Greensboro Daily Photo

National House of Prayer for All People

The United House of Prayer for All People  is a dynamic, Apostolic  church, located at the south end of the campus of North Carolina A&T University, at the corner of Dudley and Market Streets.  The Greensboro branch of the United House of Prayer of  is one of 149 houses of worship in the Unites States. Some of the biggest news at the Greensboro church is that it is  building 172 apartments and retail on the 13.7 acre vacant lot across the street from the church. In 2005, the church purchased the lot from the Greensboro post office, which formerly had a facility on the now-vacant lot. This "Downtown East" venture is timed perfectly to provide new housing at a time when NC A&T is building a state-of-the-art engineering facility.

The  United House of Prayer for All People is known, not only for its powerful services and sense of community, but also for its fine restaurant that serves delicious comfort food, fish,  fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and other delicious sides. The first church was founded in Massachusetts in 1919.  Entering its second century, the religion seems to be thriving and as community oriented as ever. Sunday hours are 11:30 am- 4:00 pm. Stop by if you get a chance and learn about all that is going on with this church. Happy Sunday!

Twilight on West Gate City

Just about everything is beautiful in the right light, especially twilight. Desolate street scenes can evoke a feeling of melancholy and nostalgia for busier times. From another perspective, there is a comfortable feeling that everyone is home after a long day of work. The above photo of West Gate City Boulevard was taken last night just before 6:30  with a cell phone while heading west after sunset. All was quiet on this part of West Gate City.  To the left, you see the new Kaplan Center for Wellness, a facility that belongs to UNCG. Since 2916, this building has been a beacon of fitness and wellness loved by all who use it. The photo has a time-worn look, and were it not for the glass-walled recreation center, it would look like it had been taken a few decades ago. Two thousand fifteen was the year Lee Street was renamed Gate City Boulevard and when the effort to rebrand and rejuvenate this part of town began. UNCG has been a big part of the transformation of the 1300 block of Gate City Boulevard.

 Gate City Boulevard runs for 6 1/2 miles from Four Seasons Town Center all the way out to Interstate 85 in the east. Here is a Business NC article posted in 2019 outlining many of the changes and initiatives. There have been so many changes over the past decade. We need to get busy photographing more of them. In addition to the contributions of the IHEs, the Coliseum area has had many improvements and the Natatorium is a beauty. Also, great progress is being made on the Blue Bell Jeans Factory at the corner of South Elm Street and Gate City Boulevard. When educational institutions, city government, and the private sector work together, great things can happen. Keep your eye on this part of town as it will continue to grow. We will try to bring the new additions to you through Greensboro Daily Photo. Happy Saturday! You know we're  out on the beat!

The Very, Very, Light Dusting of SNOW

Early Thursday morning, the rain turned to snow in Greensboro.  While roads weren't bad, snow was melting snow and refreezing with the the temperature holding remaining near 32 degrees. The above photo shows the light dusting of snow in the northern end of the city. As you can see, the morning sun was shining brightly. Today and tomorrow are predicted to be  sunny, with temperatures ranging between a low of 21 and a high of 42. Enjoy the sunshine because there is a good chance it will snow again on Sunday. December-January are predicted to be the coldest months here. However, in Greensboro, there have been so few bad weather days this season, we really can't complain. And, just think, Monday is already February 1 and Tuesday is Candelaria/Candlemas on the Christian calendar,  and Groundhog Day on the calendar of lighthearted fun calendar. Do you celebrate either? Both? If you celebrate the former, buy some candles this weekend. As for the latter, if you want spring to arrive early, hope the groundhog does not see his shadow.

Guilford County Schools posted that all school would be remote yesterday. People on social media sites were lamenting the end of "snow days" as we have known them. Now, when it snows, instead of having no school and needing to make up a day, students simply have a day of learning remotely. The pandemic has really taught us the importance of being connected to the digital world and it has also taught us how much we enjoy being together. Have a great weekend and may you find things to do that afford a little (safe) fun.

Southern Railway Passenger Station

Yesterday, we posted a photo of a railcar. Today, we are featuring the first railway passenger station in Greensboro. We owe much of the early rail traffic through Greensboro to Governor John Motley Morehead. While he died before the above station was built, he played a major role in having the trains travel through Greensboro. Governor Morehead's home is just a few blocks northeast of this rail station. The Southern Railroad Company commissioned the Southern Railway Station, which opened in 1899. The exterior is made of brick with granite trim. The station served travelers coming in and out of Greensboro.

This depot at 400 South Elm Street was replaced in 1927 by the J. Douglas Galyon Station on East Washington Street. The above building has changed considerably over the last 122 years. According to Preservation Greensboro, the elaborate Victorian elements were removed.*  While the turreted roof is long gone, the round brick support feature on the northeastern side of the building is still a noticeable feature. Also missing is the 3rd floor which was built under a clay roof filled with dormers. As of 1980, the has been on the National Register as part of the downtown Greensboro Historic District. So, hopefully, the building will be around for a very long time and will be repurposed into something Greensboro fabulous. The neighborhing Cascade Saloon was rescued and brought back to life by the Christman Company. The depot deserves to be restored. You can tell by the above photo that is has good bones. Happy Thursday, dear readers!

 

*reference and more information HERE.

