Greensboro Daily Photo

T is for Treanor, Kathy Treanor

Kathy Treanor was instrumental in establishing the Piedmont Land Conservancy (PLC), a non-profit that grew into reality around the Treanors' dining room table in 1989. Encompassing a 9-county* region, the overarching goal of PLC is to preserve the Piedmont's natural resources (reference). Some of the PLC's nearly 20,000 protected acres are for public use: Price Park, Weaver Bridge and the Lake Brandt Greenway are examples. Some land is farmed privately, but protected from future development: Goad Lady Dairy, Fern Hill Farm. Over the last twenty two years, Ms. Treanor has worked tirelessly, ensuring that future generations in the Piedmont have open space to enjoy, a clean water supply, and habitat for wildlife.

Ms. Treanor's passion for land preservation stems from the fact that her ancestors were farmers in America dating back to the late 18th century. Today, her 1797 family homeplace in Union Mills, MD, is an historic landmark as well as a museum of American culture (reference). Since her arrival to Greensboro in 1970, Ms. Treanor has been an ardent environmentalist. While she has recently retired as Executive Director of the PLC, Ms. Treanor is still involved in the organization's fine work. Her 2005 book, forever these lands, is a great reference and a way to enjoy the PLC's protected lands in the comfort of your home.

Today is ABC Wednesday and T is for Treanor, Kathy Treanor-- the latest in our People of Greensboro series. The above photo was taken in Ms. Treanor's back yard, a botanist's delight nestled between Friendly Avenue and Holden Road. For upcoming PLC events (including one TOMORROW) click here. 

*Alamance, Caswell, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, Stokes, Surry, and Yadkin.

Dr. Shubal Gardner Coffin's Jamestown Home

Today we are in Jamestown on Main Street at Dr. Shubal Gardner Coffin's house. Built in 1855, the home was constructed overlooking the railroad tracks that had recently arrived in Jamestown "to enjoy the improved access and visibility afforded by train travel." According to the nearby historic marker sign, the house features Greek revival details like board and batten siding. Dr. Coffin (1809-1881) established a medical school in Guilford County in 1840. Dr. Coffin, whose life spanned the Civil War years, was a member of the Coffin family that was involved with the Underground Railroad. Abolitionist Levi Coffin was the most well known family member. Recently, we found an internet article of the family's history (available on the internet here). 

A few years ago, when the bright yellow home had an antique store in it, one could explore all of the nooks and crannies. For sure, the residence overlooks the railroad tracks, allowing the Coffins to observe all the coming and going of rail cars. At one time, the Greensboro/Jamestown/High Point area was quite the crossroads for passengers and commerce in the south.

Do Pumpkins Float?

With students returning to school, the Thanksgiving Holiday is officially over.

Above, you see two pumpkins that have been tossed in a retention pond in a suburban neighborhood. Say goodbye to pumpkins and hello to the sights of Christmas: inflatable Santas, living nativities, Christmas tree lots, and the ocean of red and green chicken-wire-light-balls, tossed-high-into-trees in Sunset Hills. On Thursday, when December arrives, our memory of the ubiquitous fall pumpkins will be long gone. Likely, by then, a diligent neighbor will have transferred the above pumpkins from the retention pond to a compost pile.

Retention ponds are human-made basins for managing water run off. They are extremely popular in Greensboro, particularly in neighborhoods that were constructed during the housing boom of the 1990's. Some communities, Lake Jeanette, for example, made a real effort for these water features to be well-landscaped to enhance the neighborhood. Other places, the Wal-Mart on North Battleground, for example, these ponds are less elegant as they tend to collect litter. 

And yes, as seen above, pumpkins float. Jack-o-lanterns, however, do not........

Triad Hindu Families

The above photo was taken at Eastern High School at a recent recital of traditional dancing of India. Most of the Indian community in attendance worships at the nearby Triad Hindu Temple, located at 2424 Huffine Mill Road. The temple's mission is to serve the Hindu community and to promote culture through religious, social and educational programs. Members of the temple celebrate holidays together. The temple offer children's programs so that the youngest generation, likely born in the USA, are socialized into the traditions of their ancestors. Puja, bhajans, and holiday celebrations are just a few of the events taking place regularly at the temple.

