Greensboro Daily Photo

Main Street Baptist Church

The Main Street Baptist Church in Kernersville is located just a few miles west of the Guilford County Line. The main building of the church is an imposing brick building that has the look of a traditional, southern church. However, the building in the above photo is also a part of the church. It houses the daycare and offices. Looking more like a 1970's office building, it is quite intriguing.

A square structure like this one, with a cross on the facade, is unusual for a church. The school-bus yellow SUV out front adds quite a bit of visual interest; and, the blue sky injects a great punch of color. Have a great Sunday, and, if you have time, check out some of the pages of GDP.  We have published almost 3,700 photos of Greensboro and the communities nearby.

Triad Auburn Club

Last night, the Triad Auburn Club met at Hickory Tavern on Stratford Road in Winston-Salem to watch Auburn soar to victory over the Carolina Tarheels. On Sunday, the club will come to Greensboro and  Auburn fans will meet at Fat Dogs at the corner of South Holden Road and Spring Garden to see if the Auburn Tigers will qualify for the final four.

Likely, many brackets in North Carolina were ruined with the Auburn win over Carolina. However, Auburn fans from Greensboro are good sports, very courteous, and super excited to see Auburn play in the Elite 8. The last time Auburn played in the Elite 8 was 1986. Regardless of what team you are cheering for, college basketball  has a way of bringing people together for some good old fashioned fun. To be sure, March Madness comes by its name honestly.

Happy Saturday!

Blossoms Galore

When the sun shines in the spring in Greensboro, it feels as if the whole city is enveloped in blossoms. The above photo was taken last weekend. It reminds us of when young children make blanket forts where they sit, feeling secure and peaceful, passing away the day. May you find a space, blanketed in blossoms, to sit and reflect on the beauty of a warm spring day in Greensboro.

Peak cherry blossom time for Washington, D.C., is predicted to be April 1st. Perhaps a road trip is in order. It is about a five hour drive from Greensboro.

Happy Friday!

Paper Furniture

Can you guess what this is? It is a to-scale sculptural installation of a room full of furniture made out of heavyweight drawing paper. North Carolina artist, Sara Farrington, who lives in Creedmoor, made it in 2018. Called "Model Home, " it is part of a the 45th annual Art-on-Paper exhibit at the Weatherspoon Art Museum.

The Weatherspoon, located at the corner of Tate and Spring Garden streets on UNCGs campus, brings so much thought-provoking art to Greensboro. Sara's furniture is tied in to the notion of domestic perfection and what society expects of adults, goals Sara sees as unattainable. If you want to see this piece and more fantastic artwork, head to the Weatherspoon. Since the entrance is free, as is parking if you get a hang-tag from the museum entrance, there is every reason to give the museum a try. Please note that they are currently redesigning the lighting in the first-floor galleries and so only the upstairs galleries are open. As comfortable as it looks, just don't try to sit out the furniture.

Get your Kicks on Highway 66

North Carolina's Highway 66 is a north/south route that runs through the easternmost corner of Forsyth County, just west of Greensboro. If you want to see rural North Carolina the way it used to be, consider a drive along Highway 66 on a Saturday morning. You will see people walking to the front of their property to pick up their newspaper in their pajamas; people doing yard work; people sitting on their porch waving at those who drive by; plowed fields ready to be planted; neighbors talking to each other; and, sometimes, items in yards that many neighborhoods would not permit. You will see life being lived at a slower pace as if it were a few decades ago. The above photo shows a vehicle permanently parked on Highway 66, that must have belonged to somebody's grandpa.

The local Highway 66 may not be THE Route 66, the one that stretches from Chicago to Los Angeles. However, the old adage, "Get your kicks on Route 66," fits perfectly if you love the serendipity of driving along and seeing what life brings your way.

Country Roads

The above photo was taken this past weekend on a back road between West Market Street and Kernersville, that area where you can't be completely sure whether you are in Guilford or Forsyth County. This is rural North Carolina at its best; the way things used to be. From the looks of the home, it might not be around much longer. However, the horses look well cared for and happy on the property. 

Greensboro and the surrounding areas have a lot of horse farms. Scenic country vistas, like this one, are quickly being replaced by apartment complexes and Sheetz gas stations. Growth is inevitable and progress is, well, progress; however, there is something special to driving down a country road and enjoying nature in the abundant silence of a warm spring day.

