Greensboro Daily Photo

513 Garrett Street: Chasing Our First Lead

When interviewing Jim Schlosser this week, one of the things he suggested we feature was 513 Garrett Street. It is located just south of town, between Randleman Road and Freeman Mill Road. It is just south of the Smith Homes neighborhood and north of Southmont. As you can see from the above photo, the back side of the house, on the corner of Savannah Street, has elaborate stonework. The rock chimney has a large metal crown covering it. At one time, this home must have been breathtaking. Sadly, at the moment, it appears to have been abandoned with all the doors and windows covered with plywood. This five bedroom, two bath home was built in 1910; however, several changes have been made over the last 111 years. If Zillow is right, it has been owned by the same person since 1977. 

While Jim Schlosser's great grandfather was a stone mason, Jim says he did not do the stonework on the above home. Jim's great grandfather, master stone mason A.L. Schlosser, worked with Mt. Airy granite and the above structures seem to have some other types of stone, perhaps sandstone. We're sure the backstory on the stonemasonry and other artistic details is interesting. If we get a chance to talk to the owner, we'll let you know. It would be so wonderful to have the home restored to its original glory. Yesterday afternoon when we arrived, there was a rainbow shining brightly over 513 Garrett. We'll take that as a sign good things are in store for this place.  Happy Saturday!

Jim Schlosser

Today we are featuring Jim Schlosser, a career journalist who started with the afternoon Greensboro Record in 1967 and retired from the Greensboro News & Record in 2008.   For  four decades, Jim was dedicated to covering key stories about Greensboro. He also went on special assignment throughout the U.S. and abroad, always bringing back stories to the local community. From the hearthstone/everyday to the Olympian/sublime, Jim took great care to be informative, engaging, and accurate. Jim acknowledges he had the good fortune to work during the golden age of journalism, back in the day when the local paper had multiple photographers, several reporters, and 100,000 subscribers. 

While Jim is retired from the newspaper, he is a person who will never retire from documenting and writing about the history of Greensboro. Above, Jim is photographed in front of the Greensboro city directories, books he frequently references when volunteering at the Greensboro History Museum. One of Jim's many retirement endeavors has been to catalog the negatives of local photographer Mr. Carol  Martin. There are approximately half a million negatives, dating from 1947 to the early 1990s; Jim laments, to date,  he has only catalogued  through 1954.  In the Martin Collection, Jim finds negatives on every subject from weddings to Greensboro street scenes to photos from Curry High School. The mystery of what he will happen upon in the Martin Collection parallels the serendipity of what he uncovers just by walking up and down Elm Street. Hamburger Square, the area around the railroad tracks, and the 500-600 blocks of South Elm Street have always been of special interest to Jim.

Another "job" Jim found in retirement is playing golf, something he put on hold during his newspaper years. We extend a big thank you for all Jim has contributed to telling the story of Greensboro, and for all of the leads he gave us for future Greensboro Daily Photo  posts. Happy Friday!

The Edible Schoolyard

The above photo features the Edible Schoolyard in the back of the Greensboro Children's Museum. The view is from the Mary Lynn Richardson Park at the Greensboro History Museum. The photo was taken on a quiet, Saturday afternoon. The Edible Schoolyard and Kitchen Classrooms opened in 2010. They are situated on a half-acre lot behind the Children's Museum. Food activist and restauranteur, Alice Waters, started the project.*

The museum also has a play plaza in the front. In the play plaza, children can soar to new heights, climbing up, up, and away.  Between the museum proper with its 20-hands on exhibits, the Edible Schoolyard, and the play plaza, this complex is one of Greensboro's finest for children of all ages. 

Can you believe it is Thursday already? 

 

*reference and more information HERE.

Center for Visual Artists

The Center for Visual Artists, located at 200 North Davie Street, does so much to connect artists and the community and to help members of the community learn to be artists The center's origins date back to 1956 with the Greensboro Artist's League. The above photo was taken during First Friday in August when they were showing SMORGASBOARD: A Feast of Summer Art, an array of student work from summer camps. 

The three black and white scrolls on the left are part of the end of residency exhibition, Seeing Through, by local artist Karen Archia (see article here). They are 36' long and are called, "Black Lives Inspire."  Karen, one of the owners of the People's Perk Coffee Shop, has been a local figure making a positive impact on the community for a very long time. Now, instead of serving up little life lessons with a cup of coffee, she is doing it with brushes and ink. She is one of many examples of the talented artists you will have an opportunity to interact with if you get involved with the Center for Visual Artists.

Happy Wednesday! May your day be filled with joy and original art.

Burbon Bowl Fun

The Burbon Bown opened earlier this summer and it has so much character. The above photo features the 6-lane bowling alley in the back of the building. The outdoor seating covers a city lot! There is an extensive bar and also seating for meals. It is possible to order snacks in the bowling area and there are comfortable couches to sit on while waiting for others to take their turn. This venue fits with the changing profile of the South 500 and 600 block of Elm Street. There is a game arcade, several new restaurants, and lots of retail space for rent at 616 South Elm Street. 

One of the goals for the property that now houses the Burbon Bowl at 531 South Elm Street was to find a business that would attract college students to downtown. Bowling might be just the trick! The crowd last night was older than college, but then college students are just getting back to town and seem so excited to actually be back on campus that they are probably content to hang around the dorm and student union. Not to fear, they'll soon venture out to South Elm. Look at how cute those bowling balls are. They look like pool balls. Another cute feature, the bathroom doors look like office doors taken from an old high school. You have two options "Mr. Mill's class Room 34, or Mrs. Bell's class Room 22!