The Day the Vaccine Came to Town

Last Thursday, when we were driving along Oakland Avenue to secure a photo of the Rolane Factory Outlet, before it gets transformed into housing, we snapped the above photo. At first, the tagging/graffiti on the rail cars is what caught our attention. However, upon closer inspection, beyond the colorful words that we couldn't read, we found legible words: Cryo-trans; the other side of the car had the slogan, "Protecting Today's Perishables For Tomorrow." A little internet searching revealed that The Cryo-Trans Company has refrigerated and insulated railcars to transport refrigerated and frozen goods.  The prefix "Cryo" comes from Green meaning "ice, cold, chill, and frost."  "Trans" comes from Latin meaning "across." So Cryo-Trans" is the perfect name for a company that transports, across country, items that need to be stored at a cool/cold temperature.

Curiously, almost exactly four year ago, in February 2017, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus was stopped on this same railroad track in Greensboro on its trans-national farewell tour. At the time we drove by the circus trains, there was a man cleaning the garbage off the trucks while the performers were across the tracks performing at the Greensboro Coliseum.  We don't have proof, but we're guessing that the above rail car had stopped in this same spot to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to the Coliseum. This time, instead of a person cleaning out railcars, a man was parked in a truck beside the railcar who was there before and after our photo shoot at the Rolaine Sock Factory. Perhaps, he was guarding the vaccine. Our best guess about this serendipitous encounter on January 21st 2021 is that we were witnessing the COVID-19 vaccine coming to town. It reminded us that Greensboro came by its nickname, "The Gate City" honestly, and so much of what comes and goes by rail is documentation of fleeting moments in time.

People of Greensboro: Meet Eli

Today, we feature Eli, who is the proud owner of the "NOT A COP" mobile we featured here this past Saturday. When we traced the car to the Reconsidered Goods, A Non-Profit Creative Reuse Center, Eli happened to be working at the front counter and we learned it was, indeed his car. Eli hails from Hendersonville, North Carolina and studied at Blue Ridge Community College before transferring to UNCG. Eli is a student in the American Sign Language (ASL)  interpreting program at UNCG, learning to interpret for the deaf with a special interest in community interpreting. After we talked about the history of his imposing black and white Ford Crown Victoria, we commenced to talking about when Firefighter Andrea Hall lead the Inaugural Pledge of Allegiance,  spoken and in sign language. Without missing a beat, and ever the advocate, Eli immediately replied how it would have been nice to have had an ASL interpreter through the whole inauguration. We're sure by now, Eli is jubilant over the announcement yesterday that the White House will enlist ASL interpreters for the daily press briefings. Who knows, just maybe, someday Eli will be interpreting on a national level.

For now, we will cherish the time Eli is in Greensboro and, specifically working at Reconsidered Goods on Spring Garden Street. Eli has one of those cheerful expressions and you can tell there is a smile underneath that mask! For all of our readers who are teachers, please note, Eli credits a teacher for recognizing his talent and potential as an ASL interpreter. Teachers, it is true, you have a special power. Sometimes one sentence of encouragement can spark a chosen profession. Happy Tuesday! Oh, and Eli, this past Saturday, we were at a business meeting on a front porch in Greensboro, and one of the members in the meeting had just read the "NOT A COP" post on Greensboro Daily Photo and said, "You know, they live in our neighborhood!" Now we know and we LOVE your neighborhood!

Reflecting on Friendly Center at Twilight

The above photo was taken in the newer section of Friendly Center, last night at twilight. A lot of stores close at 6:00 pm on Sunday, so at the time this photo was taken, the shopping center was fairly empty. This is the view behind Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, which happens to stay open until 9pm on Sundays. The original part of Friendly Center opened in 1957 and this new section above in 2006. Can you believe it has already been 15 years? It seems like just yesterday when a loud "boom" was heard throughout Greensboro, from the razing of the Burlington Industries building on this lot.  If you read about Friendly Center on Wikipedia, it mentions the "inward" orientation of the center, which is  naturally conducive to helping shoppers feel more together. Both the new and old parts have a seating/gathering area, which is part of the reason it considered an "outdoor lifestyle center".* So, when we see teens hanging out on the grassy area above, we all need to remind ourselves they have a right to hand out at an outdoor lifestyle center!

The most recent addition to the newer part of Friendly Center is Hawthorne at Friendly, where you can choose one of sixteen floor plans in this upscale living community. If you lived there and worked from home, you really could do just about everything without needing personal transportation. Twilight is such a magical time, especially with nice lighting as seen above. Just think, if you lived at Hawthorne, you could head over now and see if Greensboro's Ben and Jerry's store sells the flavor called "Netflix & Chilll'd (peanut butter ice cream, sweet and salty pretzel swirls & fudge brownies). Whether you live at Friendly or anywhere else in the community, it is nice to know we have access to these pop culture tie-in creations right here in Greensboro. Happy Monday!

*see Wikipedia (visited 1/24/2021) Friendly Center

"Project Warmth" Clothing Available Under the Eugene Street Bridge

 

Today's photo takes us underneath the Eugene Street Bridge at 300 Spring Garden Street. This is where the 16 Cents Ministry holds their services and where they serve meals. At the moment, since it is winter and cold, the ministry has set up an outdoor,  cold-weather garmet closet. Associated Scaffolding donated the fencing and anyone who has a clean warm coat to donate can hang it on the fence. Those in need can find something to wear at no cost. Their motto is "Take one if you need one, leave one if you can." 