Cindy Farmer Flips Pancakes at Kiwanis Pancake Day

This past Saturday, the Kiwanis Club of High Point held their 41st Annual Pancake Day. The 9am celebrity pancake flipper was Cindy Farmer, Morning News Anchor, on FOX8. Cindy, a Virginia Tech graduate, has been working in TV news since moving to Greensboro in 1990. Her passion is sharing good news about our community, especially the local schools. She is equally passionate about volunteering her time and energy for worthy causes. In the above photo, Cindy is seen masterfully making Micky Mouse pancakes for the children in the pancake line. 

Cindy has won many awards, including an Emmy for Community Service, the Susan G. Komen Lifetime Volunteer Achievement award, The Susan G. Komen Founders Award, and the Howard Coble Citizenship award.* You can tell by the smile on her face that she has a way of lighting up a room with her positive energy and optimism. Thank you, Cindy, for all you do for the community.

*reference and more information, here.

Wesley Memorial UMC

Yesterday was Pancake Day for the Kiwanis Club of High Point. Each year, the Kiwanians hold the event at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. This giant church is located at the corner of Westchester and Chestnut Drive in High Point. The elaborate architecture and the stone construction looks as much like a European building as one here in North Carolina. Wesley Memorial UMC began in a different High Point location, before the Civil War in 1856, with a congregation of 17, four of whom were African American.

It was a beautiful day for the event and, as it turns out, the family walking in was volunteering  for the event. Hats off to the mom who was able to get her four boys up and out on a Saturday morning to help with a community event. From the size of the crowd and the amount of pancakes and sausage being consumed, every indication is that the event was a huge success!

Making an Approach into PTIA/GSO

When you are taking off and landing at Piedmont Triad International Airport, do you ever try to find places you recognize? Things look so different from the air. The above photo was taken a couple of weeks ago as the plane was flying over the Lewiston and Pleasant Ridge Road area, making an approach into the airport. 

Given the location, it is likely that the new neighborhood in the photo is the Highland Grove subdivision. If so, it will have 86 houses built on just over 28 acres, making the lots about 3 acres each. 

Remember the photos from about the 1970s, where planes would fly over and take a photo of the family farm and the family would proudly display the framed photo?. Now, with drone photography, having those aerial views is much more common. This still-camera, over-the-wing view of northeast Greensboro evokes a sense of travel and adventure. Where do you hope to go next. Warm Saturdays are perfect for daydreaming and making travel plans.

Elaine Marshall, NC Secretary of State

On Wednesday evening, North Carolina Secretary of State, Elaine Marshall, spoke at the 20th anniversary celebration of World View. World View is an organization, housed at UNC Chapel Hill, dedicated to providing K-12 and community college educators with global knowledge and resources.  World View helps teachers prepare students to engage in our increasingly interconnected and diverse world.* 

Secretary Marshall was speaking at the World View reception where attendees were celebrating twenty years of the organization, and the establishment of the Robert and Jean Phay World View Endowment. Elaine Marshall was the first woman elected to statewide executive office in North Carolina. Robert Phay founded World View. Both of these North Carolinians positively impact our State, from Murphy to Manteo and everywhere in between- including Greensboro.

*reference and more information, here.

Happy Spring!

 

It seems like it took forever for spring to arrive in Greensboro, but spring is finally here! Now,  the season will start flying. With trees budding and flowers blooming, azaleas and dogwoods ready to bloom,  Greensboro will enter one of its most beautiful times of the year. Last night, a full moon coincided with the vernal equinox. The moon was especially beautiful as it was setting yesterday morning in Greensboro. The above photo was taken near Lake Higgins as it was setting between two evergreens. When the moon is full, and it is not overcast, you don't even need a flashlight to walk around the block.

Both Passover and Easter are tied to the lunar calendar. Passover is celebrated on the first full moon after the vernal equinox, and Easter can't be before Passover. Now, the Jewish community waits patiently until April 19th, for the next full moon, and for Passover to start. And then, Sunday, April 21st Christians will celebrate Easter.  Happy Thursday! Happy Spring!

Autotrends on the 400 Block of Battleground Avenue

 

Autotrends is a full-service auto repair center in downtown Greensboro. It is located on a relatively quiet section of Battleground Avenue, just down the street from Smith Street Diner. The above photo was taken at the end of a rainy day last week. On the day it was taken, it seemed as if Greensboro would be eternally wet. However, already this week, with the cool, sunny days, those soggy days are beginning to fade.

Rainy days and wet streets have a way of bringing out the beauty in even the most mundane scenes. If you look behind Autotrends, you can see some of the newer housing that overlooks the ballpark.

Happy first day of Spring!

No Plaque in North Carolina!

