Greensboro Daily Photo

Fordham's CLEANERS

Fordham's CLEANERS is located at 1900 Spring Garden Street, a couple of miles west of the campus of the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Fordham is a well-known name in Greensboro. Fordham's Drug Store was open on South Elm Street for over 100 years. We're not sure if the Fordham of the cleaners is related to Dr. Fordham who worked at the drug store. We do know that the cleaners was established in 1948 and that people have been trusting them with their dry cleaning for over sixty years! We love this photo because it shows a group of UNCG students walking to campus to play a soccer on Saturday afternoon. We're going to try to get by to learn a little more about the history of the cleaners. In the meantime, if you know something, do post a comment!

In the meantime, this is our contribution to Ruby Tuesday.

Robert Seven's Emerge-N-See Vehicle

One of the most creative things seen at the Craftsmen's Christmas Classic this weekend was this vehicle prominently parked outside. Dubbed the Emerge-N-See Vehicle by owner/artist Robert Seven, this Ford E-350 captivated attendees young and old alike. As we approached this mobile work of art, a girl about eight-years-old immediately started talking about Seven's artwork. "You should see his booth inside. He has necklaces made out of beads and old paintbrushes. And he puts eyeballs on everything. It's kind of creepy. Did you see the license place? It spells AAIIEEE [eye]!"  Passers-by were so engaged in the details of this truck that is painted from head to tire. If you enlarge the photo, you can see the electro lux vacuum cleaners and baby doll heads near the top of Mr. Seven's truck.

According to his website, Seven's first job was in the cotton mills of North Carolina and, after getting laid off twice in a row, he decided to assemble art from silver ware. From that, his artwork has evolved to necklaces made out of corks and jar lids with polymer clay inserts, clock parts, and just about anything else that can come apart. From this article, we learned that folk-artist Seven is also a musician and that, he has, indeed, been fighting to remain financially solvent. We hope he did well at the Craftsmen's Classic. He sure did generate conversation about art. From before we started looking at this vehicle until the time we left, a photography major from Appalachian State University was in the process of taking hundreds of photos. She was especially captivated by its texture.

We haven't had many visitors from Mellow Yellow Monday lately, but we'll try generating interest with this contribution!

Westover Church

Westover Church is a non-denominational Christian church located at 505 Muirs Chapel Road. Westover Church began in 1948 as the Independent Presbyterian Church, Inc. of Greensboro, NC. Two hundred and seven people attended the first service. According to their website, original services were held at the Masonic temple and in 1950, the congregation had their own building on Westover Terrace. In the 1950's the Reverend Billy Graham led a six week crusade here and the church experienced considerable growth. By 1994, they had outgrown their original building and relocated to Muirs Chapel Road between Market Street and Friendly Avenue. The church expanded again in 2006 and, in the building above, has a sanctuary that accommodates close to 3,000 people. The church has never been affiliated with the Presbyterian church but models its style of governance after the Presbyterian church. Central to the mission of Westover Church is supporting missionaries around the world and at present, they give one and a half million dollars to this cause.

View Greensboro Daily Photo's other Sacred Sunday photos here.

Jefferson Standard

The Jefferson Standard Building in downtown Greensboro has been the anchor skyscraper for our city since 1923. It is 18 floors and 233 feet tall. The building was designed by New York architect Charles C. Hartmann at the request of Julian Price, company president at the time. This photo only captures a small part of the tile and granite façade, a building that has been added on to in recent years. The photo does show the reflection of the buildings across the street-- just perfect for Weekend Reflection. 

Recently, we talked to a retiree who worked here for 23 years. He said that  when Will Rogers came to celebrate the opening of the Jefferson Standard Building, he commented that it was the only building in the southeast where you could stand on the 18th floor and spit tobacco in a cornfield. We don't have that comment substantiated; however, we do know that no longer is the building surrounded by cornfields! The company was named after Thomas Jefferson and, with mergers, has changed names many times. Presently, it is Lincoln Financial Group. Great information about the building's changes, the insurance companies within, and the architecture can be found here and here. The building serves as a backdrop of many photos!

Black Friday in Greensboro

Today is Black Friday. Shopping for Christmas has officially begun, for some as early as three or four am! Specials and bargains abound. The term 'Black Friday' is said to have come into usage in 1966 in Philadelphia and spread to the population at large by 1975. The Merry Christmas snowman in the photo above was spotted in the window of the Saltbox, a fine State Street store for folk art, Colonial lighting, hand poured candles, and more. The Saltbox was established in 1974, about the time the term 'Black Friday' became nationally known, at least with meaning the day retailers began making a profit-- or being in the black.

