Greensboro Daily Photo

Parkway Baptist Church

Parkway Baptist Church is located at 1141 Benjamin Parkway, beside General Greene Elementary School. A parishioner asked us to feature the church and provided us with church history to share. We are delighted to fulfill this reader's request! Here is the background information provided.

Parkway Baptist Church began with a seed planted by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of dedicated individuals.  Throughout the 1950s, church growth in Greensboro flourished.  As God worked at Asheboro Street Baptist Church, He led the Church to sponsor a mission church in one of the rapidly growing parts of town.  That mission church became Parkway Baptist Church.  The congregation met for about 2 years at Brooks Elementary until construction was complete.  The first service in the Benjamin Parkway church building was held on February 2, 1958.  Within a few years, the church outgrew the first building and an educational building and sanctuary were added in 1963.

True to its founding and the leadership from the first pastor, Dr. Leroy Parker, Parkway has remained faithful to its founding as a mission church.  From the example set by Asheboro Street’s 50-50 giving to missions, Parkway has always stretched to engage in missions of all types.  Through the years, Parkway has sponsored many aspects of missions including support to various mission programs, direct support to specific missionaries, an on-site mission home for missionaries on leave and sending individual members and teams of members on various home and foreign mission trips. As compared to other churches of like membership size, Parkway is recognized as being in the top 2% of Southern Baptist churches in the nation for giving to missions.

Parkway is blessed to still have a number of charter members who are still active in the church and who continue to contribute in many ways to the congregation. Parkway will proudly observe its 58th anniversary in 2018. We hope to follow up and feature this celebration next year!

 

Traveled Farmer

Last night, the Traveled Farmer was hopping. Located beside RED Cinemas, the restaurant is very popular, especially with the movie-going crowd. You may remember this building in midtown formerly housed Marshall Free House, a restaurant and upscale bar that closed in 2016. The look of the Traveled Farmer restaurant remains largely the same, but with more lighting and with a locally-sourced food market. The Traveled Farmer bills itself as an establishment that provides global flavors with local ingredients.

Executive Chef Jay Pierce, formerly at Lucky 32, has made a commitment to deepening relationships with local food partners. The "keep it local" movement seems to be a great recipe for success. If you are driving on Battleground near town, look for the rows and rows of outdoor string lights. The parking lot evokes a feeling of Little Italy in NYC. Inside, it feels a lot like Greensboro.

We're hoping you feel joyful on this warm Saturday in February.

The Pearl Kitchen

They say Thursday is the new Friday, and by the looks of the people out last night, there is truth in that statement. The Pearl Kitchen, a food truck set up in downtown Greensboro was set up outside Gibbs Hundred Brewery on Lewis Street. The Pearl Kitchen is  known for their Philadelphia cheesesteaks and hamburgers. Since Gibbs Hundred Brewery doesn't serve food, having a food truck set up outside is a mutually beneficial situation. People out having a beer, socializing and listening to music don't have to go far to get food and they don't have to drink on an empty stomach. The brewery doesn't have to set up a kitchen.

Somehow, the weather doesn't seem so cold when people are outside eating a hot sandwich and chatting with friends. Those who want to take their food inside have that option. The only thing bad about a good food truck is that they aren't always set up when a craving for their food hits a loyal customer. If you are local, do you have a favorite food truck? It is the weekend, you could head out and find an answer to that question. Have a great one.

SHEETZ on the Horizon

SHEETZ is a family-owned business out of Altoona, PA. In 1952, Bob Sheetz founded the company and it was not until 1963 that a second store opened; then a 3rd one five years later. Today, there are 500 Sheetz stores dotting the horizon. They are becoming so dominant on the east coast that they are gobbling up many of the locally owned gas stations and even some of the bigger companies. To date, Greensboro has eight of the 500 stores.

The above Sheetz, located on New Garden Road at Jefferson Road, is just a couple of miles west of Guilford Military Park, the site of the 1781 Battle of Guilford Courthouse. The scene reminds us of the terrain the Revolutionary War troops would have seen, less the SHEETZ sign on the horizon. And from this vantage point, one wouldn't even suspect there is an oasis of just about every color and flavor of beverage you can think of, and as many sandwich options as there are SHEETZ stores. We can't even imagine what those troops would think upon being told they had to click through multiple screens to order a meal.

Wonder what those birds on the wire are thinking. Perhaps they have their eye on some spilled popcorn!

F is for Florist

Valentine's Day is one of busiest days of the year at Scruggs Florist, located on Lawndale Avenue in Irving Park. The above photo shows one of the many stunning arrangements that flew out the door yesterday. The Scruggs family opened the shop in 1952. Today, Martha and Robert Scruggs run the business that Mr. Scruggs mother started sixty-five years ago.

