicago Academy of Fine arts, and the Arts Students League (reference here).

The above Mangum sculpture looks spectacularly strong and powerful from the east/west view on Lee Street (at the corner of S. Benbow). From the front, it looks entirely different, almost like three separate and unfurled banners. The yellow fall leaves frame the artwork and make it look especially beautiful. Treat yourself to an afternoon at the Chavis Lifelong Learning Branch Library and enjoy an up close view of this work of art!

Corrections to this post were made on September 30, 2011 after receiving a message from Grace Elizabeth Mangum, daughter of Professor Mangum. 

Airstream Campers in NC

This weekend, we found ourselves at Out-of-Doors Mart photographing AIRSTREAM Campers. Here you see a few of the brushed aluminum beauties against a rainy North Carolina sky and brilliant orange maple leaves. According to their website, Out-of-Doors Mart has been selling and servicing Airstreams for 40 years-- longer than any other dealer in the world! 

Many people who own Airstreams become members of the Wally Bynum Caravan Club. Wally Bynum is the man who developed the prototype for today's Airstream. These campers hold their value well and attract a lot of attention whenever they pull in somewhere. On the road travel with a camper becomes quite an addiction for some. Groups like the Airstream clubs and caravans provide an instant, mobile, social network! For a little history on the Airstream, go here or here.

You can see by the wet ground that we were dodging rainstorms and are sharing this photo with our Watery Wednesday friends! If anyone has a great Airstream story, please share!

Cycling Around Greensboro

Cycling is a growing sport in Greensboro. We are expanding our greenways and are starting to see bicycle lanes around town, especially around UNC Greensboro. Here is a group of cyclists just after advocating for their space on the highways at a meeting regarding widening Horse Pen Creek Road. The cyclists as well as Fox 8 News have been following this process. 

We decided to feature this photo today because, this past weekend, cyclist David Sherman was killed in a hit and run accident. A silver Dodge Durango hit David while he was cycling on North Church Street. The sport is growing so quickly, motorists have got to get used to sharing the road. Cyclists and motorists need to work together to keep the roads safe for all! 

This photo is our contribution to Ruby Tuesday, a meme that celebrates the color red. 

The Burn Barrel

If you are from the rural south, you know about burning a barrel. Here we see the quintessential 55-gallon drum used for burning trash around the farm. Often, on the weekends, menfolk stand around, leaning on the bed of a truck and rehashing events of the week-- as the barrel burns. Lots of people have funny "burn barrel" stories. Here's one. This story centers around the adventures of trying to find a burn barrel to purchase. As for us, we never could find a barrel to purchase and finally ended up with a round, suburban fire pit!

In New York State, there is actually a Tour de Burn Barrel, NOT to celebrate the burning of a barrel but to warn of the potential environmental hazards of this first-generation  chiminea. Have you ever burned a barrel? Was there one on your property? This photo is printed in sepia tones in order to participate in Monochrome Weekly.

Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses

Today's Sacred Sunday post is The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on Pisgah Church Road. In line with their avoidance of religious symbols or iconography of any kind, The Kingdom Hall, featured in this photo has only a sign at the road announcing the gathering place for Witnesses. While on site, we had the good fortunate to speak with one of the elders who answered our questions about his religion.

The religion is relatively new, getting its start in the 1870's with Charles Taze Russell and the Bible Students. They actively evengelize, discussing their beliefs and sharing their publications with all who are interested. The religion is Bible-based with Jehovah, the English translation of God's Biblical name as the focus towards which all worship should be directed. Jehovah Witnesses believe that the last days of the present world order are near. If you want to read more about the religion, much is available on the internet, especially at their Watchtower site and on Wikipedia. The denomination has no paid employees and operates exclusively on volunteerism.

Pumpkin Patches for Charities

Greensboro has a great tradition of churches, especially youth groups, selling pumpkins as a fall fundraiser. Here we see a man and his daughter purchasing pumpkins at the Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church at the corner of Battleground and Pisgah Church Road. The daughter carried a small pumpkin and daddy carried the large one. "Just one," he reminded her and kudos to her dad, he stuck to it! Even we couldn't leave with just one apiece. The gourds were so fabulous and unique that we left with a bag full-- enough for a centerpiece for only $7.50. 