If you look closely, you can see a Skywatch Friday blue sky peeking through in the upper corners of this window shot. The sky was mostly blocked out by the sleeve of my blazer blocking the glare. Hey Frosty, watch out for doorbusters! The shopping madness has begun! Day-after-Thanksgiving shopping could be another fun activity for the family-- or not!

Happy Thanksgiving 2010

Happy Thanksgiving 2010! Over the river and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go for Thanksgiving! Here we are at "grandmother's house" off Pleasant Ridge Road in northwest Greensboro reminiscing about the North Carolina of yesteryear-- long before cul-de-sacs, Facebook, and text plans.

You knew you were at the old homestead when you rounded the corner and saw the huge oak tree with brown leaves not yet ready to surrender to winter. At least one truck would be parked in the yard because the men folk would need somewhere to congregate and reminisce about their morning of rabbit and squirrel hunting. After Thanksgiving dinner men would swap many a story and joke or two out in the yard. Women did the same, usually while cleaning up the kitchen and dining room. Kids ran around the barn getting reacquainted with cousins who'd moved away. Everyone enjoyed fellowship with their respective group until the matriarch announced dessert. "Come and get it."  If you were lucky, you would get a piece of persimmon pudding. We all knew how hard persimmon pudding was to make and how it was only available once a year. If you were extra lucky, you'd also get a piece of Aunt Bessie's raisin pie which was rumored to contain a hint of rum.

If you are one of our American readers, we hope your Thanksgiving is full of family, good food and fellowship. If you are one of our international readers, thank you for allowing us to indulge in a slice of Americana-- North Carolina style!

"S" is for Skating in Downtown Greensboro

As of last week, we've got our own little Rockefeller Center, or so it seems with a 40x85' skating rink in downtown Greensboro! This photo was taken Saturday afternoon when young and old alike were out having a blast on our temporary rink. The ice rink is set up between Cafe Europa, The Cultural Arts Center, and the amphitheater in Festival Park on Davie Street.  Having opened November 17th, it is the kick off event for Greensboro's Downtown in December and Piedmont Winterfest 2010. The rink will remain in place until January 22nd. If, like us, you are not in Paris or NYC for winter break, please make an effort to visit downtown Greensboro in December. Between First Friday (12/3), the rink, the shops,the performances, the restaurants, etc., the city has made a real effort to provide fun, family friendly activities for December.

Today is ABC Wednesday and "S" is for SKATING, with or without SNOW!!!!

AMF All-Star Lanes

This week on Greensboro Daily Photo, we're trying to feature ways to spend time around town. If you want something to do over Thanksgiving with your family, consider good old-fashioned bowling. Bowling is a family-friendly activity and a great way to get a little exercise. AMF lanes is conveniently located at the corner of Holden Road and Spring Garden Street. The muffled sound of pins scattering upon impace with the bowling ball is a memory from early childhood. Strikes, spares, split, gutter balls..... make these expression part of your familysj' vocabulary.

In the background, you will notice Adam's Hair Studio. When it was built, it was a florist shop called "The Flower Pot." It is Greensboro's one example of novelty architecture and was the second ever post on Greensboro Daily Photo (featured here) almost two years ago! This is our contribution to Ruby Tuesday were everything has a little red.

Entrance to a Garden

This piece of public sculpture "Entrance to a Garden" was installed in front of Wrangler/VF Jeanswear Building on Elm Street in Downtown Greensboro. We finally went to visit this piece of artwork, made by Dennis Oppenheim and installed by the Public Art Endowment. The piece is 16 feet tall, 10 feet wide, and 8 feet deep. It is constructed of a metal mesh and is lighted at night. To us, it looks like a men's blazer and dress shirt with a necktie. As we researched the structure for this post, we learned that it is supposed to be a shirt so, indeed, it is representational art. A fashion related piece is certainly appropriate for our denim company, as is the denim and corduroy outfit of the woman admiring this piece of public art. Oppenheimer's work was selected by a committee through the Public Art Endowment. This year, Nancy Doll, Director of UNCG's Weatherspoon Art Museum chaired the committee that selected it from multiple entries under consideration.