Vanity tags on cars and trucks are so much fun when you can figure out what they mean. The above plate was instantly identifiable. Surely, the owner of this late-model vehicle is a dental hygienist. A quick google search yesterday revealed 22 hygienist positions open in the Greensboro area. If you see "no plaque" getting into her car, ask her about her career. Surely, she loves it and is dedicated to it. Likely, she has white teeth and no cavities and, well, no plaque!

Happy Tuesday. If you haven't been to get your teeth cleaned lately,  make that appointment. If you are from another state, have you ever seen a NOPLAQUE plate?

St. Patrick's Day Weekend

With St. Patrick's Day falling on a Sunday, Greensboro seemed to celebrate the holiday all weekend long. To name a few events, on Saturday, Old Town held a 5K Beer Run, M'Coul Public House held their 14th annual celebration. There was music at Natty Greene's and just about every place that serves food and drink downtown held some sort of celebration. On Sunday, LeBauer Park held a big, family friendly, St. Patrick's Day event all day long. The above photo was taken at Craft City on New Garden Road where Irish music and fun continued into late afternoon. 

While some people in Greensboro focused on St. Patrick's Day this weekend, others were reliving the Battle of Guilford Courthouse by watching the reenactment. Also, the Native American Student Association at UNCG held the Carolina Indian Circle Powwow. Truly, there was something for everyone this weekend and fortunately, the weather cooperated. Now, back to the work and school routines for many. Happy Monday!

Reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse

Today, the Reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse continues. The morning will start with the troops down by the river for a worship service on the day of the big battle. Today is the 237th anniversary of the battle that happened on March 15, 1781.

We must confess that we took this photo eight years ago; however, it evokes such a beautiful of a father and son praying together it is worth featuring it again. The young boy would be about twenty years old now.  This scene was taking place in the part of Country Park that is behind the Greensboro Science Center, off Lawndale Drive.  If you get a chance, head to the park and experience this event. Happy Sunday.

Spring Is On Its Way...

 

Signs of spring are here, in Greensboro. Today is a beautiful Saturday. The sun is shining, the early flowers are pushing their way through mulch, pine straw, and leaves from deciduous trees. The above crocus plants are volunteers, staking their space under a sweet gum tree. At long last, Greensboro has a reprieve from rain, with nice weather predicted for the week. By about mid-July, we'll probably be begging for rain.

In the meantime, today is the 238 Anniversary of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. If you are up for it, head over to see one of the most historic events in Greensboro, the Reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. Today and tomorrow, there will be events to bring Revolutionary War history alive.

Sunset Theatre: Emerging Artist Series

The Sunset Theatre, located the next county away in Asheboro, Randolph County, is hosting an "Emerging Artist Series." Last night, the Randolph Arts Guild presented Greensboro's own Zinc Kings in a fabulous, live performance at the theatre.* This acoustic, string-band brings together four accomplished musicians, Mark Dillon, guitar; Ryan Mack. bass; Christen Blanton Mack, fiddle; and Dan Clouse, banjo. The performance was being recorded for an album.

If you want to hear the Zinc Kings and love acoustic music, consider attending the 2nd Annual Piedmont One Mic Acoustic Convention (POMAC) May 3-5, 2019 in Franklinville, NC. Many of the festival organizers are from Greensboro. So many talented musicians, like the members of the Zinc Kings, will be at the festival. 

Have a great weekend and may it be filled with great music!

* read more in YES! Weekly, here.

GCS Choice Showcase

Last night, Guilford County Schools held their annual choice showcase. Students and families went to learn about the many programs offered by the school district. Students always have the opportunity to attend their attendance zone school; however, some students want a program that is centered around a certain topic, like health and life sciences, world language, aviation, preforming arts, visual arts, etc. In Guilford County, there is something for everybody at every grade level.

It can be really hard to know which program is best for a student. Visiting the schools is a good place to start. Students need to be genuinely interested in the topic of the school. Students also need to be prepared to meet students from all over the district, and not necessarily go to school with neighborhood friends. The programs offered by the district are outstanding, especially if a student really wants to be there. 

The above photo features the Kindergarten experience zone. Children could practice getting on and off the bus, standing in a cafeteria line, eating cafeteria food, talking to classroom teachers, getting experience with hands-on activities, and more. If you are interested in one of the programs of choice, be mindful of the timeline for school visits and getting paperwork in on time. May your child have the best school year ever- every year!

Elton John at PNC Arena in Raleigh

How far would you drive for a concert? How much would you pay for a ticket? Last night, Elton John performed his farewell tour at PNC Stadium in Raleigh. Based on the traffic returning to Greensboro after the concert, it appeared that Greensboro was well represented at the concert.