The photo below features Mr. Scruggs who took the time to talk to us while his wife and employees attended to the flood of orders. Mr. Scruggs graduated from Greensboro Senior High School (now Grimeley). He studied textiles at N.C. State University and went on to work at Cone Mills for 40 years; making the floral industry his second career. If you want to get a feel for the genteel mannerisms of Old Greensboro and talk to someone who has watched Greensboro and the textile and floral industries  change over the decades, head to Scruggs Florist and talk to the owners.

The variety of petals seen below on the workroom floor provides insight into the lively bouquets assembled on Valentine's Day. Mr. and Mrs. Scruggs and employees, if you read this post, please know we are applauding you for your calm, professional demeanor as you assisted those who waited until the last minute to seek your services.

Today is ABC Wednesday and "F" is for florist. See our Round 20, A-E featured posts, here. 

 

Happy Valentine's Day 2017

Happy Valentine's Day from Greensboro, North Carolina.

Locally, temperatures have been unseasonably warm this week. By day, temperatures have ranged from the 40's-80's. By night, they are averaging from just below freezing up to the 40's. Trees are starting to bud and the treasured colors of spring are popping up all around Greensboro. According to the calendar of the Cooperative Extension at N.C. State, in this region, February is prime time to prune fruit trees to ensure the best fruit production. However, pruning now seems almost too late as some trees in full bloom.

As a matter of fact, if you haven't already purchased flowers for your special Valentine, you still have time to head outside and cut some fresh buds. If you want something more conventional, try one of our locally owned florists, like Scrugg's Florist. They been serving Greensboro for over 60 years.

Mountain Biking

The well-maintained trails around Bur-Mil Park are perfect for off-road biking. The Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department maintains the trails not only in the city, but also around the watershed lakes. Greensboro Fat Tire Society, our local mountain biking club, also helps keep the trails clean and safe.* The groups try to keep the trails as primitive as possible. They provide rules of etiquette. In 2003, Bicycling Magazine voted the Owl's Roost Trail (above) as the "best urban mountain biking trail" in the country.

The two cyclists above seemed to be enjoying their ride yesterday, and they weren't the only ones. Hiking and bike trails were extremely busy as temperatures soared to 82 degrees; surpassing the 1999 record of 73 degrees. It was perfect spring weather; except, spring is over a month away. North Carolina weather can be unpredictable,  and Greensboro has been known to have ice storms in March.

We hope you had a chance to spend some time outside yesterday. If not, there is always today, and tomorrow, and the next day...

*reference and more information, here.

Parkway Baptist

Since yesterday was the Moral March on Raleigh, we thought we'd share the above Frederick Douglass quote on the marquee at Parkway Baptist Church. Douglass was an African American social reformer, writer, orator, and statesman in the 19th century. He championed the cause of abolition and helped put an end to slavery in the USA. He believed in the equality of all people and was a staunch supporter of public education. Were alive today, we bet he would have been over in Raleigh marching yesterday, the eleventh year of the march for social justice, also known as HKonJ (the Historic Thousands on Jones St.).

Quoting Frederick Douglass is especially appropriate for Black History Month, and the above quote is appropriate every day. Parkway Baptist is located on Benjamin Parkway beside General Greene Elementary School. General Green is a science and technology school, known for building strong, well-rounded children. One of Greensboro Daily Photo's regular readers asked us to feature her church, Parkway Baptist. While on site photographing yesterday, the quote got our attention. We'll feature the church itself next week and, hope some of the members will see the post.

 

Greatest Show on Earth

As part of their Farewell Tour, The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus is performing in Greensboro until Sunday. The Greatest Show on Earth has their train parked on the railroad tracks at Chapman Street, off of Spring Garden Street. In May, after 146 years of entertaining the public, the rings will go silent. According to WFMY News 2, their first visit to Greensboro was 57 years ago in 1960 and they have sold over 4 million seats over the years. In the above photo, the man in the green suit is picking up trash from the cars, which serve as living space for the performers and staff. 

Briefly, we interviewed the young woman below, who cares for the children while workers are practicing and performing. I asked her what people are going to do when their jobs end in May. She said some will go to other circus and performing troupes. She will move to Florida. She couldn't talk long as she needed to head to work for the evening, carrying what appeared to be play sand. It came to mind that she was literally and figuratively carrying a heavy load, knowing that she had to prepare both for the and her post-circus life. But for now, the show must go on.

Head to the Greensboro Coliseum if you want to see the circus one last time. 

Let's Ride

Weekends can feel so liberating. The above photo features a driver in his vintage car on 220 North, leaving Greensboro. He appears to be heading towards Virginia in what looks like a 1940's Plymouth. Can you believe that this car is over 70 years old and that it could still be on the road at 100? 