Above, Ganesha (elephant), known as the remover of obstacles, is honored at the beginning of rituals and ceremonies-- in today's instance, the dance recital.  Natarajah, the Lord of Dance seen above, is an incarnation of Shiva dancing around an aureole of flames. For the young ladies dancing last week, their pantheon of gods must have been watching over them, for the recital was outstanding.

Happy Sacred Sunday where we at GDP endeavor to share the religious diversity of the Greensboro community.

Piedmont Triad International Airport (GSO)

As with most of the USA, this is a big travel weekend for the people of Greensboro. Above, we see a photo of the Piedmont Triad International Airport -- GSO in airport three-letter code. Located eight miles west of Greensboro, the surface address is 6415 Bryan Boulevard, Greensboro, NC 27409. Lindley Field was formally opened to passengers on May 28, 1927 and, flew its first passenger to New York in July. The field was named for the Lindley family who owned the land originally.

In November 2009, 68,954 passengers traveled through GSO; In November 2010, the number increased to 75,634.* It will be interesting to follow the statistics for this November.

This was the calm before the storm of travelers. 

*Statistics here.

Stephie's Birds

For Black Friday, we're headed out for a little retail therapy. What better way to start the day than to head over to Stephie's Birds to see some GIANT feathered friends!  Stephie, a second generation bird breeder/handler, is known up and down the east coast for her breeding of fabulously beautiful, healthy birds, of all sizes. From scarlet macaws to purple parakeets, her expertise in all issues related to birds keeps even a few vets ringing her phone. Above, a cockatoo named Chance watches over the store. In addition to selling birds, Stephie finds new homes for birds that the original owners can no longer keep. 

Recently Stephie's Birds relocated to North Battleground across from Wal-Mart.

While we only show a sliver of the sky in the photo above, we're sharing this photo with our friends at Skywatch Friday. We'll be sure to snap a few more photos when we are out finding bargains. How are you spending the day?

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

"Over the river and through the wood to grandfather's house we go... we would not stop for doll or top for this is Thanksgiving Day...."  No poem evokes the memory of Thanksgiving more than Lydia Maria Child's 1844 poem about the holiday. If you have time, read it with your family (here). So many of us have fond memories of visiting our grandparents or, perhaps, being the grandparent making those memories of holiday fellowship with family. Coming together, breaking bread, and celebrating the generations is at the core of who we are as North Carolinians.

The house above peeks out beyond a make-shift dirt parking lot, waiting to be filled with the vehicles full of travelers arriving for a Thanksgiving feast. Beyond the old oak tree, you see  Early Farms  on Bethel Church Road in Gibsonville. The Earlys are fifth generation farmers; so we imagine they'll be serving up some savory, Guilford-County-grown vegetables. Who knows, living in a rural part of the county, they may have procured a wild turkey.

S if for Schiffman, Arnold Anthony Schiffman, Jr.

Since 1893, the Schiffman name has been associated with quality purchases of fine jewelry, porcelain, and future heirlooms. Here we see Arnold Anthony Schiffman, Jr. (Tony), the third generation at the helm of Greensboro's oldest, locally-owned jewelry store. We were lucky to get a few minutes of his time last week as he and his associates have entered the season of the seven day work week between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  A firm believer in jewelry stores that have been part of a community for a century or more, Mr. Schiffman has purchased several such family-owned jewelry stores in the USA (read more here). Nearly 120 years ago, serendipity brought the Schiffmans to Greensboro.

In 1893, Simon Schiffman was traveling by train from Asheville to Raleigh. When he got off at the Greensboro Depot on South Elm Street, he learned that a jewelry store was for sale. He purchased it and Schiffmans have been selling jewelry in Greensboro since then.  The original store was on the west side of Elm Street which, in the late 1800's was the more reputable side of the street.

Along with the Cones, the Schiffmans were one of the earliest Jewish families to settle in Greensboro and were instrumental in establishing the congregation that would become Temple Emanuel. If all goes according to plan, Mr. Schiffman (Tony), will pass the business on to his sons. Eventually, grandson Arnold Anthony Schiffman IV will earn his credential from the Gemological Institute of America and carry the family business into the fifth generation. Today is ABC Wednesday and for our People of Greensboro Series, S is for Schiffman, Arnold Anthony, Jr.