On the day we visited, it was cold and people were taking advantage of this great community resource dubbed "Project Warmth." It is nice to know that there is a place to go for someone in need of a coat or scarf. You don't even need to ask permission. In addition to clothing under the bridge, food distribution, fellowship, and worship happen every Saturday at 6:00 p.m. That would be a good time to drop off an article of clothing and to see the ministry in action. Every day is a good day to think about what we can do for others. If you are a homeless person in Greensboro or person in need, you probably already know about all that happens under the bridge. If you are in a position to help, be prepared to feel really uplifted the first time you witness all the good the 16 cents ministry does. 

Uncovering the Owner of "NOT A COP"

Have you seen this "NOT A COP" car around town? Well, we have and felt a little like Eloise Bridgerton poking around town trying to uncover the true identity of Lady Whistledown. Our Greensboro version of the Bridgerton storyline has involved trying to find the owner of this highly-recognizable vehicle. We've seen it being driven near West Market Street, pulling onto Spring Garden Street. We've seen it near UNCG. Who would be so bold as to drive this car? What is its back story? Is it really used for transportation or just for some kind of publicity event?

Last night, for the SECOND time, we saw it parked at the Reconsidered Goods Creative Reuse Store at 4118 Spring Garden Street. In the spirit of Eloise Bridgerton, we waltzed into the store, approached the front counter, leaned in and inquired, "We're on a mission to uncover the owner of the 'NOT A COP' mobile. Do you know who the owner is?." Without missing a beat (and clearly not in elusive Whistledown fashion), an employee at the counter, cheerfully volunteered, "It's mine." As it turns out, the owner is Eli, whom we will feature on GDP next week. The ever-ebullient Eli was quick to tell us someone in South Carolina had three cars for sale that looked just like this one. Eli was able to purchase it at a very reasonable price and brought it back to Greensboro to use while attending UNCG. The decision was made to put the "NOT A COP" decal on the car because of the reaction so many people had to the vehicle. Mystery solved! 

We wonder what police think when they see the vehicle. To be sure, Eli better not be speeding! Happy Saturday! 

Rolane Sock Factory and Outlet No More

Today, we take you to Hiatt Street between Spring Garden Street and the Pomona Rail Yard. What was once the Rolane Sock Factory is about to be repurposed as apartments and townhomes. It was built almost 95 years ago in 1926 and for years was known as the Mojud Hosiery Company. In 1938, a retail outlet was added to the facility. Over time the factory expanded and became Rolane. The building and businesses therein were a big part of Greensboro's history as a mill town. Jim Schlosser wrote a wonderful article about factory, telling us that at peak production there were 2,000 employees on three shifts. At one time, the factory produced over 19 million pairs of stockings a year. Mostly women worked there and the factory was such a vibrant place with a cafeteria and with their own baseball team. They held games on a field adjacent to the mill. The plant closed in 1972, but the outlet store onsite remained open until 1999. Many people remember the joy of going to the outlet store section and getting great bargains on socks, hose, and more- even Jordan almonds!

The building languished on its 8.7 acres for years. It changed hands a few times with a few stumbling blocks on the road to being repurposed. Issues were addressed and voilá, the conversion to housing has begin. As we drove by yesterday, we saw that all of the weeds were gone and the land around it is stripped down to red clay;  some of the fencing is down, the building has been gutted, and the facelift has begun. The interior will be transformed. However, the exterior will not change much as the building has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 2011. From this view of the Northside of you building, without any landscaping, the enormity of the building is noted. It takes up a whole city block. We'll watch the progress and feature the building when it has transformed. In the meantime, there is a great article in the O. Henry Magazine this month and one we used as a reference (see p. 38-39 for more history about the factory). Also, we featured it on GDP in 2014.

The Greensboro Greenway: Southeast Portion

Part of the southeast portion of the Greensboro Greenway passes along Bragg Street at Martin Luther King Drive. The above photo shows the asphalt trail that comes up the hill from Morrow Boulevard and crosses over East Gate City Boulevard. The downtown portion of the greenway is a 4-mile, multi-use paved trail. It is the only greenway encircling a city in North Carolina. This beautiful community resource actually connects to 100 miles of existing trails that will only continue to grow. Mr. Mapp's MLK bust (featured Monday) is found along this section of the Greenway. Two additional works of art are here. In the foreground is William Byer's "Reflection Rock" installed in 2019. In the background is the Monument to Dignity and Respect by Vandorn Hinnant. The arm, with a finger pointing to the sky, reads, "Dignity, United We Stand" a message that was heard in the Presidential Inauguration yesterday. Another quote on the Hinnant sculpture reads,  "I've always felt that the place where I live is the place I should improve" Dorothy Brown, Community Leader.

The greenway is a giant effort to unite and improve our community. Here is a detailed map, should you be curious, or even better, interested in exploring the greenway yourself. As you look at the map, you will learn that it was envisioned and inspired by the Greensboro Bicentennial Commission, to be the signature project commemorating Greensboro's 2008 Bicentennial. In 1891, Greensboro became known as the Gate City because so many trains traveled through Greensboro. It was the transportation gateway to the west and south. We're thinking that as of 2021,  Greensboro is on its way to earning another nickname, the Trail City!

In Search of a Perfect View

Where can you go in Greensboro to take a fabulous sunrise, sunset, or panoramic view photo? We've been going around town, in search of the perfect view. So far, we haven't found a spot that absolutely showcases the beauty of our city. Today's effort was taken at the Church Street Parking Deck, beside the Central Library and behind the Cultural Arts Center. As seen on the sign, in the lime green block in the top left of the photo, this bright building is the Children's Museum. It has been a Greensboro treasure since it opened on May 15, 1999. While this view of the Children's Museum is a nice one and you can see the tree-lined Dunleath Neighborhood off in the distance, we are still hoping to find a nice panoramic view.

