Greensboro Daily Photo

Deer

Can you believe it is the last day of July? Summer is fleeting. The above photo was taken last week in northwest Guilford County. Once you get out in the suburbs of Greensboro, white-tailed deer seem to be everywhere and fawns are still being born. The gestation period is 201 days and fawns can't be born too late in the season as they need to be mature enough to survive the winter. It is interesting to see how the doe leaves them hidden and then comes back to get them, which was the case in the above photo. If she has more than one, she leaves them in different places as a precaution.

The lifespan of a white-tailed deer can be from 6-14 years, but the average age is 4.5 years due to hunting, disease, and automobile collisions. Are there deer you recognize in your yard? Do you think it is the same ones? They are creatures of habit and tend to stay in their given territory. As we all stay closer to home, noticing wildlife is a great pastime. Have a great weekend and let us know if you spot any does with their fawn! 

Furnitureland Truck Out Making a Delivery

The world's largest furniture store is located right here in Guilford County. The physical location of Furnitureland Sough is actually in the Jamestown/High Point area but furniture is such a part of the local economy, Greensboro can claim it, too. Today's photo features a delivery truck at the light where Hobbs Road intersects Westridge. How wonderful to know people are getting new furniture. It is always so exciting to get a new piece of furniture. The decision can be so difficult, but once made, the purchase signals a new beginning. Perhaps a family has ordered a new study station since the first 9 weeks of school will be at home. Perhaps someone got furniture that makes working at home easier. Maybe there is some new, comfortable den furniture. If you've ever been to Furnitureland South, you know the possibilities are endless. If you have never been there, put it on your to-do list. They are currently open and taking every precaution to keep clients safe. People come from all over the world to shop for furniture here and we have the store in our backyard!

That truck is such a pretty color and the new graphics are catchy. We should also note that the driver was driving safely and obeying all rules of the road. If the back of the truck is up-to-date, they are hiring drivers. 

Happy 50th Birthday, Jane

Happy 50th birthday, Jane. We have no idea who Jane is, but we do know that someone in the Kirkwood neighborhood of Greensboro. As we were driving through Kirkwood last week, just down the street from Independence Drive, this message was spray painted on the street. 

Kirkwood is a Greensboro neighborhood, nestled between Lawndale Drive, Cone Boulevard, and Cornwallis Drive. It came into being in the 1920s, but really got built up in 1946, just after WWII when soldiers were returning to Greensboro and starting families. In that year, 140 homes were built by contractors who had built barracks in North Carolina, using techniques of mass production that they had used in building the military buildings. If you want to read more about this neighborly neighborhood, read this article we used as a reference from the News & Record. After reading Andrew Barrow's 2015 article about Kirkwood, you will understand completely how it is that Jane's birthday is celebrated even in the streets!

Happy belated birthday, Jane and hopefully you are not shy about sharing your age with everyone.  May the next decade be the best one ever! We'll stop by in 2030 for your 60th!

Praying Mantis

At least once a summer, we like to post a photo of a praying mantis. This one is small; we're thinking it is a male. He has been seen several days behind the blueberry bushes, in the same spot when we water. We haven't seen him since the big rain at the end of last week. Did you know there is such a thing as a Carolina mantis? Read here, if you want to learn about them. We learned from when we posted a mantis photo back in 2010 that the word "mantis" is Greek for "prophet." Also, the praying mantis is a distant relative of the cockroach.

If you are out exploring or looking for that praying mantis, here is a list of the 980 bugs and other insects found in North Carolina. With a little effort, you are bound to find some of these creatures sooner or later. Perhaps you could consider keeping a list of all that you see over the next month. See here. If you do not live in Greensboro, or North Carolina, for that matter, you can search your state at the same site. If you have small children in your life, who knows, you just may have a budding entomologist on your hands!

Vanity Tags Duke & App

Vanity tags are like tattoos for your car. In North Carolina, they cost $30 above and beyond the renewal fee. The maximum number of characters is eight. The above car has Duke & App for tags. If you live in the North Carolina, you know that the car belongs to a family with fans of both Duke University and Appalachian. North Carolina has so many fabulous colleges and universities it can be hard to convince high school students to even apply to universities out of state. 