Pieces of Now

Today we are sharing a resource that will be useful to teachers, especially in social studies classes. The current exhibit at the Greensboro History Museum is "Pieces of Now". This exhibit, located on the third floor, features the murals of the Black Lives Matter protests of summer 2020, masks that were made for COVID, and community stories and conversations. The murals are painted plywood that was used to cover store windows on Elm Street during the 2020 protests.  There are about twenty pieces of street art on display. Accompanying each work of art is a sheet identifying the artist and the storefront where it was created. There are also video interviews with organizers and artists. It is so powerful to hear the voices of the artists and  interviewees. See the virtual tour and read about the exhibit HERE. The installation is so well curated. Regardless of your position on the 2020 protests, the exhibit is a window into how many people felt and what was on their minds during COVID and during the protests of 2020. It is contemporary history that is still unfolding.

The online resources for Pieces of Now are especially important,  given field trips are off for at least the first 9 weeks of school. Teachers, please look at the resources as you plan your lessons this year. Everyone in the Greensboro community would benefit from visiting not only this temporary exhibit, but also the permanent exhibits at the Greensboro History Museum at 130 Summit Avenue.

Happy Monday; happy knowing our history!

 

Greensboro History Museum

 

Yesterday was a beautiful day in downtown Greensboro, albeit 91+ degrees!  The above photo is of the Greensboro History Museum, located at 130 Summit Avenue. However, this side actually faces the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. While this building is now the history museum, as you can see from the historic marker on the left, during the Civil War, it served as a Confederate Hospital, receiving wounded soldiers from the battle of Bentonville. Even before serving as a confederate hospital, it had been built as the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro. The above view features an almost identical orientation of the photo found on p. 49 of Gale Hicks Fripp's book "Greensboro Volume II Neighborhoods (Arcadia Publishing, 1998). 

In her book, Fripp explains that in 1892, The First Presbyterian congregation completed this sanctuary, the third iteration of the church. The style is Romanesque Revival.  The dormer windows to the right remain intact from the late 1800s; however, the upper portion of the tower, formerly pointed, is missing. This sanctuary is the oldest part of the complex. Other features of the property include Mary Lynn Richardson Park, a cemetery, and the Smith Memorial Building. If you were hoping for a church service, since the late 1920s, the First Presbyterian Church has been located on North Elm Street in Fisher Park. If you have not visited the Greensboro History Museum, you owe it to yourself to do so. You can learn so much about the history of Greensboro, and the exhibits are breathtakingly curated. The current (temporary) exhibit on the third floor, Pieces of Now, features murals, masks, community stories and conversations centered around the Black Lives Matter Movement and the COVID Epidemic. Perhaps you can schedule a visit during the upcoming North Carolina Folk Festival, September 10- 12.

The museum open today from 2:00 pm- 5:00 pm. Fortunately, there is no interest fee- although donations are always appreciated! 

Happy Sunday!

Dr Shine

Do you know anyone whose name matches their profession? We once knew a man who worked in a greenhouse and his name was Mr. Plant. The above person, who shines shoes professionally, is Dr. Shine. We don't know if that is his birth name or if it is a nickname, but shine he does. His Facebook page informs us that he comes from a long line of shiners. Shoes sparkle when he is finished with them. His personality shines if you talk to him while he is shining your shoes. Mr. Shine's business is called "First and Ten" and is located at 104 N. Westgate Drive in Greensboro. However, the above photo was taken at the 600 block of South Elm Street on First Friday. He came downtown to be part of the festivities and to help gain visibility for his business.If you want a shine, the store is open on Saturdays from 10-1pm. It is closed on Sunday and Monday. Tuesday through Friday, the store is open from 9:30- 5:30. It is so nice when careers from previous centuries are still around.

Between the equipment Mr. Shine uses and the monochromatic photo, this seen looks like it could date from a century ago. Hats off to Mr. Shine for being so positive and for taking so much pride in his work. If you need a shoeshine, head over and see Mr. Shine, and be sure to get there early.  One o'clock is quitting time!  Happy Saturday.

Corner of Elm + Friendly

Let's close out the week with a final street scene. The above photo is on Friendly Avenue, heading west towards Elm Street. As seen on the flag in front of the maroon truck, to the right is Center City Park. The blue building to the right is Center Pointe. To the left is the Self Help Center. Friendly Avenue is one of the main east/west streets in Greensboro. As a matter of fact, it narrows really closet to East Market Street near NCA&T University. It continues through Greensboro back into West Market Street at a 90º angle at Sheetz near the airport, for a total of 9 miles. 

It is already Friday and summer vacation is quickly coming to a close. Teachers have already returned to the classroom and, very soon, students will return, too. If you head out of town this weekend, whether west to the mountains, or east to the beach, take time to catch your breath and notice the beauty of Greensboro. Happy Friday!

February 1st Place

Today's photo is of February 1st Place, located between Market and Washington Streets at Elm Street. It is a short and narrow street that carries a lot of history for our community. The street commemorates the Greensboro Sit-Ins when four African-American NCA&T students engaged in a sit-in at the F.W. Woolworth lunch counter. The Woolworth building, built in 1939, is part of the historic district in downtown Greensboro and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was save from demolition in 1993, estored, and plays a key role in the history of Civil Rights and social justice in Greensboro.

To the right, you can see one of the beautiful flower baskets maintained throughout downtown Greensboro. You can also see a Rolex Clock that stands in a metal case half way down February 1st Place. It harkens back to the days before cell phones and digital technology, when many people depended on analog clocks strategically set around  town. This one is well maintained and keeps accurate time. The metal casing says "Electric Time, Medfield, Mass. It is hard to believe that in less than 100 years, street clocks and downtown variety stores became obsolete. It will be interesting to monitor what future decades bring.

