Greensboro Daily Photo

Christ Church

Christ Church, located at 414 North Church Street, is one of those churches that can go unnoticed, even though it is in plain sight. The first location downtown for Christ Church was 421 West Smith Street, where it opened January 2011. By 2014, the church had outgrown the Smith Street location and, in Fall of 2015, opened the new facility on Church Street. Christ Church is situated beside Fisher Park Law and the Greensboro Housing Authority.

Built in 1989, the building was formerly a data center. While you don't see crosses, stained glass, or a steeple, if growth in membership is any indication, we're betting that once you step inside, you know you are in the presence of a welcoming religious community. The unidentified family on the sidewalk just happened to be walking by as we were on location yesterday. While you can't tell by the photo, the little girl was carrying a pink plastic case for her plush pet. Her parents, walking arm in arm, gave her a little independence, but never took their eyes off of her. The happy family reminded us, it takes people, not crosses and steeples, to make a church.

Shaw Photography Group

Toni Shaw is a Greensboro photographer who is gaining international recognition. Known for her Instagram presence, in July, BAUCE Magazine identified her as one of "16 Black Female Photographers That Are Literally Killing the Game".  The Artist Bloc of Greensboro nominated her as Visual Artist of the Year. Toni has been published in Shutter Magazine in every issue for the past 13 months. People come from as far as California for her "Go Click" hands-on workshops. Toni has worked hard to build her photography business over the last six years, and has amassed quite a diverse group of clients. From cradle to grave, she photographs virtually any life event requested by families and individuals. Corporations, like Delaize America (Food Lion) and non-profits (e.g., New Communion Mobile Market), have come to trust Toni to do their marketing photos and corporate head shots. Toni has developed a reputation for bringing out the best in every client; even coaxing young clients out of their highly-staged, social media poses.

A lifelong artist, Toni majored in fine arts at Winston Salem State University. Presently, her studio is located in the HQ Building on Lewis Street. When Andy Zimmerman opens his new workspace for artists, Studio 503 on East Washington Street, Toni will relocate there. If you haven't seen Toni's photography, you owe it to yourself to peruse her website. Learn more aboout her photography, creative process, workshops, and services through her website, Shaw Photography Group.

Triad Goodwill and Charitable Giving

Triad Goodwill, also known as Goodwill Industries of Central North Carolina, has been serving Guilford and surrounding counties since 1963.  Goodwill focuses on programs to get people meaningfully employed. According to their website, 85% of the money earned in their stores goes to providing career development services and work opportunities for people in the community. As of yesterday, they had 35 local job openings.

Goodwill Industries dates back to 1902, when it was founded by Edgar J. Helms in Boston, MA. Helms was a Methodist minister who was known as a social innovator. He collected items in wealthier neighborhoods of Boston and hired and trained the poor to repair the goods. These repair skills were very valued in an era when everything from ink pens to clothing to umbrellas was repaired and mended as needed. In today's society where it is usually easier and cheaper to purchase a new replacement than to get something repaired, Goodwill focuses more on job skills and work opportunities. Helms' commitment to giving people "hope, dignity and independence"*  remains as relevant today as it was 115 years ago.

The above photo features the donation center at the Goodwill on North Battleground Avenue. Lines are starting to form and bins are filling as people rush to make final charitable donations for 2017. Two days remain to contribute and get a tax receipt for this year. If you are looking for ways to donate, above and beyond household goods, here is a list of Greensboro non-profits and charities.

*Quote and timeline, here.

Scratch Handcrafted Donuts and Fried Chicken

Tired of holiday ham and turkey? Scratch, a chicken and donuts restaurant, could be the answer. Scratch is taking Greensboro by storm. Located in Midtown, in the same complex as If It's Paper on Battleground Avenue, Scratch is an eatery with creative recipes created by Jimmy Chhay. Chhay was looking for something along the lines of chicken and waffles. His chicken is already gaining a reputation for being tasty and moist with a double-fried, tempura-like crust. Some of the donut flavors are unique to Scratch. So far, the most interesting is the graphite-gray, charcoal donut.