If you are traveling this summer, you are likely noticing vehicles and tags. It is always fun to see where people are from and, if they have vanity tags, how long it takes you to figure out what they mean. Some, like the one we're featuring today, are much more transparent than others. If you have a vanity tag, what does it say? If you don't have one but would get one, what would you select?  How wonderful that the above family values higher education! Happy Monday!

Laughlin Memorial Methodist Church

We stumbled upon Laughlin Memorial Methodist Church while taking the back way home from the farmers market at Providence Farm. The triangular roof and cross on the brick church really stand out as you are driving past the property at 1417 Huffine Mill Road. According to the cornerstone at the church, Laughlin Memorial was organized in 1911 and rebuilt in 1949 and then again in 1967. According to UMC data, there are only 87 members, with an average attendance of 45. Regardless of size, the building is beautiful and the property is very well maintained. If you are looking for a church home in the eastern end of Guilford County, this would be a great option to consider. If you are out for a Sunday drive, Huffine Mill is a step back in time, but still close to everything. 

Have a great Sunday!

 

Farmers Market at Providence Farm

Today, from 10am-1pm, Providence Farm will be holding their Farmers Market. It is located at 2569 Huffine Mill Road. Darryl and Joy Cobb, who live at the farm have a variety of products from local farmers, bakers, and crafters; including everything from eggs to goat cheese, to bread, and even bison meat. They have product menus at the gate and work very hard to keep you COVID safe. The farm has been in the Cobb family for over 200 years, but this is the first year Darryl and Joy have undertaken selling products to the public. Joy recently retired from teaching in the public schools and is able to dedicate more time to tending to all of the critters. They have horses, sheep, chickens, pigs, turkeys, and working dogs. Some of the animals, like the donkeys, are rescues; some have a home there until they can find homes (the potbellied pigs); some, like Mr. and Mrs. Tom Turkey have become pets and come running as the owners approach. 

If you have a chance, drive to McLeansville today and support this local business. Likely, Darryl will greet at the gate playing banjo music. If you love history, this website will tell you the history of Providence Farm, dating back to the  1700s, way before Greensboro became a town! The above photo features the gambrel roof barn, not the corner of the property where the food is sold. However, we just couldn't resist photographing the playful chickens. If you are asked to wait a few minutes to shop, ask Darryl to pick you a tune; the keys of A and D are especially popular with old-time musicians! Happy Saturday!

 

See, here for more information.

Books about Greensboro

Yesterday, we featured Gayle Hicks Fripp, a Greensboro author and historian. Today we feature books she has written, or (in the case of she Schlosser book) that she has edited. In the books, many topics are addressed and key photos of the city abound. There are photos of early homes; stories of impactful people, businesses and businessmen; information about neighborhoods, and more. The book on the top left, "Faith on the Move" details the history of the West Market Street United Methodist Church. While this is a history of the church, West Market Street UMC is almost as old as Greensboro, and so much of its history is connected to the city in so many ways. As Greensboro grew, so did West Market Street UMC.

If you want to know more about the people and places of Greensboro, the above books are a great place to start. Greensboro was established as a city in 1808 and at one time was quite a textile center and was the crossroads for rail commerce throughout the south. You will learn about these topics in these books. One thing we learned in reading the book on neighborhoods (bottom right), is that in the early 20th century,  it was common practice to move houses, as opposed to tearing them down. If you are looking for a little summer reading, most of these books are available, through the local libraries and online. Have a great weekend!

People of Greensboro: Gayle Hicks Fripp

Today’s photo features Gayle Hicks Fripp in the front room of her Kirkwood home, where she and her husband have lived for the past fifty-five years. Gayle is a retired assistant director of the Greensboro History Museum. She received a BA and MA in history from UNCG, and when she had the opportunity to work at the History Museum, she felt as if the position were specially designed for her. It "tied my life up with a bow."  The requirements were an M.A. in history, experience teaching*, and the ability to work with community volunteers.  She went on to have a 25-year career at the museum. 