U Haul on Gate City

This week, we've been looking at street scenes in Greensboro. Today, we go back to "Tate + Gate", and are across the street from the future facility that UNCG is will build at the intersection. The U-Haul building is located across the street from the Industries of the Blind. It is probably no accident that U-Haul chose this location. As university students head back to UNCG and NCA&T next week, U-Haul will probably see an increase in business. Students who live off campus, and new faculty members for that matter, probably rely on U-Haul to get them to and from their apartments/houses.

One thing we that is fun to do at U Haul is to look at which states are advertised on their trucks. The one you can barely see in the left corner advertises Nebraska. On the day we were there, we saw Oklahoma, Nebraska, Alaska, and Virginia; however, we couldn't find one on the lot for North Carolina. This would be a fun end-of-summer activity with children, to make a list of states and see how many they could check off the list and even try to photograph. U-Haul's "Venture Across America and Canada" SuperGraphics program began in 1997 and for the last 24 years, it has been a hit with adults and children alike. See here if you want to learn more about the SuperGraphics program of the different states. Can you guess what North Carolina's super graphic is? After you've guessed, click here, to see it. We're wondering if UNCG's Millennial Campus Initiative will impact this corner of Tate + Gate. We predict many more changes for the area.

Happy Wednesday!

MLK + Elm

Yesterday, we featured Tate + Gate; today, we feature MLK + Elm. This photo was taken during First Friday this past weekend. It is so fun to walk downtown and it is so easy to find inspiration for things to photograph. This photo was take at twilight, while there was still a little blue left in the sky. The ambient lighting and the red car on the right made the September 11th sculpture stand out. Local sculptor Jim Gallucci collected 16 tons of Steele from the Twin Towers rubble to use in sculpting, some of which is seen in the above sculpture. He got the last permit issued to visit the scrapyards. His credentials as a sculptor working in metal surely helped gain entrance. The above sculpture was installed on South Elm Street at Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in 2017 after traveling to several places around the United States.

If you get a chance, head downtown and have a look at it. If you teach school, you may want to take some photos to share with students. The base is shaped like the Pentagon and the gate you see in the middle is held together by two steel beams from the World Trade Center. Jim put so much thought into the sculpture as well as much symbolism, Here is a good reference from the News and Record to learn more. Today's photo is a little effort to make art to showcase Jim Gallucci's art. Greensboro is so lucky to have Jim, a sculptor who is not only talented but also  connected to history and current events. His sculptures have so much meaning.

Have a great Tuesday!

Tate + Gate

 

Tate Street and Gate City Boulevard are about to change before our eyes! UNCG is building an facility they are calling Arts Place at Tate + Gate. It will be a multi-purpose cultural arts venue at 842 West Gate City Boulevard. Above ground, there will be an art gallery, a performance space, instructional and practices rooms, offices, and even a retail component. Something really innovative is that parking will be underground. The University is billing it as a hot spot for innovation and, according to Chancellor Frank D. Gilliam, Jr., (i)t will be a destination like no other in our state."*  Collaboration between faculty, students, and the community will be emphasized. Partnerships will make it possible for students to gain experience through internships and other types of involvement, which will give them an edge in the job market.

The exterior of the building will have a very sleek and modern look, with lots of natural light coming in. It is as if the exterior and interior blend; perhaps a 21st century version of Frank Lloyd Wright's notion of blending humanity and the environment. It will be interesting to see how the side of the building that backs up to the railroad track will be constructed. Will you be able to watch trains go by? Will there be an effort to minimize noise from the train? The left/west side of the building is bordered by Tate Street and the right/east by Oden Brewing Company. While taking this picture yesterday, from across Gate City Boulevard- or Gate, as it is also called- we could hear the music from Oden. There will be built in libation, food, and live music without having to leave the block. As soon as all of this change takes place, we'll be back for an after photo! 

Happy Monday!

* Reference and read more here.

Healing Earth Rhythms

Healing Earth Rhythms leads a community drum circle every First Friday at Center City Park in downtown Greensboro. The above photo was taken at their last gathering on August 6th from 6:30 pm- 9:00 pm. The next drumming event in Center City Park will be Friday, September 3rd. The event is presented by Greensboro Downtown Parks. You can bring your own drum or use one of the loaner drums. Drum therapy is an ancient approach to promote healing and self expression through rhythm. Some people drum because they enjoy the percussive sound; others drum because it resonates with them spiritually. Regardless of what you get out of the event, as long as you want to be there, you are invited. Drumming is encouraged, but not mandatory.

It is hard tell from the angle of this photograph, but most people in the audience had some type of instrument. The mom in the center of the photo is recording her son who was doing such a great job of keeping the beat to the music.  Healing Earth  also hold new and full moon drum circles. If you visit the First Friday event, you can learn more about other opportunities to drum.  We hope you have a lovely Sunday and that you have a chance to come downtown on a First Friday and participate in the  drum circle!

Downtown: From LeBauer Park to Elm & Lewis Streets

Downtown was busy last night as many events were happening for First Friday. There was so much joy in the people who were out. On the north end of town, Center City Park, LeBauer Park, and the Cultural Arts Center offered so many opportunities to engage in the arts- indoors and outdoors.  Completely south, at the 600 block of South Elm Street and Lewis Street many people were out having fun. The Bourbon Bowl is now open, complete with indoor and outdoor seating. It quite possibly has the most outdoor seating available at Elm Street. On the southwest corner of Elm/Lewis is a new restaurant, appropriately names Lewis & Elm. It was pretty full last night. Also, the Wrangler & Lee shops opened in the stores that formerly housed Rhyne's antiques.