If you like classic cars, Greensboro Auto Auction (GAA) will hold its next classic car auction on March 2,3,and 4 at 301 Norwalk Street. Also, if you are an antique car lover, the Cars & Coffee Event will resume in March. From March-October, the third Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. classic car owners gather behind the Weatherspoon Art Gallery to open their hoods and talk parts, engines, and anything they can think of about their classic cars. Let us hear a virtual honk, if you love classic cars. Have a happy weekend, dear readers.

GSO 336

Last night was "Drink & Draw" night at Geeksboro Coffeehouse Cinema on Lawndale Drive in Irving Park. People brought sketch pads, pencils, watercolors, markers, digital drawing pads, and a great amount of imagination. Artists were talking, drawing, and sipping their favorite coffeehouse beverages. The above artist was a talented, friendly,  young man who loves Greensboro enough to sport our 3-letter, airport code, GSO. In the upper right-hand corner of the box on his shirt, Greensboro's 336 area code is printed. The font and graphics evoke the periodic table of chemical elements; precisely the humor found in the Geeksboro crowd. "Drink & Draw" is a night for creative types to be surrounded by equally creative people who appreciate their cultural references and recognize their drawing styles.

Geeksboro, established in 2012, attracts people for fun, wholesome activities like watching old TV shows together, playing board games, knitting, playing video games, and just plain old-fashioned talking. While we may have the technology to do just about anything at home- from shopping to watching movies and learning through Youtube videos- nothing replaces good old face-to-face or shoulder-to-shoulder social interaction; which, at Geeksboro, is available for the price of a cup of coffee... or two!

 

E is for Elam

Elam Avenue runs through the heart of Lindley Park. The above photo features the Corner Farmers Market at the corner of Elam and Walker Avenue. What started as a small effort has evolved into a weekly farmers market that has been tremendous for community building. Neighbors gather, people jumpstart their dreams by selling produce, soap, baked goods, or anything else that has the potential to transform from a cottage industry into big business. This regional market sells local produce and products from 8:00 am until noon. Noon is about the time the parking lot needs to be used by the adjacent businesses, especially Sticks and Stones.

Today is ABC Wednesday and for Round 20, E is for Elam. Farmers Markets are starting to pop up all over Greensboro. This one on Elam, however, can't be beat. It is a great way to buy local while getting out to socialize with neighbors.

 

Last Farmhouse Standing

Over the past two decades Horse Pen Creek Road has transformed from a sleepy road to a busy hub of activity. The road is being widened and improved, as part of Greensboro's 2008 Transportation Bond referendum. Also, the Urban Loop is being routed underneath Horse Pen Creek. The projected completion date for the roadwork is 2019. The above photo features the last old-farmhouse on the road. The wooden farmhouse, peeking out from a dense field of bamboo, is tired and worn out; barely standing. It is located in across the road from Greensboro Montessori School.

You may recall from an earlier GDP post, Daystar will build a church on the property. Now that a lot of the the strip by the road has been cleared, the bamboo stands out. As seen on the photo above, when the sun sets on the bamboo thicket, it glows an almost translucent green. But, when the sun sets on the farmhouse, nothing will remain to remind us of the farmer, his black and white cows, his garden, and the dense bramble of blackberry canes surrounding the property. May Daystar be good stewards of the property. It is beautiful and so representative of the rural Greensboro of yesteryear.

Elm Street Center

 
Elm Street Center, at 203 South Elm Street, has become quite a hub of activity over the last decade. What was once the Ellis Stone Department Store, built in 1949, has become one of downtown Greensboro's premiere event venues. The Regency and Empire Rooms can both accommodate close to 1,000 guests. The rooms are decorated tastefully and are favorites for high school proms, wedding receptions, corporate events, and other special functions.

The above photo features part of the decorations at the street-level, entrance hallway for an event held on January 27th. On the same night, there was also a life-size replica of a camel. We're not sure what event was being held that night, but the decorations created a feeling of being in the Middle East. If you look closely above the door on the left, you can see the Regency Room, and to the right, the "E" for the Empire Room. It is hard to believe that in a little over a month, the building will be gearing up for prom season!

Project Warmth

PROJECT WARMTH is a brilliant idea that has been implemented in downtown Greensboro. The 16 Cents Ministry is committed to reaching out to Greensboro's homeless population. One of their initiatives, featured above, is simply hanging clean clothes on a fence on Spring Garden Street near an enclave of homeless people. Imagine being cold, tired, finally finding some place to get hygiene and not having anything but dirty and torn clothes to put on. Now, people can walk by, pick up a change of clothes, and nobody expects anything in return. This closet is open 24 hours. 

Just across the street from this fence of clothing, under the Edgeworth Bridge, is where the 16 Cents Ministry holds church services out in the open, with the bridge overhead as a roof. Food, beverages, and toiletries are distributed around the time of the service. People sing, rejoice, and enjoy being part of a church community. If you want to learn more about Church Under the Bridge, stop by the service on Saturday at 6:00. You can be as involved or as anonymous as you want. They will welcome and feed you along with the other 250 participants. No questions asked. If you aren't going to attend but want more information, find it, here. Happy Sunday. 