Under Gayle’s leadership, many changes and new programs were implemented at the Greensboro History Museum. For example, Gayle shifted the focus of the exhibits from thematic (e.g., transportation, the military, Dolly Madison) to a chronological arrangement. She also designed exhibits that featured ordinary people of Greensboro; they were more representative of the city as a whole. When featuring a neighborhood, she would establish an advisory committee comprised of members of the neighborhood.  There is a permanent exhibit at the museum called “Voices of the City”. She got the idea for the name from an O. Henry short story, “The Voice of the City.” How fitting since O. Henry was born in Greensboro. The 5 by O. Henry performances were Gayle’s idea.

Gayle Hicks Fripp dedicated her career to making the Greensboro History Museum more interesting to visitors and to bringing more people in to visit. As one example, the Smithsonian Traveling Exhibition on African-American inventors brought more people to the museum in six weeks than had attended in the previous two years..

Few people know Greensboro as well as Gayle Hicks Fripp. At the end of our interview, we asked her where she would take visitors were she to lead a tour around town. She mentioned the Greensboro History Museum, Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Blandwood Mansion, and some of Greensboro’s neighborhoods. Gayle pointed out that after all, “a city is made up of neighborhoods.” Finally, church history is a passion of hers and, she would include a few on the tour. To be sure, that would be a fabulous introduction to Greensboro. 

What we learned from Gayle Hicks Fripp yesterday could fill a book. If you want to learn more about her, read this article by Jim Schlosser, yet another great voice of Greensboro.

 

*She taught history at Grimsley for a year before taking time off to raise her children.

 

Zebra Swallowtail Butterfly

Many people have been mentioning that the butterfly population seems to be down in Greensboro this year. Imagine our surprise when we were walking near Carlson Farms in northwest Greensboro and we saw this zebra swallowtail butterfly. They are distinctive for their longitudinal stripes and black and white coloring that make them resemble zebras. As you can see, this butterfly was extracting nectar from a butterfly bush (buddleja); however, the zebra swallowtail is really associated with paw-paw trees. Paw-paw trees grow well in Greensboro and have become popular here due to their edible fruit. Perhaps there was a paw-paw tree nearby.

If you love butterflies and are interested in creating an eco-system in your yard that is attractive to butterflies, you may want to consider joining the North American Butterfly Association (NABA), see here. If you want a local resource, you can contact All-A-Flutter Butterfly Farm off of Highway 68 on Clinard Farms Road. At the moment, they are not open for visits due to COVID; however, you can contact them and see if they have release packages available. Another fun thing to do related to butterflies is to go here and track the travels of the monarch butterfly through North Carolina.  Happy Wednesday!

Morgan and Sanchez @Outdoor Street Art Gallery

The corner of Pisgah Church Road and Church Street just got a little more visually vibrant. Marty Kotis has expanded his outdoor art initiative to northeast Greensboro. The walking path,  outdoor lights, and 46 panels are installed and primed. Many of them already have art and several are in progress. The above photo features an artistic duo from Raleigh who are sharing a panel in the park, Raymond Sanchez (left) and Morgan Cook (right). Each has a very distinctive style, but find a way to mesh their images into a cohesive scene. Cook, @artofMCK on Instagram is really known for his alphabet lettering. Sanchez @welsed is known for his visual storytelling and teaching art as a "paint and sip" instructor (@welsed on Instagram). It will be fun to follow this dynamic duo and see their panel once they have deemed it complete.

If you want to see graffiti artists, muralists, and graphic designers at work making great art, head out North Church Street and watch. Even though they are extremely busy, in most cases, they will find a few minutes to talk to you about their process and vision for their panel. You can also keep up with progress through Kotis' website, here. So much outdoor art is happening in Greensboro.

