Greensboro Daily Photo

Kontoor, the New Name Around Wrangler

This is the Wrangler building on North Elm Street as it looks today. The word "Wrangler" remains and "Lee" has been added below, since Kontoor owns both brands. We don't know if Contour will add a sign more permanent than the vinyl banner, but for now, this is the view from the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. Kontoor already has a box for special performances at the Greensboro Coliseum. We're wondering if they will have one at the Tanger Center. We already have an idea where employees will park while they go to performances across the street!

Have a happy weekend and try to carve out some time to explore Greensboro, especially downtown. It is changing before your eyes. Tonight's  free, outdoor movie at LeBauer Park is "Ralph Breaks the Internet."

Wrangler Sign: Going, Going, Not Gone...

Over the years, there have been a lot of changes in Wrangler of Greensboro. The Bluebell Company introduced Wrangler jeans in Greensboro in 1947. The brand was launched in Europe in 1962. In 2001, Wrangler started making jeans in Mexico. In 2005, last Wrangler sewing plant closed in the United States.* 

As of last week, The Wrangler brand is now owned by Kontoor, a publicly-traded company with the stock symbol KTB. VF will move its headquarters to Denver; however, Kontoor and Wrangler are  to remain in Greensboro. We were a little concerned last week upon seeing the word "Wrangler" being removed from the corporate building on North Elm Street. Fortunately, "Wrangler" was one of the words put back up on the building. Stop back by Greensboro Daily Photo tomorrow and we'll show you the building and signage as it looks now.

*reference and more information, here.

Pallet Gardening as seen at Ciener Botanical Garden

The people of Greensboro are getting increasingly conscious about sustainable living, and so are our neighbors in surrounding counties. The above photo features a planter made out of shipping pallets, those wooden structures that used to be just about impossible to get rid of. The above planter is on site at Ciener Botanical Garden in nearby Kernersville (Forsyth County). Some garden cloth is stapled to the pallets, creating a trough-like bottom that can be filled with soil and then plants. The technique makes it easy to garden vertically and would be conducive to planting climbing plants like squash, cucumbers, and beans. 

If you are doing any creative gardening, creative recycling, or a combination of the two, let us know and we'll try to get by to photograph your efforts. Pallet containers are great for community gardens where produce is grown to share with the local community. If you have time during the week, head over to Ciener Botanical Garden to see its seven lovely, well-appointed acres. To be sure, you will leave with ideas for your own yard. 

Country Ride in Vintage Mercedes

Over the weekend, this vintage Mercedes was out for a country stroll between Greensboro and Summerfield. A middle aged couple and their happy canine were cruising along the back roads, evoking a bygone era when taking a ride for the sake of riding was commonplace. We hope you had an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend and that this week will be a good one.

It is predicted to be hot and dry in Greensboro, so double check that your vegetable garden has been watered. Let's all try to schedule in some time for a country ride, even if we don't have a car as cool as this vintage Mercedes 200- series Diesel.

Memorial Day 2019

Memorial Day is a federal holiday for Americans remember those who died during active military service. It is the last Monday in May, although the original date was May 30th- the last day of the month. The above photo is the giant flag that looms over Camping World at I-40. This flag is 40x80', a giant, probably the largest flag on the market. Their cost is over $4,000 and Camping world has them at all of their locations. When traveling I-40 or on Sandy Ridge Road, it is impossible not to notice this flag, as the sun lights it by day and the RV dealership lights it by night.

Regardless of one's political beliefs or opinions on any given war, it is important to acknowledge those who chose to serve or were drafted and died serving the country. It is also a way to let family members know that the country remembers their lost loved ones.

It seems strange saying Happy Memorial Day, but let us remember.

Faith Presbyterian Church

Faith Presbyterian Church on West Friendly Avenue (at King George Road) exemplifies how churches are so much more than a place to go on Sunday. Houses of worship, of all faiths, are places  to monitor your health, to enjoy fellowship with your age group, to plan for mission trips, and more! In the above photo, you see the community garden at Faith Presbyterian. They are preparing their plot to grow produce. These communal garden plots teach children the value of sourcing food locally- and how to do it.

