Greensboro Daily Photo

S is for Skateboarding

Skateboarding is both sport and hobby that can also be transportation from Point A to Point B. If you are a middle schooler, skateboarding is a great way to pass time- learning tricks, perfecting jumps, and trying those moves in places with signs reading "no skateboarding allowed." The above photo, taken a couple of weeks ago,  features two young skateboarders in a pop-up skate space at the back corner of Four Flocks and Larder on Spring Garden Street.  It seemed like good, clean fun. The above skateboarders were very respectful of pedestrians and stayed well within the confines of their designated space. 

Skateboarding is big business. There are over 11 million skateboarders in the world and the sport will be represented at the 2020 Olympic Games. It is a relatively young sport, with the first makeshift skateboards appearing in the 1940's. Those early skateboards are a lot cruder (boxes with wheels) than the boards the guys are using above. The early skate parks were empty, California swimming pools. Today is ABC Wednesday and for Round 20, "S" is for "Skateboarding." To you boarders out there, may your kick flips and pop shove-its be everything you want them to be. Hope to see you in Tokyo!

Lake Higgins

Lake Higgins, a 226-acre municipal reservoir,  was beautiful and tranquil today. The lake is closed to the public on Mondays and so paddleboat, kayaks, and fishermen had to seek recreation elsewhere. The above photo was taken from the bridge at Carlson Dairy, facing east. While it is over a month until summer, based on the above photo, it's beginning to look a lot like summer in Greensboro. With temperatures like yesterday, in the 80's, beach weather is upon us.

While Lake Higgins is the smallest of Greensboro's three lakes (Higgins, Townsend, Brandt), the fishing is spectacular. The second and fourth Wednesdays, they offer night access to the lake. Mark your calendar for May 24th and head out for an aquatic adventure. If there are teens in your life, Lake Higgins has an Xtreme Teen Adventure Week from July 10- 14th (see more, here).  We hope you have an opportunity to breathe some fresh air and enjoy Greensboro's lakes this summer- maybe even at night!

 

Susan Ridenour, Potter

This past weekend, we ran in to Susan Ridenour at the 205 Gallery on Lyndon Street. It was the gallery's Second Saturday Open House and many artists were on hand to show visitors around and to offer their artwork for sale. Susan spent a lot of time explaining to us the details of her work; for example, how she molds the bowls,  in the foreground, to the shape of her hand; how strips that melt to reveal the specific temperatures at different parts of her kiln. (Pyro-metric pieces are in the back left corner of the table. They look like teeth of a tiger).

Professionally, Susan trained as a social worker. Raised in Raleigh, she came to Greensboro to attend Greensboro College. She received her degree, fell in love with the city, married, and has lived and worked here since. Knowing after her social work career that she wanted to nurture her artistic and creative side, Susan took pottery lessons. Her first lesson was memorable on so many levels, given the fact that it was on September 11, 2001.

Susan's pottery is lovely and her color scheme is very warm and neutral. If you are interested in purchasing a piece (or even renting space in her kiln if you are a potter), she can be reached at [email protected] or through the 205 Gallery.  Below, Susan's pottery is paired with Karen Bjork Dischell's painting and Sandy Dunaway's Pantone-color-of-the-year table. We want the whole display.  North Carolina has great veins of clay and Greensboro has great potters like Susan. 205 has great artists! What a wonderful combination.  Happy Monday!

AME Bethel Church

A.M.E. Bethel Church is located at 200 Regan Street, in between Bennett College and North Carolina A & T University. The Pastor is Alphonso E. McGlen Sr. He and his wife work together to help the church community. The church is active year-round and attracts people from all over the city. The AMEC grew out of the Free African Society in Philadelphia in the late 1700's. 

If you are driving along East Friendly Avenue in Greensboro, you will notice the sign on the corner of the church's lot. You will also notice the triangular shape of the building. There are several churches in the vicinity of AME Bethel and they all work diligently to meet the needs of their members. We wish they had a church history on their website. We hope to learn more about the history of the church. Let us know if you know some of the history. 

Happy Sunday!

Duck Dynasty

This mated pair of mallards returns to the above Greensboro swimming pool every spring to swim and hang out. As you can see, the pool has not yet been opened for the season. These dabbling ducks are walking around on the pool cover, trying to figure how to get to the water underneath. Maybe they'll stop back once the pool is open. According to Wikipedia, 45 species of ducks, geese, and waterfowl have been recorded in North Carolina. The mallard is the main ancestor of the majority of breeds of domesticated ducks.*

Mallards are known for being adaptable and eating just about anything. They are comfortable being around humans, they are at times considered an invasive species. Females can lay up to half their body weight in eggs.  Here they are in happier times, a few years ago, when the swimming pool was all theirs. How do you mark spring? What do you enjoy seeing out your window every year?