1916 Huffine Mill Road

Weekends are for exploring and there is plenty to explore around Greensboro! Today, we take you to 1916 Huffine Mill Road, north of Wendover, where it splits with Rankin Mill Road. Right at the Y is this little cinder block building that used to be a convenience store. Above the door, the signage says, "DISCOUNT GROCERIES AND MORE: A Bent Can Store."  How curious! What on earth is a bent can store? We purposely took the photo through one of the the mimosa trees on the property, because it evokes yesteryear and is an example of how there can be beauty even in neglect. The mimosa tree, while beautiful, can be considered an invasive pest. It was first brought to Charleston, S.C. in 1745 and over the past 275 years has established roots from California to the South and extending up to New York. Their allure is the beautiful pink plumes, they are fast growing, and the leaves fold up at night.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if this tiny store, a mere 864 square ft and built in 1951, would be restored to its original splendor. Now, it seems as if we all want to stop at convenience stores that sell gas, make sandwiches to order, and have every flavoring to put in coffee, and every bag of chips imaginable. But how fun it was back in the day, when you stopped at a store, maybe even put your purchase on your bill, and the owner and customer gave updates about their lives. It appears the current owners have had it for almost forty years. We'll bet they have some great stories to tell and lots of memories of this part of the county way out past the east side of Greensboro.

 

Kernersville Wesleyan Church

Kernersville Wesleyan Church is just over the county line on Highway 150 in Forsyth County. Many people go from Greensboro to Kernersville for church and many from Kernersville come to Greensboro for church. The first photo shows the street view of Wesleyan. As you can see, it is quite large and the architecture is impressive. Unfortunately, on their website, we can find nothing about the history or the year the church was built; however,  from the looks of the building, it appears to be relatively new. In searching the Internet, we found a farewell video to Pastor Phil who left in 2016 after 26 years of pastoring at Kernersville Wesleyan, which means, the church is at least 30 years old. Currently Scott Simmons is lead pastor.

The second photo shows the BIG TENT installed in the parking lot behind the church, where the congregation will be meeting at 10am today. Summer services are being held there for the entire month of July. With the current health concerns of large gatherings in enclosed speces, the decision to worship outside makes sense. The contrast between photo one and two is stark; however, they are proof positive that where there is a will, there is a way and you can still worship and celebrate God, even in the most humble of ways. If you are interested in attending, they will make room for you under the BIG TENT! If you go, see if the crows are still on the roof of the church. It seems the birds are convinced they have found a giant perch.

If anyone has a link to the history of the church, please share it with us and we'll link it to this post. Thank you and happy Sunday!

View of Downtown: From the Perspective of O. Henry's "Pete"

Today's post features the O. Henry statues downtown. At the corner of Bellemeade St. and North Elm, is a trio of statues dedicated to O. Henry. O.Henry was born in Greensboro in 1862. You can only see two of the three pieces; the bronze likeness of O. Henry himself is actually off to the left. The above view is from the perspective of his small dog. In front of the trees is the large cement book with the little boy peeking in. The visible page features "The Gift of the Magi" O.Henry's most famous work.

The pieces were dedicated in 1985, with a week-long celebration, seventy-five years after his death.* It has now been 110 years since his passing in New York City. Something notable about this view is that the little dog, referenced as "Pete" from "Memories of a Yellow Dog", is staring straight at Greensboro's new Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, located directly across the street. It would be really fitting to feature a performance of an O. Henry tale right there in plain sight! And if not, that's O.K. because just beyond the Tanger Center is the Greensboro History Museum and every September, they feature the 5 by O. Henry Plays!

Happy Saturday. Do something to celebrate the history of your community, whether you are in Greensboro or beyond!

*reference and more information, here.

The Eagle Ridge Neighborhood of Greensboro

Today's photo is a house on Eagle Downs Way, in the Eagle Ridge neighborhood. Eagle Ridge is a new community built off of Pleasant Ridge Road, on the east side of Highway 68. The four bedroom, four bath house was built in 2017. Built on nearly an acre, it fits right in with this neighborhood of large, recently-built homes. This property seems to be different by the barn in the back yard. It isn't clear from the street view it it is part of the above property. That cozy front porch looks like it would be a great place to use for socializing with neighbors. While this particular house isn't currently for sale, a few on the street are available. It you are looking for a large home in a quiet neighborhood, this area could be a good fit.

The house looks so inviting. Happy Thursday! Stop back tomorrow for an O.Henry feature to close out the week!