Like many churches, Faith Presbyterian shares their sanctuary with another congregation. Every Sunday at 1pm, the El Shaddai Vision Church meets and Pastor Prince Mundane holds services in Swahili and English. Their members are mostly from the local African immigrant community. How wonderful that diverse religious groups can come together. When diverse groups interact with each other in a positive way, there is a greater appreciation of diversity in our community.

Making Bagels; Making Memories

Some places have windows so you can watch food being made. Biscuitville has a window for watching, as does Bruegger's Bagels. The above photo was taken last week at the Battleground store. (You can see Applebee's peeking through the window). The young man above was working tirelessly making sure the bagels were attended and diligently making sure customers' needs were met. "Well toasted, lightly toasted, light cream cheese, an everything bagel with as much 'everything' as possible." There were so many requests and this worker met them all. 

If you will have children with you this summer, when they are out of school, and you are looking for something to do together, consider taking them to places where you can watch food being prepared. STEM education is such an important part of curricula, and any activity that helps children follow something from concept to completion helps them understand the engineering design process, including making a biscuit or bagel. And when food is involved, getting to eat the finished product is the grand finale. Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Charming House in the Glenwood Neighborhood

This three bedroom/one bath home in the Glenwood neighborhood is located on Highland Avenue near Hertford Street. This house, built in 1928, has the feel of a charming cottage. As you can tell from the entrance stairs, the house is built on a bit of a hill. Not all of Greensboro is flat! The front porch is charming and with the entire front of the house having a wall of windows, it must be nice and bright inside.

The Glenwood neighborhood is incredibly diverse. From college students, to urban farmers, old-time musicians, non-profit workers, single-parent households. two-parent households, to the homeless, Glenwood is a neighborhood where people seem to take great interest in the neighborhood. Residents work hard to help each other. The churches in the neighborhood also do what they can to help the community. Several new amenities have come to this side of Gate City Boulevard. As one example, the Bestway on Walker Avenue has opened a second location on the Northern edge of Glenwood. It is an easy place to bike if you are looking for something to do on this Memorial Day weekend. Let the adventures begin! 

Magnolia Are Blooming in Greensboro!

The mighty magnolia has begun blooming in Greensboro. This native, broadleaf evergreen tree makes a statement year-round; however, once they begin to bloom, the fragrance is intense and they are even more attractive. Eventually, these white flowers will turn to pods and their bright red seeds will be a treat for birds and small mammals. If you see small beetles around your yard, and even in your house, remember that the magnolia is pollinated by beetles as these trees have been around since before there were bees.

If you live in the south, likely, you've watched the movie Steel Magnolias more than once. If you like Americana, English/Spanish music, here is a great performance by Tish Hinojosa where she sings about sitting under the great magnolia. The magnolia can grow to 80 feet and they make great shade, so find your go-to magnolia in Greensboro to use for protection from the summer sun and enjoy your day, under the magnolia..

Tanger Center at Night... More Downtown Beauty!

Since the interior of the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts was featured in the News & Record, we thought it would be fun to post a photo of the outside. Above you see the exterior construction in progress, plus the posters for the Year 1 plays that will be performed. To the right, you can see the reflection of someone looking at the building. Even under construction, it looks so beautiful at night.

The builders are hoping to have the space, located on North Elm Street at LeBauer Park, finished by March. It will be wonderful to have a performing arts center in Greensboro. And season ticket reservations are selling even better than expected. Do you have your order placed yet?

Cafe Europa

Cafe Europa is such a charming place to dine, especially on a warm evening when the weather is perfect for dining outside. The location at the Cultural Arts Center, between LeBauer and Center City Parks is perfect.

You may remember last year how the community rallied to keep the current owner there, someone who has a 16 year history with the establishment that opened in 2000. Before downtown got all of these great public spaces and new apartments, Cafe Europa was a destination. Let's  hope  Jakub Pucilowski and the City of Greensboro continue to work together and Cafe Europa remains for a very long time.