See earlier entries here.

 

Andreas Gursky Inspired Photo

On Tuesday, November 8, 2011, German photographer, Andreas Gursky, sold a photograph for 4.3 million dollars at Christie's in NYC. His photograph is sure to become THE iconic photo of the Rhine River... and beyond. Inspired by Gursky's fame and fortune, we wanted to take an iconic photo of North Carolina. The quest took us to Early Farms in eastern Guilford County. They are a certified roadside farm market. Roadside farm markets are to North Carolina as the Rhine River is to Germany-- well if not exactly, at least headed in that direction!

Somehow we don't think our photo will garner the fame and fortune as the Gursky; however, we sure had fun roaming around Guilford County looking for inspiration. We tried to interpret the Gursky photo-- layers of green, gray-blue, and brown. We just weren't as Rothko-esque.  Once we googled Gursky's images, we had a greater appreciation for his 4-million-dollar photograph. OK, you've waited long enough. See Gursky's photo here. 

And, during the 2012 growing season, don't forget to stop by Early Farms for some farm fresh produce. Let them know, not only do their gherkins make some mighty fine pickles but their fields would make a mighty fine Gursky!

McWarhol at Westridge Square

Happy Monday, dear readers........today, we take you to:

Westridge, a common name in Greensboro. In addition to Westridge Road and Westridge Court, we have the Westridge Heights neighborhood and Westridge Forest. The above photo was taken inside the McDonald's Restaurant at Westridge Square at the corner of Westridge and Battleground. When Westridge Square was built on 16 acres in 1983 in Northwest Guilford County, this area was considered far from town-- out on the "western ridge." Today, clearly, it is been absorbed by the city.

On a recent visit, we noticed this art print at the McDonald's Restaurant and chuckled at the reference to the creative, modern prints of artist Andy Warhol. We wonder how McDonald's negotiated this print and who is repsonsable for it. Now that McDonald's is at the Louvre in Paris (2009), perhaps the restaurant is taking its association with the art world seriously. You may remember from an earlier post, Greensboro does have the first McDonald's built in North Carolina-- and it is still in operation today. If you made an iconic, Warhol, 4-square print to represent your household, what would be in the picture? 

Sanctuary, Serenity and Thanksgiving

Today, we're cheating somewhat as we're a few miles west in Kernersville, NC, at the Paul J. Ceiner Botanical Garden. It is billed as a place of beauty designed to inspire, enlighten, and connect people of all ages to the world of plants. The above photo was taken last summer when this dynamic, public place was preparing for the grand opening. This large room resembles a sanctuary, especially a Friends (Quaker) Meeting House, well, that is if the colorful banners were removed.

At any rate, since we feature something religious or at least spiritual every week, we thought a place where one could commune with nature-- reflect, meditate, pray-- would be appropriate. The woman in the photo was pretty speechless upon entering and seeing the beauty of the facility. The natural light is so soft and delicate here. We are reminded of the Thanksgiving psalms.

    Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving sing praises to our god on the lyre.  

If you are living in the USA, click through and enjoy that lyre music as you make your final plans for Thanksgiving this Thursday.

Irving Park- First Citizens Bank (Continued)

First Citizens, established in 1913, has its roots in the south, specifically Georgia and South Carolina. We've been watching the construction of their newest branch in Irving Park, just north of downtown. We first posted a picture of early construction back in July and have been back to check the progress several times. As a matter of fact, while photographing the site last week, we spotted someone climbing the stairs, visible through the metal ribcage of the structure.  Most recently, the yellow insulation was installed and, as seen above, it is as brilliant as a poplar or birch tree's golden leaves on a bright fall day.

First Citizens will be competing with the red and gold Wells Fargo stagecoach bank that bought Charlotte-based Wachovia in 2008 and retired all signs of Wachovia on October 15, 2011. We're anxious to see what the First Citizens building will look like upon completion; however, this canary yellow shell against the Carolina blue sky will be hard to top.

