Greensboro Daily Photo

Sunnyside Farms a Local Option for Christmas Trees

Since we were in Summerfield this past weekend, and featured The Jumping Bean yesterday, we thought we'd share another photo from Summerfield Road. Above, you see a slice of the view at Sunnyside Farms, a Christmas tree farm in Ashe County.  For 19 years, the Woyahn has been driving Fraiser fir trees to Guilford County from their Ashe County farm located in the northwest corner of North Carolina. The entire county has fewer than 30,000 people, so coming to larger communities like Greensboro and Summerfield is a must for keeping their business viable.

Their pop up Christmas tree site at 7200 Summerfield Road opened this past week and they will keep selling trees into late December. They are also set up at Hickory Grove Church on Wendover Avenue in the Greensboro/Jamestown area.  Sunnyside Farms works hard to make the selection of a tree a special event: From selecting to trimming to bagging to helping you get it on your car. And their giant 3-story Santa is always a hit with the kids. Even if you are past the tree decorating years, being out and watching how excited young children are about picking out a tree really helps create the feeling of Christmas. Even though we don't have snow, the colder weather in Greensboro and the surrounding communities, is making it feel a lot like winter. It also helps keep the trees fresher.

Happy Tuesday!

Jumping Bean Coffee

This past weekend, we met up with Kevin Murray, Chief Coffee Guy, at The Jumping Bean coffee drive-through. Kevin and his family moved to Guilford County from the Bronx, NY in 2006 to be closer to family. In 2012, he opened the Jumping Bean in the parking lot on north Highway 220, where Golden Antiques & Treasures is located. This past July (2021), he relocated his business to 7200 Summerfield Road, in a lot that belongs to Greensboro Performing Arts Center. Formerly, the building was a church. Kevin says the move has been a good one. The Performing Arts facility is really taking off and the owners have lots of ideas about how to build community and best utilize their 7-acre property. In the meantime, Kevin is super happy with his little corner spot where his loyal customers have followed him and where he is cultivating a new customer base. Parents bringing their children to the performing arts building love having a place to get something to drink while they wait. On the day we visited, Kevin's  daughter Isabella was helping. As you can see in the above photo, while the business is s drive through, there is some outdoor seating. On Saturday, The Jumping Bean had extended hours given all of the activity around the Sunnyside Farms live Christmas tree station on the north end of the property.

If you're like us, you'll want to start a punch card and work on getting that 11th drink free. It is so nice to support a local, family-owned business and to see the Jumping Bean succeeding. This little corner of Summerfield, with Summerfield Farms just down the road and the nearby Greenway, is becoming quite a destination just north of Greensboro. After all that turkey and a broken sleeping routine, we just may need a double espresso! Happy Monday!

Hope Chapel

Hope Chapel looked so beautiful yesterday, on a sunny fall day and from the vantage point of Grimsley High School. Those oak trees add so much to the landscape. It almost looks like a country road, not a busy link between Battleground Avenue and Gate City Boulevard.

There has been so much change to this 908 address. The church is located at 908 Josephine Boyd Street, formerly Westover Terrace. The church itself has changed, too; the building seemingly something of a spiritual incubator. It was built as Westover Church and also housed Daystar.  Hope Chapel used to be located in Lindley Elementary School, and later on Spring Garden Street, but on February 2019, Hope Chapel relocated in the above building . The location is fabulous, well positioned to attract high school students, nearby students from UNCG, and people from the Lake Daniel neighborhood. Based on what they are saying on their website, Hope plans to stay in this location for a very long time. 

Happy Sunday. It should be a nice fall day.

Golfing As Self-care

What do you do for self care? Golfing is a great way to get outside without having to leave town. The above photo is of the Farm Course of the Greensboro Country Club at Carlson Farms. It is such a lovely course, and it is so easy to photograph as it is visible from the surrounding roads, Francisco Drive, Tory Hill, Hedrick Drive, Carlson Dairy, Jessup Grove, and, Horse Pen Creek. This course, built in 1963, provides members with an opportunity to play gold, year-round. This course gets a five-out-of-five for being in excellent condition. Indeed, it is a pretty course that stretches over 7300 yards through the community, which is over 400 yards a hole.