Even though this is a very poor cell phone shot, you can tell that the restaurant has great atmosphere- especially at night. Were O. Henry still alive, Greensboro's little slice of Europe would be a perfect place to get ideas for a short story! 

 

Wiley Cash, Catherine Venable Moore, and Laurelyn Dossett

Wiley Cash and Catherine Venable Moore presented at the Greensboro Bound Literary Festival this past Friday night. Cash discussed his latest novel, The Last Ballad," and Moore discussed a book she is writing about the history of the labor movement in West Virginia. Moore's work is centered around coal miners and mining history in southwestern West Virginia, specifically the Battle of Blair Mountain. She is also investigating how her historically democratic, unionized state came to support Republican candidates in recent years. Laurelyn Dossett played music and led the audience in a ballad, such a great addition to a session about a book entitled, "The Last Ballad".  Dorsett also sang about the mills closing. Dossett's song, "Leaving Eden," is about the closing of the last textile mill in Eden, North Carolina. 

This was one of four sessions at the book festival supported by PEN America as part of their Contemporary Appalachia series. The session was well attended; The Van Dyke Performance Space in the Greensboro Cultural Arts Center was full. While the whole festival was free, some events like Ani DiFranco and Rhiannon Giddens were ticketed, and all tickets were claimed well before the performance date. Mark your calendar for mid-May next year if you like literary festivals. Also, check in with Scuppernong Books as they are Ground Zero for so many of Greensboro's great literary events.

(Please forgive the low quality cell phone photo, but at least you get a feel for the event).

Christ's Blessing

Christ's Blessing is a beautiful stained glass window in the Greensboro Historical Museum. The museum was formerly the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro. This Tiffany-style window, with such vibrant color, dates to 1903. The Scales family sponsored the window in memory of their parents, Effie and Junius Scales. According to the information at the museum, the window represents the following Bible verse, "Let the little children come unto me... for such is the kingdom of heaven."

If you are interested in history, religious as well as the general history of Greensboro, the Greensboro Historical Museum, located at 130 Summit Avenue, is a place you want to visit, and often, as the museum sponsors many special events. Happy Sunday, whether you are in Greensboro or elsewhere!

Picture Perfect Night in Downtown Greensboro

Last night was magical in downtown Greensboro. The above photo features LeBauer Park during the family movie night on the lawn. Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc. and UNC-Greensboro have partnered to bring the community  free movie Friday.* You bring the picnic and the chair, or blanket. Also downtown, Cafe Europa was filled with diners enjoying the al fresco experience under the strings of lights. The Greensboro Bound Literary Festival held a session in the cultural arts building. The Girl Scouts held a campout in the First National Bank Field, and the weather, dry and mid-80s, was perfect for these outdoor events.

If you want to start your weekend with some great fun, invite a friend or some family members and head downtown. Greensboro is so beautiful, especially when people from all walks of life come together and enjoy the company of each other. The above scene evokes simpler times, harkening back to the day when we sat around watching network TV together with no opportunity to record, fast forward, or watch a movie privately on one's phone. Don't you think the screen looks like a giant, console TV!

 

* Remaining schedule: May 24: Isle of Dogs; May 31: Ralph Breaks the Internet; June 7: Avengers: Infinity War; June 14: Ferdinand; June 21: Bohemian Rhapsody; June 28: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald; July 12: Mary Poppins Returns; July 19: Small Foot; July 26: The Meg;Aug 2: The Princess Bride;Aug 9: The Greatest Showman;Aug 16: How to Train Your Dragon 2;Aug 23: Aquaman; Aug 30: Spider-Man: Into the Spider Verse

Midtown Mural

The Midtown area of Greensboro is expanding east. The above photo is a mural on the back of the building at the corner of Grecade Street and Beaman Place. They are part of Marty Kotis' commitment to bringing original art murals to the buildings of Greensboro, especially to Midtown.