The Children's Museum is temporarily closed due to Covid. When open, it is a place that inspires hands-on learning and according to their website, they have more than 20 exhibits and a 30-foot tall climber. The museum has continued to grow over the years, having added an edible garden and an outdoor play plaza. The cost of admission is $10. If you want to help them through the COVID times, you can donate, here. While the streets look empty, if you look closely you can see a few people walking on the sidewalk in front of the museum.

Remembering J. Kenneth Lee

The above mural features a Greensboro civil rights great, J. Kenneth Lee. In her News & Record article in 2018, Nancy McLoughlin wrote a befitting title to remember this great man, "Remembering a quiet 'giant' Fighter of racism. Mentor to many. J. Kenneth Lee 'stood at the front of the line all the time'."* Mr. Lee was a civil rights attorney who came to Greensboro to attend North Carolina A&T State University. Mr. Lee went on to obtain a law degree from UNC Chapel Hill and returned to Greensboro to practice and to play an integral part in the Civil Rights Movement. Mr. Lee worked hard to dismantle Jim Crow laws, to help desegregate public schools, and to open doors for African Americans that had previously been closed . As an example, Mr. Lee founded a federally chartered savings and loan, American Federal in Greensboro, making it possible for African Americans to secure loans. As mentioned yesterday, Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. stayed at Mr. Lee's house on Broad Street. While Mr. Lee called Greensboro home for most of his 94 years, he grew up in Hamlet, NC (Richmond County) and remembered fondly his time with his grandmother, who had been a slave. Here is an interesting entry on J. Kenneth Lee in the Carolina Law Oral History Project.

The above mural of Mr. Lee is painted on the Studio 503 building just beside the Point Dance Studio. The mural is located on Washington Street- at the corner of Pastor Anderson Way. Mural artist "Aches", who hails from Ireland, painted the portrait-mural in 2018. Here is an article showing "Aches" during the painting process. It is fascinating how quickly and efficiently these mural artists work!

* Reference and more information in Nancy McLoughlin's article.

Honoring and Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Always observed the third Monday in January, MLK Day is a federal holiday. Government offices are closed, as are public schools. The above photo features the bust originally cast by Wilber Lee Mapp in 1994 and originally installed at the corner of MLK Drive and South Elm Street (see it here). This iteration of the bust is installed in Ole Asheboro at the corner of Bragg Street and Martin Luther King Drive. Mr. Mapp's sculpture was recast in bronze and installed here in 2019. The ribbon cutting ceremony was on January 21st. Here is the link from when we attended the ceremony two years ago. During yesterday's visit, we noticed that the greenway is now completed just to the right of this monument. There are two other pieces of artwork at this greenway juncture and the view is really pretty. We'll feature more from this area soon. 

Usually, Ole Asheboro and Southside would be teeming with people today with a parade and other celebrations. Today it will be COVID quiet. Perhaps people will walk or bike by and take time to reflect on the the teachings of Dr. King. As stated on the plaque in front of the bust, "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., planned to speak at Trinity AME Zion Church in Greensboro (a few blocks from here) on April 4, 1968. He canceled his visit to Greensboro to remain in Memphis where he was assassinated on that day." If you are here in east Greensboro, just over the hill, you will find Bennett College, where Dr. King spoke at Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel on February 11, 1958. Dr. King also stayed at the Broad Street home of civil rights attorney, Kenneth Lee.* 

*reference and more information. 

Rev Mark Sandlin

This week, we had the very special opportunity to meet Reverend Mark Sandlin, minister at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant (PCoC) on South Mendenhall in Greensboro. Rev. Sandlin, hails from Asheboro, NC. He attended Appalachian State University, obtaining two undergraduate degrees and working in the business world for 25 years before being able to realize his dream of attending divinity school (at Wake Forest University) and becoming a minister. Rev. Sandlin is an ordained Presbyterian Church minister and  has been at PCoC for 7 years now. He has built a national reputation and quite a following as a liberal Christian leader. He is deeply involved in issues related to social justice. Rev. Sandlin sees the Bible as a text of hope and love. He sees the Bible not so much a book to be interpreted literally, but, as a document that is more allegorical,- a document still relevant today. He is a progressive Christian who co-founded "The Christian Left" and is currently serving as President of Progress Christianity. 

If you are looking for a liberal Christian church. Presbyterian Church of the Covenant may be the perfect place for you. It would be well worth your time to attend a service, which you can do virtually through Facebook. If you want a small church where people will get to know you quickly, reach out and get more information about PCoC.. As you can see, the sanctuary is quite lovely. Here is another photo of the sanctuary, taken during the one of the Tuesday, Silent Meditation, times. We actually featured the church 12 years ago. Please see this link if you want to learn more.

Last week's sermon, called Proud Boys, Wise Men, and the Allegory of Epiphany, can be heard here. It has been listened to by over 35,000 people. The sermon will give you a good overview of Rev. Sandlin's style of preaching, especially he ties in current events with scripture. Thank you Rev. Sandlin for taking time out of your busy schedule to take with us. Thank you Kate Baird for arranging it all.