Even if you don't have a membership to this specific course, there are plenty of options in Greensboro. Consider playing golf at Bur-Mil Park, just down the road from here. If you don't play golf, consider walking or biking along the greenway and trails. It should be sunny all day today, with temperatures ranging from 28º- getting up to 52º at 2:00 pm. It will be a lovely day to do something out of doors! See you on the trail, or somewhere along the way. Self-care matters!

Happy Saturday!

Black Friday 2021

Today is the day all of the retailers have been waiting for, Black Friday. People will be out shopping for special deals. If you subscribe to the Greensboro News & Record, Wednesday's edition was as thick and full of advertisements, just like old times. Let's hope retailers and shoppers have all of their dreams come true. The above photo was taken outside the K&W  Cafeteria, on Northline Drive, at Friendly Center. Stores at Friendly Center will be ready for you today. If you haven't driven along Northline lately, you might not know that the stops are now 4-way, making it easier for all drivers to get a turn getting through the intersections and left turns are now as easy as right turns.

If you are out shopping, let the above photo of Nancy, ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, reminds us to remember others. Whether you donate to the Salvation Army's red kettle or another organization, give to the needy in some other way, or donate to someone in need directly, remember that there are many in need this year and kindness and generosity is especially appreciated. While we were talking to Nancy, who is a bell ringer for the first time this year, the above man got out of his car to drop a donation in the kettle. The people of Greensboro are giving people. We're betting you, dear reader, are already doing your part! Happy Black Friday!

Happy Thanksgiving 2021

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today's photo features a home on 150 in Summerfield, just across the street From Toscana Trace and near Highway 220. The people in this home celebrate every season with a decoration at  the road. Their old oak tree has a hole in it and the owners filled it with rounds of wood and a wee leprechaun. They have pumpkins, bales of hay, leaves, flowers, and scarecrows. Even their mailbox (to the right of the right side of the photo) is decorated. This 3 acre lot has a long, country driveway that extends a long way from Highway 150 and the house is hidden from the road. The house, built in 1980, is absolutely beautiful.

Many people in Greensboro and Guilford County decorate for the fall and for Thanksgiving Once we get through Thanksgiving, it is predicted that people will really be celebrating for Christmas this year. Let us know if you have a "spirit house" that goes all out for decorating near you, and, we will make every effort to get out and photograph it!

 

1005 South Josephine Boyd

Yesterday, driving past this house at 1005 South Joesphine Boyd Street stopped us in our tracks. The sun was shining brightly and the combination of the red leaves, the red house, and the red car, punctuated by the pink, yellow, and blue planters looked stunning. With no cars on the road to the left, and the large lot that goes with the house, it looked like we were on a rural country road. In reality, we were just a block off of Gate City Boulevard and very near UNCG. This three bedroom, one bath, house was built in 1928. We can only imagine how rural it seemed almost 100 years ago.

Much of the Glenwood neighborhood is like this; at some places it looks very urban and others, very rural. If you want to drive around and explore Glenwood, we encourage you to attend one of the community events there. Most immediately, on Black Friday,  Glenwood hosts Greensboro's "Really, Really Free Market at the church at 1307 Glenwood Avenue. They could use any donations you have. Everything is free. You can even pick up something for yourself.  It is such a nice gesture, the "Really, Really Free Market has a really, really neighborly feel. Just like the house above!

Pretty In VW Pink: Wink, Wink!

Some vehicles are just so cute. Such is the case with this pink Volkswagen Beetle. If you are out and about in Greensboro, be on the lookout for VW Beetles with eyelashes. We have seen one at the Red Collection on Mill Street. This one, with North Carolina tags, was spotted out shopping at Golden Antiques on north 220 this past Sunday. The pink color is perfect with the lashes.