*"Anas platyrhynchos (On-line), Digital Morphology". The University of Texas at Austin. 2004. 

Victorian Beauty on Percy Street

This house, at 671 Percy Street, in the Aycock Historic District is one of the many Victorian-style homes in the neighborhood. The inviting porch comes in handy in the evenings and weekends when people sit outside and visit with family and neighbors. As a historic district, the integrity of the appearance of the homes is diligently maintained. Residents of the neighborhood are committed to keeping it family friendly and beautiful.

Next time you are headed to the Farmers' Market on Yanceyville, drive around the streets near Cypress, Percy, Summit, and Fifth Avenue. Some homes are already restored to their full glory; others, are works in progress. The above house, asa the crow flies, is only about a mile from downtown Greensboro. From the greenery surrounding the yard, it is hard to believe it is so close to town.

Fat Dog's Grille and Pub

Fat Dog's Grille and Pub's Lindley Park location on Spring Garden Street closed last week. Construction is well under way on the location a mile or so west, at the corner of Spring Garden Street and Holden Road. The above photo features Brochette Sign Company installing the new sign in what will become not only a place for hot dogs and craft beer, but it will also add a small brewery. The grille moved to add the brewery, to gain additional indoor seating, and to have patio seating.

Fat Dogs had a very loyal following from the Lindley Park neighbors who love having establishments they can walk to. It had the Cheers bar atmosphere "everybody knows your name."  Hopefully, the neighbors will continue to frequent the new space and it will retain that same cozy atmosphere. It looks like the establishment will be very nice. On the day we were passing by the new location, we saw the above workers hard at work. Fat Dog's is another example of growth in Greensboro. It will be interesting to see what goes in at their old location.

Revision Vintage

Today, we continue along East Market Street to the Revision Vintage shop of clothing, furniture, jewelry, and oddities. It opened May 5th at 313 East Market Street on the corner at Church Street and directly across from the event space known as the Cadillac Service Garage. The above photo features four of the five young women who own and stock the shop. The great creative team of Kim, Pam, Kristin, Lindsey and Britt (not photographed) grew their brick and mortar business from their pop up stores, realizing how well they worked together and the success of their collective collections.

Revision Vintage is proof positive that Greensboro is slowly expanding eastward. If you want to see for yourself, Revision Vintage is open on Thursday (12-6); Friday & Saturday (12-7); and Sunday (1-5). Additionally, the store offers great First Friday parties and dress up parties for grown ups. You can also make a private appointment on Monday-Wednesday in case you have some special needs like clothing for a theme party, special event attire, or you have vintage items to sell. If you like all things vintage, head over and introduce yourself to the Great Quintet at Revision Vintage, or call them at 336-617-3789.

The photo below features the store's façade. Today is ABC Wednesday and for our Round 20 Series,  "R" is for "Revision Vintage."

Along East Market Street

Market Street, one way eastbound, splits Greensboro into north and south; Elm Street in the east/west marker. The above photo shows Market Street at Church Street, an the east side of the city. The unidentified man in the photo is entering the north side of town. In the distance, on Market Street, the Lincoln Financial Group (LFG)  building features prominently on the horizon. It's digital clock, alternating with the temperature, has been a Greensboro tradition since back in the day before cell phones replaced clocks and thermometers. Peeking out, just past the Lincoln Financial building, is the red-brick, West Market United Methodist Church. 

The photo was taken on a quiet Sunday afternoon. On workdays, the streets are much busier. We are always in search of new views of the Lincoln Financial Group building and like this view, especially with the backdrop of a blue sky and puffy white clouds. We're trying to change our mindset, but we still think of it as the Jefferson Pilot Building. Likely, there are people around town who refer to it as the Jefferson Standard Building. Old habits are hard to break.

Wheels on the Greenway

Yesterday a familyl-friendly, bike riding event, Wheels on the Greenway. It was held in downtown Greensboro at Morehead Park, at the Baker and Bean/Four Flocks and Larder parking lot. If you haven't been to this multi-restaurant facility, you should stop by and experience this great resource. They were very involved in the bicycling event and very accommodating of participants who parked in their parking lot. They even had golf carts to transport people who needed to get to their cars. All children who attended the bicycling event received a free helmet and t-shirt from Crumbly Roberts. Cycles de Oro was on site doing bike tune ups. Some people brought bikes to donate to Warnersville Recreation Center. Food was provided by Baker and Bean. Multi-purpose events like this provide families with great fun and get children hooded on bicycling early. Children also learned to ride safely and to get to know part of Greensboro's greenway.

The above photo features a one of the many groups pulling up to participate in the ride. The weather was absolutely perfect. Greensboro is lucky to have so many events free and so many people working together to make events memorable.