Sunset on Autumn

For a few weeks there, it seemed as if autumn would last forever. Locally, fall was especially beautiful this year. Leaves were brilliantly colored, skies were blue, and many days were just perfect for spending time outside: bike riding, festivals, nature walks......... Then, in Greensboro, the temperature dropped over 30 degrees in a 24 hour time period. From Wednesday's tepid, mid-70's balmy tornado-front to driving rain and fog, COLDNESS captured our autumn at one fell swoop. Leaves surrendered their grip and winter coats were brought out of storage. Also, with the time change and days getting shorter, many people leave for work and return in the dark. What? Was there a day today? Did someone see daylight? Sunshine?

Yesterday, just when all seemed about as uplifting as a big bowl of unseasoned broth, this brilliant sunset lingered on the horizon, a carrot dangling, reminding us to see the beauty that lies ahead. First, some snow, slush and lots of gray, but, before we know it, all will be green again. In the meantime, winter is knocking....... Can't you hear it?

We're sharing this with Skywatch Friday and are heading over there to see the sky above a few hundred cities worldwide.

Corner of Elm & Washington

It has been a while since we've featured a panoramic view of Downtown Greensboro. Here, we see a view of downtown, facing eastward, from the Greene Street Parking Deck on Washington Street. Here you see the intersection is of Washington and Elm. The lower right corner is of Glitters. On the upper right corner is the Greensboro Bank and Trust Company. In the distance you can see the parking lot of the News & Record. 

So much is happening in Downtown Greensboro this December and we're working on our to-do list. From theater events to the Jaycees Holiday Parade to the Festival of Lights to first Friday to Winterfest and ice skating outside, there is literally something to do every day in December. As soon as their is snow, we're heading to this very spot to take more photos! Happy Thursday all. Let us know how you are spending your day!

R is for Redhead, Dr. John A. Redhead, Jr.

Dr. John Agrippa Redhead, Jr. was minister of the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro for twenty-five years, from 1945- 1970. He was not only well known locally, but also nationally and internationally through his radio broadcasts via the Protestant Radio Network and the Armed Forces Radio. Dr. Redhead carefully crafted every sermon that he preached. His detailed preparation consisted of: reading, organizing, writing, and 'absorbing the ceremony for delivery.'* He learned his sermons to the extent that he did not need to carry manuscripts or notes to the pulpit. He felt those papers would distance him from his congregation and diminish the impact of his delivery. He is quoted as saying, "paper is said to be a poor conductor of heat."** His sermons were broadcast live on the radio and he was highly sought after for his powerful and impeccable locution.

Also, Dr. Redhead's sermons were historically timely. After Greensboro's 1960 sit-ins, he preached a powerful lesson during these tense times, entitled, "On Turning the World Upside Down."  Another famous sermon, A faith for today, was delivered on June 7, 1968 following the death of Robert F. Kennedy.  Several of his books and sermons are still available today. Ever personable and connected to his congregation, Dr. Redhead was known for his amazing ability to call all 3,000 of his church members' names with ease. He was the 1975 recipient of the NCCJ Brotherhood/Sisterhood Citation Award for his efforts to promote understanding of people of all cultures.  The above portrait, painted in 1954, hangs in a meeting/fellowship room of the First Persbyterian Church of Greensboro (see inside here; outside here)

Today is ABC Wednesday and, for Round Nine, we've been featuring People of Greensboro. See previous entries here.

* Greensboro 27, Abe Jones, Jr., p. 265.

**Fundamentals of Preaching,John Killinger, p. 167.

Guilford Horticultural Society

The Guilford Horticultural Society (GHS) is a place for garden enthusiasts to learn more about plants and to get their gardening questions answered. It was founded in 1983 and holds monthly meetings at the Greensboro Natural Science Center.  For the last 26 years, GHS has held a symposium on gardening. See last year's flyer here. 

At last year's symposium, GHS had a session entitled "Fashionably Late: The Garden after August 15th," providing ideas for keeping a garden alive after the first hint of fall. Had we attended that session, perhaps we would have known how to help our hosta survive the first frost. Oh well, we're pretty sure this perennial will come back to life next spring and, in the meantime, we are enjoying the brilliant yellow foliage. We're lucky to have it in the first place as most of our hostas were eaten by deer earlier in the season. Now that we've learned hostas are edible to humans, we are gearing up to beat the deer to them next year!