During the 1970's, Elton John played at least three concerts in the Greensboro Coliseum, one of which was with Billy Joel. One person online, reminiscing about attending, commented that he paid $5 for his ticket and that he still had the stub. Unfortunately, Elton John doesn't have a performance scheduled for Greensboro.

Last night, Elton John and his band played for over 2 1/2 hours with a couple of quick costume changes. He said some very nice things about North Carolina and expressed gratefulness to the fans.

Baseball Season Is Upon Us

With all of the high schools, AAU teams, institutions of higher education and the Greensboro Grasshoppers, there are so many options to see baseball in Guilford County. The above photo shows the dugout at Guilford College. This past Sunday, the Guilford College Quakers played the Randolph-Macon Yellow Jackets. Unfortunately for the Quakers, the Yellow Jackets won. 

If you want to attend their next home game, it will be against William Peace tomorrow at 3:00 p.m., at exactly the same time as the Underground Railroad Tour on campus. You could go on the tour, which will probably be brief, and then stop by the game. At least it stays light longer now to enjoy these options in the afternoon/early evening.

Tree of Life

The term "Tree of Life" is mentioned in Genesis, important scripture to Christians and Jews alike. In Genesis, chapter 2, verse 9, the scripture says, "After the fall of man, "lest he put forth his hand, and take also the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever."  For Christians, the term "tree of life" also appears in the Bible in Proverbs, Revelation; for Jews, it the term appears in Esdras and Maccabees. The term appears worldwide in folklore and in mythologies. The concept is so beautiful.

The above "tree of life" does not have a religious affiliation; it is a counseling center located on Lendew Street in Greensboro. However, it is an oasis surrounded by multiple-story medical facilities,  just off of Green Valley Road. When the tree in the front yard blooms within the month, indeed, it will look like a lush garden full of life.

Happy Sunday and may your week go well, even though we are all getting up an hour earlier!

Crafted Art of the Street Food

It is always fun to find places to eat in Greensboro that are visually appealing. Crafted The Art of the Street Food has a bright mural above the bar that really makes the restaurant look cheerful and upbeat. Often, designers have a lot of color on the bottom half of the room with the top fairly plain. This restaurant is just the opposite, and the decor works. The menu is filled with food from around the world. The flavors are many; from mac and cheese to spicy chicken sandwiches to ramen noodles, and then some. Some of the foods are spicy; all are flavorful.

The restaurant opened in 2012 and, over the last seven years, has been a great addition to the northwest corner of downtown Greensboro. Preyer Brewing Company is right next door. The two establishments share a common wall, creating a sort of "Great Gatsby" experience. You can be in one space, looking out over to the people in the other establishment. Almost always, you can be sure people are getting good food and having a great time.

Jake's Billiards

Happy Friday! Do you have any plans for today or this evening? One option is to eat and play pool at Jake's Billiards. Jake's has had several names and locations, but has been firmly established at the Spring Garden Street location since 2002. Jessie and Josh Kirkman have owned it since 2004. They have been working hard to build clientele from all walks of life, people who consider Jake's their go-to place for high quality, affordable food. They also have tv's for sports aficionados and 12 pool tables for players from beginners, to experts, to people who play daily. 

In the above photo, you see a cue ball in motion. Last Saturday, this table of players had just finished watching college basketball and decided to play a few rounds of pool. If you want more information about Jake's, Billy Eye wrote a great article about the establishment in the February edition of O. Henry Magazine. If you go to Jake's, may you play your best game this weekend, whether you are stripes or solids!

Boho Blu Warehouse Sale

Locally owned, Boho Blu is a vintage inspired clothing boutique with six locations in North Carolina. In Greensboro, they have stores downtown on South Elm Street and at Friendly Center. For their Greensboro shoppers, last weekend, they held a clearance, warehouse sale on Whitehurst Road. The building is located off of Westridge Road,  the road behind Kohl's and leading to Westminster Gardens Cemetery. During the sale, women lined up long before doors opened, in the chilling, chilling rain, to shop the bargains. With beyond-capacity crowds, Boho Blue had to limit the number of people allowed in at a time. Lines like these evoke memories of the Rag Poets Societe clearance sales in the 1990's in Friendly Center. 

Warehouse sales are best enjoyed with friends, especially those who wear a different size. This transition from winter to spring is a great time to find bargains. Boho Blu is a growing company, it will be fun to follow their growth, knowing they owners got their start right here. Happy Thursday!