"Entrance to a Garden" is a fun piece of sculpture as it is tactile and children can run through it! The brick and glass Wrangler/VF Jeanswear Building is partially visible on the right behind the tree with yellow leaves.

 

God's Place of Worship and Deliverance

God's Place of Worship and Deliverance is located on Guilford College Road near I-40.We stopped by last Sunday for a photo shoot. The parking lot was full during worship hour. On the outside, the building is no-frills and the parking lot is gravel. They seem to be building their facility in a fiscally sound way. We're not sure what religion the "place" is affiliated with; however, based on the roadside marquee, we conclude the religion is Bible based. The following quote is posted, "When God tells you something, will you hear him?"  1Kings13  We hope you're enjoying the weekend. This is our Sacred Sunday shot.

An Apple A Night

The Apple Computer Store in Friendly Center is a fabulous place to hang out, not only by day, but also by night! Here we were last weekend, at closing time, and low and behold if we didn't land another "Guy Noir" shot. We love NPR's "A Prairie Home Companion" and every time we see someone or something intriguing, we dub the shot, a 'Guy Noir' shot. Here was our last one. Lone, anonymous person...pensive... clutched to car, smoking, nicely dressed...could be a detective on a case= 'Guy Noir' shot. As darkness prevails, we see a tiny reflection on the left side of the car in the background. We're hoping that qualifies the photo for Weekend Reflection.

In the meantime, there is so much to do in our corner of North Carolina this weekend. We want to visit Charlie Tefft's pottery show for sure. We might want to make one last visit to the Renaissance Festival or visit the craft show at the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in High Point (8-3 today--it is a BIG one). We could go to the Carolina NC State Game (IF we had tickets). We could go to a Carolina Panthers game (IF we had tickets).  Our weekend started on a high note with running into half a dozen people we know during dinner at the Village Tavern last night. Let us know what else is going on and we'll try to get out for a photo. We still haven't decided on a religious institution to feature this Sunday. (Feel free to put in a good word for yours)! In the meantime, wonder what will be happening under the glowing Macintosh Apple tonight!

Randall Jarrell

We close the week in the Guilford College area with a cemetery shot of Randall Jarrell's grave. Randall Jarrell was "an American poet, literary critic, children's author, essayist, and novelist" (Wikipedia). Jarrell (1914-1965) was born in Tennessee and graduated from Vanderbilt.  Jarrell, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II, used his first-hand experience to write about the moral dilemmas and fears of young soldiers. After the war, he came to Greensboro to teach at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro or, as it was called during Jarrell's tenure, Woman's College of the University of North Carolina.

The cemetery is located adjacent to New Garden Friends Meeting. As you leave the Quaker Meeting House and walk due west, Randall Jarrell is buried between his wife and mother-in-law.  The inscription on his gravestone is, "Randall Jarrell, poet, teacher, beloved husband, 1914-1965" (commas added here)-- with a crescent moon and two stars. His wife's gravestone reads, "Mary von Schrader Jarrell, Joyful Christian, Wife and Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother, Stanford University, Writer, 1914"-- with the same crescent moon and two stars. If you are interested in learning more about Jarrell, a good place to start is this piece written by his wife.

This is our contribution to Skywatch Friday.

Stop back tomorrow for another installment in our Guy Noir Weekend Reflection series!

Friends Homes Inc. Rocks!

This is a photo of one of the units for senior citizens at Friends Homes at Guilford. The retirement community, established in 1975,  bills itself as a place that offers "an independent lifestyle with abundant amenities and freedom from the burden of upkeep." It is a not-for-profit community founded by the North Carolina Yearly Meeting of the Society of Friends (Quakers) and operates using Quaker principles. People who live there seem very happy with the sense of community, the amenities, and the close proximity to all of the performances, lectures, and events available across the street at Guilford College. 

The above photo was a contender for yesterday's ABC Wednesday "R"  because "R" is for Rocks. Note to the right, the tenants in this unit have a floor-to-ceiling shelf of rocks just outside their patio door. Imagine downsizing, getting rid of a house full of valuable furniture and memories and keeping your rock collection. Now, that would be an interesting person to have as a neighbor-- proof positive that your individuality can ring loud and clear in a retirement apartment. .....This rock was from our first date. This rock is from the first house we lived in. This rock is from our vacation in Nepal. These rocks are from the properties of each of our four children. Oh the stories our rocks could tell..................