As you can see from the above photo, East Lewis Street was closed to vehicles and pedestrians were not only walking around, they were dancing up a storm. The Friday Night Live Concert was part of the Wrangler & Lee grand opening celebration. Downtown Greensboro is definitely a destination. Let's hope it stays that way for a very long time. We hope you had a great First Friday in August, even if you did not make it to downtown Greensboro.  Happy Saturday!

Corner of Washington and Elm

Last night was pretty busy in downtown Greensboro. Thursday is the new Friday. The above photo shows the corner of Washington and South Elm Street about 9:00 pm as the evening was winding down. There was a guest speaker at Scuppernong Books, a classic movie (Spellbound) at the Carolina Theatre, Grasshopper baseball, and the Piedmont Old Society was jamming away at the Green Bean Coffee Shop. The Green Bean held evening hours mainly to host the music group, and any people who wandered in to get something to drink and listen to the music. Some people came from the Scuppernong event to the Green Bean. Earlier, before dark, people were out riding bicycles and scooters up and down Elm Street. When days are long and daylight continues into the evening, people take advantage of less traffic and make good use of the downtown roads and sidewalks. There was a high of 85 yesterday and a low of 62; the 23º range hints that fall is on its way.

Even if Thursday is the new Friday, tonight is First Friday, which will bring people out. What will you do tonight? Whatever you decide, we hope you have a good time!

 

Breakout: Team Building Fun for the Middle College at UNCG

Today's photo features the staff at the Middle College at University of North Carolina Greensboro (MCUNCG)  at the Breakout Games- Greensboro Escape Rooms. MCUNCG started back to school this week and Principal Keisha Brown, front row center, arranged the Breakout Games experience for her teachers and staff. Three teams of 5-6 participants went into different rooms and had an hour to escape. The goals were to strengthen relationships between staff members, to practice working together for a common goal, and to solve complex problems with a time constraint. The exercise helped build empathy for how students often feel when they are having trouble finding a solution, and reminded teams how much can be accomplished when people cooperate. What a fabulous way to start the school year!

Escape or breakout rooms started in 2004 as a video game in Japan. By 2007, a Japanese company created the tangible escape room experience. This immersive experience came to the United States in 2012 (read more history, here). Escape rooms are examples of the "third place" experiences, a place for people to gather and do something together beyond the home and work setting. They continue to gain popularity and evolve in complexity.

By the end of August, all GCS schools will have eased back into the classroom. Here's to a great school year for everyone.  Hats off to Ms. Brown for creating this meaningful opportunity for her staff. By the way, all three teams escaped within the allotted time, and, for the record, Ms. Brown's team escaped first!

Construction in North Greensboro- Making Progress!

There has been so much roadwork in Greensboro this summer, but is does seem that it is all for the better. At the beginning of the summer, Josephine Boyd Street was being reduced by one lane at Walker Avenue in an effort to make it safer for pedestrians to cross the street- used heavily by UNCG students. On up Battleground, at Westridge, that heavily congested intersection is getting improvements (read here). Battleground/Westridge is the intersection where Ollie's Ice Cream is located. Hopefully, the hot weather and proximity to Guilford Courthouse National Military Park has helped with ice cream sales. A few blocks north on Battleground at the Urban Loop, that construction has finished and this bypass extends to North Elm Street, and continues to lengthen. The West Market Street/Guilford College Road area is also getting great improvements. 

The above photo provides you with a glimpse of what you may find on any given day on Horse Pen Creek Road. To be sure, drivers have to be patient. There are so many apartment complexes being built on Horse Pen Creek, limited access roads with lights will be a must. Driving slowly is a must as navigating the barrels can be a little bit challenging. The City of Greensboro makes every effort to help keep drivers informed. See here, if you want to try to keep up with work that is being done, plus expected completion dates.

The Selfie Spot

A new business to sweep the nation is the selfie salon or selfie museum as they are sometimes known. In 2020, the Rich Girls Museum opened at 4000 Spring Garden Street. It has been well received and is widely popular. Today's photo features the selfie museum, The Selfie Spot,  at 320B South Elm Street. It is a place where you can go to take polished photos in a highly stylized room. You may recall that Old Photo Specialists used to be in this space. They did some creative things with photos- from restoring old photos to taking new photos and making them look old. Old Photo Specialists did all the work. In this new model, the venues (The Selfie Spot, Rich Girls Museum, and Selfie Fanatic) stage the room, but it is up to the client to dress for the occasion and shoot the creative shots. The Selfie Spot had a soft opening this past Wednesday. If you like to take photos or put together Tok Tok videos, he colorful vignettes of The Selfie Spot will be a lot of fun for you.

These selfie places reflect the growing trend to have creative "third places". Unlike home (first place) and work (second place), third places are places where you have no obligation to be. Third places are spaces where you can have meaningful experiences with family, friends, or alone. What are your favorite third places in Greensboro? The library, your house of worship? a coffee house? a bowling alley? There are so many third places in downtown Greensboro. The Selfie Spot may be the new kid on the block, but we're betting it will become an old friend to many very, very soon.

By the way, if you are looking for Old Photo Specialists, they are now located at 7713 Summerfield Road in Summerfield. Happy Tuesday and do take care of yourself-ie!

The Well Rooted Farm

Today, we're sharing another photo of Saturday's Corner Market. It is an important community resource, worth sharing a second day. As mentioned yesterday, the market has moved from the corner of Elam and Market to West Market Street. The new location, in the parking lot of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, appears to be a great change. The Well Rooted Farm is located in Madison, NC, faithfully set sup at the Corner Market.  They regularly posts on their Facebook page and they have been advertising the new location.