HYATT PLACE in Downtown Greensboro

The Hyatt Place in downtown Greensboro has been in the news this week as it is close to being finished. If all is on schedule, the hotel should be able to accommodate guests on March 15th. The 110-room Hyatt looks beautiful with the ornamental tree blossoms in the foreground. The hotel, located directly across from the baseball stadium, will be within walking distance of so many local places- The Acropolis Restaurant, Smith Street Diner, The Art of the Street Food, Joymonger's Brew Pub, Deep Roots Food Co-op, Orrell Hair Salon, and First National Bank Baseball Stadium to name a few . This northwest end of town will be a place to come and spend the day. changes are being made to the area in general to help traffic flow smoothly and to be more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. Head on down and see for yourself.

Blink, and it will be open!

Fire Fighters from Station 21

For those of you who follow Greensboro Daily Photo regularly, the above firemen are four of the eight who were eating breakfast at Jakes on Sunday. These are the public servants  who offered to show the elementary school student around the fire truck. It was so heartwarming to see these men take time with children. Perhaps the two boys who got a mini-lesson on fire fighting and the inner workings of the firetruck will want to become fire fighters. If you see a fire fighter, consider thanking them for all they do for the community. Every time they enter a burning building, they put their lives at risk to try to save others. Their job is not easy. Perhaps positive interaction with the public, during calm times, is a good way to balance all of the stress when they are called out for an emergency.

Have a great Tuesday!

 

Caleb and the Firemen of Station 21

Caleb, a local Guilford County elementary student, and his family had just ordered breakfast at Jake's Diner on North Battleground Avenue when they noticed two crews of firemen were eating there, too. People had been taking photos of the eight firefighters and their two trucks, from Fire Station #21,  parked outside. (Fire Station #21 is located just up the road from Jake's on Horse Pen Creek Road). Caleb's mom brought him over to the table where the firemen were seated, explained that Caleb was blind and he just wanted to have a chance to talk to them. After a couple minutes of great conversation, one of the firefighters asked Caleb if he would like to sit in their firetruck. Caleb's face lit up at the opportunity.

Before you knew it, Caleb was in the driver's seat, getting a quick lesson on the inner workings of a firetruck. He asked very detailed questions and the firemen were patient in answering them. After several minutes, Caleb's mom reminded him that their breakfast was probably served and there was another young boy waiting to get a chance to sit in the firetruck. We don't know if the firemen got a chance to finish their breakfast, but we sure do know that they were so kind to these young children. Community service with children, dear readers, is part of what firefighters do when they aren't putting out fires. Experiences like this are another an example of what makes Greensboro is such a great city.

Iglesia de Cristo

The Iglesia de Cristo, located at 1934 Eastchester Drive, just south of Wendover Avenue, sparkles by day and night. This Church of Christ appears to be a Spanish speaking congregation. They do have a Facebook page, but this congregation doesn't appear to have a website. 

If you haven't driven down Eastchester lately, you might not recognize the building. It used to be red brick, but got this white facade and magnificent lighting. It absolutely glows at night. When we photographing, last Monday night, some members of the church were meeting so the gates were open. There were deer in the back yard and they seemed right at home. If you know someone looking for a church with services in Spanish, this is an option. It would be nice to see if it is as beautiful on the inside as it is outside. If you are local, head down Eastchester and have a look for yourself. Happy Sunday!

Another Rainy Night

Last night, the weather was rainy and dreary. Downtown, First Friday was not very well attended, possibly because of the weather. However, even though it is hard to get crisp, clear photos at night, the overall feel of a rainy evening can be quite intriguing. The 300 block of South Elm Street looked quite beautiful last night.

Greensboro has experienced record rainfall this season. However, given the fact that this is the last weekend before Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday, likely, tonight will be a busy night out on the town. May everyone enjoy the weekend, responsibly.

Keeping the Green in Greensboro Beautiful

This photo is from the October 7th Art in the Arboretum event. Greensboro Beautiful volunteers are putting a wristband on a person attending the event. Last year, Greensboro Beautiful celebrated its 50th year as a non-profit organization working to conserve and enhance the ecology and beauty of Greensboro (reference and more information, here). They partner with the City of Greensboro to coordinate and implement events like Art in the Arboretum.

We are featuring this older photo because Greensboro Daily Photo is part of the international group, City Daily Photo. The theme for March is "green." The green shirts above on volunteers at Greensboro Beautiful in the city of Greensboro,  really hit home with the green theme! As Greensboro Beautiful enters its second 50th year, let's hope it thrives over the next 50 years and may their 100 year celebration is 2068  be GIANT and GREEN!

Visit here, to see other green-themed photos from around the world.