You can even get a sandwich with a donut as bread. See some of the donut flavors, below. 

Greensboro is really getting some creative eateries and entrepreneurs. If you have some extra time over the next few days, head out and see how Greensboro is changing.

 

United States Army Reserve Center

The United States Army Reserve Center, located on Knox Road, just east of Greensboro, opened on May 19th 2017. The 85 thousand square foot, $16 million dollar facility was built this past spring on 15.5 acres. It is a consolidation of facilities in Greensboro and Winston Salem. The facility houses five units and over 600 soldiers. Throughout the United States, there are nearly 200,000 U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers, an Active Duty Army of nearly half a million and 341, 589 members of the National Guard, making the total strength of the U.S. Army of over a million soldiers.*

The McCleansville training facility has up-to-date technology and plenty of space for soldiers to receive training in logistics as well as in combat support hospital medical training. The site also offers storage and plenty of parking for military vehicles used in maneuvers. We're not sure if they give tours, and can't find any updates, as most available information was published before the facility opened. However, when you drive by, you will see a nice facility and, especially on weekends when soldiers are coming and going, you see your tax dollars hard at work. 

*reference and more information, here.

J. Maxton Thompson Bridge

Well, with the Christmas parties and celebrations behind us, and especially for those who got devices to monitor steps, it is high time we head out and walk. The above pedestrian bridge connects the North Church Street/Fisher Park Area to the Aycock neighborhood near Yanceyville Street. It is a great place to walk. The pedestrian bridge, by resolution of the Greensboro City Council, is known as the J. Maxton "Max" Thompson Bridge. It was named and dedicated on November 15, 2005. It is hard to believe the bridge has been there for over twelve years. 

At times, winter feels like this bridge looks; the cold metal frame looks desolate, but casts lovely shadows. In the absence of greenery, the geometry of the structure is emphasized. We'll have to remember to get back and photograph Max Thompson Bridge in the spring when the vines and trees make it look like the entrance to a secret garden. When we were walking there last week, we saw three people; so, it isn't super busy, but for those who use it, the bridge is especially convenient.  Since it is an overpass over the railroad tracks, it keeps people from taking that illegal walk across the railroad track.

Happy Tuesday! It is less than a week until New Year's Eve!

Merry Christmas 2017

Yesterday's post, with the nativity scene, featured the spiritual aspect of Christmas. Today, we're highlighting a house that is beautifully decorated. By day, you can't see the lights along the roofline with lights on it, but at night, the house is stand-out beautiful. The inflatable Santa, framing the door, and the penguins in charge of mail at the curb add charm to the house. Children love seeing scenes like this.

While Christmas is more than decorating and gifts, when people go out of their way to decorate and bring joy to others the holiday feels really special. We would like to thank this family at the corner of Westminster and Rollingwood Drive for adding a little joy to their Greensboro neighborhood. Ho, ho, ho, Merry Christmas!

Creche for Christmas 2017

The above creche was spotted in a neighborhood off of Westminster Drive, near West Friendly Avenue. Representing the scene of Jesus Christ's birth, nativity scenes can be seen at churches as well as private homes. St. Francis of Assisi is credited with staging the first nativity scene in 1223. St. Francis set up a manger with hay, a live ox and an ass, in a cave in Grecio to use during a service where he preached about the birth of Christ*  While nativity scenes are more closely associated with Catholicism and Southern Europe, it is not uncommon to see them at Christian churches or households of people of any denomination.

We try to post at least one nativity scene a year. Two highly visible ones are the creche at Greensboro College on West Market Street and the one at Centenary Methodist Church on West Friendly Avenue at Ridgeway. If you know of others, post a comment below and we'll put it on the "to be photographed" list. Happy Christmas Eve Day! Can you spot the squirrel who was paying his respects on the day we were there?

* reference and more information, here.