The murals were painted last weekend on the back of The Tiny Greenhouse, which Our State Magazine bills as an "urban jungle" (article here). The adjacent business, Craftroom, is filled with handmade purses, pencil pouches, planters, and other items, many with fabrics inspired by Asian prints and patterns. The Music Academy is also located on this block. If you get a chance this weekend, drive by for a look. Brick never looked so bright! What a sweet twist that all of the cars behind the building happened to be white. Perhaps, after a full day inspired by so much design, a white vehicle is somewhat palate-cleansing. Have a great weekend and do something nice for yourself!

Zoo City Pickers

The Zoo City Pickers is a bluegrass band that played at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street this past weekend. Children danced, families ate fried donuts and other treats, and people shopped for produce and plants, as the sound of the Zoo City Pickers traveled throughout the venue. The band with its four members hail from Asheboro, Randolph County. Barbara Bartos plays the five string banjo, Bernie Bartos, the upright bass, PBob Coble, the harmonica, and Terry Lawrence guitar and mandolin.

If you think it is a sound you will like, The Zoo City Pickers will be playing at the Curb Market again in June. The main way to keep up with them is through Facebook. They don't appear to have a website. And regardless of what special events are or aren't at the Farmers Market, it is always a special place to visit. 

Greensboro Bound Literary Festival

These puppets in the window of Scuppernong Books are there reminding us that the Greensboro Bound Literary Festival begins tomorrow. This second annual event is sure to have something for everybody. The opening event will be a reception, a presentation about an interactive art project and a film screening at the Weatherspoon Art Museum at the corner of Spring Garden and Tate Streets.

There are so many great offerings. To name a few, author Wiley Cash will speak, There will be a response to Hillbilly Elegy. There will be a session on contemporary Muslim writing, spoken word, and a concert by Ani Defranco with Rhiannon Giddens. We predict that some of these events may grow so large in the future that they will be held in the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. This is a fabulous, diverse event for the Gate City! You owe it to yourself to attend at least one session. While all events are free and open to the public, many have already distributed all of the tickets.

To learn more about the festival and to see the schedule, see, here and  here.

ALS Association Walk

Saturday, in Center City Park in downtown Greensboro, the ALS Association held the Greensboro Walk to help defeat ALS. Friends and families put together teams to help build community, heighten awareness, and fundraise for ALS. Also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the nerves in the spinal cord and the brain. Muscles can't get the nourishment they need and the person gets progressively weaker. 

The above ALS Team, "Team Roxie", supports Roxie Shelton, who died after a courageous battle with the disease. It was so inspiring to see these teams cross the finish line and spend this quality time together. Often,  teams crossed the finish line a team member in a wheelchair on the walk with them. Events like the ALS walk provide a sense of accomplishment and joy and a brief respite from all of the serious conversation about the disease that people with ALS face daily. If someone ever asks you to donate, give what you can- from cash to time to emotional support and everything in between.

 

Pizza & Pooch

Pizzeria L'Italiano, located at 219 South Elm Street, has been a downtown institution since 2002. For being such a small shop, they have an extensive menu of Italian food. In the above photo, the owner is busy making pizza on a quiet Saturday as a women walks her big white dog down the street. When you walk with a dog that large, people stop to talk to you. Pooch (probably a labradoodle) and owner were very cheerful and accommodating. 

A downtown is such a dynamic, interesting place, be it Greensboro, or elsewhere. Downtown, people's lives intersect, sometimes without their knowing it. The lady did not seem to be aware of the man making pizza and he did not seem to be aware of her. However, they both caught our eye, and, together in their respective parts of the photo, create nice visual interest. 

Have a happy Monday. Consider taking a walk and seeing what interesting sights come your way. Maybe even stop in Pizzeria L'Italiano and grab a slice of pizza. It is really good.

Denise Landi and Her Painting of First Presbyterian Church

Greensboro artist Denise Landi has a special talent for combining color, light, and perspective. She is photographed above during her show yesterday, in front of her painting of the interior of the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro. Denise, originally from Mebane, NC, says she loves painting First Presbyterian because its beauty. The Gothic revival architecture resembles a European church and Denise studied art and art history in Europe. Older churches with stained glass windows bring back special memories.  Her painting of Piazza del Duomo, Florence Italy (in the direction of her pointing finger), even with all of its Impressionistic brush strokes, is instantly recognizable.