R is for RELIGION

Clap, clap, pray, and thank God. According to Men's Health Magazine, Greensboro has earned the designation as the second holiest city in the USA! We are second only to Colorado Springs!  Charlotte, Durham, and Raleigh are also in the top 15, making North Carolina the HOLIEST of states! (read more here &  here). While some question the research methodology or what is actually being measured (here), undeniably, Greensboro is BIG on volunteerism, generosity, and spirituality. We at Greensboro Daily Photo know from having photographed religion in Greensboro for two years worth of Sundays that religion is extremely important in our community. 

Above, is a photo of Hey Nunnie Nunnie, a comedy act currently on stage at the Renaissance Festival in Huntersville. We thought the clapping nuns would be appropriate for our 2nd place designation. This is the last weekend of the Carolina Renaissance Festival so run, don't walk to see this fabulous comedy duo. Oh, and if you ever make it to Greensboro, you will, indeed, see a religious organization on just about every corner. (Please note, this is not meant to be disrespectful; just a way to combine two NC happenings).

For ABC Wednesday, "R" is for RELIGION-- Greensboro style! 

Charlie Tefft Pottery

Accomplished local potter and Guilford College instructor Charlie Tefft makes functional art pottery that is inspired by the world around him. As seen in the photo above, most of his glazes are neutral, brown and blue. In the foreground is the brown and white wren pitcher. His pieces range from traditional to modern with an Asian feel. (See more on his website here. Keep up with him on Facebook here). To be sure, all of Charlie's work is extraordinary and reasonably priced. We caught up with Charlie at a recent pottery event at Yanceyville Farmers' Market. Charlie has also been very involved in the Ultimate (Frisbee) community. Artist, teacher, athlete, all around nice guy-- Greensboro is lucky to have people like Charile living here.

On November 20th and 21st, Charlie will have a pottery show and sale in his studio at 6303 Thornblade Court from 1-5 pm. Mark your calendar and head out to visit. It will be a great place to find a gift.

We share Charlie's pottery with our not only our local but also our international friends at the Ruby Tuesday meme.

Carolina Renaissance Festival

Disclaimer: We are about an hour and a half south of Greensboro in Huntersville, NC. 

Here we are enjoying the entertainment on the Stage of Merriment at the Carolina Renaissance Festival. As you can see from the photo, even people at the back of the tent were interested in the entertainment: jugglers, comedy shows, a sword swallower, jousting, over 500 people milling around in costumes; plenty to keep attendees entertained. Seven weekends a year, Huntersville, NC comes alive with costumes, food, entertainment, and good times from centuries past. The buildings in the background are permanent structures in place for the one time a year when this fairground comes alive for the Renaissance Festival. This upcoming weekend is the last for the festival so, if you are in the area, we highly recommend your visiting. The outdoor acts, ten to fifteen per day per stage and there are six stages-- are included in the price of the ticket ($18 at Harris Teeter; $20 at the door). Throw on a costume and head on down and eat a bread bowl of food, steak on a stick, a turkey leg, while strolling through a replica of a 16th century village. Wikipedia explains the history of Renaissance fairs here.

We're sharing this with Mellow Yellow Monday.

'Tis a Gift to be Simple

This is a photo of the inside of the New Garden Friends Meeting space located at the corner of New Garden Road and Friendly Avenue. The Society of Friends, New Garden Friends Meeting in Guilford County (Quakers) was established in 1754. As a religion, the Society of Friends traces its origins to mid-century England and Wales and believes that ordinary people can have a direct relationship with Christ. Neither priests, nor the Pope, nor preachers are needed to mediate the relationship with God. Therefore, above, you don't see a pulpit, fancy icons, crosses, or paintings. Pews, crisp white walls, and plain blue carpeting are the backdrop for the Friends' gathering here in Greensboro. In this religion, simplicity is highly regarded. Our Quaker friends practiced "reduce, reuse, recycle" long before the green movement. Quakers eschew titles (e.g., Mr., Mrs., Reverend), favoring, instead, the use of first names. As stated on Quaker Finder dot org, "(c)ommunity is a central part of the Religious Society of Friends." Together, the religious experience is deeper than when alone. If you are interested in attending a meeting, start here.

Yes, we know the title of this post is not Quaker but are lyrics of a Shaker song. However, that is the title that kept coming to mind as we roamed the hallway of the New Garden Friends Meeting and, again, as we were preparing this post for Sacred Sunday.