At Replacements, Ltd., It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Replacements, located at 1809 Knox Road, in McLeansville just east of Greensboro, is the destination for anyone looking for Christmas ornaments, plates, crystal, or just about anything you can think of for entertaining. According to their website, Replacements has over 425,000 China patterns, from everyday common to hard to find tableware. They have new, used, and vintage items. Recently, they added an estate jewelry section with some very beautiful pieces of jewelry. They have eight football fields of inventory.

Bob Page started Replacement in 1981 and it has grown to a company with 450 employees.  The company has been known for being partner friendly since the beginning. They are also pet friendly. To be sure, they are customer friendly, helping you find just what you need and quickly researching to make sure the information they share is accurate. If you want to see beautiful table settings, find a Christmas ornament that is perfect for the personality of your loved one, want to put together a holidays cape, head out there today. If you cannot get there until after Christmas, you can enjoy their newest feature, an after-Christmas sale. If you cannot get to Greensboro, you can order online. Their digital database is informative and up to date.

Merry Christmas! It is almost upon us.

Winter Solstice & Turkey Vultures

Yesterday, December 21st, was the Winter Solstice which means that, in the northern hemisphere, days start getting longer. Greensboro adds one minute of daylight from now until January 7th at which point we gain two minutes a day of daylight. For some reason, the above scene reminds us of the barren and bleak aspects of winter. The above photo, taken in the countryside off Highway 220 near Stokesdale, shows a turkey vulture resting on a fence post between a barn and a row of evergreens. 

From the year 2000 to 2010, the turkey vulture population increased by 130 percent in North Carolina.* It isn't entire clear why the population is increasing. One thought is that since the deer population has increased and more dear are being killed by cars, the buzzards have easier access to food. They are also attracted to fields that have been freshly fertilized with manure.

These imposing birds have a wingspan of 5 feet or more. They look so powerful as they float through the air. In winter, with the leaves off of trees and shrubs, the buzzards are easier to see and their food sources (decaying carcases) are easier to spot.  In North Carolina, turkey vultures/buzzards tend to be sedentary, as opposed to migratory; so, we don't have much luck in getting them to migrate somewhere warmer during these cold, dark months. 

*reference and additional information, here.

Four Seasons Town Centre

Four Seasons Town Center was developed by the Khoury Corporation and opened in 1974. This 900,000 square ft. facility was the first enclosed shopping center in Greensboro. The above photo, taken last night at closing time, reflects the beautiful decorations at the mall. 

In our effort to shop locally and support local retailers, we must admit that the mall is not foremost in our thoughts when considering places to shop. However, our trips there this December have been very pleasant. We like eating at the locally-owned restaurant Sofrito in the food court. The Colombian, Caribbean inspired dishes are very tasty and reasonably priced. We found the kiosk owners throughout the mall to be charming. Shop owners are very service oriented. We had a problem with a candle not burning properly. As it turned out, it was our fault, but Yankee Candle gladly exchanged it. We stopped to admire two young men working at a kiosk who got out their prayer rugs and took time out to pray. Several children rented giant, mobile stuffed animals that were big enough to ride through the Dillard's end of the mall. We noticed children standing beside grandparents who were enjoying a few minutes in the massage chair.  

As shoppers increasingly shop online at the expense of brick and mortar businesses, we suspect people will miss these "third spaces" beyond home and work, when they are no longer an option. If you truly want to interact with a cross-section of Greensboro's diverse community, head to the mall. You just might find that perfect Christmas gift as well as items you didn't realize you needed until you saw them. Remember, four more shopping days until Christmas!

The Friendly Waving Santa on Friendly Avenue at Friendly Center

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, even if the temperature doesn't feel like December. you know it is the Christmas season in Greensboro when you see the waving Santa at Friendly Center. For over 50 years, he has served as a grand sentry, beckoning the nice as well as the naughty in to shop. Circa 2013, rumors were circulating that Santa would be moved to the new side of Friendly Center. The community was reassured that Santa was staying put; and staying put, indeed, he has.