The Beetle has been around since the 1930s when commissioned by Adolph Hitler and designed by Ferdinand Porsche. Unfortunately, 2019 was the last year they were made. Flow Volkswagen on Roanne Way sells VWs. Likely the have some used Beetles on the lot. We're wondering if the above WV Bug makes it to Herbie's Restaurant on Thursdays for WV night. We wonder if they made it to the "Break the Record" night for the most number of VW's to come to Herbie's in August. We're wondering is this car has a name. It should. Have a great Tuesday and, if you can, get any groceries you will need for Thruday, today. So many stores will be closet on Thursday and some are closing early on Wednesday. Wink if you like cars with eyelashes!!!

Blue Sky Over 4121 Spring Garden Street

This two bedroom, one bathroom, 888 square foot house, is located at 4121 Spring Garden Street. In this photo, it is as if it is a residential area. In reality, the featured house is an oasis on an island of commercial property. Indeed, when the home was built in 1955, there were probably a lot of houses surrounding it. Now, there are restaurants, strip malls, businesses, and offices around it. Even this house has a business in it. The house is across from Reconsidered Goods, and when we went to drop off a donation, we turned around and noticed the fabulous, mottled  sky. That western sky was so beautiful, but also reminding us that soon it will be winter. These blues and grays are so much more characteristic of winter than fall. Regardless of season, or weather, we are reminded just how beautiful Greensboro can be, especially when we take time to notice the beauty around us. 

We hope you have a great week and that you see lots of beautiful skies. If you have children in public school, you know that Guilford County made today and tomorrow days to work remotely from home. For many, it will be completing missing assignments. Hopefully, it will be a fun and relaxing week. Happy Monday!

Hope Academy at 1403 W Florida

1403 West Florida Street is the home of  Hope Academy Christian School. The above photo is the facade and steeple of this building that serves many purposes for the Glenwood Community. Formerly, it was the Florida Street Baptist Church, which had been a congregation for over a 100 years. However, in December of 2017, Florida Street Baptist held its last service and turned over the building to Hope Academy. * As families moved out of Glenwood and new residents moved in, the church was just not attracting enough members to remain viable. However, its current use as a school, with involvement of Grace Community Church has made this several acre lot, at the corner of Florida Street and Josephine Boyd Street a dynamic place.

This Friday, specifically Black Friday, just down the street from this building, the Glenwood neighborhood will hold the "Really, Really Free Market" (RRFM),  a place to bring items you no longer need and to leave with a few things you didn't know you need. The  RRFM  will be at the corner of Glenwood and Florida Street, at a church which is now an outreach church of Christ United Methodist Church. The idea started in New Zealand as an effort to counteract excessive consumerism. Glenwood is said to be the most diverse neighborhood in North Carolina. Special things like Hope Academy and the RRFM, bring people from all walks of life together and the feeling is special. Check out the RRFM next Friday if you want to have a special Greensboro experience. Happy Sunday!

 

*See News & Record article, here. 

Lake Daniel & Twyckenham Drive

In the above photo, the Lake Daniel neighborhood- across from Grimsley High School-  is bathed in sunlight in the afternoon. It is the kind of neighborhoods where yards are full of blooming azalea bushes and dogwood trees in the spring and full of fall color October and November. This home at 808 Twyckenham Drive is no exception. Look at the beauty of this Tudor home bathed in the look of fall. Built in 1933, this home looks as fresh and inviting as it must have when built almost ninety years ago. As for the name of the street, we're guessing it was chosen to evoke a feel of Old England. Twickenham is the administrative headquarters of Richmond upon Thames and "wic" and "ham" are words to indicate a small settlement in Saxon. 

