Greensboro local, Nanny Foster has been gardening since she was 3 years old. Now that she is retired from her position as Coordinator of Media Services for the School of Education at UNCG, Nanny has even more time for gardening. Above, she is featured in her College Park yard where she was telling us all about her plantings. In true southern style, Nanny shares Latin names, common names, as well as the stories behind all the plants in her yard. The smile on her face is evidence of the great joy she derives from gardening. Nanny's front yard is full of closely planted annuals and perennials and she always has something in bloom.
Nanny is a Grimsley graduate who attended the public high school in the late 1960's when Greensboro City Schools had only recently become racially integrated. As a matter of fact, her father, John Foster, was Chairman of the Greensboro City School Board when they integrated. Nanny, always a big believer in the worth and dignity of everyone, started a very special "endowment" at Tate Street Coffee House. Each month, she puts money in an account so that the groundskeepers on UNCG's campus can get a cup of coffee for free. Over the years, she saw this crew go above and beyond to help students move into and out of dorms and she always admired how hard the groundskeepers work to maintain the landscaping on campus-- regardless of the weather. If you are ever looking to "pay it forward," go to Tate Street Coffee and donate to the "Nanny" fund. If you go on Monday, you will learn of another Nanny tradition. She takes the coffee shop a bouquet of freshly cut flowers- whatever she has that is in bloom. Nanny's generosity is an inspiration and reminds us that we all have the potential to make a difference.
The thumbnails below show you that her College Park yard has just the right amount of plantings and whimsy. The green handrail, near the end of the top row, was made by Greensboro artist, Jim Gallucci. If you click on the thumbnail of the poppy, you can see a bee making a beeline for the cheerful, red, herbaceous plant. Tomorrow, we will visit with Nanny in her back yard.
A feast for the eyes.
Posted by: Jane Tucker Mitchell | Friday, June 03, 2016 at 09:08 AM
She sounds like a very nice person who has done and continues to do lots of good work for the community. Love the floral photos!
Posted by: Jacob | Friday, June 03, 2016 at 10:34 AM
A cheerful smile, and beautiful floral shots!
Posted by: William Kendall | Friday, June 03, 2016 at 11:55 AM
She is as beautiful as the flowers she grows. She was my boss as a college student working at the Teaching and Learning Center. Nanny was always kind and just a joy to know.
Posted by: Elicia Ellis Knight | Friday, June 03, 2016 at 02:39 PM
A beautiful photo of one of my all-time favorite people! Both my wife and I have fond memories of working for Nanny and Mel in UNCG's McNutt Building 35 years ago.
Posted by: Mark Rushing | Friday, June 03, 2016 at 05:03 PM
Having known her since kindergarten days, I can say that she's always been a remarkable woman. Her garden is just one more facet.
Posted by: Linda Brandon | Friday, June 03, 2016 at 07:45 PM
Elicia's- So wonderful to hear from you! Did Debbie tell you that I was looking at a photo on Facebook and automatically asked if one that I saw was yours. He was. Would love to see you. You were such a special part of life at TLC. Hope all is well.
Posted by: Nanny Foster | Sunday, June 26, 2016 at 06:41 AM
Felicia. Was just remembering the hydrangeas we had for your wedding. Nice memory.
Posted by: Nanny . Foster | Sunday, June 26, 2016 at 03:04 PM
Felicia should of course be Elicia!!!
Posted by: Nanny . Foster | Sunday, June 26, 2016 at 03:05 PM