We couldn't find Santa's statistics online, but he appears to be about 10 feet tall and made of fiberglass. With a nearly 60-year history, Mr. Claus deserves his own article, perhaps in O. Henry or Our State Magazine. Who made Santa? Who decided to install him at his post at Friendly Center? Where does he stay the other 10 months a year? Who installs and removes him? We have so many unanswered questions. If you know the answers, please share. In the meantime, we'll just find comfort in knowing that no matter how much things change in Greensboro, a few treasured things seem to stay the same.

Fordham Drug Store... circa 2018

Fordham Drug Store, located at 514 South Elm Street, opened in 1898. The history of Fordham is a roadmap to the way life used to be in the previous two centuries. Drug stores were social places where people stopped after school to enjoy one of the soda fountain concoctions, the kind that sometimes led to trademark beverages like Coke, Pepsi, and Dr. Pepper. Fordham was known for its lavender malted milkshakes. Drugstores were often a teenager's first job. Christopher Columbus Fordham III, who worked as a soda jerk, went on to serve as chancellor of UNC Chapel Hill.* Fordham had doctors who conveniently worked upstairs, so that a patient could be seen and receive medicine and a soothing soda, all in the same building. 

Sadly, after 104 years, Fordham closed in 2002. The above photo was taken this past weekend. It seems the store is taking on a very different look. There is so much history in the building, it would be nice to see it restored. We'd love to get inside and see that Mexican marble counter and those wooden floors, and purchase just one more cold drink from that soda fountain. If you know about the painting and what will become of the building, please let us know.

* reference and more information from Our State magazine, here.

Dang Skippy, Inc. at Daisy on Battleground Avenue

Stores within stores is a nationwide trend. Antique malls have long rented space to individual vendors. However, booths of new retail items, up-cycled items, and original artwork are appearing in large, repurposed retail spaces. Daisy's Designer Alley at 3121 Battleground Avenue, a few doors up from Lowe's, has attracted a great assortment of shops. The above photo features one of their newest vendors, Kier Skipper, who makes furniture, food serving boards, and other items out of reclaimed wood. He never cuts down a tree; he only harvests wood from trees that are already dead. In 2015, Skippy saved 700 trees; in 2016, 1,200; in 2017, 1,800. If the trend continues, we should expect him to save over 2,500 trees in 2018. He even has some reasonably-priced, scrap pieces that crafters could use for their own art projects. He tries to save every little bit of those hardwoods that get blown over in storms. Some of the wood is sealed with polyurethane and some is left natural. (Skippy says he can tell by the smell of the polyurethane how far along it is in the drying process).

We met up with Skippy as he was hauling in items for his booth. He is a U.S. Army veteran who enjoys his newfound career an a woodworker. Skippy still had quite a bit to load in when we left. Stop by his booth, Dang Skippy, Inc., and have a look at his great selection at Daisy. If you have some unique request, inquire at his e-mail address, [email protected]. It will be interesting to see where this new start-up venture leads him. If you are lucky, you will meet Skippy in person. He is optimistic, upbeat, easy to talk to, and always seems to be smiling.

Salvation Army Prayer Line of Greensboro

As seen in the above photo, Greensboro's Salvation Army has a prayer line. This sign is located at the Salvation Army Family Store on East Gate City Boulevard- across from the Kotis property that was formerly Brooks Lumber. If you look on the telephone pole, you can see that I-40 and I-85, the two interstates that go through Greensboro, are not too far from the sign in the above photo.

The photo was taken yesterday when the air was crisp and cool, the sun was shining, and the sky was cloudless and blue. It was lovely. The sign reminds us all that if you feel alone, you can call and someone will reach out to you. This service is especially important at this time of the year when people can feel (and be) so alone. If you asked someone to pray for you, what would you want them to say? Even if you don't speak these words out loud, just thinking them can help clear one's mine. Thank you Salvation Army for all you do for the community. Support services are greatly needed.

PRAY4ME 51555.