Consider becoming involved with the Guilford Horticultural Society. Meetings are free and open to the public and symposium fees are $45 for non-members and $35 for members.* According to their Facebook page, the group is planning a fabulous symposium for 2011-2012. In Guilford County, we are so lucky to have these gardening events and access to experts who are so generous with their knowledge. 

*prices published for last year.

Inside the Carolina Theatre

We've meaning to take you inside the Carolina Theatre for a while now. Above, you see a portion of this regal place. Opening Halloween night 1927, the 2,200 seat theatre is known as the "Showplace of the Carolinas." Imagine the reaction to this opulent interior to the Depression-era audiences who came to be transported into a world of movies and Vaudeville performances. Today, the theater operates as a non-profit with the mission of "Presenting Arts, Preserving History." Read more about the history here; read about President and CEO Holliday here. 

Recently, the Carolina Theatre finished their wildly successful annual showing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. At the moment, they're in the middle of CTG's Wizard of Oz production. Next, Carolina Theatre's December schedule includes not only live concerts but also the Greensboro Ballet's Nutcracker performances. Finally, for those who celebrate Christmas, what holiday season would be complete without seeing the movie classics, White Christmas, Miracle on 34th Street, and It's a Wonderful Life on the big screen? Be one of the 90,000 patrons-a-year to support this local treasure by attending an event. See the schedule here.

Day of Rest

And the Lord spoke unto Moses saying, "Verily ye shall keep my sabbaths for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that ye may know that I am the Lord who sanctify you....."

In Abrahamic religions, the shabbat/sabbath is a day of rest and worship. For Jews, the commandment for keeping shabbat a day of rest is repeated many times in the Tanakh. For Christians, it is stressed in Exodus 31:12-17. Christians interpret it as a general day of rest-- free from work. Jewish law is much more prescriptive, identifying 39 activities prohibited on Shabbat: planting, reaping, writing, tearing, igniting a fire, and applying the finishing touch-- to name a few (more here).

Wherever we find ourselves on the continuum of orthodoxy and fundamentalism to non-believing, for sure we all need time to nurture the soul-- that nebulous, incorporeal realm of the self. In the western world, gone is the common day of rest. However, consider scheduling a day of rest, when you don't leave your house, don't create or make anything; when you reflect, appreciate, express gratitude, and goal set... even if the day of rest is not a Saturday or Sunday. Today, we are resting-- sitting and admiring the above view of fall foliage in Greensboro-- and expressing gratitude for your visiting our blog.

The FASHIONABLE Guilford National Bank

On Greensboro Daily Photo, we find inspiration when and where we least expect it. The above photo was taken at the Antique Marketplace in Greensboro. The black & white advertisement, nestled between Pyrex kitchen bowls and vintage cocktail dresses, is for Guilford National Bank, the Friendly Center Branch.

According to the archives of the News and Record, the Guilford National Bank opened in 1934 with capitol of $250,000 and merged with Security National Bank in 1960. Since Friendly Center opened in 1957*, we're guessing this ad was published in the late 1950's. The ad establishes the bank's locations as the following: 419 N. Elm; 301 S. Elm; 1301 W. Lee ; 1712 E. Bessemer; and Friendly Shopping Center. The text below the black and white photo of the girl with her poodle reads:

                            WHY IT'S FASHIONABLE TO SAVE

"I heard daddy say we should save for the things we want. That's why I started my savings account at Guilford National Bank. Now I have my own fancy poodle. You, too, can have the things you want to be fashionable. Open your Guilford Bank savings account today."

We love that use of the word fashionable. What would we say today? trendy? cool? a good thing? Why is it fashionable to save in the 21st century-- or not?  What are you saving for? We're sharing this post with Weekend Reflections. There is just a touch of reflection in our photo (inside the Pyrex bowls on the edge of the ashtray peeking out from the lower left corner); however, check out the reflection in the glass window & door in the advertisement.

*read more about the early years of Friendly Center here. 

Veterans Day 2011

Veterans Day is a time to remember those who have served in the military. It grew out of Armistice Day at the time of World War I which ended in the 11th hour in the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Well, today is a very special day because it is 11/11/11. Do you know where you will be/were at 11:11? Today, most government offices are closed, as are Guilford County Schools. Hopefully everyone will take time to remember the sacrifices made by service people and their families. Many restaurants are giving discounts to veterans. If you are one, don't forget to ask!