Penguin Time

The temperature in Greensboro was in the 20's last night; not as cold as other parts of North Carolina, but cold enough. The above scene evokes winter: chilly-blue walls and perky penguins. The photo was taken at feeding time at the African penguin exhibit at the Greensboro Science Center. If you love penguins, you can actually sign up for an opportunity to go behind the scenes and watch them be fed. They are an endangered species and the science center helps with conservation efforts.

On the day we visited, several school groups were on site and the penguins captivated them. Seeing the children so engaged in learning reminded us of all the great resources we have in our community. While school groups won't be there today, The Greensboro Science Center is open today from 9:00 am- 5:00 pm. We have found that the earlier you arrive, the more opportunities you will have to see animals being fed. If you are looking for an educational adventure, a place to get in out of the cold, or a place for great photos. Whatever you decide, where ever you are, have a memorable day!

In Summerfield

The stark winter landscape can be hauntingly beautiful. The above photo was taken of an old country property in Summerfield, not too far from Summerfield Farms on Pleasant Ridge Road. The empty building seems to accentuate the trees without leaves. Summerfield is an area northwest of Greensboro, consisting of about 27 acres and approximately 11,000 people. The community is completely within Guilford County and the students attend the Northwest Schools.

Summer field is known for its horse farms and wooded countryside interspersed with residential neighborhoods. The community has an Historical Committee as well as a Trails and Open Space Committee. Both groups work very hard to ensure that Summerfield has plenty of green space and areas for public enjoyment. If you are looking for something peaceful this weekend, plan to drive around in Summerfield.  We hope to take the same photo in about three months, when the trees will be in full foliage, the grass will be greener, and our community will be in bloom.

Mill House Maple Street

This house on Maple Street is located in the backyard of Revolution Mill and in the Cone Mills neighborhood. Built in 1941, this 798 sq.ft. home is typical of the mill houses in the mill communities. An overwhelming majority of employees in the textile mills lived in the mill villages. The company supplied the homes and many community resources, including schools. All the tenants had to do was supply mill workers, usually one per occupied room.* Today, these mill houses are privately owned and many of the mills have closed or been repurposed.

With all of the new occupants at Revolution Mill, this part of East Greensboro is experiencing a great revival. Let's hope the sense of community that characterized the mill villages remains and that people sit on those front porches, play music (actual instruments, not downloaded playlists), and have great conversations with one another. Great things are happening in Greensboro and the tiny house movement is making these small houses more appealing than ever.

*reference, here.

D is for Downtown on February First

February 1st is a big day for Greensboro. February 1, 1960 at 4:30 p.m., four African-American college students attending NC A&T University, sat down at the above Woolworth Store at the "whites-only" lunch counter insisting on being served a cup of coffee. The students remained at the lunch counter, a form of non-violent protest, until the store closed that evening. These sit-ins continued and grew in participation, building momentum for the Civil Rights Movement.

The above photo was taken on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday at "ground zero" for the Greensboro Sit-Ins. These children were downtown with their father spending the day learning about Civil Rights and skipping along West February 1.  The building is no longer Woolworth Co, but the International Civil Rights Center and Museum (IRCM).

The February theme for the City Daily Photo Community is "Loving Life". We will share this photo with the CDP Community because these three, happy children exemplify "Loving Life." Today also happens to be ABC Wednesday and "D" is for "Downtown", a fabulous place for teaching children about our city and its history. If you are interested in helping to support Greensboro civil rights history, the ICRM is holding a fundraiser today to help fund field trips for children 336-274-9199. For the price of a designer cup of coffee, you can help a child learn about civil rights.

Fishing on Lake Higgins

The lone angler above was recently fishing on Lake Higgins. The day was cold and the starkness of the winter vegetation combined with the blue cast to the photo make the scene look even colder. According to the website of the City of Greensboro, the lake is stocked with bass, crappie, sunfish, trout, and catfish. Fishing is allowed from a boat or on the pier at the marina. At the fall bass tournament this past October, twenty-one anglers participated and the first place fish weighed 7.30 pounds. The spring tournament usually attracts a more people. If you are interested, start testing your equipment now and make sure you have found a few key fishing holes by early April.

This 226 acre reservoir is also a great spot for paddle boarding and kayaking. Greensboro is so lucky that the city maintains the reservoirs and provides access for the public at large. We're sure the man in the boat would attest to the peacefulness of fishing after a long week at work.