Skateboarding in Greensboro

This photo, taken in December, is of teens skating downtown on Barnhardt Street. It is so hard for teens to find things to do for entertainment and to find ways to socialize with schools closed. Skateboarding is a way to get outside, get a little exercise, and have fun with friends. These skaters were just off Elm Street, trying to master pop shuvits, ollies, grabs, and more. Historically, Greensboro hasn't been known as a skating town, but, popularity has been increasing over the years. If you know of young people looking for places to skate, there is the Above Board Skatepark on Greengate Drive. Also, Latham Skatepark offers skateboarding, as does the Glenwood neighborhood. Skaters should wear helmets and pads (and masks).

If you have ever been the parent of a skateboarder, you know how easy it is for accidents to happen. However, parents also learn that that the determination comes from practicing skateboard moves, which is good for helping kids learn to focus and work towards goals. Skateboarding is now a Summer Olympic sport and will debut in the games in Tokyo this summer. Who knows, maybe the above skateboarding trio from Greensboro someday will compete in the Olympics. If these guys need a new board, wheels, or trucks, Stolen Skate Shop at 534 South Elm Street is just down the street. Stolen adds yet another opportunity for entertainment in the 500 block of South Elm- arcade, bowling, ice skating, and skateboarding supplies all within the block.

Happy Saturday. May you find something fun and safe to make your day memorable.

Recycle Styrofoam In Greensboro Now!

How wonderful. It is finally possible to recycle styrofoam in Greensboro. The above photo features the foam container bins conveniently located at 1310 West Gate City Boulevard, behind Tiny House Community Development, Inc. There is a narrow driveway to the right of the Tiny House building. However, it is also possible to enter to the left of the Tiny House building, just to the right of the Sprinkle Service Station. The above photo helps with the orientation. If you notice, the bins are back by the railroad tracks. As a matter of fact, a train was passing when the photo was taken. Also, the UNCG water tower can be seen in the background. Just behind the bins is a model, tiny home!

If you want more details, here is a two minute YouTube video that will give you more information about this foam recycling program. Really interesting products are made from the recycled foam that gets broken down and extruded as a product that looks like a toothpaste. . The funding partners for the project are Emerging Ecology, Environmental Stewardship Greensboro, Greensboro Beautiful, Inc., and Tiny House Community Development. So, if you purchase something like an exercise bike, it will arrive packed in at least 8 jumbo pieces of clean, styrofoam that will not biodegrade if thrown in a landfill. Please recycle your foam and offer to take your neighbor's foam to the bins if they are having trouble getting out. Also, if you haven't been to this part of town lately, you might be surprised just how much the area has grown. Have a great weekend. See you back here in the morning!

 

Watch the short, informative Youtube video here.

People of Greensboro: Kate Baird

Today's featured person is Kate Baird. Kate is the office manager at Presbyterian Church of the Covenant (PCoC). The photo was taken in the sanctuary. Seventeen years ago, Kate relocated to Greensboro from a corporate position in Washington, D.C. Prior to moving here, for years, Kate had been making frequent visits to Greensboro to visit friends. She found the slower pace of life and Greensboro's short commutes appealing.  She has been working at PCoC for six years now. When asked where she is originally from, it is hard for Kate to say definitively. She self identifies as an Air Force brat, having lived in Paraguay, Iran, and many places in between, while her dad served as an embassy attaché. 

Kate attended the University of Maryland, where she studied radio, television, and film. Training in broadcasting comes through in talking to Kate as she has precise diction and no noticeable accent. Her voice is modulated and very pleasant to listen to. She is the perfect person to field phone calls. When asked what she likes about Greensboro, her chosen home, Kate quickly mentioned the opportunities to hear great live music, from the symphony to folk. She is really looking forward to the opening of the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. She absolutely loves the "5 by O. Henry" plays at the Greensboro History Museum.  Another pastime is sampling Greensboro's many restaurants. Kate's childhood, with frequent moves, taught her to adapt quickly when moving somewhere new, or taking a new job. Kate long adapted to Greensboro and to her position at PCoC, and is quite happy to call Greensboro home. Besides, in her heart, home is where the cats are; and she has three!

Bus #1 Reminds Us: Mask Up!

The bus in the photo above is leaving Greene Street, has looped around the Holliday Circle roundabout, and is heading to Spring Garden Street in downtown Greensboro. Notice the "MASK UP!" reminder on bus number 1. The drivers work hard to keep riders, and themselves, safe.

Of course, the tall building in the background is the Lincoln Financial Group building. While the name of the building changes as the occupants change, this skyscraper remains one of the most recognizable landmarks in Greensboro. Actually, it is two buildings. The whiter building to the right in older Jefferson Standard building. It was built in 1922. The grayer one with the green roof and the time/temperature sign is the more recent building, initially Jefferson-Pilot and, as of 2006, Lincoln Financial Group.  At 233 feet, the building is still the tallest in Greensboro.

As for the bus, if you are interested in using this community transportation resource, here is a link to the routes.

When taking the photo, we didn't think there were any people in the photo. On closer inspection, we noticed two people. Do you see the couple?

Guilford College Lake

The Guilford College Lake dates to the 1950s when a creek that runs through campus was dammed to create the above water feature. Originally, there was a pier on the lake and it was used for swimming and boating. For college students, the lake was a real destination. Over the years it has suffered from build up of sledge and the pier, boats, and swimmers are long gone.* However, the beautiful lake still serves as an appealing campus attraction. Couples hang out there, the Class of 2012 & the Community Senate built a bonfire pit by the lake. There is playground equipment, and perhaps best of all is the flora and fauna it attracts. 