Edible Radish Pods and the Joys of Gardening

Summer has been heating up in Greensboro and we're experiencing temperatures in the 90s for consecutive days, with no rain in sight. Under these conditions, plants are trying to go to seed. Our basil, mint, and radishes are all flowering and trying to make seed pods. The above photo features radish seed pods. See the long pointy green pods and the purple flowers? Those are growing from the radishes that, underground, are long and lean and practically nonexistent. (Many are lamenting this hasn't been the best year for radishes).  Well, this summer for us, those pods have been nature's gift. We've discovered they are crunchy, spicy, and radish flavored. All radish pods are edible and some varieties arevgrown specifically for their pods.

For anyone who is looking for something to do in these lazy days of summer, don a mask and head to the farmers market and ask lots of questions. If you have a neighbor who is gardening, spend time with them learning about gardening. Perhaps there is a community garden in your neighborhood. North Carolina A&T University has several programs and initiatives related to sustainable agriculture. There is a little farmer in all of our family histories. Now is a good time to learn about these old-time ways. Happy Thursday! See you in the garden!

People of Greensboro: Dr. Doris Henderson

Today, we're featuring Dr. Doris Henderson, who had a career as both a teacher and principal at several private and public schools in Guilford County. Her final school was Guilford Primary, which served as a collaborative, professional-development school for UNCG. Dr. Henderson was so loved as a principal there, that the school was renamed for her, "Doris Henderson Newcomers School". Today, the school accepts students in 3rd-12th grade who are new to the United States with novice level proficiency in English. Initially, Dr. Henderson retired from GCS as a principal in 1997. However, she was such an effective administrator that the district asked her to direct the Professional Induction and Success Program to train beginning principals in Guilford County. She only agreed to work half time, so that she could accept a half time, volunteer position at her church, Friendly Avenue Baptist. After retirement, Dr. Henderson worked seven more years at GCS, until 2007. She continues today at the church where she is the outreach director and also designs and oversees programs and activities for senior adults.

Yesterday's socially-distanced interview was conducted at the Henderson residence in Northwest Greensboro, conveniently located just a few stop lights away from her church- home away from home. COVID-19 has been hard on Dr. Henderson because she is not used to being confined to the house. Fortunately, her work computer was brought to her house, so she can continue to work from home. Dr. Henderson's work ethic likely stems from childhood, when she was Doris Jarrett helping at the family farm, located on North Summit Avenue. She churned butter, milked cows, delivered orders to customers (on foot), and more! She would go on to marry Worth Henderson, raise six children, and earn three college degrees.

Perhaps you can tell from her smile in the above photo, she is a warm, kind, and inviting person. Her smile is genuine, and she is one of the most positive, optimistic, civic-minded people you could ever meet. Greensboro is the only place she has ever lived and she loves calling Greensboro home. Thank you, Dr. Henderson, for all you do for education, your church, and the community at large! Over time, it is easy to forget for whom a school was named and why it was named after that person. If you didn't already know her, now you can put a name with a face. Yes, there really is a Doris Henderson, and she is so deserving of having a school named in her honor!

Peaches and Cream at Greensboro Farmers Curb Market

Phillips Farm Peaches and Cream, based out of Wadesboro, North Carolina, had a lovely stand at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Saturday. This five-generation farm has all kinds of produce, but is especially known for their "Peaches and Cream" stand with peaches and ice cream- especially peach ice cream. July is the key month that North Carolinians seek out peaches and peach ice cream, and we are in the heart of the season.

The above farmers market, Greensboro Farmers Curb Market, is located on Yanceyville Street, across from War Memorial Stadium, now sets up outside. This is an effort to keep shoppers and vendors safe. The hours are from 7-11 am on Saturday and from 8-10 am on Wednesday. It is so nice to get to know the vendors and to get fresh produce. Did you know that freshly picked lettuce can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator? Peaches are usually meant to eat within the week. When you eat local food, you help these small farms and help reduce your carbon footprint. Plus, you get a little taste of summer. 

Cozy Little House On Bruce Street

Bruce Street is a tiny, mixed-use street off of Spring Garden, just east of Elam, where the house featured today is located. This two bedroom one bath home, built in 1925 has probably been student rental since it was last purchased in 2002. We're featuring it today, because it reminds us of what people do to make a house a home. Especially during these times when everyone is spending so much more time at home, it is important to have a place that makes you feel cozy.