According to a 1994 News & Record article*, the Lake Daniel neighborhood was planned in 1926 with the goal of capturing the essence of both Greensboro's city and rural life. There is both a park and man-made lake in the neighborhood and it is less than two miles from downtown Greensboro. In the mid 1990s, the neighborhood planted over 3,000 shrubs and trees, and it shows. Today is a good day to get out and explore the beauty of the city. Try Lake Daniel as it is a very walkable neighborhood. Happy Saturday!

* reference HERE.

Tommy Orange Visits Greensboro

What a treat it was listening to author Tommy Orange speak last night. His book "There, There," tells the stories of several native people living in urban areas, mostly Oakland California. Their complex struggles with identity, daily living, and coming to terms with issues in their lives that have roots across generations. The format of Mr. Orange's presentation was very engaging. Ms. Carla Banks, Greensboro Communications & Marketing Director, seated in the chair on the right, came well prepared with questions that made it clear she had read the book thoroughly and completely. 

Mr. Orange (he would probably want us to call him Tommy) started writing "There, There,"  when he learned he was going to be a father.  Prompted by Ms. Banks, Mr. Orange spoke about the fact that native people have inherited a legacy of loss and it be hard to have a connection to their history. He exmlained, "We blame ourselves for not having something that was beat out of us" (language, culture, and history). He is especially happy that young people like his book. While he wants to tell the story of his community, he also wants people to have a good read and to experience that feeling that comes from reading a good novel. Ms. Banks mentioned the fact that readers want to know even more more about the  characters in "There, There.". Mr. Orange mentioned that he sold a sequel to the book in 2018 and said that the book is both a prequel and also a sequel given that he talks about so much history, especially boarding schools. When asked by an audience member about his writing process, Mr. Orange said he loves to write in hotels, because he can read out loud and not have to worry about people listening. He also uses Internet programs that read books back to you so that he can listen while running. As you can see from the photo, people stayed around to talk and get their copies of "There, There" signed after the event was finished. 

This author visit was made possible by the Greensboro Public Library Foundation. Please consider donating to this foundation so that Greensboro can have even more special programs like "One City, One Book." Thank you for everyone who made possible the event last evening! Finally, the Terrace at the Greensboro Coliseum is a very nice venue.

Goodbye, Fall Colors

The above photo was taken earlier in the week on Walker Avenue on the westernmost edge of University of North Carolina Greensboro. The leaves are still beautiful on a day when the sky is blue. The photo in the foreground is a Japanese maple that has been especially showy this year with a combination of red and orange leaves. The UNCG campus has a wide variety of beautiful trees. While Greensboro has just about reached the end of the fall color, it is still not too late to head outside and see the lovely happenings of fall. The squirrels are having a field day with all of the acorns this year. If you are looking for a project with children or students, growing oak trees from acorns would be fun and helpful to the environment.

On another note, if you like sun, earth, moon, and star events, tonight at about 3:00 am,  there will be a deep, partial lunar eclipse. Hopefully, Greensboro will be clear with good visibility. It will also be a full moon. The November full moon is called the Beaver Moon.  The November moon gets its name because this month is when beavers usually build their winter dams. Let us know if you see the eclipse.... or a beaver dam! 

Chad's Carolina Corn

This week, we've been in search of local foods to put in gift baskets, which led us to Bestway Grocery Store on Walker Avenue. One of the items we found was Chad's Carolina Corn, gourmet popcorn. We like spicy foods and so we purchased the Jalapeño Cheddar flavor and it was very good. Chad's is a family run business, based in Greensboro,  with an office at 6900 C Citation Court in Greensboro (photographed above). We happened to be near Citation Court, which is located near the airport, off Industrial drive and just north of I-40 and Burnt Poplar Road.