Our Lady of Grace

As seen in yesterday's photo, Our Lady of Grace (OLG) Church on West Market Street was busy. It looked like a wedding was in progress. The sign of a healthy, thriving church is one with many activities and events, in addition to regular services. This Roman Catholic Church was built in 1952. It was funded by Julian Price in loving memory of his wife Ethel. He was a lifelong Baptist, but she was Catholic. Sadly, Mr. Price died in a car accident and did not live to see this lovely church built. It has so many nice features. The pink granite on the exterior is from Salisbury, NC and the stained glass windows were imported from Belgium. The church is a real beauty, outside and in. It also has a 2.226-pipe Kleuker organ. 

OLG also has a K-8 school on site. If you are looking for a great solid education for your children, as well as a foundation in Catholicism, OLG is a great option. During the week, you can see children coming and going and playing outside. On the weekend, families are coming and going. Everyone seems happy. Mr. Price was President and Chairman of Board of Jefferson Standard, one of Greensboro's anchor businesses. He would be mightily impressed at all of the great happenings at OLG and the Madonna and child above the front entrance is breathtaking. Happy Sunday!

Moving On; Or Not...

Greensboro has so many institutions of higher education: Greensboro College, Guilford College, NC A&T University, University of North Carolina Greensboro, plus the GTCC community colleges. Also, High Point University is only 16 miles away.  All of these students are in the process of finalizing their semesters. For many who are graduating, or not continuing school, a move is in order. Yesterday, we walked past one car and saw the above items: books, a globe, a stool covered in shag carpet, and a wreath made out of peacock feathers (not photographed). They reminded us of all the move-outs currently in progress.

Driving around neighborhoods near the colleges, furniture has been pulled to the road waiting to be discarded. Think back to your student housing days and all the random items you just had to have... and had to leave. These years just prior to transitioning to the adult world are so special. Where on earth will our students go?  Some students have all details in order; others, might just as well spin the above globe and see where they land.

On another note, if you are living in Greensboro and like to shop local and handmade, head to Art in the Yard at 2629 Beechwood Street. Christine from Moonbird Pottery and several of her friends will be on hand to bring us some fine arts and crafts. Plus, those who attend will have a chance to talk to some great artists. While globe trotting is infinitely rewarding, just hanging out at home also has its rewards. Have a great weekend, wherever you end up. We hope to see you out and about.

Today, we're sharing this photo and our musings with Weekend Reflections, the meme that loves a photo with a good reflection.

It's Peony Time in Greensboro!

It is peony time in Greensboro. There are about 30 species of this herbaceous, perennial plant, but it only takes one in your yard to bring joy to your kitchen table. These late spring, early summer flowers are not hard to grow, once you find a place where they are happy. We talked to an older woman with peonies in her yard that are over 100 years old. They have been blooming faithfully for a century on her family's property. Her grandmother's instructions, to which she diligently adheres,  were to never allow anybody to disturb the roots and, in late fall, to cut the stems back to the ground. Their family "recipe" seems to have been successful and their plants continue to thrive.

This traditional floral symbol of China is found in many colors and many different versions. The Wrenn family in Greensboro offers four varieties to ship out to you from their peony farm, The Peony Patch (more, here). The Wrens have been growing peonies for about twenty years. We can only imagine the aroma walking through their garden. You can also find peonies places like Fresh Market if you want to have them immediately.

We hope you find some time this weekend, to stop and smell the... peonies.

Kepley's BBQ

Kepley's Bar-B-Q has been a High Point institution since 1948. It originally opened in a World War II quonset hut in High Point. Today, the above location, a square and more conventional building, is thriving at 1304 North Main Street in High Point. Formerly, there was a Kepley's location on Highway 68 in a barn; however, the barn was not replaced when it burned in 2001. Kepley's is known for its vinegar based Bar-B-Q, slow cooked pork, and personal service. 

Greensboro also has great Bar-B-Q restaurants; however, it is fun to drive around the county (and the State) trying out different styles. The different establishments, even within Guilford County, develop a reputation for not only their Bar-B-Q style, but also their coleslaw and hush puppy recipes. As you can see from the photo below, the signage is interesting, too. If you are looking for ideas for summer fun, consider traveling the State trying and rating locally owned Bar-B-Q restaurants. Here is a sample evaluation sheet- the rating system consists of taste, tenderness, appearance. High Point is a mere 16 miles from from Greensboro. Visit Kepley's if you get a chance. Look for the neon-outlined, red, hog sign.

Q is for Quaker Village

Quaker Village, a shopping center with a combination of locally owned and chain stores, is conveniently located across from Guilford College on West Friendly Avenue. Quaker Village opened in 1964 and thrived for many years until suffering bankruptcy in 2010. Quaker Village got a facelift in 2014 when a neighborhood Wal-Mart was added and many other changes were made. Based on long lines yesterday, it appears that business in the village is booming. We were there at dinnertime and several of the restaurants had lines out the door. 