Imagine everything students have been going through, needing to do all coursework online and not being able to go to campus. A big part of the college experience is the very act of spending time on campus. The prayer flags and the swinging, nest chair say a lot about the people in this home. Especially, given the way the trees are dappled with sunlight, the yard gives the feeling of a remove haven; when, in reality, it is less than a mile from campus. Happy Monday! Here's to us all finding our happy spot!

Virgin of Guadalupe Right Here in Greensboro

The Virgin of Guadalupe is the patron saint of Mexican Catholics. She is tied with Mexican identity and is seen frequently around Greensboro. You may have noticed her picture on truck windows, on candles, and as paintings and wall hangings in Mexican restaurants. The above photo is of a front yard in a neighborhood near Pinecroft Road and the Four Seasons Mall. For a Mexican family, having a shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe is an expression gratitude for life's successes and joys, and a way to cope with infirmities and sorrows. See this list of prayers, if you are interested in learning more.

The Virgin of Guadalupe appeared to an Aztec peasant, Juan Diego in 1531. The Basilica to the Virgin, located in a suburb north of Mexico City, has as many as 20 million visitors a year. The feast is celebrated every December and the local Catholic Churches with Mexican members hold ceremonies and celebrations. Here is an article in the News & Record about one such event in Greensboro. As for the family who built the above shrine, they must feel tremendous comfort returning from work every day and seeing the shrine. Likely, the family believes they have been helped by the Virgin and want to show their gratitude. In this yard, she sits at the top of a hill, as if watching over the whole neighborhood!

Happy Sunday!

 

 

S.H. Kress & Co.

Today, we're on South Elm Street, a wonderful place to be on Saturday. In the background, you can see the S.H. Kress & Co. Building, on the street, you can see the "BLACK LIVES MATTER" sign painted right into the street. It is painted school bus yellow and every block is done by a different artist. 

S.H. Kress & Co. was a "five and dime" retail department store. They were known for their ornamented architecture and for being on main streets of town. The Greensboro store was just that. The Greensboro store was built in 1930 and the architect was Edward Sibbert. Perhaps it was serendipity, perhaps purposeful, that this original street art was painted here 90 years after the department known for its artistic details. Wonder if anything will be added 90-100 years from now. It is fun to think about. 

Happy Saturday!

Chandler Foods, Inc.

During out urban exploring of Greensboro yesterday, we stumbled upon Chandler Foods, Inc. Located at 2727 Immanuel Road, Chandler Foods has been bringing barbecue, chili, and kettle products to Greensboro (and beyond) since 1955. Sixty-five years ago, John and Edith Chandler developed a barbecue recipe and, as you likely know, the people of Greensboro, High Point, and all of North Carolina, love their BBQ. Chandler Foods has expanded their products, and their building over the years. They now have distributors all along the east coast and into the midwest, extending to Michigan and Texas.

The reflection of the clouds in the window is especially beautiful, as is the landscaping. Next time you are on Gate City Boulevard, near Florida Street, head over and check out Chandler Foods. According to their website, they are involved in the community by supporting Greensboro Urban Ministry and they give scholarships through Future Business Leaders of America. How wonderful that a Greensboro business is doing so well and that it continues to remain in Greensboro!

Cassy Whitley: Remarkable Theatre Teacher

Today we feature Cassy Whitley who has been teaching theater at Guilford County Schools for twelve years. Her middle school students at The Academy at Lincoln are so lucky to have the opportunity to learn from her. They learn about every aspect of theatre from trying out to acting to staging a production to promoting it to breaking down the set and more. While students were still in face-to-face classes this past year, Ms. Whitley also taught her theatre majors to sew. Some worked on costumes, some made drawstring backpacks; everybody sewed something. During the spring when she transitioned to teaching online, Ms. Whitley taught students to perform in front of a camera and, those who were able to complete all of her course modules actually made movies.

We met up with Ms. Whitley at her house yesterday where we had a little social distanced socializing during the hot and sunny morning. We also picked up some masks from her. After teaching her students to sew, Ms. Whitley decided she really missed sewing and started making masks. She sells them for only $5 and will let you pick your fabric theme- cats, jungle plants, bold flowers, a local university. She will also arrange to mail them to you. Send her an email at [email protected].