At the time we were at Chadd's on Citation, nobody was in the office. At Greensboro Daily Photo, we do a lot of stopping by and dropping in. We have a lot of questions for Chad and wanted to meet the person behind this local product.  We'd love their back story to share with you and to share with people who receive Chad's Carolina Corn from us for Christmas. We'll be sure to let you know when we uncover more. In the meantime, if you want to try the popcorn for yourself, it has a wide distribution in the south (see HERE). It would be fun to sample all of the flavors. We like what we've tried so far and did not get one unpopped kernel in our bag! We think dill pickle flavor will be our next choice. Little adventures like this one are what keep Greensboro Daily Photo fun for us!

First Santa Sighting of 2021!

Golden Antiques, on 220 North at Highway 150, held their Mistletoe Market this past weekend and shoppers were out in droves. If their long checkout lines were any indication, people are making a lot of effort to shop early and local this year. The Santa at Golden Antiques was the first one we saw out this season. Indeed, Santa, or at least Santa's helpers are out even before Thanksgiving. Several other stores are stocked for holiday shopping. 

Downtown Greensboro Inc. has announced that the Festival of Lights will be held downtown on Friday, December 3rd with the tree lighting in Center City Park and other events up and down Elm Street. The Greensboro Holiday Parade will be on Saturday, December 4th. In addition to the usual floats, bands, and dance/cheer squads, there will be some giant balloons, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade style. So get out your planner as the December dance card is filling! How do you stay informed about upcoming events? We're finding that it is harder and harder to know about events before they happen. If you have suggestions, please let us know.

(By the way, we are happy to report that Santa has lost a little bit of weight and looking in good health).

Open House on Thursday at Tanger Center

With the "Beautiful: Carol King" Musical," this was a busy weekend for Tanger Center. The above photo features people leaving after the 1:00 p.m. showing yesterday afternoon. North Elm just got a whole lot busier. Tanger has a lot on its plate this week, too. Some events are by-invitation-only; others are for ticket holders (Sting); however, the best opportunity of all is FREE! On Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tanger is having an open house for people to go in and have a look at Greensboro's newest performing arts venue. 

If you have not yet had a chance to go inside Tanger Center, please take advantage of this opportunity on Thursday. You will like it. Check out the restroom on the ground level (at least the one for women). It has 40 stalls, which helps greatly with using the facility during intermission- if you have ever been to Broadway in NYC, you will realize what a nice feature this is. Have a great week and let us know what you think of Tanger!

1201 Freeman Mill Road

Yesterday at late afternoon, we stopped by the Prayer, Praise & Deliverance Church at 1201 Freeman Mill Road at Langley.  The simple, sturdy brick building with a tall white steeple looks like so many of the churches in Greensboro. Also typical, was finding someone on site mowing on Saturday afternoon, so that when members come today, the grounds will look their best. The church was incorporated in 1997, twenty-four years ago. It is a Pentecostal Holiness Church and, if you want to learn more about them, you can find them on Facebook.

Sunday school is at 10:00 a.m. and Worship Service is at 11:15 a.m. They have a Tuesday prayer service  and a Thursday Bible study. Add Saturday for cleaning, and you have church activities at least four days a week! The Pastor is Bishop Dr. Willie C. Kendall. If you are looking for a church near the Glenwood neighborhood, here is another good option. If the man who was mowing was any indication, the people affiliated with this church are very kind. Happy Sunday!

Contrails Over Carlson Dairy Road

Yesterday morning, we were out driving around enjoying the beautiful fall morning when we noticed the well-defined condensation trails, or contrails. When the air is moist, these aircraft exhaust clouds can last for an extended period of time. In the above photo, taken on Hedrick Drive in the Carlson Dairy Road area, the contrails  point to the exact location of Piedmont Triad International Airport, They are passing over Proehlific Park and are higher then they appear. Ice particles usually combine to form contrails at  a cruising altitude.

Soon, all of this color will be gone, but for now, you should still be able to drive around and see great fall color on the leaves that are still hanging on. One friend said that soon, he will have neighbors again; meaning that when the leaves are gone, the neighbors' houses will be in plain view again. Finally, a lot of stores are starting to have their holiday open houses. If you are out and about this weekend, in addition to admiring the natural beauty of Greensboro, also stop in and buy something from local vendors- especially local artists.