Today is ABC Wednesday and for Round 20, Q is for Quaker Village. Since we've featured Quaker Village before, initially, we had planned to feature "Quilting by Linda" at 7349 West Friendly Avenue. The address led us to a business park near the airport, When we arrived in the complex, "Quilting by Linda" was no longer there. One of our previous posts for the "Q" round of ABC Wednesday was Dennis Quaintance; lucky for Greensboro, he is still here! We haven't featured Mr. Quaintance for six years. If we start planning now, maybe we can interview him for the next round. We also hope to meet the barbers at QV barber and style. It is nice to keep the ideas flowing. And, if you ever have ideas, please share! After all, you're the reason we are here.

Canine of Lindley Park

The above dog, who resides in Lindley Park, stands near the porch of his house as if he were a sentinel, keeping watch over the not only his master's domain, but also the neighborhood. This medium sized dog appears to be a mixture of breeds and seems to have a cheerful disposition. With that black and white coat, he is very visible from the street against the earthy colors of his front yard.

He is one of those neighborhood fixtures that people grow accustomed to seeing every day. Likely, the dog grows accustomed to people walking by and anticipates when his favorite canine buddies will be in the neighborhood. This type of dog really becomes a community pet, only, with his invisible fence collar, he knows better than to leave his designated territory. Have a great Tuesday and paws up if you like canines.

Green Bean

The above photo features the new mural of the Green Bean Coffee Shop. The beautiful pattern reminds us of The William Morris Arts and Crafts wallpapers of the 1860s. We're not sure what they will do to the part near the front of the store. At the moment, the chalk plaster bust of Elvis Presley greets patrons as they arrive and features store mugs and a couple of remaining T-shirts for sale with the store's cursive logo. Likely, the Green Bean on South Elm Street is getting a complete makeover. Historically, the store has always featured a rotating exhibit of the art of local artists. It will be interesting to see if they are able to integrate artwork into the above mural, which is a piece of artwork, itself. The Elm Street location of the Green Bean has been open since 2002; serving up great coffee and café food for fifteen years.

Today is theme day for the City Daily Photo community. Click, here, to see how the rest of the world interpret's "Let's eat." Our photo doesn't feature food per se, but food can be had at this establishment. The Green Bean even caters, which we only recently learned. Happy Monday! It is already May!

First Church of Christ, Scientist

The First Church of Christ, Scientist, is located at 105 Arden Place in Greensboro. The church was founded in 1879 by Mary Baker Eddy in Boston Massachusetts. The church believes in healing through Christian Science treatment. According to their website, Christian Science is a system of healing based on they way Jesus healed and it was discovered by Mary Baker Eddy in 1866. “It is the soul of divine philosophy, and there is no other philosophy. It is not a search after wisdom, it is wisdom: it is God’s right hand grasping the universe, — all time, space, immortality, thought, extension, cause, and effect; constituting and governing all identity, individuality, law, and power. It stands on this Scriptural platform: that He made all that was made, and it is good, reflects the divine Mind, is governed by it; and that nothing apart from this Mind, one God, is self-created or evolves the universe."*

The services consist of singing hymns, prayer, and readings from the Bible and from Eddy's book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. The church does not have clergy, but relies on readers. The denomination is well known for the reading rooms and the publication, The Christian Science Monitor. While the church does not publish membership figures, it is reported that membership has been declining in the decades since World War II.

Looking at the church on Arden Place, we are struck by the beauty of the building and property.

*reference and learn more, here.

El Día de los Niños/Day of Children 2017

Today Greensboro is celebrating El Día de los Niños, Children's Day. downtown, in front of the Central Branch of the Greensboro Public Library. You can participate in literacy activities and see performing artists of all ages share their talents. The event began as a nationally celebrated initiative twenty years ago in 1997 and it has grown since then, as has our immigrant community.  

From 1-4:30 pm today, come down to Church Street and experience books, music, dancing, art, food, and much more. We took the above photo a few years ago, when the festival was still held in Center City Park. While the venue moved one block over, the festivities will be the same, and even better. The photo features an example of the elaborate costumes you will see and the photo opportunities you will have. The event is free and open to the public.

We are so lucky to live in such a culturally diverse community.

Old Tobacco Barn

This old tobacco barn is located in Guilford County out near Kernersville, off Highway 150. Under the tin roof, you can see the original finish to the building. The wood and chinking is less evident where the building is painted red. To the right, below, you can see the old wood-fired oven, used to process tobacco the old-fashioned way. In this barn, tobacco is flue-cured, dried in the inverted U-shaped furnace on the right. It would have been fed pine logs to generate smoke. Through an elaborate drying system, the temperature of the tobacco filled barn is controlled. According to Our State Magazine, an acre of hanging tobacco can shed almost 5 tons of water.*

Although tobacco growing and processing has declined in North Carolina, tobacco is still a dominant crop in the State. If you get a chance this weekend, and you are local, drive into the rural areas surrounding Greensboro and you will see plenty of tobacco barns, most in some state of decay. Don't wait too long. In 1950, there were half a million tobacco barns in North Carolina. Today, there are around 50,000. The charm of the above building is enhanced by the tin roof.

