Greensboro Daily Photo

St. James UMC

It has been five years since we took this photo of St. James United Methodist Church. Quite possibly, if we drove by today, the crosses would have Lenten cloth draped over them. We were going through some old photos and were struck by the beauty and simplicity of this rural, country church. It is located on Burlington Road between Sedalia and Whitestt.

With the appeal of the amenities of the mega-churches, small churches often rely on the support of the families who have attended over multiple generations. St. James doesn't have much of an internet presence and their Facebook page hasn't been updated since 2011. We're betting there are some great memories of the people who attend St. James UMC. We can't emphasize enough, the importance of documenting and archiving your organization's history. 

Happy Sunday.  Today, head over to the re-enactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse if you get a chance. If you are up early enough, they'll be having church, down by the river, dressed in their 18th century Sunday best.

Auditorium, (Soon To Be) Formerly Known As Aycock

The Board of Trustees of the University of North Carolina Greensboro voted to remove the name of former Governor Aycock from its auditorium. In 1928, the university voted to honor Governor Aycock by naming the auditorium in his honor. While he did a great deal for education, and visited UNCG several times, it was determined that his beliefs, actions, and values, related to racial segregation,  are not aligned with the core values and mission of the university today (reference, here). 

As of yesterday, the name Aycock was still on the auditorium; however, we did catch the signage crew at UNCG  assessing what would be involved in changing the name. It will be interesting to learn what the new name will be, as well as how the name was determined. 

Half Mast

Flags were at half mast this week in honor of First Lady Nancy Reagan. In addition to the U.S. flag in the above photo are the flag of North Carolina and the one for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, our minor league baseball team. The muted, silhouetted colors of the cement and metal items, above, make the color in the taut flags stand out. March winds yesterday held the flags tightly drawn, seemingly at attention.

The above photo features Natty's Hill over the outfield at the baseball field. It is sponsored by Natty Greene's Brewing Company,  and a popular vantage point during ball games. Speaking of Natty Greene, tomorrow is the reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse at Country Park, where someone will be dressed up as our city's namesake, Nathanael Greene. They will be living life as if it were March 15th, 1781.

If the weather continues to be as lovely as it was yesterday, the re-enactors of a decisive battle of the American Revolutionary War will have a wonderful weekend for reliving history. All of those natural fibers they wear, as well as their cotton tents, can be pretty miserable on a wet weekend. Here's hoping for an all-around great weekend for all of the re-enactors and all of our readers-- regardless of where you are!

Kimesville Dam

After reading Carl Wilson's Dec. 2015 News and Record article about the Kimesville Community on the Guilford/Alamance County border, we've wanted to explore the area. Yesterday, we had a chance to photograph Kimesville Falls, the stone dam and waterfall. It is located on Alamance Church Road (also known as Greensboro- Chapel Hill Road). The dam was built in 1812, originally powering a grist mill. A textile mill opened across the road and Kimesville became a thriving mill community. In the mid-20th century, the area was also a summertime swimming and fishing destination. They even had their own baseball and softball teams, the Muscrats-- the name inspired by muskrats, common in the area.

In the 1990's, the area was overgrown and deteriorating and was overpowered by kudzu. Community members have worked to keep the land cleared off. This past December, the Merry Christmas sign was even displayed over the falls, after a 20-year hiatus. We hope to get back to photograph it not only in the summer, but also this December. If you are driving east, the falls will be on the right side of the road. You might notice the mini-replica of the Cape Hateras lighthouse before you notice the falls.

(reference and Carl Wilson's N&R article, here).

I is for Intersection

The intersection of Market and Elm Streets is the one that splits Greensboro's streets into north/south and east/west. Our city radiates out from this spot. At the corner of Market and Elm, an historic marker reminds us of the Greensboro Law School that was once near here. While the view from ground level is not particularly a stand-out, it is one that sees a lot of traffic, by day, on the weekends, and after church. At the moment, there is considerable construction on the east side of this intersection- just beyond the camera's view.

In the above photo, you see a runner, who was running in last night's 70 degree weather. Out of view are the holiday snowflakes that still adorn Elm Street. As we walked along West Market Street yesterday, we saw people voting early. As we walked along Elm Street last night, we were struck by the fact that at 7:45 p.m. many of the businesses were hopping. Mack & Mack had people inside, Cheesecakes by Alex was crowded. People were hanging out at Scuppernong books. It seems that downtown no longer closes at 5:00 p.m. 

Today is ABC Wednesday and, for our A-Z Urban Finds Series, "I" is for intersection, the meeting of north, south, east, west.