Denise loves to paint en plain air, especially in the marshes near the Carolina beaches. Denise is such a talented artist and, as the above photo hints, energetic and full of life. If you want to see more of Denise's work, she has a studio at Steinberger Artist Center at 712 Summit Avenue, or can be contacted at [email protected]. Also, several of her larger paintings can be seen at Blue Denim Restaurant on Elm Street.

Happy Graduation!

Between all of the colleges and universities in the Triad, there are about ten institutions of higher education holding graduation ceremonies this week. In the above photo an unidentified happy graduate is standing as several people are cheering him on. The sign they are standing in front of is located at the corner of Walker Avenue and Josephine Boyd Street. UNCG has great signage to define the parameters of the university's land. The signs and the plantings help frame a photo nicely.

Look between the end of the sign on the right and the dark tree near the middle of the photo, and you will see yet another group standing around their graduate. If you see or know of a recent graduate, be sure to congratulate them, maybe even treat them to a cup of coffee, a meal, or some kind of lesson about pacing oneself along the path of life! Congratulations everyone!

Man, Dog, Truck, Weekend

What says weekend more than a person driving home after a hard week of work with a happy yellow lab on the back of a new white pick up truck? This photo was taken a few weeks ago in Greensboro along Battleground Avenue. It was a warm day, but the sun wasn't too intense. The dog seemed perfectly happy to hang out on the truck.

According to registration of dogs, labs are the most popular breed worldwide. At least in 2017, it was the most popular breed in North Carolina, too  They are kind, intelligent, loyal, and  make great companions. It is no wonder the man driving this truck picked a lab to travel with him. Greensboro is a pretty friendly dog city. We have trails and bark parks. Remember to keep your dog on a leash when you are in public and to be mindful of excessive heat as the weather gets warmer. 

 

Hammock

With five institutions of higher education in Greensboro, the whole city is in transition. Many students are graduating; many are finishing for the academic year. Students are moving out and others are making summer plans. In the above photo, two college students have strung their hammocks between the trees just outside the baseball field on UNCG's campus.

The late teen/early 20 years can be challenging, as students increasingly enter the adult world. Little things, like relaxing in a hammock, can be the perfect way to de-stress and unwind after a semester of hard work. Do you have hammocks popping up in your neck in the woods? Do you have students in your life? A hammock could be the perfect gift!

Harris Teeter Gas Stations

December 2015, Harris Teeter opened its first gas station in North Carolina, in Harrisburg, near Charlotte. It opened its first fuel station in Greensboro in Adams Farm in 2017. Harris Teeter partners with BP to offer VIC savings. The grocery store is adopting some of these tactics from its parent company Kroger in an effort to be more competitive in the grocery store industry 

The above photo shows the Harris Teeter fuel station going in at the corner of Battleground and Old Battleground Avenue on Highway 220. The grocery store is actually across the street in the plaza with Rhody's. It replaces the little CITGO station that had been on this corner for years. O'Reilly Auto Parts, advertised on the billboard, is on the cite where Laddies and Dukes used to be. Does anyone still remember that restaurant and how this area seemed miles and miles away from Greensboro?

Early Morning Sunlight

Yesterday's post was sunset in Greensboro after a rainy Sunday that ended with a sunny evening. Yesterday morning, the skies were crisp as if rinsed clean and so beautiful against all of those spring shades of green. The sky was filled with stripes, dots, and dashes of clouds; a celestial morse code, of sorts. Have a great week and please find a way to get out to walk your dog, or have a walk during the day. This is the kind of weather in Greensboro that is perfect for riding bikes or walking in one of the local parks.

The above photo was taken in northwest Greensboro, where there are some fabulous patches of green and great vantage points for admiring the sky.

Happy Tuesday, regardless of where you may be.

Night Comes Rolling In

Today's photo of the night sky over Greensboro is not exactly prizewinning, but it evokes that feeling of night rolling in. Taken facing the western sky, the light in the middle is a plane approaching Piedmont Triad International Airport. That little patch of blue in the center is holding on, as the dark silhouette around the edges grows pushing the light beyond the horizon.