*See Our State Magazine article for reference and to read more, here.

P is for People

The friendly, positive people of Greensboro are the reason we have maintained this daily photo site for over eight years. Last month, when we were on a photo shoot, walking along West Market Street and Elam, the passengers in an Accura sedan, stopped at a red light, rolled down the window and said, "Photograph us!" There are two kinds of people, those who hide from cameras and those who see out opportunities to get their pictures taken. The people in this car were in the latter category. They seemed so joyful and loving life that they wanted to share their smiles with the world. Their smiles were so perfect and heartfelt. We only had time to get the one photo of the couple, when the light changed and off they drove.

Today for ABC Wednesday, the letter is "P" and for our Round 20 Series, "P" is for "People," the people of Greensboro- not only the people in the above car, but you, too, dear readers!

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

As the saying goes, it has been raining cats and dogs over the last couple of days. These April showers are not conducive to taking photos outside. The above photo, features a shopper examining an  adult-sized rubber ducky float at one of the big box stores on Wendover Avenue. The rubber ducky float even has a cup holder. If this rainy weather continues, perhaps we will all need rubber ducky floats. If you don't collect rubber ducks, you may not realize that there are people who do. Thirty-nine year old Israeli native Rinat Matityahu has a collection of 3,000 rubber ducks.*  We're wondering if she owns one this large.

According to the weather reports, in Greensboro it should stop raining and warm up some this afternoon. If so, we might not need that giant yellow float, after all. We're hoping the rain tapers off so that we can resume photographing outside!

Happy Tuesday, dear readers, in less then a week, it will be May. Maybe these April showers, will indeed bring May flowers.(Another rubber duck sighting in the Greensboro was at the High Point Rowing regatta, photo here).

*reference and fun PHOTOS, here. 

Freeman Grub & Pub

D.S. Freeman is barely visible on the brick storefront of the building at the corner of Spring Garden and Chapman Streets. The store has had many iterations since its general store days. For many years, It was David Sheppard's music shop. Instruments could be purchased, restrung, and repaired on the main level and, upstairs, musicians gave lessons. Just about anybody on the east coast who was an old-time musician, knew about this shop.

Today, the store is Freeman's Grub and Pub and is operated by the same people who own Jake's Billiards, just down the street. It has a reputation for serving creative, upscale bar food. * If these rains keep up, we'll all be seeking shelter. Freeman's could be just the place to stay warm, dry, and fed.

Based on all the wires overhead, in the neighborhood, we're assuming good Wi-Fi connectivity. Seriously, you don't notice the wires nearly as much when you are in the area. As most of them are on the opposite of the street, they made a striking frame for this photo.

Happy Monday!

*reference and more information in this Go Triad article, here.

Cross of Flowers at Eastertide

The flowers at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, downtown on Greene Street, were so beautiful at Easter. They are especially noticeable against the muted tones of the stone wall and cement archway. Not only did Holy Trinity decorate the sanctuary, they had this display of a cross holding flowers at the entrance. Perhaps people who attended the service contributed flowers.

Sometimes it is nice to drive around town exploring what remains when big, elaborate events conclude.  The above photo was taken at that very moment when Easter service concluded and the congregation had completely dispersed. Indeed, basking in the peace, solitude, and stillness of that which remains can be downright heavenly. The energy of the day could be felt, long after the crowd dissipated.

For our Christian readers, we hope the rest of Eastertide is as meaningful as Easter Sunday. Enjoy your day, dear readers.

You've Got Mail!

This old mailbox, located off of Highway 220 north of Greensboro, on a rural country road, depicts an old mailbox that her about used its useful life. As a matter of fact, with the internet, we are receiving fewer pieces of surface mail. The mail we do receive is often in the form of giant packages which don't fit in a mailbox this size. The homemade stand and the shaped metal letters reflect the fact that the Caytons put a great deal of time and energy in this mailbox. We bet they knew their rural carrier by name and often waited when they saw him driving down their road.

Mailboxes really are a personalized touch of nostalgia-- unless of course you life in an apartment complex and are required to take you mail in the generic boxes of your building. What does your mailbox say about you? When is the last time you received a letter? Better yet, when is the last time you sent a letter? In the spring, the post office has some beautiful. You might just want to stock up and send a customized letter with a favorite stamp. In the meantime, enjoy the beauty of this one and, Happy Saturday!

 

Yum Yum

This has been an emotional spring for Yum Yum Better Ice Cream and Hot Dogs. In March, an SUV crashed into the side wall of YUM YUM and they had to close for repairs. With amazing turn-around time, the store was open again in just over a week. In early April, owner Bernard Aydelette, age 94, died. How wonderful that he lived long enough to see his store had reopen. He put so much of himself in the place over the decades. 