Frank Family Science Center

Since we've been hanging around the Guilford College area this week, we thought we'd end the week sharing a photo of the Frank Family Science Center. The building, located on Guilford College's campus, is over 50,000 square feet. Constructed in 2000, the Frank Family Science Center was designed by the faculty who took extra effort to make the facility conducive to student/faculty interaction. The design helps with a sense of community. From the positive testimonials, it is obvious that students and faculty alike enjoy this building. It has occupancy sensors which help with conserving energy. Faculty efforts to be closer to students is one of many reasons Guilford College is featured on the website of Colleges that Change lives. Read what CTCL says here!

The little dome you see on top is the Cline Observatory. Presentations are offered monthly with the all-dome projector. Weather permitting, they offer public viewings with the observatory telescopes. The next big event scheduled will happen tomorrow on November 14th when Don Cline, from the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) will present a session, entitled "PARI: A Place to Learn about Science and Stars." Yes, this is THE Don Cline, Guilford College alum. for whom the observatory was named. HIs presentation will start at 7:30 pm.
 

Arcadia Drive Home

This Arcadia Drive residence has so much individuality and character. The charcoal gray and white paint makes the home stand out from its well-landscaped grounds. The tree in front reminds us of the great shadows cast on sunny fall and winter days. On the left side, the gray chunk of building peeking out is the not-for-profit Friends Home. This independent living retirement community was founded by the religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Behind this house are the vegetable plots and rose garden maintained by "friends." We're not sure if this house is in any way affiliated with the retirement community. We do know that the house is a beautiful sight to behold as you are rounding the corner to enter the retirement community. With Guilford College across the road, Friends Home behind it, and lots of new construction in the area, this majestic residence is an enclave unto itself!

With the beautiful Greensboro sky seen, not only behind the house, but also reflected in the windows, this is our contribution to Sky Watch Friday.

Veterans Day 2010

November 11th is Veterans Day. It is one of the few holidays in the US, like the Fourth of July, that does not change dates for the convenience of falling on a Monday. The holiday commemorates the anniversary of the ending of World War 1. In 1954, it was expended to celebrate all veterans. Guilford County Schools is closed today so we hope teachers and students are doing something to remember Americans who have served in the Armed Forces. Usually, there is a flag raising by veterans in Friendly Center at 8am on holidays celebrating the military (see our old post here). We like the scene of the above window, not too far from Friendly Center, that hangs one flag for each of the branches of the military.

As language people, we just had to study on the notion of Veterans' Day and Veterans Day. It seems the latter spelling, the attributive, as opposed to the former (the possessive case) is preferred by the US Government (see here). Learn more by looking at the 3 minute video clip put out by the US Department of Veterans (no apostrophe) Affairs (here)

"Q" is for QUAKER

"

The Hege Library is the archival epicenter for our local Quaker/Friends community. The library has 80,000 square feet of space and contains over 240,000 books, periodicals and non-print media. According to the library's website, "the Friends Historical Collection, located in the Hege Library, is a comprehensive research collection of materials pertaining to the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) worldwide. The collection is open to Guilford students and faculty, Friends, visiting scholars, and genealogical researchers." They have 600 manuscripts of records related to Carolina Quakers. Some of the documents date back to 1680. The Friends of the Library are very generous in their support of the literary and artistic endeavors at the library. The prominently-featured globe reminds us that reading and knowledge helps us be worldy.

On today, this ABC Wednesday, "Q" is for Quaker!

Giant Playgrounds

On the weekends, in the fall, college campuses turn into veritable playgrounds-- in a good way. Between intramural leagues, fall festivals, football games, concerts, plays, and art exhibits, there is plenty for students to do. Such was the case at Guilford College this weekend. It was homecoming and students, present and former, of all ages were on campus. In the photo above, students had queued up to Cameron's Funnel Cakes at an arts festival held on the Friendly Center side of campus. The Quakers have been in the Guilford College Road/Friendly Avenue area of Guilford County since the mid-1700's, long before these roads existed! Guilford College is the only Quaker founded college in the southeastern United States. Fall is an impressive time to be on this campus!