As you can see from the above photo, The Well Rooted Farm has lovely bouquets of flowers and lots of yummy, fresh vegetables. They are especially known for their bouquets. Just look how lovely those flowers are.  The farmers at Well Rooted are members of the Association of Specialty Cut Flower Growers, a key floriculture organization. Saturday, Well Rooted had a corner space and it was one of the first seen when entering from Kensington Road. 

We hope your week is off to a great start. This is the first week of August. First Friday is this week and the Corner Market will be back on Saturday, both opportunities to have fun outdoors!

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Now Hosting the Corner Market

The Saturday morning Corner Market had long outgrown its location at Walker and Elam. Yesterday, was the inaugural day in its new location, the parking lot of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church at 2105 West Market Street.  Hopefully, this relocation will be a good one not only for the market, but also for St. Andrew's. Perhaps they will be able to find tie-in events and maybe even gain more members who learn about it through the market. The aisles at the market are spacious and the parking lot even accommodates off-street parking. Also, market breakdown at the Elam/Walker location was hurried as Sticks and Stones needed their parking lot back in time to open. For being the first week on Market Street,  it was very well attended.  The aisles are wide and there is room for growth. There is also room for lines if people need to cue up for bread or produce. If they need a new name since they are no longer on "the corner", we suggest "Market on Market".

Yesterday was the farmers market, today it is church. Again, the parking lot will be full, only today with cars of congregants. St. Andrew's began in 1893 with three women founding an ecumenical Sunday school. Over the last 128 years, the church  has grown and relocated several times. They have a very informative history online (see here). If you are looking for a caring, accepting, liberal Christian church, St. Andrew's would be a great choice. Just look at how lovely and visible the church is from the parking lot. If you think the building is lovely, you should meet the members. Happy Sunday!

West Gate City Boulevard at Dillard Street

Today's photo was taken a couple of weeks ago. As hot as it has been, it is hard to believe how rainy it was mid-July. The photo was taken on West Gate City Boulevard at Dillard Street, between the Glenwood and Warnersville neighborhoods. West Gate City is formerly Lee Street. Dillard Street is likely named after the Dillard family, as in Dillard Paper Company. The DPC was incorporated in 1926 with its origins here in Greensboro. There is usually an interesting history as to how a street gets its name and why Dillard Street has its name, but we don't know the answer. Do you? 

We like the symmetry of this photo with the dark car on the leftt in front of a light wall and, on the right, a light car in front of a dark wall. The hydrangeas in the misddle add to the visual interest. Those are the kind of things one sits around and thinks about from inside a building when it is too rainy to go anywhere. We hope you have a great Saturday, today. Head to one of the farmers markets or find something fun to do, especially if it is outside! Greensboro is so beautiful, even in the rain seeing nothing more than a street scene.

Happy Saturday!

Reflecting on Greensboro and the Transient Nature of Trains

Happy Friday, we're moving into the weekend, Greensboro! Today's photo is of an eastbound train strolling towards downtown Greensboro. It is on the track behind Oden Brewing Company on Gate City Boulevard. On the other side of the tracks, Oakland Avenue parallels the train. You can hear the trains as they push through several times a day. Here is a list of passenger trains coming through Greensboro. Of course there are freight trains passing through, too.

If you get a hankering to go somewhere by train this weekend, head down to the J Douglas Galyon Depot on East Washington Street and see where your adventure will take you. The station was renovated in 2005 and it is quite attractive. If you want to read more about the freight transportation through Greensboro, see here. It plays a key role in the Piedmont Triad region. In his piece for "27 Views of Greensboro", Ed Cone reminds us that "chunks of our past keep disappearing" (p. 59). While our textile mills are gone, the trains still come through taking something from Point A to Point B, through Greensboro. Cone posits that perhaps transience is our most enduring trait. In your eyes, what is Greensboro's most enduring trait? What could be more fun than to ponder that thought while passing through Greensboro on a train. If you aren't going on a train this weekend, it is something to consider while standing at the fence along Gate City Boulevard.

Happy Friday! It is seven more days until First Friday, but downtown would love to see you today!

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly

Today's photo features an eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly. Have you seen many butterflies in Greensboro this summer? We have only seen a few prior to this past week. Lately, a few have been visiting the zinnias in our backyard. In 2012, the North Carolina General Assembly voted to make this butterfly the official state butterfly. It is said to be common and found in all 100 counties. If you like butterflies, you have a few options in the Greensboro/Guilford County area. First, there is the R.R. Allen Butterfly Garden and Fountain at the Greensboro Arboretum on 401 Ashland Drive. Additionally, All A Flutter Farms is located off of Highway 68 on Clinard Farms Road, just north of High Point. At this agritourism farm and nursery, you will have the opportunity to learn about these beautiful creatures. See here for All-A-Flutter's website. We all need to do our part to help these pollinators thrive.

We were a little worried earlier in the summer, but, in the end, the zinnias pulled through and attracted the swallowtails! Happy Thursday!

Tobacco: All Rows Lead to the Tobacco Barn!

Tobacco has been such a big part of the history of Greensboro, Guilford County, and North Carolina. Peak production in Greensboro was the 1890s.  P. Lorillard was the nation's oldest tobacco company when they built a manufacturing plant in Greensboro in the mid-twentieth century. Back when we would spend a lot of time in east Greensboro, we remember smelling tobacco being prepared and always tried to guess the flavors being added- chocolate was the easiest to identify. You could smell it from Lorillard all the way over to Dudley High School. In the 1980s, the local tobacco industry really fell on hard times. By 1989, Greensboro passed the most restrictive smoking ordinance in North Carolina.* In the 1990s, it was the state's top cash crop, but Guilford County is not in the top ten tobacco growing counties. 