Tre Stokes

Yesterday, Scuppernong Books was quite a hub of activity. The line wrapped around from the bookstore's entrance on Elm Street to the Biltmore Hotel on West Washington Street. People were waiting to get their copy of "Hidden Figures" signed by the author, Margot Lee Shetterly. The event was so popular that Scuppernong sold out of the book. To the crowd's surprise, just prior to the arrival of Shetterly, Tre Stokes slipped into the store with his mother, Shonia. Tre, a ten-year-old from Greensboro, North Carolina, started as Levi Jackson, Jr. in the movie. In the above photo, he was talking to some of his fans. 

When Tre entered Scuppernong, all of the children in the bookstore wanted to get a photo taken with him. He graciously complied with a pose, a smile and a, afterwards, a big handshake. Tre's cheery personality and radiant smile put everyone at ease. In spite of his busy acting schedule that calls him away from Greensboro, he still calls Greensboro home and is a full time student in the Guilford County Schools. We have a feeling Tre's career will soar, yet he will always remember his local roots.

NC A&T Gospel Choir

The North Carolina A&T State University Fellowship Gospel Choir sang their hearts out at the Ronald E. McNair Celebration and Memorial Day this past Friday. McNair was a physicist and NASA astronaut who died on the Space Shuttle Challenger during its 1986 mission. McNair earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Physics at NC A&T State University. To honor and remember their fellow Aggie, the University always holds an event around the time of the explosion of the Challenger. The community is invited to participate. The above photo was taken at the luncheon held on campus this past Friday.

According to the University's website, the mission of the gospel choir is to "promote and provide a socio-religious organization that embraces the love of gospel music." The gospel choir travels extensively, and frequently performs at NC A&T's official ceremonies. We hope you have an opportunity to hear them live sometime. They are outstanding. In the meantime, you can listen to one of their performances, here. If you look to the right of the choir, on the edge of the photo, you can see a photo of Dr. McNair. If you believe in heaven, you surely believe Dr. McNair is there waiting to greet us when it is our time-- and, just perhaps with a gospel song! Happy Sunday!

Shall We Bike?

Today's photo features a person pedaling across the bridge in downtown Greensboro where South Edgeworth meets up with Freeman Mill Road, directly above Spring Garden Street. It is common to see cars and trucks passing above on this bridge; however, bicycles are not so common. Since the Greenway is also located near here, many cyclists- especially recreational riders- opt to ride the greenway. The young man above appeared to be a man on a mission. He had the energy of someone well accustomed to using pedal power to get from Point A to Point B.

If his determination inspires you to get out and bike this weekend, here is the city's link to their Greensboro Urban Area Bicycle Map. Over the past decade, Greensboro has gotten more bicycle friendly and motorists are becoming more accustomed to sharing the road. The Dutch have learned when drivers exit a car, they should open the door with their right hand. This forces the body to turn, increasing the likelihood of seeing a person riding past on a bike. Whether you are on a bike, in a car, or otherwise, we hope you get out and enjoy the weekend.

Revolution Mill Meets WAM!

The repurposing of the 520,000 sq. ft. Revolution Mill is transforming the 19-acre property from a 20th century textile mill to a 21st century cultural hub of apartments, restaurants, gallery space, offices, and more. The above photo is 123 Gallery 1250 is located downstairs in Revolution Mill. The gallery walls, by artist James Marshall, represent the first of many collaborative endeavors between UNCG's Weatherspoon Art Gallery (WAM) and Revolution Mill. 

The three square photos below provide additional examples of the beauty of the space. The red spiral staircase near the gallery is reminiscent of a Mondrian painting and are a prelude to the geometry of the gallery.

Construction and design elements are being done with great consideration to honor the original features of the building. It is obvious that investors care about aesthetics and are willing to purchase materials that are durable. The cool palate in Marshall's geometric walls accentuate the signature red used throughout the building. Good design is making a difference. We encourage you to take one of the free, Monday evening tours. 

This Is Horse Country

In the Greensboro area, beauty abounds. On a recent, sunny, winter day, we drove on Highway 220 from Greensboro to the Stokesdale area. Once off the beaten path, we saw many scenes like the one above. The white horse was as curious about us as we were about her. The other horses were perfectly content to graze in the back of the pasture. The feathery tree line framed the view.

Guilford County and the surrounding area are known for being horse country. If you are interested in horses visit the international online horse directory, O Horse. It lists local opportunities for therapeutic riding, boarding horses, horse breeding, riding camps, pony parties, massage therapy for horses, and so much more. If you want to see a great show, on March 4-5, the Greensboro Kickoff I & II Horse Show will be held at the Sedgefield Showgrounds on Groometown Road. 

C is for Coliseum Complex... and Champions!

The above photo features the part of the Coliseum Complex that leads to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Hall of Champions. The Hall of Champions opened March 2, 2011. It is hard to believe that it has been in Greensboro almost six years. The display features the history of the conference as well as its long relationship to North Carolina. The ACC is an American collegiate athletic conference and it sponsors competition in twenty-five sports. In 1953, the ACC was founded in Guilford County, in Sedgefield. If you like college athletics and are local, you owe it to yourself to spend some time at this facility.