There is at least one cypress tree with "knees" poking out of the water. The above tree appears to be a cypress and the scene is reminiscent of a swamp in Charleston or Savannah. Perhaps the tree is a bald cypress and it has dropped its leaves. We'll check back in the spring to see if it greens out. Equally exciting is the male muscovy duck who lives on the pond. The muscovy duck is one of the oldest domesticated fowl species. The male of the species is the largest duck in North America.**  Hopefully there are more of these ducks. However, the day we were there, we only saw one. Beautiful views like the one above make walking and hiking so worthwhile. See you on the trails...  and who knows where else!

See this article we used for more information about the lake.

** reference and more information about muscovy ducks.

Underground Railroad in Guilford Woods

Yesterday was a beautiful, glorious day in Greensboro. With the temperature reaching 50 degrees and the sun out, it was a perfect day to take a hike. The above photo is on a nature path in Guilford Woods at Guilford College. In the 1800s, the woods was known New Garden Woods. The woods are a 240-acre, biodiverse area of land. The large tree in the center of the photo is a tulip poplar that dates before 1800; present during the operation of the Underground Railroad in Guilford County (1819- 1852).*  Also, the tree pre-dates Greensboro's founding (1808). The tree is 148 feet tall and 63.9 feet in circumference.** The peaceful seating area in front of it was provided by the Tannenbaum-Sternberger Foundation, Inc. in 2017. If you want to see the tree, it is about a .3 mile walk in from the road. But, be careful to find a legal place to park if you drive to the Guilford College Campus. Also, the terrain is very natural and uneven. You might want to take your favorite walking stick. Also note, there is a donation box near the sign at the entrance to the path. If you want to donate to a good cause, these publicly-accessible, natural spaces are treasures.

This week, we will feature a couple more photos from the walk in Guilford Woods. It was the first time we'd had a chance to explore this area and actually walked from behind the athletic facility, where it is OK to park on the weekends, through the woods, and ended up on Friendly Avenue. It is pretty easy to walk with confidence with the sun low to the horizon on these winter days. Plus, it is easier to remain oriented when there are no leaves on the trees. As a very last resort, the online directions available through our cell phones can help us find our way out. We hope you have a peaceful place to walk, whether your are in Greensboro or beyond! Happy Monday! 

• reference and more information here.
• ** see here if you are interested in learning the location of all the mighty trees in Guilford County.

Westover Church

 

Some of you may remember when Westover Church was smaller and located on Westover Terrace, across from Grimsley High School. The congregation actually dates back to 1948 with about 200 attending services at the Masonic temple, and the Westover Terrace church was built in 1950. Westover Church relocated to Muir's Chapel Road in 1994 and in 2006, the church was expanded with a worship center that seats 3,000. The above photo features one side of this expanded, mega-church. 

Pastor Don Miller has been there since 1991 and can be credited for helping make the church the success it is today. This non-denominational, mega-church is both local and international.  Westover Church is Evangelical and Christ-centered and, while they do a lot in Greensboro, they also have global ministries and international programs and outreach.They work intentionally to ensure staff and worship teams are diverse. The community pastor is a native speaker of Spanish. They have programs to feed the homeless, to help battle racial disparity, and to help everyone who attends the church feel like they are part of the church community, and not just one of thousands. They have programs serving families in the apartment complexes surrounding the church. Many of these families are immigrants, struggling to begin their lives in a new country and learning to speak a new language, and Westover Church feels like their lifeline. 

When we stopped by yesterday, all was silent, except for people out for daily walks who cut through the empty parking lot. Today, will be busier as there will be in-person worship at 10:30, with an option to attend services remotely through You Tube and Facebook.

In 2010, we featured Westover Church on Greensboro Daily Photo.

The Snowy Day

Yesterday, in Greensboro, as the sun was setting, the snowflakes started sticking. The above photo shows the intersection on West Market Street, where it intersects with Friendly Avenue. Temperatures hovered in the low 30s. For a few hours after dark, it started raining melting the snow that was sticking. Then about 10pm, it started getting colder again. GCS schools were 100% remote today over concern of the impending inclement weather. It did arrive, albeit a little later than anticipated.

Usually, when the first snow comes, regardless of how short-lived, people rush out to get sleds. A good place to look is at any hardware store. If you are downtown, last time we checked, Hudson's Hill (527 South Elm Street) had them. Do you have a favorite place to sled ride in Greensboro? We often see children on the hill at Brittish Woods, near the pond at Battleground Avenue. In the event there is enough snow for sled riding, here is a 2015 News & Record article about some other good places to go sledding in the area.*  If there is a snow day and you can't get out, consider listening to this classic from 1962, written and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, 

 

*Terrific Sledding.

 

Hamburger Square: What a Great Backdrop

Hamburger Square, at the end of the 300 block of South Elm Street, is where many community events take place. There have always been businesses here, especially sandwich shops. In the time of WWII, soldiers gathered here to travel by train. Currently Natty Greene's, Just Be, and Little Brother Brewing surround the square. The Southeast corner, just below the railroad tracks, doesn't have a business; it has some green space. The above photo is of Natty Greene's in December.

In January of 2019, an article in the News & Record stated that The Christman Company, located nearby in the former Cascade Saloon, donated $50,000 to help rejuvenate this area* It looks like at least some of the work has been done. To be sure the overpass got painted. Next time we're downtown, we'll look more closely to note changes. In addition to sprucing up the area, one of the goals is to make it more pedestrian friendly. Today is Friday; weather permitting, it could be a day to explore the Hamburger Square area.