The above photo shows people enjoying a Saturday afternoon at the shop, shortly after it had opened and the weekend before Mr. Aydelette died. It paints a picture of just how much people enjoy the pause from a busy day, sitting in and around Yum- Yum. The store is located on Spring Garden Street, surrounded on all sides by UNCG. For that brief moment when it was closed, many in the community worried that it might not reopen. Fortunately, they are back in business and when groups hold their school reunions, or families come to town to see loved ones graduate this spring, this store that has been open since 1907 will continue to serve up homemade ice cream and pink pork hot dogs to adoring customers.

Happy Friday. May you have a great weekend that includes a scoop of ice cream- or two!

The Unbridled Joy of Dogs

The above photo was taken at the Downtown Greensboro Animal Hospital Dog Park at LeBauer Park. The two retrievers and the Bernese Mountain Dog were having a blast running around in the dog park at LeBauer Park, downtown. The golden retriever's ears show the energy being expended during play. The young girl on the hill was having the best time playing with the dogs. The dogs were well behaved and gentle with her. It is amazing how all of those big dogs were so well socialized. Greensboro is lucky to have such a great resource as LeBauer Park and we are lucky to have so many options for taking our canines to play.

The above dog park is sponsored by Downtown Greensboro Animal Hospital, located just a few blocks away at 120 W. Smith Street. Hats off to Dr. John Wehe and his staff. They provide great service in the office for the downtown canines and canines visiting downtown. Dr. Wehe was generous to help with this park. We first learned of him because he is one of the few veterinarians to treat pet rabbits. 

Lets all make an effort to unleash a little unbridled joy more often- with our without canines!

O is for Outfield

Baseball season is upon us and, in Greensboro, there are opportunities to play and watch baseball at just about every level and for every age group. Pre-collegiate players have opportunties ranging from rec ball to more intense AAU ball. Greensboro is home to the minor league baseball team, the Greensboro Grasshoppers. High Point could also be getting a minor league ball team for their proposed downtown stadium. Also, the local high schools have baseball teams, as do all of the local institutions of higher education. Literally, you can find baseball diamonds in every end of the county. The above photo was taken at an April 8th home game for the UNCG Spartans and features Spartan player Justin Embler (#8) safely sliding into 3rd base. The Spartans won that day against Furman. 

If you are looking for affordable summer fun, baseball game entrance tickets are very reasonably priced. The Grasshoppers have theme days, frequent fireworks displays, and plenty for young children to do if they tire of sitting in their seats. Today is ABC Wednesday and for "O" on our Round 20 Series, "O" is for "outfield."  To all the left, center, and right fielders (positions 7, 8, 9 respectively) in the outfield, today, we salute YOU and may all those fly balls land in your glove!

NCCJ

Here we see several NCCJ members at Beth David Synagogue facilitating an interfaith tour earlier this year. Established in 1927 as the National Conference for Christians and Jews, the organization was founded in response to the anti-Catholic sentiment in the United States. In the 1990's the NCCJ expanded their mission and updated their name to the National Conference for Community and Justice. The group is dedicated to bringing diverse people together to address interfaith and social issues for ninety years now. NCCJ aspires to build a community free of bias, bigotry, and racism. Greensboro is lucky to have the organization based here and North Carolina is lucky to be home to NCCJ's "Anytown"  summer camps.

NCCJ has so much planned for this spring and summer and today, they will have a big fundraiser at the Chipotle Restaurant at 1402 Westover Terrace (across from Lucky 32).  If you eat there between the hours of 4-8pm and mention NCCJ, Chipotle will donate 50% of the proceeds back to NCCJ. That arrangement has the potential to be significant. If you want to help teach people to learn to get along regardless of background and beliefs, eat at Chipotle in Midtown and mention NCCJ. Learning to work together is a skill where we adults have room for growth, too. May NCCJ continue to do its fine work for many years to come.

Happy Tuesday!

Sunday Afternoon in the Park

Yesterday was looking a lot like summer at LeBauer Park in downtown Greensboro. This urban park was a hub of activity yesterday and people were dressed in cheerful, summer clothing.  Children were playing on playground equipment, one man was practicing golf on a putting green, people were competing in ping pong and fooz-ball. Children were running through a shallow wading pond, friends were talking, dogs were running in the dog park and people were listening to the Kassem Williams Jazz Trio. People from many ethnicities were interacting; even the weather cooperated yesterday. It was sunny and still a little early for the pesky bugs to be attacking. Yesterday was just about perfect in LeBauer Park.

We hope you have a chance to visit and attend an event at LeBauer Park soon. What a great way to end a weekend that, for many, was a holiday, and for some spring break.  We're betting there will be a lot of tired students, employers, and bosses out there today. If you have to call a meeting, try to keep it brief.