Sundown Drive Near Western High

It is hard to believe that this photo was taken last weekend. The snow has melted and, while it has been crisp outside, the weather has been dry over the past week. This one-story, single-family home is located on Sundown Drive, not too far from Western High School. It resembles a winter wonderland. The charming gazebo is so cozy and inviting, it looks like Rolf and Liesl, from the Sound of Music, should be in there singing to each other. 

The house, sitting on a little over a half and acre, was built in 1956 when this part of Guilford County was still really rural. It still seems like a cozy retreat from the busy, built up world just down the street. The property reminds us of just how green and beautiful Greensboro really is, even on a snow day! Happy Saturday, may you find some adventure and explore a new part of the community around you; no matter where you are. 

Doug Baker Student Guitar Recital at Scuppernong Books

Last night, in the back room of Scuppernong Books at 304 South Elm Street, Doug Baker's music students performed their winter recital. Some students performed on guitar and others on ukulele. His students ranged in age from 4 1/2 to adults. If you are interested in guitar lessons from Doug, he teaches out of the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street. One of his many talents is scaffolding his students' playing. He manages to find songs that are just perfect for the given level of each student.

When he isn't busy teaching others to play music, Doug performs with the Piedmont Old Time Society and with the Songfarmers of Greensboro. He has been part of the music scene in Greensboro since at least the 1970's. Let's hope he remains an integral part of the local, live music scene for a very long time.

Reconsidered Goods & the Quest to Use Less Single-Use Plastic

As we approach Christmas, the season of mass consumerism, consider giving used and up-cycled gifts. At the moment, Reconsidered Goods, (located on Patterson Avenue behind the Red Collecton) has 50% off all Christmas items. With the discount, Christmas-themed earrings are a mere .50¢. Most ornaments are less than a dollar. Reconsidered Goods is a non-profit business, committed to helping us live a more sustainable lifestyle. The above photo features a holiday tree they've constructed out of plastic items that were donated to the store.

It is estimated that 19 billion pounds of plastic end up in the ocean every year. Plastic waste is non-biodegradable. It just breaks down into smaller and smaller particles, with micro particles found in even the smallest of sea creatures. If you are looking for gifts, see if your family and friends will agree on gently used gifts.

If you are looking for a 2018 New Year's resolution, consider giving up single-use plastic.  ("No thank you, I don't need a plastic straw. I don't need a plastic fork; I have a metal one in my purse"). To quote the Huffington Post, "The Oceans are Drowning in Plastic--  and no One's Paying Attention."*

Greensboro's Reconsidered Goods is paying attention, and they make it easier to reduce, reuse, and recycle without feeling like you are missing anything. In the meantime, we're wondering if RG will put a price tag on that up-cycled tree at the end of the season!

* Huffington Post reference and additional information, here.

Humans of Greensboro at West Friendly & Davie St.

Today's photo is of a vinyl tarp that hangs at the corner of West Friendly Avenue and Davie Street. Even though the photo is color, at first glance, it appears to be black and white. This piece of visual art is very noticeable from the art gallery in the Davie Street Cultural Arts Center. We don't know who the people are or if they are local. We're thinking they are local, because the person in the center is wearing a Greensboro sweatshirt. The photos remind us of the Humans of New York Project; so, we're dubbing it Humans of Greensboro. Is it a public art project?

As you can see, it was snowing the day we took the photo, so we didn't linger for a long time outside. Yesterday, on GDP, we heard from Gina Hicks at VIVID who clarified that Mark Hewett revitalized 513 South Elm Street. We hate being wrong, but love it when readers provide us with information. Interaction with others really helps us feel like we are serving the community. There are days when it feels like only William Kendall, owner of Ottawa Daily Photo and daily commenter on GDP, is the only person in the world reading the blog. If you are still reading this post, THANK YOU. If you know about this public display of photos, do let us know.

VIVID Interiors at 513 South Elm Street

As the recent snow flurries fell, VIVID Interiors looked especially wintry with their dotted window design. They add quite a bit of vibrant color and charm to the 500 block of South Elm Street. The sculpture in the front is one of the many fiberglass pairs of jeans placed throughout the city. The unidentified man to the left just happened to be in the center with the door framing him at 513-B. 