One of the perks of taking lots of photos of Greensboro is that we have plenty to choose from for Zoom backdrops. We are currently using the above photo and the "zoomer" (person), is nestled snugly in the middle with the blue sky overhead and the lights in the background. Doing something silly, like trying to find a good Zoom background adds a little levity to the day. We've even had a request for a photo with trains as a Greensboro-themed background. Well see if we can take one this weekend for our science-teacher friend. Enjoy your weekend!

• read the article, here. 
• more information about Hamburger square from the 1940's, here. 

Guilford Court House in Greensboro

The above photo is of the Guilford Courthouse, built in 1917 at 301 Market Street. It replaced the courthouse building at the corner of Market and Elm Streets as, in the days before air conditioning, that location was too noisy to when windows needed to be open for ventilation. The Jefferson Standard building of the Lincoln Financial complex is no located on the site of the courthouse that pre-dates the above location.

The building material is  Mt. Airy granite and textured terra cotta tile that has the appearance of granite. Harry Barton was the lead architect. The style is Beaux-Arts/Neoclassical Revival.* The government complex has expanded quite a bit since this building was constructed. If you have ever had to go to the Clerk of Courts office, you have been to this building. This is also an early voting site. Often, these buildings go unnoticed, until we need the services therein. This building exudes strength and stability. The doves of peace are a symbol of love and peace and are symboled in many religions. Today we wish you peace and love, whether you are conducting business at the courthouse, or elsewhere. Happy Thursday!

* read more about the courthouse here.

Boxcar Pizza at Boxcar Bar + Arcade

Ten years ago in 2011, when we interviewed Greensboro entrepreneur,  Dennis Quaintance, we talked about "small" being the new "big".  After years of biggie sizes, smaller glasses, plates, and portions have gained popularity. Today's post is one such example. Boxcar Pizza is a tiny space, specifically boxcar-sized, in the South Elm/Lewis Street area. This outdoor pizza kitchen is the perfect place to get some hot food quickly, whether you are in one of the South Elm establishments or just out walking. It is a way to eat without having to go inside an establishment. You can, however, eat inside the Boxcar Bar & Arcade. It serves as the kitchen for the bar and arcade.

This outdoor pizza kitchen serves Neapolitan style pizza with traditional toppings. It also serves unique toppings like bison sausage and pickles. Savory and sweet soft pretzels are available, too. The boxcar option has been popular with people skating at the adjacent pop-up ice rink. On the day we were on site, the Boxcar employee (in the window) was so busy, we didn't interrupt for an interview.  Boxcar is a unique addition to the downtown Greensboro landscape. See the hours, menu, and more, here.

Triad City Beat & Thomas Sayre's Greenway Art

Today is a special day on so many levels. First, a loyal reader suggested we photograph the above Greenway artwork and mentioned that it is especially attractive near sunset. Second, we serendipitously met up with Carolyn de Berry, staff photographer for Triad City Beat (TCB), who was on location taking photos for TCB. Carolyn was with her son, Lliam Robinson.  Third, we found something new being constructed downtown, fulfilling the request of a loyal reader.

Carolyn and Lliam: Carolyn relocated from Connecticut to Greensboro to attend Guilford College, where she majored in psychology.  Also trained as a commercial photographer, Carolyn has been a photographer at TCB since the paper was first established seven years ago. Carolyn looks for good, interesting, and newsworthy Triad subjects to feature. Her photos are published in TCB weekly. The intellectually curious, outdoor-loving Lliam is a student at New Garden Friend's School.

The artwork: The earthcastings, the trio of sculptures to the righ,t are by Raleigh artist Thomas Sayre. Sayre and his team installed them in late November. They are located near Guilford Avenue and Westerwood Tavern on the path of the Downtown Greenway. In the News & Record article about these concrete structures, Sayre is quoted as saying, "The greenway is about finding your way through downtown Greensboro [and i]n some ways I see the cairns as stacked stones that for centuries humans have used to find our way" (Kane, Nov. 17, 2020). The greenway project is progressing nicely and is anticipated to be completed in 2022.

If you are looking something fun to do, you can't beat urban exploring. And, who knows, you just may run into Carolyn and Lliam or David and me! It was so special finally meeting each other.

Tanger Center For The Performing Arts

We love it when readers engage with Greensboro Daily Photo. As an example, yesterday, a reader helped us get to the bottom of the #seethegood initiative that we featured yesterday. See the good  was an idea brought to life by Mary Crowder and her teammates at Barbout Spangle Design in High Point. Initially, they made and attached a sign, with the slogan, on the side of their business. See the Fox 8 segment here.  Another example of reader engagement comes from one of our faithful readers, who doesn't get out as much as she used to. She suggested we do more to feature the growth and changes in Greensboro, and to feature the downtown more. We realized we tend to zoom in on people and one place at a time, but the next sunny day, will head into town to get some skyline shots.

As for today, this is the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts, a big change in downtown Greensboro. Tanger Center had to delay its 2020 opening due to the pandemic and is currently scheduled to open in April. The Tanger Center has been in the making since 2012 and, while some were against tearing down the War Memorial Auditorium at the Coliseum Complex, many in the city were ready for a change. Over 35 million dollars in private donations were received to make the Tanger Center a reality. This spectacular, $85 million facility is now complete. It was named after Steven Tanger, president and CEO of Tanger Factory Outlet Centers. The Tanger family has donated so much to community resources in Greensboro. Tanger Center seats 3,023 and is anticipating being able to open April 2021. The schedule of events is robust; many events are rescheduled from 2020.  You can see if any interest you by perusing their website. Tanger Center is located at the corner of North Elm Street and Abe Brenner Way. Brenner, another local philanthropist, helped establish Brenner Children's Hospital at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

See The Good

Are you ever driving along and see something so inspiring that you have to pull off the road and photograph it? Such was the case for us last week when we were driving along Spring Garden Street at Pomona Drive when we saw this billboard. See the good. If you search that phrase, you will actually find an initiative started by a person named Kathy. Her goal is for people to see the good in each day. It doesn't say where Kathy is from, but surely, there is a Greensboro connection as the billboard is in our city. Her blog encourages people to contribute a paragraph about something good. 