Happy Monday! 

Happy Easter 2017

The above photo features the sanctuary pews at the First Baptist Church of Greensboro. First Baptist is located on Friendly Avenue, just west of downtown. Situated between the Westerwood and College Hill neighborhoods and close to housing near the baseball park, First Baptist is in a perfect location to attract new members. Indeed, membership is on the rise.

All is quiet in this photo, but will be filled with worshipers today, Easter Sunday. People will don their Sunday best, bring a flower to share, and a bell to ring every time the word "Alleluia" is spoken or sung. If you are looking for a place to celebrate Easter, service starts promptly at 10:30. The senior pastor, Alan Sherouse, is under forty years old and most of the staff is youthful (or young at heart). So, if you are seeking a traditional, Christian church, First Baptist hopes that you will consider them. They welcome the diversity in God's world, put Christian goals before religious partisanship, and are proud of having a multi-generational congregation. Happy Easter! 

Passover 2017

Passover continues today. Passover is a pilgrimage festival commemorating the liberation of the Israelites from slavery and their exodus from Egypt, lead by Moses. At Temple Emanuel on Jefferson Road, today's Chevra Torah service will be at 9:00 am and the Passover Shabbat Service will be at 10:30 am. During Passover many observers only eat Kosher and unleavened food in remembrance of needing to flee Egypt hastily and not having time to wait for bread to leaven. These observances are not only respectful to religious tradition, they build memories for children, memories that will last a lifetime.

The above swallowtail butterfly was photographed last week very near Temple Emanuel. It reminds us of travel and flight,  and the great effort it takes to not only get from Point A to Point B, but to protect oneself from harm. Happy Saturday, Sabbath, and Passover.

Good Friday & Passover 2017

Today is Good Friday and Day 5 of Passover. We were driving around town trying to find a photo that would represent either holiday to share on Greensboro Daily Photo. Serendipitously, walking past the Red Box at a local grocery store, we noticed a young woman with "PASCUA" on the back of her sweatshirt. Since "Pascua" means "Easter" in Spanish, we thought it fitting to feature someone with that last name. According to Whitepages.com, there are at least 28 Pascuas in North Carolina. For someone of the Christian faith, that is a really special last name. But, it just so happens that "Pascua" also means "Passover" in Spanish  Therefore, for someone of the Jewish faith, "Pascua" is a really special last name, too.

Today, we wish you, "Feliz pascua." Or, should that be, "Felices pascuas"? 

 

Robin Redbreast

Little robin redbreast sat upon a tree; First he chirped and sang, and then he had to flee.

Robins are known for being a portent of spring. These migratory songbirds are one of the first signs, from the animal kingdom, that weather is warming and days are getting longer. Robins (turdus migratorius) are also one of the first species to lay eggs in spring and can have as many as three brooding seasons. Only 25% of robins survive their first year. On average robins live two years, with fourteen years being the longest known lifespan (Wikipedia). The robin is one of 309 species of birds in Guilford County (see the other 308 species, here).

Their original habitat was the coniferous forest; however they are now well adapted to suburban lawns. If you see them in your yard, smile, be thankful, and try to keep predators away from those pretty blue eggs. The above robin posed for us in a tree at the corner of Elam and West Market Street.

If you like haiku, here are several haiku about robins.

N is for Neighborhood

Greensboro neighborhoods have very distinct personalities. Sunset Hills is known for their location, convenient to Friendly Center and to downtown, and their lighted chicken wire decorations at Christmas. The above photo features the oldest house in Sunset Hills, located at 2702 West Market Street. This two-story home, in the Colonial Revival style, was built in 1895 and was relocated to the present lot in the early 1930s.

According to their National Register of Historic Homes application, the Sunset Hills neighborhood comprises 280 acres west of downtown Greensboro. It was developed in the 1920s, so having a house from the 19th century is unusual. The giant magnolia trees on either side of the lot hide the home from the street on this heavily-traveled section of West Market Street. The owners, who are only second owners since 1977, probably like the protection from road noise; however, it would be nice to be able to see more of their historic home. You can actually get a better look of the 3,000+ sq. ft. structure from the Elam Street side.

Today is ABC Wednesday, and for Round 20, "N" is for "Neighborhood, " specifically, the Sunset Hills neighborhood which, in addition to the Christmas ball decorations, is known for having neighborly neighbors who are frequently out walking along the tree-lined sidewalks.

House on West Market Street

This stone house with the green tile roof at 2002 West Market Street is a show stopper, especially in springtime. This single family home, built around 1925,  is approximately 3,660 square feet. It was built for Pearl and James M. Crutchfield. The stone exterior is a technique known as uncoursed, or stone that is not placed in an orderly, linear fashion. A lot of the stone used in construction during the early 20th century was mined in Mt. Airy. Also another likely location connection is the green tile roof. It could have been produced at the Pamona Terra Cotta Manufacturing Company with clay from Chatham County. Pamona Terra Cotta operated on West Market Street from 1996 to 1976.