Greensboro is fortunate that so many of the new businesses have maintained the integrity of the vintage buildings, as is the case at 513. We learned from Gina Hicks of VIVID Interiors that Mark Hewett from Area Modern Home was the person responsible for the revitalization of 513 (and 511) South Elm Street. Downtown Greensboro just seems to keep adding more and more to do and see. If you get to the 500 block, stop in to VIVID and see for yourself. Likely, you will see many things you would love to own!

Mitchell's Clothing & Accessories

John Mitchell has been selling clothing in the same spot, 311 East Market Street, since 1937. Mr. Mitchell (front and center) began helping his dad in the store when he was eleven  years old. Today, at 90, he still comes to work six days a week with the same work ethic and love of life. The store is virtually the same as it was eighty years ago. The other thing that hasn't changed is the Mitchell family's commitment to seeing that customers find the perfect suit, tie, dress shirt, and Stacy Adams shoes for their formal occasion. The store is also known for its quality, brand-name hats. People come from throughout the east coast to purchase Stetson and Kangol caps.

Joe Mitchell stands in the background, always ready to help his dad as needed. Joe, a professional drummer who has lived on the west coast for decades and whose band has toured in Europe, likes to come to the store in Greensboro to help his family. John Mitchell graduated from Greensboro Senior High School in 1945, and Joe graduated from Grimeley High in 1976. 

Brick and mortar businesses with a proprietor on site, especially one who loves seeing that the customer leaves satisfied, is getting harder and harder to come by. Mr. Mitchell has mostly repeat customers these days. His clients trust him as their go-to person for something nice to wear. The Mitchell family has seen Greensboro grow and change over the last eight decades. We don't know if statistics are kept, but Mr. Mitchell could well have the longest running retail career in all of North Carolina- six days a week since 1937!

Here is a 2012 story on Mitchell's Clothing and Accessories from the News and Record. Rumor has it that an article will be published in Our State Magazine after the first of the year. We can't wait!

First Moravian Church, Revisited

Today, we return to the First Moravian Church. The First Moravian Church, located on South Elam Street, was not on the running route for the Running of the Balls event last night, but you never would have known it by the amount of festive decoration and lighted-balls in the trees, around the church. Lindley Park is the next neighborhood over from Sunset Hills. Both neighborhoods have dynamic residents and the majority of the homes are owner occupied. The weather turned out to be perfect for last night's fundraiser: Crisp, hovering around 32 degrees with snow on the ground, Streets were clear and it did not rain or snow last night.

The above photo features the lighted steeple of the First Moravian Church, surrounded by Greensboro's famous lighted-tree-ball decorations. The scene is even more beautiful in person as the colors of the decorations are much more vibrant. We really hope you have a chance to get out and see all of the decorations in the Sunset Hills/Lindley Park neighborhoods. Oh, and be sure to keep your head tilted toward the sky as the decorations are a vertical wonderland!

 

Running of the Balls

Yesterday afternoon, all was quiet on Ridgeway Avenue as the first snow of the season was falling. Tonight will be very different as it is the annual Running of the Balls, when runners dash through Sunset Hills. As the sun sets this evening, all of those glowing ornaments in the trees will guide the runners through the streets. With 4,000 participants, the Running of the Balls is the third largest running event in Greensboro. The event is expected to raise over $50,000 for the Second Harvest Food Bank. There will also be two stages of music and fun will be had by all runners, walkers, and spectators. Plus, many families will be fed as a result of this internationally unique event.

If you have never seen the Running of the Balls, you owe it to yourself to come see it. Streets close at 5:30. You will want to park and walk, but it will be worth every step. Don't forget to wear festive clothing, bring flashlights, and wear any kind of blinking, sparkling clothing you can find. Part of the beauty of the event is that Sunset Hills has mature trees; so the lights, in some cases, are more than two stories in the air. Also, there are no street lights to emit light pollution. This event has become a grand Greensboro tradition. And this breathtaking decorating tradition got its start at the Smith household at the corner at Madison and Ridgeway Avenues. Bring some canned goods. Hope to see you there.