The above photo was taken at a Memorial Day event at Friendly Center; however, it shows veterans interacting with each other and it was very clearly taken in Greensboro. Maybe by Veterans Day next year, there can be world peace. Read about world peace on Wikipedia (here).

It isn't much of a sky in the background, but we're sharing it with Skywatch Friday.

Mother Murphy's Laboratories

Right here in Greensboro, we've got the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory of flavoring and Mother Murphy is the Willie Wonka of our taste buds. For 65 years, Mother Murphy's Laboratories has been concocting flavors. The very beginning of the business can be traced to the early 20th century when college student Richard Stelling worked his way through college making and selling flavorings. In the 1920's, as a Greensboro physician, Dr. Richard Stelling continued to experiment with making flavors in an in-home basement laboratory. Eventually, Dr. Stelling teamed up with his patient, Jefferson Standard Life insurance agent, Kermit L. Murphy, Sr. to form a business. By 1947, they opened Southern Laboratories which, in 1955, became Mother Murphy's Laboratories, Inc. In 1965, Mother Murphy's moved into the above South Elm Street facility where they are still located and in the hands of the Murphy family (more company history here). 

Mother Murphy's makes not only flavors for bakeries but also for just about anything that contains a laboratory-made flavor including: candies, drugs, sodas and tobacco products. Since the 1980's, they have been adding flavors like vanilla and chocolate to cigarettes. There are days in South Greensboro when the winds are just right and wonderful scents waft through town. We're never quite sure if they are coming from Mother's Murphy's or from Lorillard Tobacco. Vanilla is a signature flavor for Mother Murphy's; however, they are also known for some very creative flavor combinations-- 5,000 in all, 400 of which are vanilla!. On the day we were hunting for this building, we smelled it before we saw it. Watch this 2 minute video to learn more, here.  It would be wonderful if every student in Guilford County could take a tour of this facility and see great science at work!

Q is for Quaintance, Dennis (& Nancy)

Here we see Dennis Quaintance on the Green Valley side of the O. Henry Hotel . Mr. Quaintance, President of Quanitance-Weaver Restaurants and Hotels, is dressed casually because he walks the three miles from home to work at the O. Henry. Sustainable practices and reducing the carbon footprint are important to Mr. Quaintance personally and are embedded into the fabric of his business model. Another passion for Mr. Quaintance is building community-centered hotels that, unlike the national chains, are in and of the community (read more here). Above all, he values keeping guests satisfied and personalizes their hotel and dining experience as much as possible.

Earlier this month, The National Conference for Community and Justice named Mr. Quaintance as the 2011 recipient of the 45th Annual Brotherhood/Sisterhood Citation Award for his ongoing efforts to respect the inherent worth and dignity of people of all backgrounds.  Mr. Quaintance attributes his passion for equality to early childhood when he saw his mother endure gender bias.

Having lived in Greensboro since 1978, Mr. Quaintance is an integral part of the fabric of our community. His hard work and collaborative efforts, between wife Nancy and business partner Mike Weaver, enhance our community in so many ways: The O. Henry Hotel, Proximity Hotel, Printworks Bistro, Green Valley Grill, Lucky 32 Restaurant, to name a few. From his humble beginnings as a housekeeper's assistant in a Montana hotel at age 15 to his rise to the presidency of Quaintance-Weaver, Mr. Quaintance has worked hard every step of the way.

Today is ABC Wednesday and, for our People of Greensboro series, Q is for Quaintance. See earlier entries here. 

Fall Bike Ride

This past Sunday was a perfect day for a bike ride. Here we see a group of cyclists en route, calling a fellow cyclist who was lagging behind-- ahh technology. We met up with these cyclists on the part of the greenway trail that parallels Benjamin Boulevard, between Friendly Center and Grimsley High School.