If you like college sports, the Guilford College Quakers have some impressive sports facilities for a private school of its size. Unfortunately, the football team's last regular-season game is away next weekend, at Emory & Henry. If you want, you can listen to it on free live audio. Even better, head over to campus and take a brisk walk while the weather is still walker-friendly. The little red camper is not a permanent fixture so don't expect to find it there this weekend. Do expect to find some beautiful brick buildings brimming with history! The funnel-cake-mobile was snapped especially for our friends at Ruby Tuesday! Go Quakers!

First Frost

On Sunday, we woke to a time change (fall back) and the first frost. Greensboro was blanketed in a light, but undeniable, frost. The above photo of a fall rose and a rose hip was taken in our yard on Saturday. The roses were an unexpected, November gift. By Sunday, the gentle frost made the roses look soggy and wilted. 

Our fall roses evoke memories of when they bloomed in June, adding a touch of summer pink in November. The rose hips, however, are the burnt orange of fall. They are important to the plant because they send a message to the rose that it is time to prepare for winter. If you haven't prepared your roses for winter, read here. We were caught off guard and have done nothing to get our plants ready for winter (mulch and water are needed). 

We're sharing this bokeh photo with Mellow Yellow Monday. Have a great week everyone! And winterize.... inside and out!

Cedar Grove Tabernacle of Praise

The Cedear Grove Tabernacle of Praise appears to be attached to and affiliated with the Cedar Grove Baptist Church. They are located together at 612 Norwalk Street, just off West Wendover between the car dealerships and Costco. The church got its start in 1923, nearly half a century before Wendover Avenue even existed. In the 1920's, this would have been a rural Baptist church. The first church was actually constructed in 1926 and rebuilt in 1966. We are so thankful that Cedar Grove has archived some of its history on their website. We'll share some of it here and provide the link in case you want to read more.

The tract of land for the original Cedar Grove Baptist Church was donated by the Boren Family of the nearby Pamona Terra Cotta Pipe Company.  Back in the 1920's, in order to raise money for the church, there were several fundraisers. Dr. Charlotte Hawkins Brown of the Palmer Institute was a guest speaker at a fundraising banquet held at the Terra Cotta School. Rev. J.T. Hairston also spoke. Dr. David D. Jones, former president of Bennett College sang at the fundraiser. Later, to celebrate the construction of the new church, the entire congregation marched down Red Road (now Wendover) to Buffalo Creek for the first baptism (excerpted from here). Today, reverend James Johnson and his wife co-pastor the church. We offer this photo and text to you for Sacred Sunday!

Fluorescent Rocks Fluorescing

This is a photo of the fluorescent rocks fluorescing at the Natural Science Center in Greensboro.  The photo isn't that clear but it captures the energy and educational fun that can be had at the science center. In this corner of the geology room, the rock display is almost like the Wizard of Oz: You don't experience the full magic until you go behind the curtain. Children delight in pulling the curtain shut and then sliding it open. Close the Curtain. Dark. Fluorescence. Marvel. Peel back the curtain. Light. No fluorescence. Just rocks. Giggle. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.......

If Saturday's weather is as damp and nasty like Friday night, you will be looking for something fun to do indoors! We're heading over to the Natural Science Center on Lawndale Drive today to view the "Bodies Revealed" exhibit with 14 REAL human bodies with different skeletal, muscular, nervous, reproductive, digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems revealed and coated in resin. If organs and bones make you squeamish, this is not the exhibit for you. If you want to learn more, read here.

Had I known we were sharing this with Weekend Reflection, I would have tried less hard to keep my reflection from showing on the glass while taking the photo. You can barely see my outline on the small green rock in the middle. Also, there is the reflection to the left, beyond the curtain.

Hanging Rock State Park

Hanging Rock State Park is not in Greensboro; however, it is only a 45 minute drive north and makes a great day trip! Located in the Sauratown Mountains, Hanging Rock comes by its name honestly. After hiking mostly uphill for a mile, you look up and see large rock formations--- hanging. Then, you walk about 3/10ths of a mile up behind the the rocks to heights of around 2,000 feet. If you aren't expecting this altitude, Hanging Rock seems as if you are standing on the highest spot on earth-- high enough for us! As you can see in the photo, the people in the distance are sitting on peaks of bare rocks and sheer cliffs. Established in 1936, Hanging Rock is a part of North Carolina's natural heritage and we are very proud of this state park. The park includes waterfalls, caves, ridges, 18 miles of trails and more over 6,457 acres. If you want more information, we like this link (see here). 

Happy Friday! This is our contribution to Sky Watch Friday.