Happy Saturday!

Hope for Hiatt Street

We first learned of "Hope for Hiatt" through Triad City Beat, with photos by Carolyn de Berry and an the article by Sayaka Matsuoka. Above is the Hiatt Street property across from the long-gone 8.7 acre Rolane Sock Factory property that is about to be renovated as apartments, townhomes, amenities, and shops. As for the above property, Jerry Wass of Owl's Roost Properties is slated to purchase and develop it. The problem is that, for decades, several families have been living  at Jamison Homes Mobile Park at 2511 Hiatt Street. At one time, 21 families lived there, and in the last several years, all have been members of the Latinx community. Unless something changes, these families need to relocate on or before December 31, 2021.  The residents would love to purchase the land and remain there and many Lindley Park residents are in support of their staying. If you see the "Hope for Hiatt" signs along Spring Garden Street, you now know the back story. All of the mobile homes are to the left of the blue one in the above photo. From the vantage point of this photo, you can houses on Spring Garden Street in the background.

This whole strip of land between Spring Garden Street and Oakland Avenue, just north of Gate City Boulevard and Norfolk Southern train tracks, is changing before our eyes. It will be interesting to chart the change. Even UNCG has property back there , too, including a building for surplus furniture, offices, and some land for sustainable gardening. Hopefully, something will work out for the families, even if they have to move elsewhere. Have a good weekend, everyone.

Happy Veterans Day: Tech Sergeant Lochra

Albert (Al) Lochra served in the Army Air Force as a radio operator during World War II. He flew on B-17 airplanes and was stationed in England from 1943-1945. Originally from Uniontown, PA, Mr. Lochra first came to Greensboro in 1943 to Basic Training Camp #10. Two years later, in 1945, he would return here to the Discharge Center at the end of his service. Along the way, he met his wife (Mary) Helen Fletcher Lochran who grew up near Bessemer, just outside Greensboro. The two married in 1947 and Mr. Lochra has lived in Greensboro since 1949. He lost his wife in 2014 and now lives with his daughter and son in law.

Mr Lochra has a keen memory and can describe his early childhood and the war years in great detail. He remembers fondly practically growing up in his father's grocery store in southwestern Pennsylvania, and also the hoops he had to jump through to volunteer for the army. He also talked about the three "mercy" missions  he made in Europe during the war. One of the flights was to get people out of Austria and to bring them to safety in Chartres, France; one was to take American soldiers, eligible for release, to Morocco to board planes to return to the United States; and one was to take food to Holland, a mission that the US Army negotiated with the Germans. At 96 years of age, Mr. Lochra  served the military five years before the Air Force was founded in 1947. Greensboro is extremely lucky to have Mr. Lochra in our presence. He still walks a mile a day, whether it is outside in front of his house, or, on colder days, twenty times around the living room to get his mile. He offered to put on his (original) uniform for the photo, and knows it still fits as he wore it to a service on Sunday. We opted not to trouble him to run upstairs to get it. Greensboro salutes you Tech Sergeant Lochra, today on Veterans Day, and every day!

Beautiful Fall Day in Midtown

After a cold snap and our first frost, yesterday was a glorious fall day with temperatures rising above 70 degrees. As we were out on a photo shoot yesterday on Westover Terrace in Midtown, this convertible stopped at the stoplight near Hardee's and asked us to photograph them. They are students at UNCG and were out driving around on this sunny day. Final exams are coming up soon, so how wonderful  they carved out a little time for a joy ride. It was such a joy to interact with them. It is so easy to interact with people in public and to be nice to each other. They made our day with their joy and and enthusiasm.

If you like to see fall colors like the one above, this week is probably about the last of peak. Head out and see for yourself with or without a convertible. Happy Wednesday!