If you are interested in cycling and want to find like-minded people, the Velo Club of Greensboro is an active, social cycliing club.  It was established 36 years ago, in 1975 and continues to add meetings and events. In addition to their weekly Sunday rides, the local club is gearing up for three big events this fall/winter: 1) The Tanglewood Park Festival of Bikes on November 18th; 2) the 15th annual Polar Bear Ride on January 1st; and  3) the big Cyclocross Race at Bur-Mil Park on January 22nd. The Polar Bear Ride would be a great way to bring in the new year that would be perfect for those of us who vow to move more and eat less.

Whether you join a group or do something on your own, travel on Greensboro's Greenway or on paths uncharted, we suggest you head outdoors and take advantage of these fleeting good-weather days.

 

 

Cemex.... Aquí Se Vende Cemento

¡Bienvenido! Cemex, formerly Cementos Mexicanos, is a global building materials company, selling cement, ready-mix and aggregate concrete. Cemex was founded in Mexico in 1906 and has turned into a global corporation. It's national headquarters is in Monterrey, Mexico and the US headquarters is in Houston (Memorial City), Texas.

The local plant is located at 3415 Sandy Ridge Road in Colfax; very near the Farmers' Market. Online estimates indicate that the local business generates 10-20 million in revenue and employs 50-99 employees. Worldwide, revenue is into the billions. Locally, other than having to wait behind trucks coming and going at the corner of West Market Street and Sandy Ridge, you might not even notice that Cemex has an office in our community. According to their sign, they are open to the public, selling not only cement but also pavers, brick, block, sand, gravel, tools, retaining walls & other building materials.

If you want to learn more about the company and it's holdings, read their 2010 annual report here. See their Wiki entry here.

Lake Townsend Baptist Church

Lake Townsend is the largest of Greensboro's municipal reservoirs. The 1,542 acre lake, northeast of Greensoro, was opened in 1969 and named in honor of James R. Townsend who served as Greensboro's City Manager for fourteen years-- from 1947-1961. Lake Townsend Baptist Church is located at 214 Denny Road, just off of North Elm Street near Pisgah Church Road. We found this church the day we were exploring Zola Drive. The church is located near, but not on, Lake Townsend. We loved the looks of this little white structure, along the road of what used to be a very rural part of Greensboro.

Not much is written about this specific church online. However, as Baptists, they believe that baptisms should be performed on consenting adults only, as opposed to infants. Also, baptism is immersion in water, not a few drops on the head. If you want to learn about the Baptist faith in general, Wikipedia is a great place to start. We do know that the Annual Meeting of the Baptist State Convention starts tomorrow and you can read more at the North Carolina Baptists' website here. Here is another great website about the history of Baptists in NC (here too). So much to learn and a little complicated about differences in doctrine for people not of the religion.

Tree and House; So Poetic

Once there was a tree and it was so beautiful that the owner of this house decided to remodel the house around the tree. The oak tree continues to grow tall and thrive on this Shady Lawn lot, located off Etney Ridge, in the neighborhood behind Earthfare (off Battleground). This neighborhood is very conveniently located to Bryan Boulevard and Battleground Avenue. Many people like it because it is quiet, the houses are reasonably priced and it is zoned for Grimsley High School. 

If you like houses built around trees, look at this 300 year old tree in Pasadena, CA that has a home built around it. That post reminded us of Joyce Kilmer's poem.

    I think that I shall never see

    A poem as lovely as a tree.

    A tree whose lovely mouth is prest

    Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

    A tree that looks at God all day,

    And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

    A tree that may in summer wear

    A nest of robins in her hair;

    Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

    Who intimately lives with rain.

    Poems are made by fools like me,

    But only God can make a tree.

Is there a special tree in your life? We're sharing this with Weekend Reflections.

Stairway to Heaven

If we could imagine an album cover to Led Zeppelin's 1971 hit, "Stairway to Heaven," it would be the above photo taken right here in Guilford County. The clouds are so fluffy and heavenly; the stairway leads right to the heavens over the Dollar Center and Pawn Way in High Point. The shopping complex is located a block away from High Point University. The lyrics that inspired this photo, "There's a lady who's sure all that glitters is gold; And she's buying a stairway to heaven. When she gets there, she knows if the stores are all closed; With a word she can get what she came for. Ooh, ooh, and she's buying a stairway to heaven..... (complete lyrics here). 