In the above photo, a dad explains some sports concepts to his small children as they listen intently. The children were so well behaved and engrossed in the conversation. Whether he was ever an ACC athlete or not, in the minds of his children, this dad is a true champion. With so much negative press these days, the scene reminds us there is good in humanity and it starts at home.

Today is ABC Wednesday and for Round 20, "C" is for "coliseum" and "champion."

School Choice Program in Full Swing

This is the time of the year is when families at all grade levels start thinking about schools. High school students are starting to hear about their post-secondary options. K-12 families are trying to find programs that meet their children's needs. Students always have the option to attend their designated school. However, Guilford County also has a wide variety of themed choices. The above photo features families and educators in the booth of the General Greene Elementary School of Science and Technology. This school, located on Benjamin Parkway, had so much interactive material that students were captivated. Their display had everything from microscopes so science experiments to reptiles. General Greene has a state of the art science lab, many options for digital learning, and educational field trips to reinforce their curriculum. They also have extremely catchy tie-dyed t-shirts (see below). 

Each magnet school, or school of choice, has curricular features and equipment relevant to their theme. If you live in the county and are interested, apply soon. The application process is in full swing and programs fill quickly. For the next three Mondays, potential applicants have the opportunity to tour schools. 

The Workday

The above wall is located on Spring Garden Street, approaching downtown and the West McGee Street traffic circle. This part of town is where the 16 Cents Ministry meets under the bridge and not too far from the Greenway and the Four Larks and Larder Restaurant. The cement wall looks like it might be getting pressure washed for a fresh coat of paint. When clean, the cement is quite beautiful in its own right.

The scene features one lone person cleaning the wall on a winter day. The man was working on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and he worked diligently even he thought nobody was watching. It is a reminder that some people have to work on holidays and that we have to take it upon ourselves to do the best job possible- even when nobody is looking. Integrity and a good work ethic are two of many character traits emphasized in the public schools. Obviously, the above man internalized the lesson. This is just a little food for thought as many head off to start their work week!

Triad North Carolina Women's March

Yesterday's marches and rallies in support of women's, human, and civil rights touched the world. The Greensboro crowds were also quite large for our local event- the Triad North Carolina Women's March. The above photo features Rabbi Andy Koren and Rabbi Fred Guttman. Both started their day at Temple Emanuel for the Sabbath service and then, with congregants, headed a few blocks away to the downtown march. People gathered at Governmental Plaza and marched peacefully to LeBauer Park. The expressions on the faces of both rabbis are representative of the tone of the day. These two men work tirelessly for human and civil rights within and beyond the Jewish community. Indeed, Greensboro is greater for their efforts.

Time for a Car Wash

When the weather is nice, you can expect a long line at the car wash. This is especially true in winter when people are anxious to clean the salt off of their vehicles. The above photo was taken at Streetcars Car Wash on Battleground Avenue, near Kirkwood. As with most car washes, they have many different levels of service and all price points available. They are a great place to take children to help them understand the concept of a multistep process, as well as taking a job from concept to completion. The day we sat across the street and watch the crew working at Streetcars, the workers seemed to work hard on those final details. They have to stay on their toes, because they work right there on Battleground, one of the busiest streets in Greensboro.

We hope you have a great Saturday and have a chance to get out a little even if it is just to go do chores. Consider giving your car a little extra TLC.

High School Options Day

Today's photo is a picture of the Dudley High School Marching Band taken at a previous MLK Day parade. The band was rounding the bend on Southside at the end of the parade route. The JP Building, now Lincoln Financial, can be seen in the background. We share this photo today to remind readers that tomorrow is High School Options Day for Guilford County Schools. GCS is a leader in schools of choice. This model allows families to select programs that match the interests, talents, and learning needs of their children, and staying within the public school system. 

From the arts to science to language immersion, GCS offers 17 different magnet themes. The showcase event will be held tomorrow at the Special Events Center at the Greensboro Coliseum from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. If you are interested in finding the right school for your child and you think a themed school would best meet their learning needs, you won't want to miss this magnet school fair. If you are interested in becoming a Dudley Panther, they have special programs that may interest you and you don't have to live within the attendance zone to apply. Hope to see you tomorrow!

the tiny greenhouse...

This week, we had a chance to meet Suzanne Cabrera of The Tiny Greenhouse, located at 1331 Beaman Place, in Midtown. Suzanne and her husband Edgar design and print cards, invitations, and posters. Additionally, they design tiny greenhouses and garden items like potted plants with very creative trellis systems. They are also interior architects and will help you with your in-home design needs. They specialize in mid-century modern.