Air Harbor Airport

Air Harbor Airport ~W88~ is a great place for small plane enthusiasts. As you can see from the above photo, it is also a great place to watch the coming and going of aviators. The picture windows provide a great view. Located 6 miles north of downtown Greensboro, this 2,460 ft. runway is open to the public and sells fuel. It is privately owned and, quite popular with the people who keep their planes on property.

If you are ever looking for something to do, especially with young children, head out to Air Harbor Airport and spend some time watching planes coming and going. Weekends are usually busiest. The airport sits on 36 acres on Air Harbor Road. It opened in 1946. Let's hope that it is still thriving in another 70 years!

Meyer's Department Store

Meyer's Store was located at 200 South Elm Street at the corner of February 1 Place. The above photo shows what remains of the most recent tenant at the site; as well as construction in progress. At present, it is being transformed into something new.

Meyer's Department Store began as a general store in 1904 and opened as a 5-story department store in 1924. The architect for the store, in the above location, was Guilford County's own Harry Barton (reference, here). The store has large, street level windows, allowing shoppers to see and be tempted by their beautiful goods. This street-level floor featured silks, linens, gloves, lace, stationery, leather goods, silverware, and jewelry (reference). This latter reference, Preservation Greensboro, has a great article on the store, if you are interested in Greensboro's history. 

Below, you see a plaque to William Dowd Meyer "to commemorate the opening of the greater Meyer's Store and as a pledge of continued fidelity loyalty and co-operation".  What a nice remembrance from the co-workers, and still found on the northeast corner of the building. We're interested in following the construction and hoping that the building will retain its original glory. It has been several decades since Meyer's  Department Store has been in the building. We hope the current tenant is there for a very long time and that they have as vibrant a business as the original tenants.

Happy Monday, dear readers.

 

First Blossoms of Spring

There is something moving, almost spiritual, about seeing those first blossoms of spring. They often mean that fruit won't be far behind,  In scripture, references to blossoms would more likely be associated with apples, figs, dates, laurel, myrrh or almonds. However, blossoms of any kind imply abundance, food, and rebirth. Let us pause and be joyful as spring begins to unfold in Greensboro. 

The above trees are found on the east edge of Friendly Center at Green Valley Road. As a point of orientation, the O. Henry Hotel and Green Valley Grill can be seen in the background.  

The National Park Service is predicting that the cherry blossoms in Washington D.C. will reach peak early this year, between March 31st and April 3rd. While that doesn't have anything to do with Greensboro, it could if we took a Greensboro convoy to enjoy the blossoms in in Washington. Let us know if you go!

Varco Pruden

The Varco Pruden office is located on the side of I-40, near the airport and Highway 68 in northwest Greensboro. They make pre-engineered metal and steel buildings. Each year, they provide over 6,000 buildings in the United States; everything from schools to retail to airplane hangars. They started in Arkansas in 1948 as Varco Steel. The Greensboro office opened in 2010. The building experiences some intense, late-afternoon sun and the windows help cut down on glare. The windows have a great reflective quality, especially when framed by billowy white clouds on a bright, sunny day. 

We hope you have a great weekend and you get out and get out to enjoy the tail end of winter. Are we, in Greensboro, safe to say that we just may escape winter without a March ice storm? Here's hoping it is so! 

Happy Friday

Yesterday's sunrise in Greensboro, for a brief moment, made the sky as beautiful as a cotton candy stand at the state fair. Fluffy pink, blue, and purple clouds framing a a silhouette of trees is quite a nice way to start the day. Have you noticed that the days are finally getting longer? The sun rises today at 6:44 am and sets at 6:17 pm., which is pretty close to twelve hours of light and twelve hours of darkness. The temperature will be in the mid-50's today and it should be clear. The weather sounds like it will cooperate and we will have a great First Friday in downtown Greensboro.

If you are in downtown Winston-Salem tonight, Campfires and Constellations will be playing at the Luna Lounge on Trade Street at about 9:00 p.m. Their banjo/pedal steel player, Ernest Thompson, is from Greensboro and all band members are from North Carolina. 

Wherever you find yourself tonight, may your evening be as beautiful as a Greensboro sunrise!

 

Battle of Guilford Courthouse

Working on our March schedule, we realized that next week, it will be time for the reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. The above photo features one of the battle scenes from last year. The battle always comes at a time when our city is transitioning from winter to spring. The uniforms always stand out against the backdrop of trees without leaves.

This year's annual reenactment is March 12th and 13th in Country Park.* Hundreds of participants and thousands of onlookers will gather on the very site where the troops of General Nathanael Greene and General Cornwallis fought to determine the fate of the United States. The weekend has a slightly bittersweet feel as the Americans lost the battle-- even though we won the war. The event reminds us that every war comes at a great cost, not only financially, but with the lost of lives. If you are local, mark your calendar and come help reenact the past.