Blood Drive

Sunday afternoon, we were driving along Lipscomb Road, near Friendly Avenue, and we saw the BIG RED BUS. The big red bus is a mobile place to donate blood. It looked like the event was actually handled by a private citizen as opposed to a church or school.  There was a tent set up in the back yard of this property and there was a medical profession leaving the premises as the bus was packing up.

Here is a link t the BIG RED BUS, in case any of you are interested in hosting a blood drive or learning more about the organization. The donation center will come to you; you don't need to go to it! Look at what a lovely day it was on Lipscomb Road. Donors even received a %20 girt card. We couldn't ascertain the impetus behind this initiative, but it seems like a good cause- community generated. Happy Tuesday!!!

Glenwood Art and Creative Greensboro

Harry Turfle, front right-  holding a cup of paint and a paintbrush- is lead artist on the Creative Greensboro Project in Glenwood. This weekend, artists and community members came out to help with the painting of the crosswalks at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Grove Street. The painting was the culmination of many neighborhood discussions and meetings between interested Glenwood residents. Harry said, in true artists' fashion, the group had to change their plans for the design. The special paint needed for painting on asphalt was not available in yellow and purple (supply chain issues)!  They didn't want to delay the project. As you can see above, the slightly more muted palate is actually quite striking and the black and white squares add a lot of energy to the design. The Glenwood group wanted the design to have movement without being too distracting to pedestrians.

Harry, passionate about community art, especially in his Glenwood neighborhood, identifies as an "wast coast mutt," having lived in several cities and states along the eastern seaboard. Harry came to Greensboro to attend UNCG, where he earned an MFA in art. He is very happy to call Greensboro, and Glenwood, home now. Thank you Harry for all you are doing for the community.

Read more about the Creative Greensboro and Artist In Residence programs, HERE.

The Historical Museum and the North Side of Town

Have you noticed how much the north side of town has changed? The first big wave was the Central Branch of the Greensboro Public Library on North Church Street, the nearby Cultural Arts Center, and the Children's Museum, and Center City Park. Then came LeBauer Park. Now, with the Tanger Center, Greensboro Northside has become quite a destination. The above photo features the Greensboro Historical Museum, a powerful "Northside" community resource since 1924. Prior to that, this building was the First Presbyterian Church. Look at that architecture, this section of the building with its round, brick exterior is so beautiful. Even though it is no longer a church, the interior and exterior are just so spiritual. It is beautiful on the inside and outside alike. 

We're wondering if, with the increased traffic in this part of town, if maybe someone could have a coffee cart outside the museum. The museum provide cafe tables and chairs- maybe not in winter, but when the weather gets nice. The museum is such a fabulous community rescouce. The only thing it needs is more foot traffic by the community. We need to do our part to support it. When the public schools are once again allowed to have field trips, it would be nice for every student to tour the museum at least once. 

We would like to arrange a tour of this building and then walk over and tour the current First Presbyterian Church. Both buildings are so beautiful and have so much history. If we ever arrange that tour, we'll let you know. In the meantime, have a happy Sunday. Hopefully you feel refreshed from that extra hour of sleep!

Wrangler, So Pretty in Pink

Wrangler has done so much for Breast Cancer and Brest Cancer Awareness, including the "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" initiative. While downtown yesterday, we happened upon the above display at Wrangler/Kontoor Headquarters on North Elm Street. In addition to a giant breast cancer awareness ribbon, they had pumpkins decorated in pink. We suspect we were on the tail end of an installation that has been on display since October. It was so inspiring to see it from the road. Now, we want to go to the top of the Bellemeade Parking Deck and catch the view from there.

We hope you had time to visit downtown during First Friday Last night. If not yesterday, you can always visit today. The weather should be a little warmer today and stores and galleries are festive; many have already started stocking holiday merchandise. As for us, like that last leaf on a tree, we're going to try to hold on to November as long as possible.