While Suzanne and Edgar have had their cards and paper products in stores for a a few years now, they have only recently opened their brick-and-mortar shop. They are hopeful the the Midtown area of Greensboro will continue to grow and become a destination, where they will not only have their existing clients, but they will also get significant walk-in traffic. Once you see their great work, you will love it. Their signs and graphic designs are absolutely adorable. Every new year, we purchase a box of their cards that say "May this be the best year yet" and send them to people who may need a little extra shot of cheer.

Talking to Suzanne and Edgar will fill you with cheer. They are another fine example of Greensboro's growing group of young entrepreneurs who work hard to build professional and personal relationships with clients. May this be their best year yet!

B is for Barns

The Greensboro area still has many structures from the last century, reminding us of our rural roots. The above photo of a tobacco barn was taken on Highway 220 North, north of Greensboro and near Stokesdale. It is a fairly typical tobacco barn, about 20' x 20' square, with a tin roof and built of hewn logs and mortar. In the 1950's, there were half a million in this area, which was part of  the tobacco belt. Growing tobacco was one of North Carolina's primary crops. You may remember names like Winston, Salem, Lucky Strike, and Kool. Those were some of our local tobacco products. They all got there start in a barn similar to the one in the above photo.

Today, tobacco growing has decreased and only an estimated 50,000 tobacco barns remain in North Carolina.* The exterior view of the above tobacco barn appears to be in pretty good shape. It will be interesting to see if it gets restored or if it falls in the hands of crafters who will dismantle it for the wood. It is doubtful that it is still used for tobacco. It sure evokes nostalgia for yesteryear. Do you have any memories of curing tobacco or working in the barns?

Today is ABC Wednesday and for ABC Round 20, their final round, B is for Barn, specifically Tobacco Barns.

* reference and more information.

YMCA Bus on South Elm Street

It was a beautiful day in downtown Greensboro today. Being in the mid-50's, the weather was perfect for all of the events related to civil rights and community service, including the parade in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. The above Thomas-built bus was parked in front of the International Civil Rights Museum while a group of students was touring the museum. They sounded so energized about their visit. While the museum has struggled financially, when you hear adolescents excited about a field trip and what they are learning, especially when it is historically significant, you know the experience is an important one.

This bus, from one of the YMCA's from the northwest North Carolina region, has a really catchy slogan on the side, "on the road to success." It is beautifully painted and the fact that it was made right down the road in High Point makes it even more special. While the streets look empty in this photo, many of the downtown venues, including the civil rights museum, were busy. Happy Tuesday, today, dear readers. For those who were lucky enough to have yesterday off, it will feel like Monday.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2017

Today is a federal holiday, marking the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King. Dr. King was a proponent of non-violent activism and today is a day when many people honor him by doing something positive for their community. The holiday was signed into law in 1983 under the presidency of Ronald Reagan. The above photo was taken last year in the morning at the International Civil Rights Museum on South Elm Street. The people in the photo were probably gathering to attend the annual breakfast. This year's breakfast will feature Dr. Oscar Dowdell-Underwood as guest speaker. He is the author of Bumblebees Can Fly: Empowering Young Men of Color." It is sponsored by the Human Relations Commission. 

After breakfast this morning, people will gather to prepare for the parade. It will begin at 11:00 am and finish at approximately 2:00 pm. in Southside, a 1.2 mile stretch along Martin Luther King Drive. If you can't attend the parade, hopefully you will have a chance to do something to celebrate the life and achievements of Dr. King. Greensboro's connections to the Civil Rights Movement are many.  Dr. King was scheduled to speak in Greensboro on April 5, 1968, the day after he as was assassinated. 

 

Daystar Grows, Again

The last farmhouse on Horse Pen Creek Road is about to become a Daystar Church campus. To the left you can see the old homestead, photographed after last week's snow. To the right, below the bent tree trunk, you can see the Daystar trailer. The 30-acre farm, that used to have a hardworking farmer, cows, a large garden, and rows and rows of blackberries, will be an additional campus for one of the nation's fastest growing churches. The current locations for Daystar campuses are: Westover Terrace, Spencer-Dixon Road, and Drawbridge Parkway. When the facility is finished, members that meet at Kernodle Middle School will move the 1/2 a mile up the road to this location.

Daystar, formed in the year 2,000 and the pastor, Allen Holmes has been there since the beginning. He was 27 when he and his wife arrived and had only been pastoring for 18 months. He has since earned a doctorate in leadership from Gordon- Conwell Theological seminary. * Holmes as grown up with the church and the church has grown up with him. What a powerful story. It will be interesting to watch the changes to the property. With 30 acres, hopefully they will have some green space and walking trails. It is a beautiful property. 

* reference and more information.