We don't want to encourage smoking by any means; however, it is important for people to recognize the crop and recognize the role it has played in shaping the local economy. As you can see in the above tobacco field on Highway 150, it grows well in sand. This is a hardy crop that has been well tended. It is always fun to see a crop, pull of the road, and get a few photos. With all of the construction happening locally and land is selling for such a premium, continuing to farm any crop is quite a commitment. Would you recognize a field of tobacco? Study this one and then keep your eye out. This week, we've got you seeking out a new bakery, searching for purple LED lights, and now tobacco fields. Stick with Greensboro Daily Photo and we will lead you to interesting places!

Happy Wednesday. What will tomorrow bring?

 

*reference here and and here for more information.

Augustino Gusto Bakery: Inside the European Bakery

We had such a great response to yesterday's post of the exterior of Augustino Gusto Bakery, we thought we'd add in interview. The bakery is small, but they pack so much goodness into the small space. It is hard to fathom how they bake so many different items. They make everything from scratch and bake it in house. We'd love to see their grocery list! The bakery is located at 2508 New Garden Road East, behind the BP station and just north of the Greensboro Science Center. Augustino Gusto has only been open since March 2020, but in the last year and four months they have amassed quite a following. Remember, they are only open on Wednesdays from 9:30 am- 5:00 pm, but the good news is that's tomorrow.

If you cannot make it out to the bakery, they also set up at the Greensboro Farmers Market on Yanceyville.

Augustino Gusto: European Artisan Bakery

Augustino Gusto Bakery is located at 2805 New Garden Road East, right behind the BP Station Perhaps because they are only open two days a week (Wed. and Sat.), but they are extremely busy when open. The above photo shows the line at 11:00 am on Saturday. And by 11:00 am, they had sold out of almond croissant, kalamata olive bread, sauerkraut rolls, and more. On Saturday, we arrived at 9:05 not realizing that they didn't open until 9:30. There was already a couple waiting in line and, as we were leaving to run some errands, they told us not to get back too late as things sell out quickly. 

Something we noticed while waiting in line is how people talked to each other. Perhaps it is a southern trait, but people were talking as if they were old friends. The man in front of us built custom homes, used to live in Hilton Head, and has traveled extensively. The woman in front of him used to live in Savannah. So, this line was filled with people from all walks of life, but they had one thing in common. They tried this bakery and became loyal customers. While it may look like a house on the outside, on the inside, the sights and smells are exactly those of a European bakery. Saturday, they added a ricotta pie, so there is always something new and interesting to try.

Happy Monday, start planning ahead to visit Augustino Gusto Bakery on Wednesday to support a local business and to have some authentic European pastries. Two. More. Days.

Carraway United Methodist Church

Carraway United Methodist Church is located on 16th Street at Fairview, in what used to be the heart of the mill district. In 2013, there was an article about the church, highlighting their successful Saturday hot dog sales. The cornerstone dates the church at 1938. Carraway UMC has worship at 9:30 am on Sunday and Sunday school at 10:45 am. It is a church within a church. On Sundays Iglesia de Dios Punto de Redención has Sunday school at 2:00 pm and church services at 3:00 pm. 

Carraway UMC is a dynamic church with meetings taking place other days of the week. On the day we were on site photographing, a youth group must have just finished a meeting as they had congregated on the side street where they had parked their cars. It is always nice to see teens socializing in person and not relying on social media. Hopefully, they will be out for today's services, too! Have a happy Sunday!

The Fabulous Tomato Greeter at the Greensboro Farmers Market

Saturday is fresh produce day whether you are at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street, at the market on Sandy Ridge, or at all the farms and produce stands in between. The produce is glorious right now. The above photo is of a very articulate young woman who is a senior at Guilford College. She volunteers at the farmers market just to give back to the community. Unfortunately, we didn't get her name. Next time we see her, we will ask. She was handing out flyers of upcoming events, and encouraging people to head over to get a BLT sandwich.

Today is a good day to head out for produce. Rain is not predicted until 4:00 pm, and, if it comes, it shouldn't last long. If you like sports, the 2021 Masters Short Course National Championships are still going on at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. If you go watch, the pool is so nice, you will feel like you are at the Olympics. Whatever you decide to do, have a great day!

Schiffman's 2021

Schiffman's is currently open in Friendly Center at the former Pier 1 location.  In August, Greensboro's oldest and most established jewelry store will reopen in its original Friendly Center location. The above photo shows the exterior letters just before they were installed on Wednesday. By Wednesday afternoon, they were already in place, bringing the remodeling one step closer to completion. The store has expanded, building into the former Build-A-Bear space. The new store is rumored to be the nicest jewelry store in the southeast. They will have jewelers on site, will be able to repair Rolex watches on site, and will have amenities and events that will make it quite the upscale destination.

We stopped by yesterday and spoke to Ben, and he assured us that the downtown store will remain open as a jewelry store and as the main office. Schiffman's has been in downtown Greensboro since 1893.  In 2011, we  were fortunate to have the opportunity to feature Tony Schiffman, Jr.. Tony died in 2015 at the age of 76, suffering from Parkinson's (obituary, here). He would be so pleased to know the business is growing under the helm of his three sons. If you like fine jewelry and want to shop local, Schiffman's is a fabulous option. Let's hope they remain open for another 128+ years... in Friendly Center AND downtown!

Happy Friday. Time to get out and explore!