On the one hand, the photo is so local; on the other, so generic. Every community seems to have one of these strip malls with places to get cash, buy dollar imports from China, and start a new phone service. We're sharing this on Friday because the Skywatch Friday crowd will appreciate some lighthearted, creative Friday fun. Don't forget that today is FIRST FRIDAY, where downtown Greensboro come alive with art galleries and stores staying open late! Hope to see you on Elm Street tonight. Have a great weekend, all. 

Read more about Stairway to Heaven and Led Zeppelin's creative process here. 

 

Fall Foliage

Today, we're featuring a bouquet of fall leaves and the last roses of the season. It is representative of the flora and coloration found in Greensboro this time of year. We put the arrangement together this past weekend, just before the first frost. It was our little effort at Ikebana-- the Japanese tradition of bringing together nature and humanity.

North Carolina is fortunate to have extensive diversity in our woody plant species with 487 native and 159 introduced species of trees, shrubs, and woody vines (reference). It is so rewarding to walk through one's yard and see the diversity nature has to offer. The holly leaves and nandina berries seen above will last through the winter; however, the red and orange leaves, as well as the roses, are on borrowed time. While outside relaxing in the quiet of the afternoon, we could smell wood burning in a distant fireplace. Like the wildlife, during a harvest moon, we're getting ready for a few months of challenging weather and this photo allows to hold on to fall a little longer.

Time for eating Brunswick stew and making apple butter with this arrangement on our kitchen counter. What's it like in your neck of the woods?

P is for Preddy Brothers, George and William

The Preddy Brothers, George and William, were raised in Greensboro, at 605 Park Street, near Summit Avenue and War Memorial Stadium. As a young boy, the ever-resourceful George opened a concession stand at War Memorial Stadium. He called it "The Mouse Hole," a play on his nickname, "mouse." The precocious George graduated from Greensboro Senior High School in 1935 at age 16. He was passionate about aviation and became an Army air force pilot. Following in his older brother's footsteps, Bill also became an Army air force pilot. George was killed by 'friendly fire' in Europe on Christmas Day, 1944. Bill died of injuries sustained when his plane was shot down less than four months later, April 1945. Both Preddy brothers are buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery in France. Imagine losing not one but both of your sons overseas in time of war.

The above memorial kiosk, dedicated to the Major George E. Preddy, Jr. and First Lieutanant William R. Preddy, is located at Piedmont Triad International Airport. At first, we tried to wait for this husband and wife team to leave so that they would not be in the photo. However, we were touched by the fact that they stood for a very long time, reading every single word and watching the video about the Preddy Brothers. Their presence shows the power and effectiveness of promoting the people and places of Greensboro in the airport where, not only travelers but also locals-- like us, learn about our history and culture. 

 Today is ABC Wednesday and P is for the Preddy brothers, George and William.  (See previous entries here). To see Greensboro from the perspective of the Preddy brothers, click here.

Ai Cemetery

On  Day of the Dead, today we are floating through Ai Cemetery in remembrance of those who are in eternal rest. The Day of the Dead, or El Día de los Muertos, is a holiday akin to Catholicism's All Saints' and All Souls' Days. In Mexico, there is a decidedly indigenous/Aztec flavor to the celebration. The deceased are honored by gathering in homes, at churches, and in cemeteries. It is a time to remember the dearly departed with little offerings of the deceased family member's favorite food, beverages, and with little gifts. It is said that the final death on earth comes when nobody living remembers you.

If such a holiday were celebrated widely in Greensboro, the McGready descendants would be singing and dancing in Ai Cemetery right now. Nancy L. McGready, who was born in 1797 and died in 1858, is buried in this cemetery adjacent to Ai Church. The surname, McGready, is a variant of the Gaelic word meaning "trained" or "expert." The McGready's were some of the early settlers to Guilford County. James McGready migrated to Guilford County from Pennsylvania in 1778 and settled near David Caldwell's congregation. McGready, pious from childhood, became a minister and had congregations in Haw River and Stony Creek.* Now that we've learned about the McGready's, we'll need to return to Ai Cemetery to see if the preacher is buried there. As for where "Ai" got its name, nobody knows for sure.

For more information on Preacher McGready of Guilford County, read chapter 4 of The Great Revival: The beginnings of the Bible Belt by John B. Boles.