Who knows, maybe some of her middle school students are putting their new sewing skills to work and are making masks, too. Thank you Ms. Whitley, for all you do for your students and for the local community. Enjoy the rest of your summer. By the way, we love our masks!

Beetles of Greensboro: Why Did the Beetle Cross the Road?

You never know what you will find on evening walks. This giant beetle, almost 2", was seen along Jessup Grove Road near Proelific Park. It looks like a female Hercules beetle, given the shape and size.  See #35 on these pictures of the 151 beetles of North Carolina.  The females look very different from the males  (see here). Hercules beetles can be green, gray, or tan. They feed on and live in rotting wood. So, if you want to create a habitat for beetles, don't clean all of the sticks and downed trees out of your yard.

There are about 400,000 species of beetles and they were around to pollinate even before bees; which is why they are the pollinators for magnolia trees. Why don't you hold on to the above list of beetles of North Carolina and see just how many different beetles you locally this summer.

As for the above photo, that giant beetle sure looks imposing on the side of the road.  We confess the above was just the outer shell of the beetle. Perhaps she had moulted. During the walk, a 7 year old boy was in his yard with his mom and we gave it to him. It was a hit, because, he immediately ran to show it to his friend next door. Ahhhhh, making memories in summer.

Regarding the title question, we'll never know why the beetle was trying to cross the road!

A Day in the Life of Kirkwood

Yesterday, we featured the giant flag in the Kirkwood neighborhood of Greensboro, the monumental one that hangs above the street on Independence Drive. Today's view is of the main are where neighbors gathered with their children to watch the parade and to celebrate the Fourth of July.

We overheard someone mention they wish their neighborhood did something for the holidays. It is never too late to do something to nurture neighborhood spirt and neighborliness. You could be that person, or couple, like the one in Kirkwood 71 years ago that started the July 4th tradition of having a parade and celebrating the holiday. If you do so, and it carries on, just think 71 years from now is 2091! It helps that Kirkwood happens to have a street named Independence Road. Do any of the street names in your neighborhood fit with a theme? At Lake Brandt, there is the Wild Turkey Mountain Bike Trail. Off of Lees Chapel Road, there is a Valentine Ct. There are several streets with the word "autumn." Even if there is not a street name to inspire a holiday, which one would you claim? National Night Out will be Tuesday, August 4th and actually, the organizers are recommending waiting until October 6th the first Tuesday in October, due to COVID-19. Perhaps your street could rally around that community-building campaign. 

Kirkwood on the Fourth of July

Sunset Hills is known for their Christmas decorations and Kirkwood is the Greensboro neighborhood most associated with the Fourth of July. The neighborhood festivities take place on, you guessed it, Independence Road. Independence, featured in the above photo, stretches all the way from Lawndale Drive to Colonial Avenue, parallel to and halfway between Cone Boulevard and Cornwallis Drive. It may only be seven blocks long, but it seems like miles and miles of Fourth of July fun. There were over 100 entries in the annual parade. This year was the 71st, as the first parade was held in 1949. Residents of the street decorated and sat around in their yards, especially around the 1600 block at Lafayette Avenue. Fun was had by all!

The above photo was taken near Princess Anne Street and shows the giant flag that is almost twice as wide as the street. The young couple walking with their newborn, directly beneath the flag, gives you an idea of the size. Especially since grand scale events were cancelled this year, having these neighborhood events, and knowing your neighbors, is becoming more important than ever. We hope you enjoyed yourself this weekend and that your week is off to a great start.

Sanctuary Deliverance Church Of The Living Word

Sanctuary Deliverance Church Of The Living Word is located at 3631 Summit Avenue in Greensboro. That location is really getting pretty far north of the city. The church sign above has a very powerful message, "Appreciate today because tomorrow is not a promise"! As we learned from their website, the church was formed in 1982. Vander D. Purcell Sr., and Vander D. Purcell, Jr. are the pastors. They meet at 9am on Sunday and are taking every precaution to keep COVID at bay. If you are interested in becoming d disciple through the word of Sanctuary Deliverance Church may be the spiritual home for you.