*see more, here.

H is for Hellebores

Saturday is a great shopping day in Greensboro. The above photo is of some hellebores that we wish we'd purchased last weekend at the Yanceyville Curb Market. Hellebores help make gardening a four-season venture as they bloom late winter and early spring, when other plants are still dormant. They are great for brightening up the gray winter days. Behind the plants, you see other market-goers enjoying the fruits of the market.

In addition to being available at the Yanceyville Curb Market, hellebores are available at Gethsemane Gardens, located on NC-150 near Northern Elementary School. Gethsemane is often at the Yanceyville Market; and, we're pretty sure that they were the ones selling the above beauties. The plants were very healthy and the colors were exquisite. Gethsemane's  main farm is 30 acres and our friends who have visited say it is lovely. We think we'll call Gethsemane to see if we can arrange a tour-- and maybe purchase the hellebores that we regretted not buying last weekend. One question we'll ask is if deer eat them. If so, we'll have to pass as that would be one expensive snack!

For now, we'll enjoy the hellebores in urban gardens of our friends. Today is ABC Wednesday and "H" , in our A-Z Urban Finds series, is for hellebores.

 

"Heimat" on Elm Street

Today is theme day for the City Daily Photo community around the world. The March theme is "heimat" which in German means something along the lines of "homeland; being comfortable and happy; and feeling that this is the place you belong." For "heimat," we're sharing this view of Elm Street Center. Elm Street Center shows how Greensboro has worked hard to bring the downtown area back to life and the way we like to keep the building's façade intact, yet make the it functional for the 21st century.

The above photo was taken on Saturday night when the men on the balconies were in suits and ties, enjoying the balmy night air. Were it not for the cars, one would think the photo was taken in the 1950's. The building dates to 1949, when it was built for the locally-owned Ellis Stone Department Store.  Today, Elm Street Center has two elegant ballrooms, The Empire Room and the Regency Room and they stay booked.

A special thanks to Mainz Daily Photo, for introducing the CDP community to a new word and the place JB considers his "heimat."  See the "heimat" entries from around the world, here.

Radiunt Abundunt

The above photo features Laurelyn Dossett, who wrote the original music for Radiunt Abundunt, a play that is having its world premiere at Triad Stage. The play is about outsider art and the life of an artist, Mother Radiunce, and the people of her past and present. The play represents the high quality productions that are written and performed locally. Radiunt Abundunt deserves to be shown beyond the Triad. We envision it in Atlanta and New York. 

If you want a ticket to this play or to learn more, go to Triad Stage's website (here).  To learn about the 2016- 2017 line up for Triad Stage, the unveiling will be tonight at 7:30. Tonight's event will be held in the Triad Stage Theatre on South Elm Street and it is free and open to the public. Hope to see you there!

First Baptist, Illuminated

Downtown Greensboro was hopping last night-- especially Elm Street. Mack and Mack was hosting a concert; Triad Stage was featuring the world premiere of  "Radiunt Abundunt"; the Empire Room was hopping with events; and so much more was happening. After attending "Radiunt Abundant" and completing a photo shoot on Elm Street, we drove past the First Baptist Church of Greensboro. Located at 1000 West Friendly Avenue, First Baptist looked so calm and pretty at night, reminding us that they will be there, for all who are interested, on Sunday morning.  This morning the church will be teeming with people. 

The First Baptist Church is a pre-Civil War institution. It has been in Greensboro since 1859. They have a very interesting history, available online (here). You can also learn more about the history by attending in person. First Baptist, with its white steeple, is beautiful when illuminated, especially against the backdrop of a clear winter sky at night.

Fire Show

While Mardi Gras has come and gone, tonight, the Fire Show, known as the Mardi Gras of the Carolinas, will be in full swing at Castle McColloch. This is the 14th year for the event, that has already sold close to 4,000 tickets and with two of the three tiers of tickets already sold out. Tonight, this almost-200-year-old castle will come alive with a fire show and a "bare as you dare" attitude for the over 21 crowd. 

Castle McCulloch was originally built in 1832 and  housed a gold mill. Over the years, it fell into a state of disrepair, only to be refurbished for special events in 1983. Over the last three decades, some pretty elaborate events have been held there. Usually, the castle and surrounding gardens are rented out for private events, like weddings and proms; however, three times a year, it hosts not-for-profit, large-scale festivals and tonight's promises to be a big one!  We can't tell if the event is a fund-raiser or why it isn't for profit. However, with the pre-ticket sales, every indication is that it will be a success for organizers.

Castle McCulloch is actually located in the Jamestown/High Point area, but we in Greensboro like to claim it as our own. The above poster was seen in a store window in Greensboro and we are sure that many of tonight's attendees will be from here. Please make sure you have a designated driver!

Cheryl David

Tuesday night, Cheryl David held a dinner to discuss wills and estate planning with attendees. The dinner was held at the Green Valley Grill at the O. Henry Hotel. She gave a straightforward presentation and shared her fees upfront. Elder law is big business in North Carolina and Cheryl David's law firm has been at it for nearly three decades. Through her seminar, we learned about the AVVO rating, which is the Angie's List of law firms. Her law firm  has earned an impressive rating of 10 with AVVO.

It is very nice to see people who have raised their children in Greensboro, used the public schools, and dedicated their careers to working with people in the community. Locally, there are many such people and companies fitting that same profile. And, if we live long enough, at GDP, we'll endeavor to feature every single one of them. And when we leave this earth, we hope to have our paperwork in good order. Sounds like we attended the right seminar! Happy Friday, dear readers! May we all have many, many more years of happy, healthy Fridays.

Gone With The Wind

GNWTHWND, or Gone With the Wind,  is a timely vanity tag to share in Greensboro on the day after North Carolina experienced extremely strong winds. Locally, we had pelting rain in the afternoon; however, to our knowledge, there were no tornado watches or warnings in Guilford County.

We spotted this license tag recently, parked around town, and just had to get a photo for our GWTW friends. We have no idea who ordered this tag and are wondering if they have any connection to the book or movie. Locally, all things GWTH have been quiet since the events leading up to the 2014, seventy-fifth anniversary of the publication of Margaret Mitchell's Civil War epic. However, somewhere, in Greensboro, resides one of the "Windies" as they are affectionately called. If you ever run in to this person, please get the back story. So aptly mentioned in a Washington Post article from the anniversary year, "(t)he grander the milestone, the fewer the folks who remember the original event" (reference). We're betting, this person remembers!

G is for Greensboro

This view of Greensboro's skyline was taken from the parking lot of the Yanceville Curb Market near War Memorial Stadium. The street is Homeland Avenue. The photo shows how Greensboro's urban landscape transitions rather quickly from high-rises to two story housing. We get the benefits of a small city and the joy of lost of open, green space. Of course, the anchor building is the JP Building, now known as Lincoln Financial Group. Then spring comes our way, this view will be a lot more colorful.

Today is ABC Wednesday and for our A-Z Urban Finds series, "G" is for GREENSBORO, and green, and Guilford (County) and GREAT place to live. 

Hops North

Hops Burger Bar opened a second location this past week. They had a "soft" opening last Tuesday and Wednesday, and opened full steam on Thursday. We affectionately call this location Hops North, although it is really located on the edge of Irving Park in the plaza with Geeksboro, Shelf Life, and William Magnum. If you have been to the old location, you will recognize the same great taste; however, this location has a more modern look. If Saturday's business was any indication, Hops North will have the same long wait to be seated as the Spring Garden location. Hopefully, they will get beepers or develop some system; because the other businesses in the Lawndale Plaza could benefit from the foot traffic.

It is interesting to note that Geeksboro coffee shop welcomes you to bring in food from its neighbor Hops  (and María's) only. All beverages and food are not allowed.

Good luck to the new Hops. The only concern we heard, other than the wait, was the parking situation. Maybe the plaza could arrange parking at Irving Park Elementary School with a donation to the school, and the plaza could run golf carts back and forth, taking people to their cars. That arrangement would help the weekend parking issue, greatly. They could even golf-cart people home to Kirkwood and Irving Park without having to cross a major highway. 

Farmers Market

The Yanceyville Curb Market is a fun place to visit on Saturdays. It has been supporting the "eat local" for over a century. Everything from eggs to meat, to honey to pastries to grains from the Old Mill of Guilford can be had under one roof. It is really enjoyable to talk to the people selling food to learn how much care they take to ensure they bring you the very best. In the above northeast corner of the building, you see this past Saturday's early birds who arrived before 8:00 am. February isn't the market's busiest month; however, their special events are especially popular with the public. This past Saturday, they even offered free CPR training.

If you haven't been in a while, treat yourself  to a visit and go hungry. The coffee and pastries are always good! The market is a great community resource.

Corner of Walker and Aycock

The corner of Walker Avenue and South Aycock Street, in front of College Park Baptist Church, is one of the most dangerous for pedestrians in the city. Part of the reason it is so dangerous is that it is so busy, UNCG students use in a lot, walking back and forth to their apartments. Many students make arrangements to park in the parking lot of the church and are returning to their cars. Additionally, there are usually people on bicycles. The City is working on plans to make this intersection safer and more pedestrian friendly. In the meantime, the above church is known for being a safe and welcoming congregation. It attracts a lot of college students because it embraces diversity and truly encourages people to "come as they are."

On another note, UNCG voted this week to remove the name "Aycock" from its historic auditorium. Former North Carolina governor, Charles B. Aycock,  while he was an influential leader, he held white supremacist views. It will be interesting to monitor the trend and see if the rest of Greensboro will take action and strike his name from streets, schools, neighborhoods, etc.. Before you know it, this church could be located at the corner of Walker and * Street. Fortunately, the church's address is 1601 Walker Avenue; so they won't have to worry about changing their stationery.

The church has a very interesting history, including the fact that it began in 1906 in the Old Administration Building on the campus of the State Normal School for Women (UNCG). Read more, here.

Man and Dog

Downtown Greensboro is such an enjoyable place to walk, especially with a canine companion. This man was walking his dog past Center City Park, across from the Center Point property, just north of the JP/Lincoln Financial Building. Even on gray, winter days, it is nice to get out for a little exercise. Sauntering through a city is a chance to see and be seen; although the above duo seemed more interested in walking briskly than people watching.

It is hard to believe that it is February 20th already. In about a month it will be spring and nature will be putting the green back in Greensboro. Are you ready? See how long it takes you to find the other man in the photo. He is easy to miss.

Friendly Center Expansion

This is not your grandma's Friendly Center. This Greensboro shopping center that opened August 1957, is one of the few retail centers that is bigger and stronger than it was when originally built. The above photo was taken from the new side of Friendly near the Apple Store and Anthropologie. Facing east, you see the area where Pieology Pizzeria and  the West Elm Retail Space will be built. The addition of 13,000 square feet will make the destination even busier. Current estimates are that 12-15 million vehicles a year drive through here.

Hopefully, through all the expansion and growing pains, the trees in front of the WHOLEFOODS sign will remain. They are so beautiful in every season. Have a great weekend and check out all of the construction in our community. The business of building business is good here. It seems like a boom!

Tiny Houses In Greensboro

Yesterday, on Walker Avenue, we spotted a tiny house on a trailer at the back of this SUV. The tiny house fit easily in this Walker Avenue driveway. The home has a sign, advertising "Tiny Life Construction." According to Tiny Life's website, the contact person is Taylor Williams of 2009 Wright Avenue. So, the above tiny home wasn't too far away from home. The above model appears to be the Lindley, smaller than 9' x 20', and just right for people willing to live an uncluttered, minimalist life. With tiny house living, owners can pack up and move on, taking their house with them, when they are ready to start over elsewhere.

Recently, The City of Greensboro has been holding hearings to get community input on the sustainable, affording housing issue. Pocket neighborhoods with tiny houses, are a trend sweeping the nation. According to the City of Greensboro's website, Greensboro has been seeking public opinion about compelling issues, concerns, and barriers to tiny housing. Greensboro's housing services division manager, Cynthia Blue writes, "We are looking in to what it might take to meet the demand of 20,000 low-income renters." The last meeting was February 4th. It will be interesting to see what Greensboro decides. Tiny homes are a way to help the homeless access a safe, secure place to live (see, here).  Guilford County Schools is also in on the tiny home movement. You can see what students are building, downtown at Weaver Academy (read more, here).

If you could put one on your property to rent, would you? Would you be willing to live in one? 

F Is For Fire Station

Fire Station Number 5 is located on Westover Terrace where it intersects at Wendover Avenue. This station has one fire engine staffed with four people; one ladder truck with a four person staff; and one rescue truck, also staffed with four people. The fire house is also a "safe place" for youth seeking help or in need of resources. When we drove by at about 9:00 am yesterday, the ladder truck was getting tested/inspected by its crew. From the view across the street, it appeared to be in great shape. We don't know if you can see them, but the truck has stabilizing feet that extend about 3 feet on either side. 

Fire stations are places that are usually taken for granted, until we need their services. Fire departments are very dynamic places and do so much more than put out fires. According to the recording on their community relations line, we learned you can schedule fire department employees to come out to participate in community events, teach classes, provide free smoke alarms, and help with battery installation for smoke alarms. They also help with car seat installations, and conduct fire inspections and investigations. 

At Station 5, there is also a USAR Team. We thought USAR stood for for URBAN SEARCH and RESCUE, which is a FEMA Rescue Task Force. However, Greensboro is not on FEMA's list. Maybe this is a local search and rescue location. We hope to learn more. In the meantime, today is ABC Wednesday and for A-Z Urban Finds, "F" is for fire station (and fire persons). Hats off to the workers at Station 5!

Tree Will Mow Thickets

In northwest Greensboro, on a quiet winter night, a tree pierced the tin roof of a woodshed. The owners will need to bring out the saw and axe blade to remove the tree from the wounded shed. Will the next roof be tin, vinyl, or asphalt? For those interested, again, we share a poem from a North Carolina poet, Will Inman, who said he "craves no wide audience, just a few responding readers."*  At GDP, we hope for both!

Tree Will Mow Thickets by Will Inman

hHahh!

Hew the main stem (hHahh!) Tree will mow thickets, when it falls (hHahh!). Here in the greygreen shadows (hHahh!) sunsplayed through tall vine trees (hHahh!) gray-black-and-white swallowtail burtles swift (hHahh!) with long wingtips white spiralling (hHahh!) trail of wonder in my (hHahh!) eyes.

Axeblade sings (hHahh!) on widening white. Sweat (hHahh!) dews on forehead (hHahh!). Eyes go relentless to the (hHahh!) wound. Great tree trembles. (hHahh!) One more (hHahh!) .. just one more (hHahh!) ... TIMBER!-- Get back, Boy! Who - eeeeee! Crash!

Limbs flounce and fall back, wrong. Thickets mowed under. Zebra swallowtail effervesces out of dust and sprung dew, or in toward the dark untouched. Big naked blue wound through roof of the woods. Yellow eye relentless to the wound. More steps in the brush, then

hHahh!

 We looked up burtle, which spell check wanted to change to turtle or brutal, and in a conventional dictionary it is defined as "a sweeting apple" and in the urban dictionary it is "a mythical creature that burrows underground." It is also a village in Southwest England. What do you think Inman (1923- 2009) meant?

 

Finally, watch out for trees as they surrender to the weight of snow and ice.

 

* (p. 110, poets of North Carolina, Richard Walser).

Snow In Black and White

Last night, at about 6:30, school was cancelled and then, shortly thereafter, snow arrived in Greensboro. The ground has been so cold that the snow stuck without hesitation. The above photo shows a car, creeping along a Greensboro side road, trying to get home. The flakes were glittering and looking like they would be perfect for sled riding.

The night snow reminded us of a poem by Robert Watson--  who arrived to teach English at UNCG in 1953. Dr. Watson said he was attracted to Greensboro because he liked the "heartening balance between the scholarly and the creative in English studies" (p. 112).*  We think his poem, below, captures the scholarly and the creative--  as well as the spirit of the above photo (or vice versa).

 

                                    Winter Lovers by Robert Watson

                Hesitant we stand by a sled at the top of the hill

                Our eyes measuring down white lamp and star lit road,

                Down beyond the road's end to the back of black woods,

                Then up to an equally black sky, yet interspersed with stars.

                Here the white is gathered and up there dispersed.

                Stopped measuring, our eyes swerve to each other,

                And we each see circular black with white around.

 

                I pull our sled some steps more up, then running throw

                It on the ice, myself on top, and she in its sliding past

                Flings herself on my back, arms around my neck.

                And so on runners over ice and snow we lovers

                Of simple black and white hurtle through our nights,

                Avoiding black, holding on to white; we never look to left or 

                           right.

 

May your weathering of the present storm be equally poetic.

 

*poets of North Carolina by Richard Walser. Poem, p. 114.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro

The above scene at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro reminds us of the church-finger rhyme: Here's the church, and here's the steeple. Open the door, and see all the people. Churches are such dynamic places and the Unitarian Church makes a real effort to bring in guest speakers and visitors, while, at the same time, celebrating their members.

Last Sunday, Raleigh author, Veaney McIrvin read from her children's book "All My Clothes Are Brown" as interested children listened. In the above photo,  Mariela Perez-Simons looks on while children enjoy the story just before presenting her talk on creativity. In the background, the choir enjoys listening to the reading. (Not visible is the congregation enjoying the morning). Veaney's book reminds children to just be themselves. Mariela encouraged congregants to nurture the creativity within, giving creative ideas a chance to surface and take on a life of their own. The choir, under the direction of the talented Mark Freundt, reminded all of the restorative effects of music. 

Indeed, people make the church and the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Bike Riding Downtown

Greensboro is becoming quite the bike riding town. The above photo features cyclists heading north at the 300 block of South Elm Street. They were turning left on Washington Street near the News and Record. The building they are passing, 301 S. Elm Street, was built in 1927 and originally housed the Greensboro Bank and Trust Company. The part of the building that you see is made from terra cotta, scored to look like stone. * As you can read on the awning, it now houses a high tech business. Those are the fun things you notice while on a bike ride (or when photographing others on a bike ride).