According to the members of the youth group, they anticipate selling almost 70,000 pounds of pumpkins and gourds. The supply looked fresh and abundant when we were there a couple of days ago. So, happy Saturday, why not head out and support a local youth group?  Make your house look like FALL and, if you celebrate Halloween, carve away! 

Thinking Pink in NC

Today, we post a Breast Cancer Awareness photo, lest the month get away without our contributing to the effort. Here we see the vanity license tag, THNKPINK, hailing from North Carolina. Mr. GDP says if you can't figure out the message within 20 seconds, you've wasted your money. Well, there is not doubt about the message on the back of this Mercedes-Benz! 

If we read the data from the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics correctly, in 2006 alone, there were 7,679 cases of female breast cancer in North Carolina. It is projected that this will also be the count for 2009 in North Carolina and that 387 of our breast cancer cases will be in Guilford County. Early detection increases the survival rate so get your mammogram today! 

We're hoping that the sun flare reflecting the sky into the camera lens will qualify us to participate in Sky Watch Friday! The sun's rays lead the eye right to THNKPINK!

Spartan Volleyball at UNCG

We, in Greensboro, are so lucky to have an NCAA division 1 volleyball team to watch-- FOR FREE! The photo was taken this past weekend during the Dig Pink event. The UNCG Spartans, featured in white, beat both Davidson and Georgia Southern. Saturday's match against Davidson was a relatively easy win for the Spartans, whereas, on Sunday, the GS Tigers won a game, making the teams play a fourth game (for the best of five). Out of 12 players at UNCG, only 3 are seniors so the Spartans should be playing good volleyball for years! Several of the players come from Virginia and North Carolina; one player hails from Pittsburgh, PA; two are from the midwest; and three are from the volleyball powerhouse state, CALIFORNIA!  For a little history, 1971 was the first year for volleyball at UNCG with Pat Hielscher coaching.

If you want to see a game schedule the remaining season, visit here.

Fall Roses in North Carolina

Given that Greensboro is in hardy zone 7, we usually have our first frost between September 30 and October 30th. (Monday, October 19th felt pretty close to a first frost in Greensboro).

With or without our help, roses are getting ready for winter. Rose hips tell the plant that the season is coming to an end.  The roots search for water to hydrate for the winter. Hopefully, you have long put your plant food away and made that trip to the garden store for mulch to insulate your roses, tucking them in for their long winter's nap. As is the case with the freshly-picked roses above, roses seem to get one last burst of energy in the misty, crisp fall air when the bug population has died down and the red clay has cooled. You're really not supposed to dead head or trim this late in the season, but we couldn't resist bringing these flowers inside. Since the vase is filled with WATER (front row and center), we're going to link up with Watery Wednesday. 

International Civil Rights Museum

In Greensboro, the Civil Rights Movement is an important part of our history. In this very Woolworth Building, at 301 N. Elm St., the sit-in movement was launched. On February 1, 1960, four North Carolina A&T University freshmen refused to leave the lunch counter where they were refused service. The International Civil Rights Museum and Center has struggled with funding and for years was only a dream. It seems that the museum is closer to becoming a reality as can be seen with the construction in this photo. The sit in movement has a website. To enter the website, you have to decide if you want to enter through the "white" or "colored" entrance. If you want to learn more, we suggest you visit the museum's site.

Visit My World Tuesday to learn about other parts of the world!

O. Henry-- Historic Marker

Downtown Greensboro, On Market Street, is this historic marker for short story writer, O. Henry. On April 20th, we featured the O.Henry monument. His short stories are so contemporary, it is hard to believe that he was born during the Civil War (and died in the year of the Mexican Revolution for that matter). 

Ever since our friend Alice suggested that O.Henry would be a great choice, were Greensboro to get a U-Haul truck designed for us, we have been devouring our collection of O.Henry short stories. What have you been reading lately? 