If you look at how nicely the lawn is maintained, you know that a lot of love goes into keeping this church looking nice- inside and outside! Happy day after the Fourth of July. If you are out on north Summit Avenue, stop by to see this church.

Happy Fourth of July 2020

The above photo was taken at the golf course at the Greensboro Country Club at their farm course. The land the course is built on was once part of the Carlson Farm and is now a golf course. Many people will be playing golf today. Last year on the Fourth of July, it seemed as if almost everyone in Greensboro was downtown for Fun Fourth. There was so much to do downtown, especially on Elm Street. Jack and Liz Grimes were even performing weddings.

This year, plans will need to be very different as so much has been cancelled. it will be up to individuals to make their own fun. But we can! Hopefully, you can have a picnic and spend time with those in your household. There are also options for getting out of doors. Golf is a great outdoor option, and Greensboro has plenty of courses, public and private.

So, Happy Fourth of July! Let us know how you spent it.

A Pretty Little Alley Just Off South Elm Street

This alley is a little taste of Europe right here off of South Elm Street. The combination of the bricks, plants, benches, lights, gates, and those fabulous awnings make this space so cozy. Those features, combined with the fact that the alley is narrow and off the beaten path, really contribute to the feel of Europe. The alley is located between a bakery, spa, and clothing store, and just north of Washington Street. The names of these businesses and the owners may have changed over the past decade, but great products and services continue to be available. During these times, we need to be a little more careful;  in many cases we need to call ahead for products and services. But, how wonderful to start the day with a fresh cup of coffee and warm pastry. You can even sit on the benches in the alley. Here is another view from a couple of years ago when streets were busier. Here is a view, looking the other way, eleven years ago!

Today is First Friday, and Elm Street will not be as busy as usual, but some businesses will be open and the window shopping and art admiring are fun activities. If you like selfies, there are some great backgrounds Whatever you decide to do today, we hope that you have a nice day. If you are staying in town for the Fourth of July, by now you know that Fun Fourth is cancelled. However, with a little effort, we can all make a day, or a holiday feel special. Greensboro is such a lovely community.

Reading the World with Scuppernong Books

Scuppernong Books in downtown Greensboro is hosting a year-long reading series of contemporary fiction in translation from around the globe. The discussions are held the first July of each month. We are a day late in telling you about the July meeting, which snuck up on us and was held last night (see description, here). They met via Zoom and discussed a book from Israel/Palestine. But, it isn't too late to get the book for the August session. it will be from Morocco and is entitled, "The Butcher of Casablanca" by Abdellah Hadouchi. If you call Scuppernong, they will order the book for you (336-763-1919). Anyone can participate. During these times of self-isolation, we all need to get a little creative in staying connected to the world. An international-themed book club with mostly local folks participating sounds like so much fun.

If you look at the above photo, which was taken on Elm Street mid-day on Tuesday, as you can see, the street is empty. Understandably so, there is not much foot traffic these days. So, doing something like ordering a book, and participating in a Zoom call, could be something fun and educational to anticipate in August. 

Have a happy Thursday and may July be filled with good times and fresh vegetables!

Peach Season in NC

It is peach season in North Carolina. Every summer from June - September, with July being peak, some type of peach is available in North Carolina. While they are grown south of Greensboro, in the Sandhills, we have access to great peaches at a great price. The above photo features the peach display at the Harris Teeter at Friendly Center. The beautiful display is front row and center when you enter the building. And, just look at those peach-colored balloons.

Common peach varieties in North Carolina are Biscoe, Candor, Carolina Belle, Derby, and Norman. According to the NC State extension agency, North Carolina is the 7th top peach producer nationally (reference). California, South Carolina, Georgia, and New Jersey are the top four producers of peaches. If you are in search of North Carolina peaches in Greensboro, you can find them at the local farmers markets and several grocery stores. If you want a day trip: Here is a map of places to buy NC peaches throughout the state. In the meantime, the 99¢ a pound peaches at Harris Teeter were very tasty. We did, however, forget to verify whether or not they were NC peaches. Don your best peach colored attire and enjoy the hunt! Happy July!