Open Space Café Theater

The Open Space Cafe Theater is another place to go in Greensboro to be entertained. This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago so Jimmy Dean has left the building! Up next, at the end of November is PEEPERS by Walt Vail, the winner of the Open Space Café Theater's  (OSCT) first annual new play competition. The OSCT has been featuring live, professional theater in Greensboro for four years now. Inside is a foyer where you can buy beverages and snacks. Beyond the foyer is a small stage and also an area with cafe seating where desserts and beverages can be enjoyed while being entertained. The actors are VERY close to the audience during these performances. Sometimes they even build you, the audience, into the performance. Literally, you can reach out and touch them!

At times, the proprietor, Joe Nierle, books music acts too. This December, back by popular demand, he will be showing TRAILER PARK CHRISTMAS in December. We really enjoyed the New Year's Eve event we attended here!

"P" is for Preddy

Historic marker J80 on Summit Avenue is dedicated to George Preddy. Mr. Preddy was born down Summit Avenue a couple of miles east of downtown Greensboro.  As stated on the marker, Preddy was a World War II fighter pilot. He was born in Greensboro in 1919 and attended Greensboro High School. He doubled up on classes so that he could graduate at age sixteen.

Preddy served as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps. At the time of his death, he was the highest ranking ace in the European theater and had earned a Distinguished Service Cross. Ironically, Preddy died on Christmas Day 1944 as a result of friendly fire. He was only twenty five. At the time of his death, Second Lieutenant Preddy had accomplished 26.83 aerial victories and 5 ground victories in 143 missions (read more in the archives of the Greensboro Historical Museum here). In 1968, a portion of I-85 was named Preddy Boulevard in honor of George and his brother Bill, also a pilot killed in World War II. If you are interseted in the military accomplishments of George Preddy, Wikipedia has a fair of information (here).

In the background of the photo, you can see buildings in downtown Greensboro. Some historic markers are in high-traffic hard to read areas; however, the one to Preddy is very accessible on Summit Avenue which, in Preddy's day, was a very prominent part of our city. Today, on Greensboro Daily Photo, "P" is for for Preddy on ABC Wednesday. Thank you for visiting.

Blumenthal's Big & Tall

Blumenthal's Clothing Store, formerly at 358 South Elm Street & presently at 4620 West Market Street, has been a Greensboro institution since 1926. A great photo of the former downtown location is seen here. Also, the Greensboro Historical Museum has on display the neon sign from inside the Elm Street store. The sign tells about the offer of the customer receiving a free pack of cigarettes if the last letter of their receipt matched the number on the sign. It was always so much fun to see if you had a winning receipt, even after cigarettes fell out of favor as a prize!

According to a News& Record article September 2010, Blumenthal's is closing everything but the Big & Tall portion of their business. For us, it is always sad to see the end of those old Greensboro businesses. In the above photo, you see the Blumenthal's mobile as well as a view of the Market Street location. While the Market Street store has great products at reasonable prices, gone is the provenance of the downtown store-- squeeky wooden floor boards, old wood and glass counters from the 1920's, converse tennis shoes and Dickies work pants (when nobody else had them), the chance of a prize with purchase, employees with tape measures around their neck.

This is our contribution to Ruby Tuesday! With that bright yellow vehicle, the photo could have worked for Mellow Yellow Monday! Honk if you love Blumenthal's!

Homeward Bound

This photo was taken at the Southern Railway Station in downtown Greensboro at 236 East Washington Street. The scene evokes the lyrics of Simon and Garfunkel's song, "Homeward Bound," at least some of them.

"I'm sittin' in the railway station got a ticket for my destination.....Homeward bound, I wish I was homeward bound, home where my thought's escaping..."  

Without the one night stands or guitar in hand, this family did, indeed, look homeward bound, waiting patiently for either the train or the bus late one morning. This railway station is a photographer's dream. Here is a color photo we posted in July. Here is an exterior view of the train station which has been a Greensboro landmark since 1927! If we had one wish for the station, it would be to see it utilized more; not only for getting from Point A to Point B and for visiting the great coffee shop and information center, but also for having local events. How about a quick day trip to Raleigh? Let's do it! We can depart Greensboro at 9:11 am and get to Raleigh by 10:48 am!!!

This month's theme for the City Daily Photo is public transportation. At Greensboro Daily Photo, we're saluting our city's great railroading history and the reason we are nicknamed the Gate City. 

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants