Greensboro Daily Photo

Weekend Weather

It has been an exceptionally dry fall with leaves have lingered on the trees. However, North Carolina is suffering from grave forest fires. Over 50,000 acres have been impacted. The fires are raging in the mountains where the air is on Code Red. Yesterday, in Greensboro, the air was filled with the smell of smoke and we were on Code Orange. It was as if your neighbors were burning leaves in the backyard. Currently, an open burning ban is currently in effect. The low relative humidity and the dry conditions are making matters worse. Hopefully fires can be contained soon. In the meantime, enjoy the visual beauty of the out of doors and take extra caution with older friends and relatives, especially those with asthma. 

S.T.E.M. Career Fair

Yesterday, Bluford K-5 S.T.E.M. Academy held a very successful science, technology, engineering, and mathematics career fair. S.T.E.M. professionals from throughout the area came to participate in the event. S.T.E.M. professionals brought drones, robots, programmable games and so much more to share with the eager learners. I had the opportunity to spend the morning at Bluford leading a learning station in the media center. In the above photo, I am carrying one of the boxes of materials to prepare our learning station. The activity incorporated a STEM chant (in Spanish), with students making a foldable book, and writing career choices. By the end of the day, my very dedicated helpers, recruited from the Middle College at UNCG (also a S.T.E.M. school) had assisted over 300 children.  

As you can see from the above photo, Bluford is bright and colorful. The walls are filled with colorful art related to science. We think they should add the "A" for "art" to their name and call themselves a S.T.E.A.M. school. Buford, located on Tuscaloosa St. in the Dudley Heights neighborhood near Barber Park,  is named after Dr. F.D. Bluford, who was President of NC A&T State University. If you ever get a chance to donate goods, time, or money to a public school, we encourage you to do so. You will be contributing to the community's future and, when you least expect it, you are making a difference in someone's life.

Got GRITS?

Founded in 1767, the Old Mill of Guilford has been grinding grain since before Greensboro founded. The old mill has thrived for nearly 250 years by serving good products and by having dedicated owners, employees and volunteers. Looking closely, you will notice that the above features the corn meal shelf, not the grits that are on the other side of the shelf. Since 2007, the mill has been owned by Alice and Darrell Klug. It was previously owned by the Parnells who died in 2007, the same year that the bright red water wheel was repaired. The mill is in good hands now and the Klugs are gearing up for the holiday season. They were quite busy when we visited this past Monday.*

If you are driving up Highway 68 from Greensboro, you will first notice the historic Ai Church that has been restored. At the bottom of the hill, also on the east side of the highway, you will see the Old Mill of Guilford. The giant water pipe and red wheel mark the way to the entrance. If you are inclined to "buy local" for the holidays, the Old Mill will provide you with many options- including a 1,000 piece puzzle, made from a William Magnum painting.

 

* read more of the mill's history, here.

S is for Southern

J. Douglas Gaylon Depot was originally built in 1927 and was known as the Greensboro Southern Railway Depot. The remnants of the original Southern Railway Depot can still be seen on South Elm Street. However, the above station is located on East Washington Street. While Southern Railway gave up service in 1979, the station was reopened to the public in 2005. At present, Amtrak trains use the station, as do Greensboro and intercity busses.* The above mural, being admired by three visitors, features the railway's service area from back in the 1920s.

Today is ABC Wednesday and for our A-Z Alphabet "S" entry, "S" is for Southern. We love the "SR" at the railway station reminding us that "The Southern serves the south."  We also like the one with patina on the manhole cover just down the street from the train station. If you haven't visited this station, it is worth stopping by to enjoy this piece of Greensboro's transportation history. 

*reference, here.

Lovely Country Home

Historically, eastern Guilford County is the part of the county with multi-acre properties, farms, including dairy farms, in a bucolic setting. 4-H has been well represented in this part of the county. The above wooden farm house, located on Bethel Church Road, is representative of the rural side of eastern properties. It evokes the simpler style of life in previous centuries, back in the day when people worked the land, worked hard, and family mattered- above all.  The rectangular architecture, large front porch and large trees are inviting. This is the view from the road. In the rear of the property are implements needed to work the land.

The manicured, green grass helps us transition from summer and warm weather. The trees have started losing their leaves, hinting that winter is on the horizon. We wish we could have been there last night to have watched the moon rise. There is so little light pollution; the super moon must have looked stunning.

R is for Replacements

Replacements is a homegrown business in Greensboro. They are the world's largest retailer of dishes, china, and sterling flatware. Located on Knox Rd. in McLeansville, Replacements can be seen easily from the interstate just east of Greensboro. Bob Page opened the business in 1981. He left his job as auditor in North Carolina to pursue his dream of starting a mail order business out of his small attic on North Elm Street in Greensboro. Today, the multi-million dollar business and, if we read Wikipedia correctly, after several expansions of their warehouse and consolidating all of their locations, the Knox Road location has a million square feet.*

In 1986, Replacements was identified as one of the fastest growing businesses in the United States. Even Oprah Winfrey and the Vatican have shopped here! Today is ABC Wednesday and for our A-Z Alphabet series, "R" is for Replacements- an appropriate word for the day after a presidential election. 

* reference.

Election Day 2016

Today is the long awaited Election Day in the United States! North Carolina is a swing state, so we've had a lot of visits from presidential candidates. In a last minute effort to bring out the vote, former President Clinton came to the UNCG campus yesterday to encourage people to get out and vote and, of course, to vote for the Clinton/Kaine ticket. The pop up visit happened on the lawn of the student union. Introduced by Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan, President Clinton's speech began about 1:15 and lasted for about fifteen minutes. 

Regardless of whom you support, please get out and vote today-- if you haven't already. It was nice to see so many students out to see a political event. Not all in the crowd were in support of the Clinton/Kaine ticket, but they were very happy to be this close to a former president. Students were very well behaved and there were no incidents. A few students did run along the perimeter chanting, "Black lives matter!".  If you look just in front of the flag to the right in the background, you can see one of the many secret service agents who came along for the event. Fortunately, their day was uneventful.

We apologize for the low quality photo. The angle of the sun was very unaccommodating and, we arrived too late, and without the right equipment and credentials, to secure a press pass! But, we did see a former president in person. Happy Election Day! May we follow the lead of the UNCG students and remain civil!

Lindley Park Neighborhood

The Lindley Park neighborhood stretches from the Greensboro Arboretum to the corner of Walker and Elam and a little beyond in each direction. It is located across Market Street from Sunset Hills and down the road from UNCG. The above house, located on Beechwood Street, is a little more artsy that the majority of the houses, but it evokes the vibe and energy of the neighborhood. Lindley Park is an inviting neighborhood with stores within walking distance of most homes. They have a strong neighborhood association, a community newsletter, a farmers market on Saturday morning, a coffee shop, a grocery store, restaurants, and more. It has been described as magical, inviting, artsy, 60-acre place where even adults have play dates.

Lindley Park was established in 1917 by local businessman, horticulturalist, and Quaker, John van Lindley. In 2004, they developed a Neighborhood Plan to find out the needs of the residents, largely in owner-occupied homes.  The neighborhood was build on land that had formerly been an amusement park. It seems that the spirit of playfulness, so typical of amusement parks, remains in Lindley Park.  Imagine living near the above house with the knitted tree cover, the large, cozy front porch, and a globe in the window. 

Providence Presbyterian Church

A few weeks ago, we shared the fall festival and pie baking contest at Providence Presbyterian Church on Lake Brandt Road. While on site, we had a chance to visit the sanctuary and were struck by the simplicity of the space. As the sun sets, it shines through the clear panes of glass. The three panes evoking a cross and the wooden cross on the front of the pulpit are the only ornamentation in this calm space. On the Bible stand is the following quote, "Do this in remembrance of me."

If you want to learn more about the church, read Pastor van Eyk's message, here. If you forgot about the time change (hard to do with so many digital devices), you just may still have time to make it to a religious service, at providence or elsewhere. Happy Sunday-  just communing with nature can be pretty spiritual.

First Friday November 2016

Tonight's First Friday was dynamic and full of diversity. Casa Azul had a spectacular exhibit in the Central Library and in LeBauer Park. Musicians, people preaching the gospel, and visual and other performing artists could be found all along Elm Street.  In the above photo, the Gate City Railbenders are paying acoustic, bluegrass/old-time music while onlookers enjoyed listening to the music. Several people were dance. The energetic music was especially appealing to children, like the little boy above, who danced with heart and soul. Hamburger Square Park was hopping. The above music session was part of the Traveling Art Show moving along town.

When many groups work together, as is the case with First Fridays,  their effort is greater than the sum of the parts. When the weather is nice, First Fridays tend to be well attended. Mark your calendar for December 2nd, when First Friday and the 28th Annual Festival of Lights will combine for the largest First Friday of the year. Many of the art opportunities will still be available today, including the Día de los Muertos display in the library. Head downtown if you have a chance.

Scarves 4 Warmth Project

Bobby Craddock has been an artist in Greensboro for more than two decades. We caught up with Bobby at Leanne Pizio's "Keep It Local" art event last week. From wood scraps to plastic bags, Bobby has a special talent for turning just about everything into artwork. One of Bobby's recent projects is Scarves 4 Warmth. He gets scraps of wool (mostly from old sweaters) and stitches them together to make scarves to give to homeless people who are cold. He also sets up maker spaces for community members, including homeless community members, to make scarves. His vision is to find a permanent maker space for the homeless and to pay them a living wage for making scarves and other art. In the above photo, Bobby only has a couple of scarves, rolled up in the lower left hand corner. 

We hope Bobby establishes a "Go Fund Me" or "Kickstarter" or some other type of funding source. He has identified some very real needs, specifically helping people who aren't always in the position to help themselves, especially with respect to employment. His talent is superb, he has lots of experience and great contacts, and his heart is in the right place. That sounds like a great recipe for a successful initiative. Bobby will be in "Art in the Yard" in Lindley Park tomorrow if you want to see more of his brilliant art or learn more about his ideas. We wish him a lot of luck. It is nice to watch him refine and advance his ideas and to see good things starting to happen for his project. We hope you bring some big, wild, fancy scarves to the yard, Bobby! We could use one... or two...

Follow Bobby on Scarves4WarmthProject on Instagram and Facebook.

Greensboro's Autumn Trees

Autumn is such a glorious time of year. The above photo was taken this past weekend when we were out exploring the northwest corner of Guilford County. You can always count on maple trees to give you a cheerful burst of color. Usually, we take photos to document the people and places of Greensboro. Today's photo was meant to evoke mood, the way a beautiful day with sunshine and blue skies can make you feel. From the bright white garage door on the building in the background, to the almost black bark on the maple tree to all of the color popping off the page, the photo captures the feel of a beautiful day in Greensboro.

Take a few extra walks this week and weekend. It seems like we wait forever for fall color in the trees and with one heavy rain or strong wind, the leaves let go. Before we know it, they will be gone for the season. Yesterday, we saw a group of high school students out collecting leaves and one of the boys even knew how to put a small leaf between his thumbs and make a loud, whistling sound. How special to see teenagers enjoying nature. Naturalistic intelligence is now considered one of the multiple intelligences; a tool for identifying talents in children.* Consider heading to one of Greensboro's parks this weekend to notice the beauty of the world around them.

*Read more, here.

Q is for Quaker Village

Quaker Village is owned by Ashton Properties in Charlotte. They have worked hard to update the property and bring in new tenants like the Wal-Mart neighborhood store. They have also renovated 44,000 sq. ft. of small shops, expanding the Quaker Village footprint. Quaker Village opened in 1964 and suffered bankruptcy in 2010. It looks as if they are recovering nicely. We sure hope, so as it is nice to see places that have been around for over fifty years get updated, as needed, and continue to thrive.

The QV strip mall is very convenient to people living off West Friendly Avenue and the New Garden/College Road area. There are stores like Starbucks and Menchie's Frozen Yogurt that encourage people to linger and socialize. There are plenty of restaurant options from Mexican, Taquería El Azteca, to Italian at Elizabeth's Pizza. There are other shops like Quaker Village Barber and Style Shop that have a good reputation for keeping clients happy through the generations.  With Guilford College just across the street, students are able to enjoy time off-campus even if they don't have a vehicle.

Today is ABC Wednesday and for our A-Z Alphabet round, "Q" is for "Quaker Village".  See A-P, here.

 

City Daily Photo's November 2016 Theme: Out of Focus

Greensboro Daily Photo has been a member of the City Daily Photo community for almost 8 years. The first day of the month is theme day and November's theme is "out of focus". To our knowledge, this is the first time for that theme. Blurry photos were much more common before the digital era. Digital cameras almost don't let you take blurry photos. Do you recognize where this photo was taken in Greensboro?

It was taken in Greensboro during this past winter, just south of the railroad tracks on the east side of South Elm Street. The waterpower in the background is located at Bennett College. As you can see, it was taken at sunset and people were out walking their dogs- probably a First Friday. We like the mood, in spite of the lack of focus. This upcoming Friday is First Friday and downtown will be busy. We promise you we'll take better photos this weekend!  To see out of focus photos from around the world, visit HERE.

Summer Oaks Presbyterian Church

Summer Oaks Church is based out of a building that looks like it was formerly a house. It is located on Highway 150 in Oak Ridge. They are an offshoot of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Winston Salem. In the small square of the signage, below, as you can see, the area is a lot more colorful than it appears in the above photo.

In addition to church services, they offer a coffee hour, ministry breakfasts, a men's group, have an involved youth group, offer missions and more. If you want to learn more about Summer Oaks or to access some sermons by Scott Wilkinson, see here. We wish they had more church history online. If you are looking for an active church in an intimate setting, this one seems inviting. Look for the simple cross at the entrance.

Happy Sunday!

GHOE

Greensboro is brimming with visitors this weekend as it is homecoming at North Carolina A&T University. The event is referred to as GHOE, the Greatest Homecoming on Earth. Today is the parade and the football team is playing Florida A&M University. However, events have been going on all week and the celebration is well under way. On South Elm Street yesterday afternoon, we spotted the FROZEN-mobile-  parked in the south 200 block. The owner of this Chevrolet Corvette convertible is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. Alpha Phi Alpha is the first African American Greek lettered fraternity. Its aims are "manly deeds, scholarship, and love for all mankind." The organization emphasizes leadership, service, and working for important causes and social issues. Famous members include,  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesse Owens, Thurgood Marshall, Andrew Young and Lionel Richie.

We were curious about the meaning behind the vanity tag, as "FROZEN" is associated with the Disney movie of the same name. We waited around to see if the owner would return to the vehicle, but did not see him. There has got to be a great story behind this vanity tag. Perhaps he is associated with the movie. Regardless, we hope he is having a great homecoming and that he is living up to the great legacy of his fraternity. Have fun everyone, and drive safely. From 11:00 am to  5:00 pm today Elm Street will be filled with children out trick or treating at the downtown businesses. We're hoping for all treats and great weather!

The Jeansboro City Bus

Jeansboro is Wrangler's initiative to celebrate the textile history of Greensboro. In the above photo, you see a city bus with an advertisement wrap of the art project found along Elm Street. The colorful parts of the bus represent the fiberglass jean statues that were painted by local artists, mostly high school students. The bus, spotted driving along Battleground Avenue, was wrapped as part of the second annual Jeansboro Day activities held this past October 19th. The event was held at the VF Corporation office on Elm Street.

It would be nice to know where the Jeansboro city bus is parked when not in use. It would be a great backdrop for local photographers. In the meantime, you'll just have to capture a photo of the bus when it is stopped and when you are in the passenger seat. We don't know if they rotate it through the city or if it always makes the Battleground run. Maybe it needs its own twitter feed where people can announce sightings. We really want to ride the mobile advertisement that represents a big part of Greensboro's history. Happy Friday; honk if you love denim!

P.S. If you are looking for something to do tomorrow, downtown Greensboro is having Trick or Treat from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. If you are on Facebook, here is a link to find out which businesses are participating. Also, Urban Grinders Coffee Shop has a list. (Consider riding the bus to town).

Lights on Lewis Street

The early 20th-century, brick, Italianate buildings on Lewis Street have taken on a new glow with the strings of lights hovering the street. The lights add not only extra lighting, but also a sense of style and decoration. They are reminiscent of side streets in Europe and New York City. they lead back to the maker spaces, offices, and then to Gibb's Hundred Brewery. The whole scene makes the area a log more pedestrian friendly than it had been. 

They say Thursday is the new Friday. If you are heading out tonight, consider driving by Lewis Street and see how much it has changed. For now, it is still possible to drive and park along Lewis Street. As for the lights, we're wondering where they got them. They would look lovely in anyone's back yard. Happy Thursday!

Piedmont Natural Gas

Piedmont Natural Gas is a natural gas distributor serving North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. They get their gas primarily from the the Gulf Coast in the United States. The company began operation in 1951 in New York and merged with a North Carolina Company, coming here in 1994. At the beginning of the month, they were acquired by Duke Energy (October 3rd 2016). Between Piedmont's 1 million customers and Duke Energy's 8 million customers, the combined operation is serving about 9 million people. That is a lot of revenue from natural gas and electricity. As seen in the above sign at the facility on Greengate Drive, the cost of natural gas is currently 1.36 per unit. The gated corporate building is tucked between Randalman Road and South Elm-Eugene Street, off Corliss Drive.

Piedmont Natural Gas won a platinum award fitness award from the National Heart Association for the last five years. They earned this designation for their healthy work environment. Let's hope the fit-friendly trend continues now that they are part of an even bigger company. The above pole with the rectangular top, to the right of the company sign, is a solar panel. It looks like the company is energy efficient, too. If you really want to get to know Greensboro, we suggest you explore some of these off-the-beaten-path places. Thanks to ABC Wednesday, which motivates us to explore the A-Zs of our city, we get to see so many interesting businesses, places, people and venues in Greensboro. Today is ABC Wednesday and "P" is for Piedmont (our region between the mountains and the coast) and for Piedmont Natural Gas. If you want to look back on the A-O entries for our 2016 Alphabet series, see, here.

 

Board of Elections

The Guilford County Board of Elections has been busy lately because same-day registration is possible, if you go during an early voting time. And, early voting has begun. You need to go downtown to the Guilford County Courthouse on West Market Street to vote early. Yesterday afternoon, it was taking about an hour to move through the line. On Thursday, additional early voting places will open, which will expand capacity great. It is anticipated that the polls will be busy right up to Tuesday, November 8th (Election Day) when the polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. On July 29th, the need for registered voters to have a photo ID was struck down. So, if you are registered, all you need to do is state your name, address, and sign that you are who you say you are. Room 115, The Board of Elections, oversees this process.

The Board of Elections* has many functions. They provide voters with information about voting; provide information about elected officials and about filing fees; oversee the whole election process, monitor and provide results; they also share data, district and precinct maps, and reports. In spite of the calm seen in the above office yesterday, just beyond the office door, the line was wrapped through the hallway and, to be sure, the Board of Elections staff members were hard at work. Workers in the voting room were working tirelessly, without much time to catch their breath. 

We got tickled as we exited the courthouse after voting, the young man behind us was videotaping a selfie to his social media. His broadcast started like this, "I was a Bernie man and Bernie left me, so I had to pick between two [imperfect] candidates..." His broadcast continued all the way down the block. It was heartwarming to see young voter so passionate about the election. If you haven't voted already, now, it is your turn!

*read more about the Board of Elections, here.  

Sooth

 

Yesterday afternoon, Liz McKinnon held an opening reception to her art show entitled, Sooth Fairytales, Folktales, and Other True Things, at Vida Pour Tea on State Street. Liz, dressed as mother nature, looked beautiful from head to toe. The sparkling, white lights in her dress were said to be magical luminescence, emitted by fireflies. Her watercolor paintings feature animals intertwined with elements from fairytales. There is a bear walking on two paws with a man in his heart and a woman and a bear in his stomach; an otter wrapped around a blue, Victorian-inspired house, an elongated fox with a dreamy reading nook intricately recreated within his tail. In her artist's statement, Liz said that she takes her inspiration from classic Grimm's tales to folk tradition and modern retellings. Themes include tea and coffee as a medium, and other aspects of nature. 

In the above photo, the artist is flanked by Kara the Big Bad Wolf,  and Michelle as Little Red Riding Hood. In the photo square below, Sarah, the owner of Vida Pour Tea, stands at the cash register greeting customers and taking orders as Alice in Wonderland. Creativity and customer service abound in Vida Pour Tea and yesterday's event was no exception. Liz's artwork will be up for a few more weeks; so, even if you weren't able to enjoy the magic yesterday, there is still time to head over, sip some tea or coffee, and take in the fairytale atmosphere. You will be delighted, and that's the sooth! 

Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church

Today's photo features Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church, the same church we featured yesterday in the close up photo of the pumpkin patch. Today, we stand back a bit and show you the front yard of the church, located where Pisgah Church Road intersects with Battleground Avenue. The pumpkins will sit patiently, waiting for church-goers to finish with today's service. Soon, the lawn will be full of families selecting pumpkins to take home. As is common in church pumpkin patches, they have an awning on loan from a local funeral home-- George Brothers. 

Mt. Pisgah used to have a church history published online; however, the link seems to have disappeared. When we featured them a few years ago, we learned that the congregation dates back to 1845 and that the original church was about a half a mile west from the current building. It is so nice know that this Greensboro religious community is 170 years old. Hopefully, Mt. Pigs will be around for several more generations and those pumpkins will continue to decorate the front lawn each autumn. Happy Sunday!

Pumpkin Time

It is pumpkin time in Greensboro, the last weekend before Halloween weekend. The above photo features the pumpkin patch at Mt. Pisgah Methodist Church. These pumpkin patches are always great fundraisers for churches. Often, the money goes to support youth programs. Located on the edge of Country Park, this patch is very convenient for those who like to exercise in the park or play tennis at Spencer Love. The pumpkins are easy to spot when driving up and down Battleground Avenue and when you are at the Lowe's Home Improvement Center. 

While pumpkin growing is only a minor crop in North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services estimates that 3,000- 4,000 acres of pumpkins are planted in North Carolina. Did you know that a pumpkin is a fruit, related to cucumbers and melons and gourds. They can weigh over 1,000 pounds and they are about 90% water. They contain vitamin A, B, and potassium and have been a food source in North America since at least 7,000- 5,000 BC.*  As a rule of thumb, let children select pumpkins that they can lift easily. If they are too heavy, you may be making pumpkin soup earlier than anticipated! Happy Saturday! 

*reference and more pumpkin trivia, here.

It's Soccer Time!

Fall weekends are time for playing outdoors. Above, families sit on the sidelines in foldable chairs, watching their children playing soccer at the Guilford College fields at New Garden Road. Weekends around Guilford County, it is almost impossible to find an empty field; they are all filled with people practicing or playing sports. It is heartwarming to drive by these fields and see everyone enjoying exercising out of doors. The 1990's saw participation in soccer burgeon in Greensboro. Today, there are all levels of play, available for players of all ages. From organizations like the Y to City Youth Sports to private clubs to school and university programs, soccer is everywhere.

According to the Harris Poll, National League Football is the most popular sport in the United States. And, while soccer might not be number one, it is number one in the hearts of all of those parents sitting there, living in the moment, enjoying their children playing their best. If you love soccer and have coaching talent, imagine yourself in the above photo, mentoring the children of Greensboro, teaching them not only the fundamentals of soccer, but also how to be good of good moral character. Coaches, sponsors, and spectators who are good sports are always appreciated. Happy Friday and happy weekend!

Fall Foliage

This past week, the autumn colors really started to emerge in Greensboro. The above trees were found in Northwest Greensboro, close to Pleasant Ridge Road. While we aren't arborists, based on this leaf identification guide, we are guessing these leaves are from an American beech tree. If you know, please let us know. If you have small children or work with them, collecting colorful leaves never gets old. Our greenways are a great place to leaf watch.

Viewing the changing foliage is a major tourist industry in North Carolina and many people from Greensboro will drive the Blue Ridge Parkway, heading towards the mountains. According to this fall foliage map, the Piedmont area will be at peak viewing next week and many parts of the mountains are at peak or past.* If you are planning a drive or hike, this weekend would be great. Besides, next weekend, Greensboro will be gearing up for Halloween.

Happy Thursday. Hope to see you at the Piedmont Old Time Jam at Gibbs Hundred tonight. You will hear great acoustic music, played by wonderful people in our community If you play that style of music, bring your instrument and head on down. Last time we were there, a twenty-something listener reminded us that Thursday is the new Friday... 

*another site regarding leaf viewing, here.

O is for Olive Oil

Fall 2011, Midtown Olive Oil opened in Greensboro at Friendly Center. They sell a variety of handcrafted, small batch, balsamic vinegars and olive oils from around the world. The extra virgin olive oils are crushed at precisely the right time so they won' be too bitter, nor too acidic. In the above photo, Julie is sealing bottles so the oil and vinegar will stay fresh and won't spill. If you haven't been to Midtown Olive Oil before, Julie and Kathy (not photographed) will walk you through the flavors and suggested pairings. Some oils, like the French Roasted Walnut, have quite a history. It is made from a method that is over 150 years old. The citrusy Eureka Lemon is produced by pressing whole lemons and olives together. The balsamic vinegars are equally interesting. Some contain fruits, others have combinations of savory spice flavors. These flavors that can turn a simple bag of greens into a gourmet salad. 

Today, we're thankful for ABC Wednesday, because the meme inspires us to learn the A-Z details of Greensboro. While we didn't find a giant "O"for our A-Z 2016 Alphabet Series, we did find the lovely cursive one (below) at Midtown Olive Oil. We learned from our visit that a good balsamic vinegar, mixed with a splash of olive oil, is about as good as it gets for salad dressing. 

Edgeworth & Spring Garden

The above photo features construction at South Edgeworth and Spring Garden Streets. The property is being developed by the people who brought the Iron Hen Restaurant to Greensboro. Revolution Burger will be a grass-fed burger restaurant. Beside the burger restaurant, the Baker and the Bean Bakery and Coffee shop will open. These businesses, and the others at this property will employ 125 people.* This property, formerly a sleepy warehouse next to a custom sheet metal business, will transform this property at the Greenway.

Local small businesses, like carpenters and heating and plumbing businesses, have the contracts for this job. Using local companies helps keep Greensboro's economy strong. This major interior and exterior renovation is a perfect fit in this part of town and it sounds like the Fresh. Local. Good. Food Group has thought up several innovative and creative business concepts. We may have to budget more for eating out and, if we bike there on the Greenway, we can justify eating a little more! 

(The photo below is a closeup of the top photo).

*Reference and more information, here.

Pie Baking Contest

A pie baking contest was held at the Fall Festival at Providence Presbyterian Church on Lake Brandt Road this past weekend. Having the contest is a way to recognize the efforts of the church members who bring something for the sweet course at the end of the meal. It also encourages people to bake and not just purchase items. The above photo shows several of the fifty pies prepared. Pies were judged from 1 to 5 on: Presentation, Taste, Creativity, and being Memorable. We weren't privy to the pie judging room, so we don't know the results. Below, you can see a few closeups. The pie with the orange and brown crust earned points for creativity with us. What is your favorite fall pie?

Foursquare published a list of 15 places to get good pie in Greensboro (here). Yelp offers a very different assortment of places to go for pie in Greensboro (here). We're not sure how they arrived at their lists, but it is a good place to start if you are in the mood for pie. If you have any suggestions, let us know. As for us, we're going to see if we can get on the list of judges at Providence next year!

Providence (Orthodox) Presbyterian Church

Providence Presbyterian Church, at 4600 Lake Brandt Road, had their fall festival yesterday. The weather was perfect and the event was well attended.  They had free food, music, games, fellowship, a bounce house, a firetruck, a bounce house, and so much more. The barbecue was so good and the portions were generous. In the above photo, the girls in the turquoise skirts are part of "Salt and Light" the Moore Family Band (from Graham, NC) that played bluegrass gospel at the event. 

It was so nice to see everyone enjoying themselves and no money exchanging hands. Hats off to the members of Providence Presbyterian who worked tirelessly to see that the fall festival was a great experience for everyone. The photos below show close up of some of the details of the event. Fall is such a time for fellowship and homecomings. If you have a chance to attend a fall festival, bazaar or homecoming over the next two months, we encourage you to do so. Nobody needs to be alone when there are events like these.

Change of Seasons

This photo, taken in Greensboro last month, seems so long ago. With these recent crisp mornings, the frogs have slowed down, backyard pools are now closed; only the tenacious Virginia creeper in the above photo is lingering through October. By the end of the month, this flowering plant in the grape family will put on a brilliant show of fall color in Greensboro. As for this Southern Leopard Frogs,*  they will soon hibernate, if they haven't already.

While we are on the topic of nature, let us remind you that All-A-Flutter , near Southwest High School, will be releasing their monarch butterflies this afternoon at 1:00 pm-  so that they may join the others on their migration back to the Biosphere Reserve in Michoacan, Mexico. It has been said that the butterflies return to Mexico just in time for the Day of the Dead on November 1st. Be on the lookout this weekend for butterflies, frogs, and other great things in nature. Next weekend will be the Persimmon Festival in Greensboro, an opportunity to enjoy a seasonal, southern treat. Greensboro has so many opportunities for starting family traditions centered around celebrating our environment; we hope you have some local outdoor fun today!

*habitat, sound, and more information, here.

Dog Days

Greensboro families love their pets and in our parks. On warm sunny days, dogs being walked by their owners is a common site. The above photo was taken in the Greensboro Arboretum during the recent art event. It features two Great Pyrenees dogs. This livestock guardian dog can weigh up to 120 pounds. While they can be gentle and affectionate, they can also be very strong willed and fearless. They love to feel like they are being useful and are very hardworking on farms. We saw four or five of them, the day we saw these two. As seen in the above photo, they drew a lot of attention and everyone wanted to pet them. The fact that they were impeccably groomed made them extra appealing to passers by.

If you are looking for something to do outdoors this weekend, head to one of Greensboro's great parks and count the number of dogs you see. If you do not have a canine companion, consider heading to a place the rehomes dogs, like a pound or a rescue. There are many dogs waitings for forever homes in Greensboro at the NC Pyr rescue site, there are currently nine available (here). Hope to see you out on the trails this weekend, with or without a canine companion!

Order of the Long Leaf Pine

The above photo features Sheila Groves, Eta State President of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators (left). This past Tuesday, she presented the Order of the Long Leaf Pine to Jane Mitchell. In order to be a recipient, one must have made a significant impact on the State of North Carolina through exemplary service to their communities, above and beyond the call of duty. The award for Dr. Mitchell is much deserved. She is a charter member of the Beta Delta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and has worked faithfully for the organization since its beginning in 1966, including serving as its president. While Dr. Mitchell retired from the University of North Carolina Greensboro in 1996, after 38 years of teaching, she remains professionally active, still, twenty years since her retirement. Her positive influence in Beta Delta is far reaching. She continues to participate actively in the chapter and is an inspiration and great resource to other members. Congratulations, Dr. Mitchell, on receiving this award. We hope to be in your company sometime when you give the following toast:

                        Here's to the land

                        of the long leaf pine,

                        The summer land

                        where the sun doth shine,

                         Where the weak grow strong

                        and the strong grow great,

                        Here's to "down home",

                        The Old North State!

The award was presented at the Beta Delta meeting, held in the First Baptist Church of Greensboro with Beta Delta President, Dr. Ann Pember, presiding. Alice Hill, fellow recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and approximately twenty other members were on hand for the special occasion.

                        

N is for News

This very beautiful and creative bench is located in front of the News and Record Office at East Market Street. It is made of bronze and the sheets of metal represent different iterations of the newspapers in Greensboro over the years: Greensboro Record, News & Record, The Daily Record, Greensboro Daily News, The Greensboro Daily Record, and the Greensboro News and Record. Actual front pages of the newspaper are accurately engraved on the sheets, sight down to the date the event happened in what appears to be a 16-font. There is so much detail. The 7' x 10' x 4' bench was made in 2004 by Jim Gallucci, whose work can be seen all over town; from the airport to his workspace in south Greensboro, and beyond.

In trying to learn about the history of newspapers in Greensboro, we came across a digital collection that UNCG makes available online. It features Greensboro newspapers published between 1826 and 1946- 120 years of news in a format for all to access.*

Today is ABC Wednesday and for our 2016 Alphabet Series, "N" is for News (& Record). We would like to thank our dear friend and faithful reader, Jane Mitchell, for agreeing to pose on the bench. It looks so much better when it is being enjoyed.

*See the digital newspaper collection, here.  See more on News & Record, North Carolina's third largest newspaper, here, and more about Jim Gallucci, here and another view of the benches, here. Click on the thumbnail below to get a better idea of the detail.

The Winds of Change

If you have been downtown lately near the baseball park on Eugene Street, you know that construction in the area is well beyond the above view. If the project is still on target, Carroll at Bellemeade Village should be finished in about a year. The $60 million dollar hotel and upscale apartment site may end up being even bigger than anticipated. Developer Roy Carroll is hoping to add a skyscraper on the area that would be the largest skyscraper in the state outside of Charlotte. His plan calls for the proposed building to be a 400,000 ft.

It is hard to imagine a Greensboro skyline where the Jefferson Pilot Building is dwarfed.* While this information has been available for several months now, it wasn't until we started preparing this post that we realized the magnitude of the changes in store for downtown Greensboro. It sounds like if you want to move downtown, now is the time to do it. Perhaps we can convince Mr. Carroll to open a retirement community on site. 

* reference and additional information, here.

Glorious Fall Day

Yesterday, the weather in Greensboro was just about as glorious as a fall day gets- at least the days before the leaves start changing. After a few days of drenching rains from Hurricane Matthew, Greensboro residents were ready to get out and take advantage of the nice day. The above photo was taken on the loop at Guilford Military Park. As seen in the above photo, this trail is 1.7 miles of peace and tranquility. Many people were out walking with friends, family, and trusty canines and there were several people riding bicycles. 

It is said that walking is really good for one's health. There was even an article in the New York Times, entitled, "How walking in Nature Changes the Brain."  It increases the blood flow to the brain and soothes the mind. Guilford Military Park, located off of Highway 220, just happens to be 220 acres; 220 acres much appreciated by the nearly half-a-million people who use regularly.*

* Interesting News & Record article, here.

St Andrew's Episcopal Church

St. Andrews Episcopal Church was glowing last night. The corner of Kensington and Market was beautiful and calm as the rain from Hurricane Andrew was subsiding. The earthy scent of hickory nuts filled the air; the wind had blown them out of the trees near the front entrance of the church. This view is the quiet on Saturday night before the bustling activity of Sunday morning.

In addition to church services, Holy Eucharist rites, Sunday school, fellowship, coffee hours, and special meetings, church members looking forward to their annual bazaar on Saturday, October 15th from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. The people of St. Andrews contribute so much to the Greensboro community and beyond. Consider stopping by the bazaar and purchasing and donating generously so that they can continue to do great good. We wish we'd been able to attend their Blessing of the Animals last Sunday. Four-legged pets, fish in bowls, and even a stuffed animal or two were blessed. We heard  the service was lovely. Happy Sunday, everyone!

It's Almost Monarch Butterfly Time!

Last week at the Art and Sole event in Westerwood, we saw the lovely view above in the backyard of one of the artists. The art event was such a memorable experience; an opportunity to see not only the artists' creativity, but also the beautiful yards they have created for themselves. This Crestland Avenue home sports a giant monarch butterfly in the backyard.

Feeling the Mary Poppins' winds of change in the air this weekend and seeing this beautiful handmade butterfly, remind us that, in less than two weeks, the monarchs should be flying through Greensboro on their return trip to Mexico. Here is a page where you can get an app and become involved in tracking their progress-- great for teachers, homeschool families, and anyone with a general interest in nature. You can also contact All-A-Flutter in Guilford County to learn more about the migration of the butterflies. They will be having a monarch butterfly release party on October 15th- always a popular event. 

We are fortunate to live in a community with many talented artists who care about nature. The combination of the two is magical. Were Mary Poppins to fly through, likely, she would say it is "practically perfect in every way." 

Ann Lynch, Local Potter

Last Saturday, we were lucky enough to meet up with Ann Lynch at the Westerwood Art and Sole Show. Ann, an accomplished potter in Greensboro, has been studying and practicing art in North Carolina for the last two decades. Most recently, she has focused on making functional pottery similar to the bowl she is holding in the above photo. Her hallmark is to incorporate hand painted inserts that look like Chinese pottery chards. In her artist's statement, she mentions that she has always been attracted to pattern and geometric design and attributes it to the fact that early in her career, she was a high school math teacher. 

Not only is Ann a great potter, she is an interesting person to talk to. She was raised on a farm in South Dakota, studied in England, worked in Switzerland, and finally, has settled in Greensboro. We hope she stays with us for a very long time. Ann shows regularly at the pottery events in Greensboro. She will be at the Potters of the Piedmont Festival, Saturday, November 12th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at Leonard Recreation Center on Ballinger Road. Be sure to get there early for the best selection.

Don't forget, tonight is First Friday and downtown should be hopping. To our knowledge, Ann isn't currently showing in a gallery downtown; however, there will be other great pottery, visual, and performing arts to enjoy this evening. October weekends are pretty special in Greensboro. Enjoy!