As we look ahead to 2021, the notion of seeing the good, in our local community and the people around us sounds like a meaningful way to approach life. Perhaps this could be a New Year's resolution. It is easy to see the good in Greensboro as the weather is not too extreme, there is a good greenway system for walking and bicycling; there are many parks; good schools and several universities, colleges, and community colleges- to name just a few of the good things. If you are looking for a religious community, there are multiple churches of just about every faith.

Our motto has always been to see the good in Greensboro and to feature as much as we can. We thank you for starting your year out with Greensboro Daily Photo and hope you will stay with us for this new year of exploring the people and places of our city. Happy Sunday!

Update: Thanks to a reader, we've learned that the #seethegood initiative recently started in High Point. Bob Buckley at Fox 8 reported on it, here.

Happy Anniversary 2021: Let Year Thirteen Begin!

Happy Anniversary to us- Janis and David, the Mr. and Mrs. GDP behind this community blog! The above photo was one of our last ventures out, just before COVID. Shortly thereafter, David retired and now has more time to help with GDP. While it has been nearly forty for the marriage, it is the beginning of Year 13 for Greensboro Daily Photo. Yes, there are now 4,380 photos and paragraphs about Greensboro on the internet through GDP. Regarding Year 12, when events came to a screeching halt in March and we were housebound during the pandemic, we wondered if we could maintain this daily commitment. What would we feature? How could we keep posts fresh and engaging to readers in the absence of community events? On the other hand, with so many homebound, the blog took on a whole new level of importance, as the internet became the lifeline for many. We always managed to find something to feature. Sometimes, posts landed in our laps; like the time 10,000 bees took up residence in our backyard and a beekeeper came to re-home the colony. 

Occasionally we question this endeavor. Is there still community interest? Do we want to keep up a commitment that takes a minimum of an hour a day to prepare? Usually about that time we get heartfelt, personal feedback and encouragement, reminding us people are reading. In December, we received an email from a reader who told us she starts every day reading the headlines in the New York Times AND Greensboro Daily Photo. She decided to set up a monthly donation since she uses our service daily. She donates to NPR, Wikipedia, AND now also Greensboro Daily Photo. When someone puts GDP in the same paragraph as the NY Times, NPR, and Wikipedia, we know we've got to continue this labor of love! We haven't monetized the blog, but do get an occasional "tip jar" donation, which is always much appreciated. And now, we have our first sustainer! Of course we will continue to publish. If you missed yesterday's post, please see it here. January 1st is always our annual review day and it is easy to catch up on the whole year at a glance. See you in the morning! And the morning after, and the morning after...

Happy New Year 2021: Reflecting On 2020!

 

Happy New Year!

On Greensboro Daily Photo, and throughout the entire City Daily Photo community, New Year's Day is when we share the most memorable photo of the previous year. We also like to feature one photo from each month. January 1st is always our favorite post to prepare because it gives us time to reflect on the great people, places, and events of the past year. The above photo of the year for 2020 is of Dr. Doris Henderson, who was originally featured, HERE, July 15, 2020. Dr. Henderson was an easy pick for the best post of 2020 because she is such an inspiring person, and in her 90+ years of living and working in Greensboro, she has touched many lives. Her photo was the most viewed in our 12 year history of GDP and it received the most comments in 2020. We are so grateful for all of the work Dr. Henderson still does for the community. She is a role model to many- including us!

For each month, we have selected a photo, putting together a diverse lot, to provide a good overview of life in and around Greensboro.

 

January: The Piedmont Old Time Society's Open Jam at Horigan's House of Taps. Hopefully music events can start up again in 2021

February: Common Grounds Coffee Shop. A Lindley Park neighborhood favorite!

March: Horse Farm on Pleasant Ridge. Of the 100 counties in NC, Guilford is one of the top equestrian locations. We have lots of horses!

April: Bees Swarming in Greensboro. Quite a backyard adventure!

May: Proximity United Methodist Church. So much history here. We try to pose something spiritual every Sunday. 12 yrs of Sundays = 624!

June: Bungalow on Percy Street. Greensboro has some really beautiful houses. This one is in the Dunleath (formerly, Aycock) neighborhood.

July: Kirkwood on the Fourth of July. After all, it is the people and sense of community & neighborhoods that makes Greensboro special.

August: Rotary Club Carousel. The carousel at the Greensboro Science Center is a tremendous community resource; so many made it possible.

September: Trains in the Gate City. At one time, trains were a main way to transport people and goods and Greensboro was the main crossroad.

October: Fall Fun at Lake Brandt. 2020 was a great year to rediscover Greensboro natural resources!

November: Peace- A Quaker Core Value. We featured Guilford College three times in November. We have got to find a way to sustain this college!

December: Sunny Winter Days. A landscape photo showcasing the natural beauty of Greensboro.

 

If you are interested in scrolling through the year, and pick favorites for yourself, this link should get you started.