 

Stream at Yanceyville Curb Market

As we enter the most "decoration and merchandise dense" time of the year, our brains really benefit from those calm slices of nature that show no signs mankind and technology. The above stream is located in front of the Yanceyville Curb Market, across from the old War Memorial Stadium. We have been monitoring its progress for years. The Sierra Club has been working to clean up the stream and to restore some native plants to the stream bed. All of their hard volunteerism is paying off. When we were there on Saturday, there was no sign of garbage in the stream.

It is hard to believe that the above photo was taken from the cement bridge at the farmers' market. It is as if we were in the middle of the woods at a state or national park. The blue, gray, brown, and black in the photograph really situate it in winter. The bog garden and our local lakes are also lovely this time of year. We hope you have a great weekend, that it includes a little bit of a nature walk. You deserve it. Happy Friday!

1007 North Elm Street

1007 North Elm Street is a 9 bedroom, nearly 7,000 square foot house built in 1919.  This is the John Marion Galloway House. Galloway played a leadership role in the tobacco industry in North Carolina. The house, in the English Tudor Period Revival style, was designed by local architect Harry Barton. The rock building material is Mt. Airy Granite. The house has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983. *

According to online real estate records, the house was last sold in 1988. The person who lives there keeps the curb appeal interesting as there is always an original work of art on the front lawn. The current installation is a one-story-tall Christmas tree that it is built out of blue plastic strips- perhaps dry cleaning bags. The artificial tree changes character depending on whether the day is sunny or gray. Greensboro has a lot of original holiday decorations, including the tree featured above.

 

* reference and more information, here.

MyStorylog

Austin Goldman was looking for a meaningful hobby after retiring. He decided to start a business making walking sticks. His inspiration to make story logs and inspirational walking sticks came from noticing interesting sticks on his family's tree farm. Mr. Goldman uses a wood-burning tool to write Biblical scripture on many of the sticks. He also creates custom sticks where he writes information about a person's life on the stick. Some customers take their story logs everywhere and others hang them in their house as conversation pieces. Regardless, it is a very novel idea, if you are looking for a gift for the person who has everything. 

Mr. Goldman was selling at the Yanceyville Curb Market's December craft fair this past weekend. He can also be reached at [email protected] . He and his story logs were featured on Fox 8 news. See www.myfox8.com/tag/personal-story-log/ for more information.

If you were to fit details of your life on a walking stick, what would you say? Even if you don't commission a stick, it is a fun exercise. Mr. Goldman is such a nice person who is originally from Virginia, has traveled extensively, had a long career at Syngenta, and is a Christian man of great faith. We know this because we read his walking stick!

House at 305 South Elam Avenue

This 1,600 sq. ft. house at 305 South Elam is representative of the charm in the Lindley Park neighborhood. The 1926 single-story home has been well maintained. Details like the wooden swing in the mature oak tree, the cozy front porch, the whitewashed fence, and the bushes that continue to flower all come together to add curb appeal. The mature oak tree, gently curved, high above the house, could well have been planted at the time John Van Lindley lived in the neighborhood. He was the nurseryman who, in the early 20th century, owned 900 acres in this area.

The house is located across the street from the First Moravian Church, which is the reason we first notice it on Saturday. It is amazing the details that are noticed while walking through a neighborhood, as opposed to driving. Perhaps the best feature of this home is being able to sit on the porch and see all of the lively activity at the Moravian Church, especially during the Advent season. The house just sold this past summer, we're betting the new owners will want to stay put for a very long time. Happy Tuesday! Happy exploring your world- our world!