Moon over Macy's

Yesterday there was a full moon and it was Friday the 13th. The above photo was actually taken at Friendly Center on Thursday at moonrise. We dubbed it, "Moon over Macy's" and noticed that the white vehicles mimicked the piles of snow that had only melted the previous day. This week, Greensboro temperatures ranged from single digits to 70 degrees. By Thursday, we were happy to be out shopping and dining.

Friendly Center opened in 1957 and  this shopping center remains popular with Greensboro shoppers. When Macy's closed its other Greensboro store in 2015, the above location continued to thrive. In the recent (2017) announcement of Macy's closing 68 stores nationwide, the Friendly Center Macy's survived the chopping block yet again. Hopefully, with the great location and loyal customers, Macy's at Friendly Center will be productive and remain open for a very long time. It is nice for a community to have a mix of locally-owned and chain stores. For now, the Greensboro Macy's can bask in the moonrise, knowing sunset was evaded!

Happy Saturday and remember, shopping brick and mortar keeps jobs in the community!

Lovebirds

The above lovebirds (and their cousins and siblings) at Friendly Pets in Friendly Center are very tame. They are finger trained and calm around people. The above pair seemed especially grateful to be handled together. These affectionate and social members of the parrot family are native to Africa, but do well in captivity. When properly cared for and well socialized, lovebirds can live for 10- 15 years. Friendly Pets takes great pride in keeping their birds tame and finger-trained and they are available during business hours to help meet your birds' needs.

If you want a bird and like the idea of rescuing, adopt-a-pet, currently has three parakeets and a cockatiel available. Here is the link for the North Carolina Bird Rescue. They have birds, too. If you are considering one, please remember birds are happiest when they have out of cage time. They make good companions. If love birds and want a gift that keeps on giving, here is Greensboro's chicken and poultry brochure. The city of Greensboro allows residents to keep chickens if they follow certain guidelines (read here). So, if you don't want birds indoors, consider getting hens that can double as pets and providers of eggs. There is no shortage of cute hen photos on Pinterest and social media. 

Reconsidered Goods

As you can see by clock, we visited Reconsidered Goods at precisely 4:40 pm. In the above photo, Co-Founder and Director Paige Cox took a break in her busy schedule to tell us about the store. Reconsidered Goods is a non-profit, creative reuse center, modeled after the Scrap Exchange in Durham, NC. Paige partnered with Joseph Edwards and Martha-Hughes-James to found the store, located just behind the Red Collection on Patterson Street at Holden Road.

In the background of the photo, you can see some of the inventory available for purchase. They offer everything from fabric samples and scraps to skeleton keys and vintage snapshots, just waiting to be up-cycled and repurposed. While we were on site, Paige was explaining field trip options for schools. Teachers can bring students and help foster their creativity as well as give them tasks that scaffold the engineering design process. Paige was also helping a furniture maker who came to purchase leather. There were several bolts and they were reasonably priced. Another person was buying boxes of 1,000 piece puzzles. Two workers were pricing and sorting and rolling fabric. Reconsidered Goods is a busy and dynamic place.

The photo below features  the Make & Take area where people, young and old alike, can work for a studio fee of five dollars. There are many free materials in the Make & Take area and other items, like mat board and old photos, can be purchased. Several items are available for under a dollar. Paige is so committed to this venture that she left her full-time position staging and setting merchandise for Anthropologie, where she worked for five years. The idea is a powerful one. Even if you aren't inclined to repurpose things, the store is well worth a visit. They also offer classes. Finally, they gladly accept donations- in case you are looking for something to do with those left-over art supplies like that 1/2 a ball of yarn or partial tube of glue. It is also a great place for students to volunteer and, with a little creativity, earn service learning hours.

 

A is for Audree

LuLaRoe Audree Hatchett is one of the most upbeat and positive people you will meet. She always has a smile on her face and treats everyone with dignity and respect. Audree signed on as a LuLaRoe consultant in December.  LuLaRoe is known for their soft leggings, but they have other items too- like the elegant outfit Audree is wearing. A mother of three, Audree is so excited to be the new owner of a home-based business. Audree lives in Greensboro and enjoys meeting clients in person, but also loves her on-line customers. In this Internet era, entrepreneurs like Audree can realize the dream of owning and managing a business online. She also does in-home pop-ups and live sales on Facebook.  

We love to feature Greensboro's newest entrepreneurs, whether they have brick and mortar operations or online stores. Join Audree's Facebook group (here) e-mail her at [email protected] if you want to shop with her.

Today starts a new round of ABC Wednesday and, we're kicking it off with "A" for LuLaRoe Audree Hatchett! For this round of ABC Wednesday, we're not committing to a theme, but we're thinking we'd like to feature people. With your help, we might be able to do so. If you know of someone positive, upbeat, and encouraging in Greensboro, let us know and we'll do our best to feature them. We've still got B-Z available!