Stop by Monochrome Weekly if you like black and white photography.

Stations of the Cross

For Sacred Sunday this week, we offer a view of 5 of the 12 panels in the Stations of the Cross artwork at the West Market Street United Methodist Church. Traditionally, the Stations of the Cross features the end of Christ's life in 14 pictures or stations. In the West Market Street UMC collection, the 14 events are presented in 12 panels. The artwork, completed around 1890, was sold by the French church near the Belgian border once the church closed. Eventually, they were acquired and donated by the Fouts family in memory of Dan Fouts. As Father Adam of Monastery Daily Photo has pointed out, it is unusual for a Methodist Church to own this, traditionally Catholic, artwork. Regardless of owner, the paintings are stunning, and, in their balcony location, accessible to worshipers.

Little Log Cabin Near Wendover

If you live in Greensboro, you know that Wendover Avenue is one of the busiest retail corridors in the city. Big box stores and traffic jams abound. Well, about a half a mile off of Wendover, at the corner of Norwalk and Railway Avenues, sits this little log cabin, straight out of a century or two ago. On its small corner lot, the little log cabin looks so tranquil, until you realize that it is surrounded by warehouses, businesses, and traffic jams. We'd love to know the story of this little abode.

We hope you have a chance to get out and explore our town/your town this weekend. If you are local, please let us know where you've been. We're always looking for new places to photograph. Can you believe we're getting close to 300 posts?

Roundabout Twilight

Over half of the world's roundabouts are located in France. They are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. However, according to Wikipedia, the first modern roundabout in the United States wasn't constructed until in 1990 in Nevada. Roundabouts require the entering driver to yield to the driver already in the circle. They are supposed to be safer for drivers and pedestrians than traditional intersections. The roundabout in the photo is located at Lake Jeanette. Greensboro also has another one at the shopping plaza at Pisgah Church and one on Greene Street downtown. If you are interested in building one in your community, follow this link to a site that not only publishes articles about roundabouts but also gives you contacts for feasibility studies for your community.

The play on words "roundabout twilight" were selected because today is FRIDAY and we are participating in Skywatch Friday. We'd hoped for a better photo but roundabouts are hard to photograph! Do you like driving in them? Tell us your roundabout stories. We've heard that people who don't want the advances of a suitor arrange to meet in the middle of the roundabout, or better yet, in the center of a traffic circle in a big city!

Halloween Inflatables

Driving through the neighborhood behind Earthfare Grocery Store tonight, we stumbled upon this yard decked out for Halloween. Here we see only about a fourth of the decorations; this small yard was covered! Plump and wildly entertaining by night, these inflatable decorations transform into unplugged, collapsed  flat clumps by morning. Bats, pumpkins, ghosts, goblins,haunted-houses and skeletons will take over our thoughts until October 31st when the Halloween season comes to an end. By Thanksgiving, those dedicated to inflatables will change over to the Christmas theme. 

If you see wildly decorated yards that deserve some camera time, please let us know. We'll be happy to drive by and share them with all. Tell us your favorite activities for Halloween in Greensboro. Oh, and happy haunting!

Guilford Co. Sheriff's Office

These officers, six of Greensboro's finest, are leaving work at the end of their shift. While home base is Sheriff B.J. Barnes' office, likely, their collective "beat" encompasses a large part of Guilford County. We felt it was important to honor men in uniform today as neighboring Winston-Salem just lost a police officer, 27-year veteran Mickey Hutchens, in the line of fire. Next time you see a deputy, policeman, trooper, fireman, remember that these public sevants risk their lives for us every day.

On a lighter note, when taking this photograph, I wanted to run across the street and tell the deputies "You're going the wrong way on a one way street!" but decided not to joke around. You never know what kind of day they had. Besides, I would have been jay-walking.

Downtown Greensboro

Downtown Greensboro is anchored by the (formerly, Jefferson-Standard, then Jefferson-Pilot) Lincoln Financial Building. The glass windows, reflecting blue, show the eastern side of the building. Every once in a while, we need to be reminded that in the center of the city, we have multiple story buildings. For those who live elsewhere, over the last decade, gentrification has made the downtown area an appealing place to live and work. 