Weekends can be so hard to let go of, especially as the weather warms up. North Carolinians have a big tradition of going to the beach or heading to the mountains for mini-getaway weekends. Since Greensboro in located on I-40, the east/west road that runs the entire length of the North Carolina, and Greensboro is in the middle of the state, local residents have so many options for weekend-get aways. Then again, sometimes, just staying put in Greensboro can be the best way of all to rest and rejuvenate.

Goodbye, Sunday; hello, Monday!

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Youth Group

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church owns almost the whole city block in downtown Greensboro in the Greene Street area. It is a beautiful facility with a labyrinth and other interesting features. The above photo features the building housing youth groups. In the above photo, church members are arranging signs to show where all members have traveled on mission trips. When we passed by, en route to the Food Truck Festival, they were working hard to make sure the signs were pointing in the right direction for geographical accuracy and they were trying to figure out what should go where. A teacher passing by suggested they use the compass and search tools on their smart phones and applauded them for taking the time and effort to place the signs accurately. It is also commendable their efforts at outreach. Happy Sunday! Stop by and see the sign and see where you have been. All roads lead to home, and Greensboro is a pretty special place to call home!

Morehead Foundry & a Coke

Earlier in the week, the Coca Cola truck was visiting Morehead Foundry on Spring Garden Street, just west of downtown. The businesses in the 33,000 sq. ft. building have been closed for almost a year now. It would be so nice to see something go into the space. The location, right next to the Greenway, has so much potential.

With the red truck, white building, and blue sky, it looks nothing short of patriotic. Maybe having the Coca Cola truck there is a sign of new life to the foundry. Happy Saturday, if you have a chance to get out and explore, see what you can uncover. There is a lot going on in Greensboro this time of year!

Marimba Madness!

Because Greensboro has so many institutions of higher education, the community has access to many fabulous events. The above photo features Marimba Madness! held last night at Scuppernong Books. Percussion students at UNCG used the community space in the back of this indie bookstore for a recital. Since it is exam time, the concert was probably a final exam of sorts. Several students performed and they did a good job.

A marimba is a special percussion instrument. When the mallets strike the wooden bars, you can feel the vibration in your bones. With all of the wood on the bookstore floor and the bookshelves, sound and vibration from the marimba were enhanced.

This fabulous, free event reminds us of how a community is enhanced when small, local businesses partner with IHEs to make events like this one possible. We can't emphasize enough the value of simply getting out and interacting with the Greensboro community. Your life will be enhanced by attending these events.

Government Plaza

Government Plaza on South Greene Street is so inviting this time of year. As you can see, the trees now have leaves and are creating quite a canopy on the perimeter of the plaza. The plaza is not only the place you go to enter the government building, it is also a place where many gatherings take place. In the above photo, people were downtown for the Food Truck Festival this weekend.

The next event will be the Picnic in the Plaza. 98.7 radio radio station will be hosting the event to support the local Make-A-Wish foundations. Peppermoon Catering will be there from 11:30 to 1:30 serving very tasty food at super reasonable prices. If you are in a position to be at the plaza on a Wednesday, during the day, this is a fabulous event for a good cause. While you are there, have a look at Millennium Gate, the arched sculpture in the middle of this photo. Jim Gallucci was the lead sculptor, working with 17 artisans to produce the 106 icons that make up the piece. To be sure, there is plenty to look at in this spot!

Field of Cattle

A little mid-week fun being brought to you live from a cattle pasture near Greensboro, North Carolina. Actually, the above bovines live on Bunch Road, in the northwest end of Guilford County. They looked so beautiful grazing in that green pasture under the blue sky dotted with clouds. 

While North Carolina is not one of the top states for cattle, there are nearly half a million beef cattle and over 1,200,000 total cattle of all different varieties.* While we don't have data specifically for Greensboro, the Piedmont region is the most abundant area of the state for cattle. Our area is well suited because of that carpet of green seen above. To be sure, the cattle in today's photo look happy!

* reference and more information, here.