Railyard on Binford Street

The above rail yard, where many Norfolk Southern trains appear to be stored, is located on Binford Street between the Coliseum and Patterson Street, near Stamey's BBQ. Norfolk Southern is a Transportation Service, Cargo and Freight Company based out of Norfolk Virginia. Greensboro is called "The Gate City", a nickname dating back to the 1890s when the city had sixty train arrival and departures a day. There aren't quite as many trains today, but you can easily travel by train to major cities along the east coast and cargo and freight trains pass through daily. The many tracks and train cars above is just one example of Greensboro's great rail system.

Winter can be a challenging time to take photos. The hours of light are short; often the sun doesn't shine and the whole city can look gray. However, on a day when skies are blue, even a scene without the verdant colors of spring or the red/rusty palate of fall can be visually interesting. The geometry of the above view caught our eye; specifically, light poles, perpendicular to the ground, and rail lines slicing across the page. You just never know when and where you are going to find something with visual appeal. If you see something (or someone) you think should be featured on Greensboro Daily Photo, please let us know. We're always on the lookout for people and places to showcase and everyday comes around pretty often!

First Moravian Church of Greensboro: Candle Tea 2017

You know it is December and the Advent season when the First Moravian Church of Greensboro has their Candle Tea. This year's event, Friday and Saturday, was fabulous. The church members put so much effort into the event and it shows. There are arts and crafts, including Moravian stars; there is food, especially the chicken pot pies; there is music, including handbells; there is a demonstration of candle making, the old fashioned way. And then there are exuberant church members, like the young lady above, who is just so proud of her church and confident in herself. This may well be our favorite "Sacred Sunday" photo of the year. The joy and spontaneity of her gestures are enough to make one want to attend the First Moravian Church.

The First Moravian Church of Greensboro is located 304 South Elam Avenue. With roots dating to the 1400s in Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia, the Moravian Church is one of the oldest Protestant denominations in the world. Its formal name is Unity of the Brethren. If you have ever visited Old Salem in Winston-Salem, that community was founded by the Moravians. The church is very open and inviting. They emphasize personal piety and to the Moravians, music is important in worship. For one weekend a year, the Moravians of Greensboro open their doors and the members of the church come together to give to the community. If you live in Greensboro, you owe it to yourself to attend the Candle Tea. As for the young lady above, she is to the Moravian Church what Sally Field was to the Flying Nun! We wish we'd gotten her name, but she dashed off to work some more and we didn't get a chance to talk to her.

First Friday 2017 at Hamburg Square

Last night was First Friday and downtown Greensboro was full of people ready to celebrate the holiday season. From LeBauer Park to South Elm Street at Gate City Boulevard, people strolled along, enjoying all of the live entertainment, galleries, pop up shops and booth, and they especially enjoyed having time to spend together. The crowd was peaceful and ever appreciative of this great community event, the Festival of Lights.

The above photo features people taking advantage of being able to make s'mores for free. The photo reflects the diversity of the crowd last night. There was great diversity in age and ethnicity. It is always so nice to enjoy these inter- generational and cultural events. To our knowledge, this is the first year to feature making s'mores.

Festival of Lights 2017

The Festival of Lights is taking place in downtown Greensboro tonight from 6:00- 9:00 p.m. As you can see on the light post in front of the Green Bean Coffee Shop on South Elm Street, the town is decorated in wreaths, lights, and bows. Merchants, galleries, performers, and independent vendors have been working diligently to be ready for one of Greensboro's largest, free street festivals of the year.

Tonight's celebration is the beginning of many fabulous events being held in the month of December. This is the 25th year of the Festival of Lights. The tree lighting ceremony will be held in Center City Park. There will be a photo booth, a visit from Santa, and so much more. But the most fun of all will be to experience the great sense of community, of people from all walks of life coming together to be joyful and make merry during one of the darkest months of the year. The man in the yellow sweater reminds us all to wear some type of festive garb. Just like those famous parades on 5th Avenue in NYC, remember, if you come downtown tonight, you will not just be there to observe, you will actually be part of the great parade of people. Plan your outfit wisely Rumor has it, people wearing antler headbands have the most fun. Please plan to come out and have fun, too.