Don't you just expect Batman and Robin to walk into this scene at any minute?

House on East Lee Street

We wish we knew more about this house on East Lee Street. At one time, it must have been grand. The arched headers above the windows are quite an interesting architectural detail. The house looks as if it has been around since the 1800's and, at one time, was part of an estate.  As you approach the house, it becomes obvious that it is in need of some tender loving care, even some relocating as it is on the side of busy Lee Street. Finally, were the photo in color, you would see the red bed sheets serving as curtains and that they match the reddish-brown roof. This house is a poster house for "If these walls could talk."  If you know the history of this property, do share. In the meantime, we'll try to find out.

This is our black and white shot to kick off a new week and is our contribution to Alieni's Monochrome Weekly!

First Baptist Church at Night

 Once more, we feature the First Baptist Church of Greensboro for Sacred Sunday. The church is as beautiful at night as it is on a sunny, cloudless day. Even with this side view, it is hard to appreciate the size of this church! 

Night scenes are particularly in beautiful in autumn when the leaves are changing, rustling, and falling to the ground. Imagine the above site years ago when all was dark and, rounding a country road, one happened upon the glow of a white steeple and bell tower. Such a beacon. Does anyone know how it is that a church gets the name "first." Is the First Baptist Church or First Presbyterian Church really the first one in town?

Black Walnuts

Yesterday the sky, today the ground. It is a Saturday in October and we encourage you to take a nature hike. We did and found these black walnuts on Hobbs Road. The black walnut, also known as juglans nigra,is a species of flowering tree in the hickory family. The wood is used to make furniture and flooring, the nut meat is used in baking, the shell is used commercially for abrasive cleaning, and oil is pressed from the seeds. The drupe (fleshy part between the seed and the outer skin) is used for dyeing fabric and was even used as hair dye in previous centuries. 

The tree seems ideal with its many uses, until you learn that the roots, leaves, and husks secrete a substance into the soil that actually poisons some plants. White birch trees and tomatoes are two plants that should never be planted near walnut trees. The woodsy scent of black walnuts evokes the feeling of a brisk fall morning! Do you think Yankee Candle could feature that scent and color?

Battleground Tire Inc.

Battleground Tire Inc. has been a full-service auto repair shop, serving Greensboro since 1960. When the business first opened 49 years ago, its location at 3112 Battleground Avenue, at the corner of Pisgah Church Road, seemed a million miles away from down town. 

We offer this photo for Sky Watch Friday as we really like the way the blue and yellow building looks against the cloudy blue sky. The power lines accentuate the linear facade of the building! Finally, the font on the sign, Battleground Tire, is a feast for typographers!

Windsor Community Center

In Greensboro, we love our community centers. Here we see the Windsor Community Center, located at 1601 East Lee Street at the corner of S. Benbow Road. The center is intergenerational with programs for people of all ages. The center maintains an outdoor public swimming pool in the summer. We were intrigued by the rounded, lens-shaped door. The architect sends a clear message-- enter here! What kind of community resources do you enjoy? Have you seen another building with an entrance like this? If you live in Greensboro, have you ever seen this building?

Head Hunter's Salon, Ltd.

Headhunter's Salon, located at 2612 Lawndale Drive has been renovated over the last year or so. Same talented people involved in serving the public and same terrific service. However, Michelle is now the owner and she put a 21st century touch on the decorating and has added original artwork on the premises. Not to fear, Carlton still works there. He just doesn't have to pay the bills anymore! You can barely see him off to the right. We didn't want to violate a customer's privacy so we didn't include them in the picture. We could have spent all day there enjoying the conversations with young and old alike. People tell interesting stories to their stylists!

The artwork is fabulous and the expertise on hair products makes it worth your while to stop, even if you don't need your hair done. We bought a hair straightener and some other products and one person in our party got a great haircut! It felt like we were in the middle of a scene from the "Steel Magnolias" movie with all of the intergenerational chatter and humor.