We checked, but didn't find an online history of the above house. Situated on only .73 acres, the property, with its surrounding plantings, is stately and commands attention. Located at the southeastern most corner of Sunset Hills, it is part of the neighborhood's National Register of Historic Places.

International Festival 2017 @ UNCG

This past Saturday, from 12:00 noon until 5:00 pm, UNCG's campus was filled with people coming out to celebrate the many cultures of the world and the many cultures that make up the Greensboro and UNCG communities. The celebration, held every April, promotes cultural awareness and appreciation through music, food, crafts, demonstrations, and most of all, interaction. The two women in the photo are very representative of the many people who participated in UNCG's International Festival. Their beautiful smiles reflect the pride they had in showcasing India. The festival is an opportunity to learn about cultures directly from people of those cultures. There were passports available to get stamped as you visited the booths of nearly 40 countries. And, to the delight of all, the festival is always free.

Thank you UNCG for opening up the event to the entire Greensboro community. Thank you to everyone who took the time to answer questions about religion; to serve food samples; and to interact with the public at large. For the whole afternoon the event felt partly like a world's fair and partly like people just being people, and realizing that we are more alike than we are different. Do we really have to wait twelve months until the next I-Fest?

Compassion International

Compassion International is  a "child-advocacy ministry that pairs compassionate people with those who are suffering from poverty. The ministry releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty." The organization began in South Korea in 1952 when American Evangelist Reverent Everett Swanson helped thirty-five orphaned children. Today, the ministry is worldwide and they help children all over the world. * This weekend, the ministry is set up at Mercy Hill Church in Greensboro, just off Regional Road, near I-68.

The above photo features the pop-up venue. You enter through the door on the right, receive a headset, and walk through a series of rooms, replicating the life and transformation of a child who has been helped by Compassion International. You hear the child's story as you tour through the different trailers. We toured and learned about Carlos' life in Guatemala. Wearing headsets, we heard his testimonial as we walked through rooms explaining about his life in Guatemala. The elementary-school aged children in the room with us were glued to Carlos' story. At the end of the tour, you have the opportunity to sponsor a child from the country of your choice. The commitment is $38 a month until the child is is self sufficient or until s/he reaches the age of twenty-two. From the sponsor board, we saw that many Greensboro families have sponsored a child.

The exhibit will be in Greensboro through Monday if you are interested in seeing for yourself... or sponsoring a child.

* reference, here.

Bypass Around Greensboro

The urban loop at 220 North, Battleground Avenue, is in full swing. The traffic pattern has been changed and work is happening as we speak. The above photo shows some of the equipment, the I-beams, the cement pylons, and other makings of the new bypass. The sound of traffic zipping along in the northern end of Greensboro will definitely change the dynamics of the city. However, it will also help with getting around the city. It is really interesting to watch a road getting constructed literally before our eyes. If you have elementary school children, seeing something like this process will be a memorable S.T.E.M. moment. 

Yesterday was cold, but the sun was out and the clouds were dramatic. With the winds were feisty and temperatures hovered in the low 40's, yesterday felt like winter. Today the weather should be better, hopefully people can get out and enjoy all that Greensboro has to offer. Does anybody else remember about 20 years ago when we called this planned road Painter Boulevard? Painter was the first city manger of Greensboro Somewhere along the way, that name got dropped. Wonder if it will get a name? In all, the urban loop will be 39.3 miles long and, in portions, be referred to as I-73; I-85; I-785; I-840; and US-421. Learn more, here.

Dr Sharon L. Contreras, Superintendent of Guilford County Schools

Today's photo features Dr. Sharon Contreras, who was named Superintendent of Guilford County Schools on June 28, 2016. In the past ten months, Dr. Contreras has worked tirelessly, getting to know as many stakeholders as possible in the community she serves. Last night, she was the guest speaker at the Delta Kappa Gamma initiation for new members in the Greensboro chapters. Dr. Contreras' talk was inspirational. She encouraged women to work hard, believe in themselves and their students, and to apply for leadership roles in the profession. She reminded the educators in the room to take care of themselves so that they, in turn, will be able to take care of others; to ensure that every student has the opportunity to discover his/her passion; and to work hard for what they believe to be good and meaningful. Although formerly an English teacher, Dr. Contreras is passionate about S.T.E.M. education and its potential to solve some of the health problems in the world. She is committed to ensuring that all students in Guilford County graduate career and college ready.

We welcome Dr. Contreras to Greensboro and the educators at Delta Kappa Gamma are very grateful for her taking time out of her busy schedule to speak at the initiation meeting.