The Gary Maverick Band

Have you had a chance to see any live music this summer? Whether the answer is yes or no, you should consider heading over to Mac's Speed Shop tonight for a bite to eat and some fabulous entertainment by The Gary Maverick Band. If you like good, upbeat rock and roll music, you will enjoy this local group. The above photo was taken when they played at Oden Brewing last Saturday night. Saturday night was a rainy evening in Greensboro, but no rain is scheduled for today. They will be there from 7:00- 10:00 p.m. Usually, they play multiple sets with Daniel Sheffield drumming part of the time and Artimus Pyle drumming the other. Both are outstanding percussionists! Good singing, good music, and great lighting!

 

The Ever Creative Angela Cook

Today, we're featuring Angela Cook (standing) who moved to Greensboro in 1988 to attend college and has been an active community member ever since. She worked as an educator for 16 years, and, over the past 12 years, Angela has worked with her husband to build Cedar Hill Physical Therapy & Wellness Center. While she loves working at Cedar Hill, her passion is art and creativity. For a long time she has been looking for a way to work in the field of art and to hone her own artistic talent. In the above photo, she is facilitating a creativity class where participants worked on thinking positively about their artistic journeys. Angela is holding a couple of canvases with positive and uplifting words related to her personal artistic journey. 

Last December, just after her 53rd birthday, and in the height of the pandemic, Angela signed up for a class at The School at A Space for Conscious Living. The class was based on Julia Cameron's book "It's Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyond." Angela says the twelve-week course was exactly what she needed to reignite her creative spark. As the end of the course drew near and not wanting the discussions to end, she asked her friends if they would be interested in reading the book. She set up a Facebook group and named it Creative Souls. The Greensboro Public Library ordered a set of the books and Angela's group has been using it over the summer.* As her group read the book and worked through the tasks, Angela found the discussions intriguing and meaningful. She came to realize that creativity is more than the production of art. Creativity can lead us to being more insightful; and empathetic; to be better problem solvers, and to do our best work. This fall, Angela will start a program to become certified as a creativity coach. Last Saturday's creative painting session was very successful; a great indication that Angela will have a great career ahead of her. And in three months, her online group has grown from six to forty five! Best of luck, Angela!

*a set of 15 is available for Greensboro book clubs to check out.

 

Purple Lights at Montessori School

On Saturday, it was a dark and stormy night... Greensboro had some strange weather this past weekend. On Saturday, the skies darkened early and there was rain, wind, thunder, and lightning. The northwest part of town was experiencing a lot of thunder and lightning. The above photo was taken in the parking lot of the Montessori School on Horse Pen Creek Road. The above photo was taken without any filters. The lighting in the parking lot casts a deep purple glow. As you can see back behind the school, in the eastern sky, it was not yet dark when the photo was taken. Ominous clouds had formed overhead. Fox News did a piece recently that said working LED lights give off no color, but defective versions of the lights emit blue or purple light. Apparently, the defective lights are a nationwide problem. Less than 1.4% is defective and some people are on a mission to find them.*

Don't be fooled by the photo. By day, Greensboro Montessori is a very different place. Established in 1974, the school is committed to providing personalized and hands-on learning for students. This campus has 10 acres with four permaculture gardens, multiple outside play spaces, and more. They also have a 37-acre satellite campus in Oak Ridge. Having hands-on experiences, outdoors in nature is an important part of the Greensboro Montessori experience. However, standing alone in the parking lot, on a dark and stormy night, with even the green apples on a tree looking purple, made the evening eerie, but fun!  If you are ever driving past 2856 Horse Pen Creek Road at night, notice the lighting. If you drive by during the day, notice the creative land use. Happy Tuesday!

 

*read more about the LED purple lights, here.

Artimus Pyle at Oden Brewing on Saturday Night

Artimus Pyle is one of the drummers for the Gary Maverick Band, and he played with them this past Saturday night at Oden Brewing Company on West Gate City Boulevard. His drumming is energetic and his passion comes through as he plays . Artimus also played with the Lynyrd Skynyrd Band and survived the plane crash of 1977 in which three of the band members were killed.  In 2006, Artimus and the other Lynyrd Skynyrd band members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was pretty special hearing him play in such an intimate venue in Greensboro. The band was originally going to play outdoors, but given the rain on Saturday, the music was moved inside. It was the perfect way to spend a rainy Saturday evening. Oden is a large open space with plenty of room to mingle indoors, outside, and on the porch. Artimus had just celebrated his 73rd birthday two days earlier, which means he has probably been playing drums for a good six decades!

If you like upbeat rock and roll music, get out to hear the Gary Maverick Band. They will be playing this Thursday from 7:00- 10:00 pm at Mac's Speed Shop at 1218 Battleground Avenue. With enough encouragement, we just may be able to get Artemis to sing "Sweet Home Alabama" again.

Happy Monday!

Lone Cross at Beef Burger

As we've mentioned earlier this week, Beef Burger closed in May and owner, Ralph Havis died on Tuesday at the age of 78. Ralph owned Beef Burger for 50 years and and managed it for ten years before buying it in 1971.*  Ralph's visitation and service are planned for Monday.  Here is his obituary. We posted another photo today, because we just realized that there is a lone cross in a booth on the east side of the lobby. We're wondering if it had been there for a while, or, if perhaps Ralph left it there as he left the building that one last time. The situation is a sad one as his daughter and wife died before he did. It really seems like this is the end of a big part of the Havis family and the end of a business that represented a big part of Lee Street's past. 

On a more positive note, imagine how proud Ralph must have felt of the business he built and all of the friends he made through Biff/Beef Burger. Indeed his was a life well lived. Somehow 1040 West Lee Street will not be the same. Here's to a happy Sunday for you. Keep your thought with family and friends of the Havis family as they say their good-bye's tomorrow. Just maybe someone should go get that cross and give it to the closest relative.