Aliens in Greensboro

Before there were state quarters, there were U-HAUL vehicles with the names of US states and snazzy pictures representing something from each of the 50 states. This is a light-hearted scene captured at Holland Auto Care on Battleground Avenue. Behind the pole, you see a U-HAUL truck with a picture of an alien, advertising Roswell, New Mexico. This truck is long gone and has been replaced by another one advertising yet a different state. The alien really makes you stop and think! New Mexico is celebrating something for which they are infamous! If Greensboro were to get a U-HAUL advertisement, what would you pick to showcase our city? Those of you from elsewhere, if your own city were to get ONE photo advertisement, what would you want on there?

Foggy Morning in Guilford County

Guilford County still has some rural scenes. Here we see the sun trying to rise during a foggy morning out in the county. Fortunately, by the time we took this picture, the fog had started to lift and, as we hit rush hour traffic, we could see the bumpers of the cars in front of us. 

The color was pretty dull in the colorized version of this photo, so we didn't hesitate to turn it into a black and white for Monochrome Weekly. 

Union Memorial Methodist Church on Lee St.

In this sunrise photo of the Union Memorial Methodist Church on East Lee Street, the church looks like it could be a century-old, country house of worship. In reality, the church is located at the edge of a busy road in Eastern Greensboro. The church seems to be a dynamic one with one of the ubiquitous signs with great quotes updated weekly. We couldn't find a website for the church but just had to share the silhouette for Sacred Sunday. Is there any doubt this is a church?

Madison Park Cafe

The Madison Park Cafe has been serving great French cuisine since 2008-- at least in its present iteration. Proprietors Paul and Joan Shepherd owned The Madison Park on Dolley Madison Road for ten years until it was destroyed by fire. After several ventures in-between, they are back with this fabulous eatery on Westover Terrace. The food is divine and the service attentive without being overbearing. We had frogs' legs and chateaubriand, both cooked to perfection.

On Friday night, the restaurant was full. Paul was walking around attending to details and talking to customers, many of whom he knew on a first-name basis. One couple commented to friends at another table, "We've been sitting here for hours," and another person commented "I love this place." The couple next to us overheard our discussing the selection of Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Olympic Games and we all started talking. 

We can't help but think of a Julia Child quote when reflecting on all the years the Shepherds have dedicated to cooking fine, fresh food, "Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it." So, if you are looking for a place to eat or to go for coffee and dessert, head on over.

Goodbye to the Forrests

Interior decorator Martha Forrest and her artist husband Tony (on left) are relocating to New Orleans, "where they are needed," especially by their grandchildren! Here we see Martha, owner and principal designer of the Tin Rooster on Elm Street, and Tony with friends in front of the continents and oceans that Tony painted. 

We featured this globe when Greensboro Daily Photo first began back in January before Erik Beerbower performed his welding magic and made the word Greensboro on the top. Also featured are Ricki and Sydney Grey who own the property and who upcycled the air compressor from a navy ship into this work of art.  Good luck Martha and Tony and thank you for all that you contributed to the art and design community in Greensboro. 

This is our contribution to Sky Watch Friday where hundreds gather to share their photos of hometown skies.

Greensboro Recycles!

Greensboro's plastic bottle ban takes effect today. Plastic bottles can be thrown into the garbage can no longer. All No 1 PETE and No 2 HDPE bottles must be rinsed out and placed in a recycling bin either at home or like this one found behind the fire station on Horse Pen Creek Road. When in doubt, look for the 1 or 2 on the bottom of the item inside the triangle with arrows.

This photo is our contribution to the City Daily Photo Theme Day. October's theme: CONTRAST. We're contrasting those who recycle with those who don't. Also in this photo is contrasted MAN and NATURE. The cement parking lot and dumpster butt up to green grass and are featured front and center below a beautiful blue sky. Last time we checked, there were over 1,000 cities with daily photo cites (an outgrowth of a blog by Eric of Paris). Many daily photo sites will participate in theme day.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants