Greensboro Daily Photo

Sharyn McCrumb at the Central Library

The Greensboro City Library System offers so much to the community, including hosting visiting authors like Sharyn McCrumb. Last Thursday, Ms. McCrumb told compelling stories about the research involved in getting background information for her books. Her latest novel, The Devil Amongst the Lawyers, is set in the 1930's. When she talks and writes about the book and the era, it is as if you are there, facing the same issues as the characters. Additionally, she told us how it was she came to write books about NASCAR. Since NASCAR has its roots in North Carolina, her sharing of the NASCAR stories was very special to her Greensboro audience. 

Follow the library's website if you want to learn about upcoming events.
 

ORMA

Today, we're at the corner of NC Highways 150 and 68. 

Oak Ridge Military Academy, initially known as Oak Ridge Male Institute, opened in 1852, nine years before the Civil War. It became the Oak Ridge Institute two years later when it began admitting females. In the early years, seemingly, ORMA was in the middle of nowhere-- located 20 miles northwest of Greensboro with little in between. No light pollution. No shopping centers. No fast food.  While the Oak Ridge Community has a tremendously rich history, when the early students enlisted in the ranks of ORMA, there were very few surrounding distractions. Cadets were there to learn, develop leadership stills, strengthen their interpersonal relationship skills and to learn self discipline. The mission remains the same today. Regardless of surrounding changes, within its environs, ORMA continues to educate and shape young students from around the world. At present, ORMA has both residential as well as day students; an academic year program and summer camps. (ORMA link here). 

Happy Ruby Tuesday!
 

Eastern Music Festival & MUSEP at Guilford College

In Greensboro, we are in the middle of the season of Eastern Music Festival. Yesterday's EMF concert was held on the Guilford College campus in conjunction with MUSEP. Thanks to the sponsors of MUSEP (Music for a Sunday Evening in the Park), the EMF concert was free and open to the public. This is a win win situation. As seen in the photo above, the Sunday evening concert series brings out an ocean of people to enjoy music and the EMF musicians have an opportunity to perform in front of a large, enthusiastic audience. The EMF is a 5-week professional concert series that gives musicians between the age of 14-22 an opportunity to train and perform throughout the summer. 

If you haven't seen an EMF performance yet, you've got until July 31. The EMF was founded in 1961 and can now boast its own Wikipedia entry, which helps put it, and GREENSBORO on the map! Please consider supporting this very important program by attending performances and/or making a financial contribution. It will be time and money well spent!

Acolytes at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

These three acolytes are helping with the ceremonial duties at Trinity Episcopal Church in downtown Greensboro. The photo was taken from the labyrinth which we featured here recently. The word acolyte comes from the Greek word for attendant, helper, or companion and means different things in different religions. These teens appear to be helping with duties like lighting the candles. If you are interested in the concept, Wikipedia has a good introductory explanation encompassing many religions. 

For many, including these acolytes, Sunday is a holy day and a day of rest. However, for soccer fans, likely 'rest' will incorporate watching Spain and the Netherlands in the World Cup Final.

 

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.

 

Who Put the Greene in Greensboro?

At the end of this most patriotic July Fourth Week, we offer the following: Nathanael Greene, major general in the Continental Army, fought in Greensboro during the American Revolutionary War and left his name and legacy behind. Here is the top of the Nathanael Greene statue-- featured against Greensboro's sweltering, cloudless, blue sky. The statue (full view available  here) is located at a round-about around Greene and McGee Streets. In 2007, the statue was dedicated to former mayor Keith A. Holliday for his service (from 1999 to 2007) to Greensboro.  

Although not longer mayor, Mr. Holliday continues to make a difference in Greensboro. He now serves as President and CEO of the Carolina Theater. From the helm at Carolina Theater, he can see this statue! As a side note, Mr. Holliday had a role in the musical 1776, performed at the Carolina Theater July 4th weekend.  Mr. Holliday, here's to you and your predecessor, Nathanael Greene for Skywatch Friday. If you donned a three corner hat, likely, you would be the spitting image of Nathanael Greene!  You, too, have made Greensboro a little Greene-r!

 

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Here you see a photo of some of the first fruits of our backyard-garden labor. We make it a point to plant edibles (almost) exclusively.  Here is our first tomato, some hot peppers, blueberries, and rattlesnake green beans. The purple flowers are what the beans look like before maturing. Next, although not edible, is a yellow marigold. We surround our garden with marigolds as they seem to help keep the bugs out. In addition, we have okra, cucumbers, eggplant, basil, lavender, mint, lemon verbena, figs, and Swiss chard.

In Greensboro this summer, we first experienced excessive rain. In the last several days, the sun has been relentless. Therefore, gardening has been challenging.  Presently, the blueberries are really prolific and the rattlesnake green beans are starting to produce enough beans to feed us. They are a very tasty pole bean. We like to take a picture every year around the Fourth of July to document our garden successes. Are you planting anything? How is it growing?

 

Hamilton Lakes: The Former Scales' House

Here we see the Scales' House in Hamilton Lakes. The 11,000 square foot mansion looks deceptively small from the front view (seen above). Nestled between Lakewood Drive and Lake Hamilton, this Georgian beauty was built in the 1920's. Lawyer and developer A.M. Scales relocated from Irving Park to Hamilton Lakes to develop a community of upscale homes like his own. Between the Great Depression and World War II, new construction was nice but not quite as grandiose as Mr. Scales had envisioned. Mr. Scales was the first mayor of Hamilton Lakes, which was annexed by Greensboro in 1957. 

The Scales family had quite an interesting history. Son Junius Scales grew up in this home with servants and other luxuries. He attended the University of North Carolina where he was actively involved in the communist party and became the "only American Communist Party member to serve prison time after violating a 1940 law making it illegal to belong to any organization that advanced the violent overthrow of the U. S. government" (The Seattle Times). At The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Wilson Library has 7.5 linear feet of shelf space (approximately 1,000 items) of archived material related to Hamilton Lake's Junius Irving Scales. The Scales' House comes not only with a hefty price tag, but also with a hefty amount of history!

 

Fireworks at Jamieson Stadium

The evening of July Fourth couldn't have been more perfect in Greensboro. The weather was warm and dry, not a cloud in the sky. The music and fireworks event at  Grimsley High School's Jamieson Stadium was quite an intergenerational event. People of all ages enjoyed the patriotic music, performed by the Greensboro Concert Band. The fireworks display, sponsored by the News & Record and WFMY News, captivated all.

Here you see a star firework exploding over the empty (west) side of Jamieson "Go Whirlie"  Stadium. Onlookers were seated on the east side, in the 'home team' section. Many families watched from nearby areas like Friendly Swimming Pool, the Boy Scouts' Building and various parking lots. We love these events where the public schools, city law enforcement, and local media come together to bring the best of the best to the community.

We picked out this photo of a RED firecracker specially for the RUBY TUESDAY crowd!
 

Norman Rockwell Moment

Here we see the closing scene from the musical 1776, performed at the Carolina Theater several times this past weekend. Forget arthritis, bad back, and other maladies of aging, this patriot in the center of the photo was the first to stand when the flag was lowered during the encore.

If you missed the showing at the Carolina Theater, consider renting the movie 1776, which is a 1972 adaptation of the stage musical by the same name. You will learn history while being entertained. The production makes it patently clear that, during the founding of our nation, slavery was a contentious issue. You will learn/be reminded that if one colony had dissented, the USA would not have become a nation on July 4th 1776. Did you know New York abstained 'courteously'  (more than once) during the Second Continental Congress; the turkey was under consideration for the nation's symbol; Thomas Jefferson played the fiddle and he had red hair?  Finally, among other things, you will learn that colonial women influenced their men and you will see the negotiating and debate that took place over the three months of deliberation

We have had several requests to showcase the interior of our city's treasure, The Carolina Theater. Fear not, we've got that on our 'to do' list!

 

Fourth of July on Sunday!!!

With today being Sunday and also the Fourth of July, we thought this photo captured a little bit of the spirit of both. In the above scene on Elm Street, you see an historical marker providing details about a Methodist cemetery. Also in view are people walking to and from Fun Fourth celebrations and one of the American flags lining Elm Street. The tree leaves remind us of the sparklers children will enjoy later on tonight. If you are local, don't forget the showing of the musical 1776 at the Carolina Theater, the fireworks at Grimsley High School, and the rest of the Fun Fourth events. Hope to see you at one of them! 

In the meantime, let's take a minute out of your Sunday to remember those who are with us only in spirit. Then, take time today to let those around you know how much you care. Have a fun, safe, Fourth-of-July Sunday!!!

 

It's 1776 at the Carolina Theatre

These patriotic folks are marching over to the Carolina Theatre at 310 South Greene Street. They are in for a real treat as they are about to to see the production "1776,"  an evening of singing, drama, and dancing, reenacting events of the year 1776 in America. This award winning musical was originally seen on Broadway. Locally, you can attend tomorrow for the July 4th showing. Afterwards, you can head on over to more of the Fun Fourth Celebration around town. There is plenty to do in Greensboro folks so here's to having a happy and safe Fourth of July tomorrow. For a little bit of serendipity, notice that the crossing count down is on 4 as in Happy 4th! If you want to know more about the production, click on the words "Carolina Theater" above. If you want to know more about the 2,200 seat theater that opened in 1927, click here.

We found just enough reflection in this photo to share it with our friends at Weekend Reflection!

 

 

(The Best) City View

This view of Downtown Greensboro was taken from the terrace of Greensboro's spectacular rental community, City View. Located in the regentrified Southside neighborhood, City View opened in 2007 with 200+ rental units and is now 100% filled. When we walked in to the office/clubhouse, we were welcomed by a leasing consultant, Teresa. She gave us an overview of the community and walked us through the clubhouse, out by the pool, and up to the terrace to enjoy this view. If you want to learn more about this living community, click here. On another day, we'll publish a photo of the actual buildings; however, since today is Skywatch Friday, we just had to share this spectacular view with the world.

On another note, in Greensboro, today is First Friday. If you are local, meet us downtown where we'll be enjoying the Indie Market and the art galleries and stores that are remaining open. If we lived at City View, we'd be walking over to enjoy the Elm Street fun!

 

Love is All Around

This photo, from the Summer Solstice Celebration, evokes the 1960's song by the Troggs, "Love is All Around." 

 "I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes. Well love is all around me, and so the feeling grows. It's written in the wind, it's everywhere I go. So if you really love me, come on and let it show"

Here we see an arboretum full of people letting love show. Here we see a man TIRELESSLY blowing bubbles for the children around him. As soon as he would suspend a giant bubble in the air, a child would gleefully burst it. Also, the man in the striped shirt would put his daughter's head into the bubble, it would pop, and she would giggle. The little boy in the tie-dyed T shirt could pop bubbles faster than we could snap photos. Truly, love was all around. 

The July Theme Day theme for the City Daily Photo Community is, REFLECTION. First, we are reflecting on summer fun and the profound sense of community felt that day. Second, we're admiring the brief reflection sizzling on the surface of the soap bubble.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants 

Dodging Thunderstorms, Chasing Rainbows

Dodging thunderstorms and chasing rainbows about sums up the week in Greensboro. The air gets so hot and steamy that you think you can't stand it, then the skies open up and relief comes in the form of rain. The sun comes back out and the rainbows appear. The other day, on Bryan Blvd., I saw a double rainbow; one of the rainbows began on one side of the road and arched to the other. 

The above photo was taken from the parking lot of Carolyn Allen Park, just behind Kernodle Middle School. On dry days, people are playing Ultimate Frisbee on this field. Happy Skywatch Friday where hundreds of people share a little slice of the sky above their city.

 

Little Crosses of Faith, Shared on Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day. Today, on Sacred Sunday, we give our profound thanks to Anna Jarvis, the founder of Mother's Day, who was born in 1864 in West Virginia-- about 350 miles north of Greensboro.

Moms, if your favorite Greensboro home improvement store is out of paint sticks, it just could be because the youth of Centenary United Methodist Church used them for the good cause of making crosses with prayers and statements of faith on them. The crosses were part of a 30-hour famine event to remember those worldwide who died from starvation. Each paint-stick cross had a unique saying...Dream, Live, Love... Love, Peace...God is Good....30 Hour famine...Pray for Haiti. 

Lots of food for thought was evident on the overcast afternoon when we walked through these rows of crosses. It was as if the starved souls were talking. These inspiring statements of faith were found at the corner of Friendly and Ridgeway Avenues.

 

"O" is for Odd Fellows of GSO

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows' building is located at 311 Battleground Avenue in Downtown Greensboro. The JP Building serves as a backdrop to the Odd Fellows' facility.  Odd Fellows get their name from 17th century England when it was "odd" for people to organize for the sake to give to others in need. According to their website, the Odd Fellows practice friendship, love, and truth.

 

Oak Hollow Market

Just over the city limits into High Point, on Highway 68 (Eastchester Drive), you find Oak Hollow Market. Any yard ornament you want can be found here. Cement/metal; formal/informal; new/weathered; big/little; utilitarian/useless, you name it; if you are looking for something to place in your yard, they have it. This ocean of ornaments extends as far as the eye can see. Tweety Bird seems to be making eye contact with the viewer, as if saying, "take me home....... PLEASE."

There's just enough red in this photo to share the photo with our Ruby Tuesday friends.