There are many cycling clubs in Greensboro and most bike shops help you access rides at all ability levels. There is a group called Bicycling in Greensboro, and the City maintains an urban area bicycling map (here). May is National Bike Month, so once we get past this cold snap, perhaps we can all get back out on the trails. We're betting the above crew is out on a ride this weekend, anyway. Is anybody sponsoring a Valentine's Day ride?

*reference and additional information, here.

Got Coffee?

This little coffee hut, The Jumping Bean, is located on 220 North, very near Purgason's Western Wear and Equestrian Supplies. When you head out 220 to select your new boots or saddle, you can stop by this little hut to enjoy a coffee. It is open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. Especially on cold winter days, people like drive-thru options for getting coffee.

It was a little more fun to stop by the Jumping Bean when Golden Antiques was located in their plaza and the shopping center was busier. However, the coffee and service are great; so, hopefully, this little indie coffee shop will surely be around for a while. If this location doesn't continue to work out, they can hook up and relocate. It is the coffee shop version of a tiny home. In the background, you see some construction equipment from the widening of Highway 220.

Happy, cold, Friday, dear readers!

Ashes to Go... and So Much More!

Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday have come and gone. In the above photo, taken yesterday on the campus of UNCG, just in front of the Elliot University Center or EUC, you see a sign advertising "Ashes to Go" in the Willow Room. A person of the cloth was available yesterday to help students honor the first day of Lent, without leaving campus. To the left, you see a student skateboarding to class and, in the far distance, a bus picking up and dropping off students. The red flags on the lawn are for raising awareness about "red flag" issues like domestic violence. In the distance, the white stacks of the Jackson Library, looking like an open book, are seemingly calling students to study.

These are a few of the many disparate images that merge on a college campus. In an instant, you can see many different things happening and talk to people from different walks of life. As education becomes more and more virtual, we're here to extol the value of an on-campus experience. We learn about ourselves and the world by interacting with others. The value of spending four years on a college campus is priceless.

 

E Is for Excavation

Urban excavation is taking place right before our eyes. Part of West Lindsay Street has been closed permanently, in front of the Grasshoppers Stadium. On this four acre stretch of land, Roy Carroll is building the $50 million dollar Bellemeade Village. There will be 300 more apartments where residents can walk downtown or to the ball stadium. Some of the residents should be able to watch the ballgame and fireworks from their apartments. Also, a Hyatt Place is being built.  Here is an article if you want to see more details of the Bellemeade project.

The construction in Greensboro continues to amaze us. If you haven't driven around downtown Greensboro and up Battleground Avenue in a while, you may want to do so. Greensboro has changed so much. They have torn down and dug up so much to make room for this new multi-block complex. It is definitely changing the landscape- and traffic patterns.

For our A-Z Urban Finds Series of ABC Wednesday, "E" is for Excavation. 

1814 Walker Avenue

Today, we feature the house at 1814 Walker Avenue. This three bedroom, two bathroom house was built in 1925. It is located on the Westover Terrace/Aycock Street end of Walker. It is near the land that the prominent Greensboro pomologist and Quaker,  John Van Lindley, developed at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.

On the sunny day, last Friday, when we drove by the home, the lemon-zest, yellow door stopped us in our tracks; and then, the angles and other geometric shapes caught our attention. The clear, lapis blue sky makes the bright yellow door pop. The door invites you to visit and there is no doubt where one enters! While only 1050 square feet, it looks bigger from the road.

We're thinking other houses in the neighborhood should choose a fruity, citrus-y color for their front doors-- a nod to the pomologist who once filled the area with great greenery and fruit. Pomegranate red, mango orange, grapefruit yellow, lime green... can you imagine? Warning, if you live is the above chipper house, you can never be in a bad mood! 

 

The Lady Panthers... and Whirlies!

Well, it was a sad night, last night, for North Carolina's Panthers. While we would have loved a win for the Carolina Panthers in the Superbowl, we are proud that our team had a great season. North Carolina is known for loving its sports teams and our children start participating in sports and cheering for their teams from the time they can walk.

The above photo features Greensboro's own Panthers, the Dudley High School Lady Panthers playing the Grimsley High School Whirlies. The Panthers' varsity girls beat the Whirlies this past Friday night. Both teams played their hearts out; both teams exhibited good sportsmanship.

If you are a sports fan, consider going out to watch a local, high school game-- even if you don't have a child playing. You will have a great time, support great athletic programs, and spend a heck of a lot less than you will at a pro game!

First Christian Church

 

The First Christian Church is located at 1900 West Market Street, where it intersects at Arden Place. It is a Christian denomination that ascribes to immersive baptism. The sign at the entrance dates it to 1917. According to their website, the church takes great pride in the fact that it is intergenerational, with members in all ages and stages of life. They are also community oriented with significant involvement with Glen Haven Community; One Step Further Food Pantry; Cone Elementary; Salvage Garden; and much more local and international involvement.

It is easy to zip past the church, not noticing it, when one is driving on West Market Street; however, approaching it from Arden Place, as we did for the above photo, the view is impressive. The bold blue skies and dark bare tree branches make the building stand out even more. Here's to a happy Sunday to all the members of First Christian Church. Happy Sunday to everyone reading this blog!

 

Marines

The weather was sunny, but cold, yesterday in Greensboro. Marines spent the day recruiting on UNCG's campus behind the student union building. The above photo was taken after 4pm, when the Marines started dismantling their tents and took a little time to burn off some energy. In the above photo, you see one Marine doing pull ups. College campuses are such a great place to learn about what college students are doing. Yesterday, many college students were considering signing on the dotted lines to become a marine.

The Marines are having a big celebration at Camp Lejeune and Jacksonville, NC in honor of their 75 anniversary. * Over the years, they've acquired a catchy phone number: 1-800-MARINES. Pretty darn memorable. When you see the guys working together to dismantle a recruitment station, you can see why they are so effective. Teamwork 

As Greensboro prepares for Superbowl 50 tomorrow, merchandise if flying off the shelves. People love their Panthers t-shirts. Superbowl cupcakes are also a big-ticket item. As we prepare to watch the football game of the season, let us remember that there are other people out there defending our nation and making it possible to enjoy events like Superbowl 50. 

 

* Read more, here.

500 Block of South Elm Street

Since it is First Friday, we thought a photo of the 500 block of South Elm Street would be good to feature today. This block has undergone a tremendous face lift this past year. Just south of the railroad tracks, these buildings create a crisp, red, white, and blue zone. With the updates and the fresh paint, the area looks clean and modern, yet the integrity of the buildings has been maintained. For years, 513 South Elm was Kindley's Office Furniture. Dating back to 1900, these are some of the oldest buildings in downtown Greensboro. Area, on the left, and Vivid, on the right, are modern lighting and interior decorating stores.

If you have a chance, head downtown tonight and enjoy a little gallery hopping and friendly conversation. After today, there is only one more First Friday until spring! Hope to see you there.

D is for Dads; Urban Dads

The above photo is a scene from inside the International Civil Rights Museum. It shows the museum at its best, open to the public and serving as a gathering place. Behind the photographer was a table set up for voter registration. In front of the camera is a scene of families gathered after the Dr. MLK, Jr. Parade. On the wall, the sepia photo is of the "Greensboro Four" (from left to right). David Richmond, Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair, Jr., and Joseph McNeil.  They are the four men who sat at the Woolworth's lunch counter, in this very building, and ordered a cup of coffee. In defiance of segregation and in support of civil rights, these four were part of the impetus to change laws related to different treatment based on race.

The above information, the Sit-In story, is known by many, especially locally. What is not as well known is the fact that the "Greensboro Four" have fourteen children. Imagine what great dads and role models they have been. Imagine growing up knowing you have your own dad to thank for changing society for the better. Notice the dads on the couches. Imagine how special their children will feel when they get older, knowing that their dad spent the day with them and brought them out to participate in the MLK Day activities. Twenty-first century urban dads are like that- involved. Frequently, they are seen manning the strollers.

Today is ABC Wednesday and D is for Dads, Urban Dads. (See the other A-Z Urban Finds, here).

Spring Garden Bakery and Coffee House

Today, we are featuring another Greensboro coffee shop: Spring Barden Bakery and Coffee House. Located on Spring Garden Street, near Chapman, this coffee house sells coffee and baked goods, made in-house. They also sell their baked goods to many other coffee shops and stores throughout the city: Earth Fare, Tate Street Coffee, and Deep Roots Co-op, to name a few. 

Originally, this bakery opened in the 1980's as a natural foods bakery, near UNCG, and known as Our Daily Bread. In 2001, it was purchased by the owners of Pepper Moon Catering, Bill Schneider and Meredith Williams. They have been in business since the 1980's and now have a second location in High Point. 

This past Saturday, the Spring Garden location was busy. People seemed to be out enjoying the sunshine and unseasonably warm weather. Greensboro is like that; snowed in one weekend and out without a coat enjoying the sunshine the next. What will this weekend bring? To be sure, it will be a great weekend for coffee-- regardless of which coffee house you select!