* Here is history of the store.

BLT Day at Greensboro Farmers Curb Market!

Today is BLT Sandwich Day at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street, across from War Memorial Stadium. The above vegetable photo was taken about a month ago. By now, there should be plenty of ripe tomatoes, whether you get them on the BLT, or to take home with you, or BOTH!! They usually start preparing sandwiches at about 8:30 a.m. and you know they will sell quickly. Usually, they are set up outside and there is live music at the Lawn Lindsay Street- the side of the curb market.

Even if you don't like BLTs, the market is a great place to go to get some type of fresh produce and to interact with a great group of people. Also, it is always nice to support local vendors. The BLT makers should be there preparing sandwiches until 11:00 a.m.; however, it could be cut short depending on the size of the crown. Happy Saturday! May you find something glorious to to in Greensboro.

1910 North Church Street

1910 North Church Street is a happy, standout sort of building. We captured this photo the other day when the sun was low to the horizon and the lighting was so beautiful. Normally, we try to take photos with the surrounding wires hidden; however, the wires in the above photo seem to add to the view. The yellow lines in the street add visual interest, too. This building houses: 1) Piedmont Cardiovascular, PA; 2) Medication Management, LLC; and 3) Piedmont Communities, Spay, Neuter, & Wellness Clinic. The red and pink paint immediately has us thinking about the heart and the vascular system. What a great way to have your building stand out on North Church street. It is impossible to miss.

The single-story, yellow brick building was constructed in 1968, and renovated in 2012. The red and pink part of the facade are overlays on top of the brick. If you get a chance this weekend, drive by and have a look at this playful, joyful, eye-catching place.

Happy Friday. While it isn't "First Friday", there is always something to do downtown on Friday. Hope to see you there.

Beef Burger... Ralph Havis RIP

On Tuesday, we went to photograph what was left of Beef-Burger and experienced great nostalgia for the boiled burgers and a business that had been on West Gate City Boulevard for decades- since back when it was Lee Street. It seems like the iconic black and white checkered floors and the yellow seats had been the same forever. As you can see in the photo, the OPEN sign is no longer in the window. The mechanical car and the vending machines remain- as if time is standing still. We learned that yesterday, owner Ralph Havis, the heart and soul of Beef-Burger, has died. There were rumors of his declining health in May when the business closed. Sometimes, when an owner passes, there simply isn't anyone who is willing or  able to pour as much of their life into a business as the main proprietor. 

Ralph must have had a sense of humor, as he addressed business concerns with signage and remained open, in spite of some of the challenges of running a restaurant in a part of town where there were so many needy and suffering customers. The signs said, "If you are drunk, eat somewhere else" and "no bumming..." Also in the window are signs that say "Thank you, Greensboro!" and "Beef Burger is CLOSED PERMANENTLY. Ralph appreciates all the thoughts and prayers from customers and friends. We humbly thank you all for years of service." For those who ate here, the yellow, turquoise, and red facade, and the yellow, black, and white interior just wouldn't be the same without Ralph. Today's photo- with the interior and the reflection of the new UNCG building across the street, and the sky- speaks to the passing of time and the transitions that ensure.

Goodbye, Ralph and thank YOU for your service to Greensboro.

Softball At Revolution Ballfield

Greensboro summers are meant for spending time outside, especially when you get to watch youth sports. The above photo was taken during a softball game last night at Revolution Ballfield. It is located at 2200 Yanceyville Street at Cornwalis Drive, right across from the former Revolution Mill. This park is known for being family oriented, which appeared to be the case last night when people of all ages brought their folding chairs and gathered behind the fence to watch the softball game.

Back when the textile mills were active in Greensboro, whole communities grew up around them. The mills made sure their workers had access to good housing, entertainment, houses of worship, clouting, food,  and recreation. The clothing and chairs may have changed from 100 years ago, but you can be sure that the feeling you get when cheering for the home team hasn't changed a bit. Even if you don't have a child in your life who is playing sports, it is still fun to go and watch. These games are especially fun on nights like last night. The weather was in the 80s, but not sweltering and those beautiful clouds made an amazing backdrop!

Happy Wednesday!

Hamburger Square

If you want to know what life was like at Hamburger Square about 100 years ago, Jim Scholsser's article "Hamburger Square Has a Past" is an outstanding place to start. It was published in the book, "27 Views of Greensboro". The Hamburger Square area had so many businesses, it makes one wonder how on earth they all fit. There were hotels galore, trains stopping all the time, and passengers boarding and exiting.  There was a cigar factory, and yes, there were seedy aspects that kept Hamburger Square teeming with life.  While those old businesses are gone, their architecture remains. The area is on the national register of historic places.

Tha above photo is of east/west rail lines at the 400 block of South Elm Street. Because of this rail traffic, Greensboro became known as "Gate City". Schlosser writes that the railroad actually transformed Greensboro. Because of the railroad, our city recovered from the Civil War quickly, growing and prospering.  In 1890, more than forty passenger trains stopped at the square daily. The railroad is what brought the textile industry here. In recent years (the 1990s) gentrification began downtown and started around Hamburger Square with Natty Greene's, Just Be, Green Bean, Design Archives, and McCouls. Schlosser reminds us: "One aspect of the square remains unchanged. Everyday, at all hours since 1856, trains have jolted the peace at Hamburger Square" (p. 93). The above photo shows a couple of young adults trying to get the perfect photos on these iconic tracks. People are quick to remind us that Greensboro doesn't have mountains, a beach, a river. Perhaps the railroad tracks, with their ability to move people and goods, are our geographic feature. Happy Tuesday!