If you know someone affected by breast cancer, please drive them to see this exhibit. This display is really powerful in person and even more special with friends, especially ones who know the hope and love behind this symbol.

Autumn View of Center Pointe

Even on an overcast afternoon, Center City Park and the Center Pointe Building look beautiful in the fall. This area is great for fall photos. Also, if you come downtown this evening, there will be a lot going on for First Friday. The photo was taken from the front entrance of the Cultural Arts Centers. It stays open later on Fridays; so between art, and parks, and restaurants, there will be plenty to do if you stop downtown. The Day of the Dead exhibit organized by Casa Azul will be open until 8pm at the Cultural Arts Center.

Center Pointe, the high-rise with the windows that reflect blue, has apartments and condominiums that are perfect for people seeking an urban lifestyle.  At 515 South Elm Street, a rock and roll party featuring The Finns will be going strong. Here is a link to even more happenings tonight. Regardless of what you decide to do, have fun and enjoy the beautiful fall colors and the last night before we return to Standard time!

Savor the Moment

Savor the Moment Dessert and Bakery is located on the southeast corner of Friendly Avenue and Davie Street. While it is relatively new to the location, the bakers are proud to be their generation. You can dine in or take out. The location seems perfect with all of the events happening in the cultural arts center. People can meet at the bakery before and after lessons and events. They can get in out of the cold and have a warm drink while waiting for a ride. It is also across the street from Center City Park. Tomorrow is First Friday and Saturday is their Block Party from 1:00pm- 5:00 pm. They will have craft vendors, live music, lots of tasty treats, and face painting.

If you are looking for a snack downtown or a new place to visit, Savor the Moment is well worth your time. Have a good Thursday and, remember, it is the new Friday! It will be a good night to be downtown. You can also catch the Jack Stratton and Rebecca Fagg art exhibit in the Cultural Arts Center before it goes away.

Four Farms Road

For years, we have been meaning to drive down Four Farms Road. Turning left onto Horse Pen Creek from North Battleground, Four Farms is the first road on the left. For years, it has felt like a rural enclave, surrounded by suburban sprawl. Change was evident as we drove down the road. Some of the farmland is being converted to apartments and this new road is being cut through to the new neighborhood. You can see garages being built in the back on the left. For now, the structures on the rest of the road are single family homes. They extend all the way back to the Cone Health Facility at Battleground and Drawbridge Parkway. 

Change and growth in inevitable. Let's hope Greensboro can find a way to keep a balance of green space, retail, and housing. We have been monitoring changes on Horse Pen Creek since 2009 and, oh how has it changed. To be sure, there are no more cows and there are just a few more tracts of land left. It will be interesting to see what they become. Have there been changes in your neighborhood? If so, let us know, it is so interesting to get out and see how Greensboro is changing Happy Wednesday!

Learning about Day of the Dead at MCUNCG

Dr. Janis L. Antonek, photographed above, is standing beside the Day of the Dead altar she constructed with help from her students and in collaboration with local artist Beka Butts. The exhibit is installed at the Middle College at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (MCUNCG). It is displayed in the hallway for all students to enjoy, not just those taking Spanish this semester. The papel picado/cut paper, the lettering, and the tissue paper flowers were all made by students at the school. The goal of the project is to make it possible for students to make Mexican art and to learn about the practices, products, and perspectives centered around Mexican culture. Even though the theme of MCUNCG is health and life sciences, there are many students at the school who enjoy art. This project is an opportunity to incorporate visual art into the Spanish language curriculum.

The Endowment Grant Committee of the North Carolina Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Foundation awarded Dr. Antonek a 2021 MAXINE AND DON McCALL ENDOWMENT GRANT for Gifted Education or Fine Arts. Dr. Antonek was delighted to receive the grant because it is making it possible to collaborate with local artists, to purchase supplies, and to let students make art. Dr. Antonek says the students really seem to be enjoying learning about Mexican art and culture.

(photo credit T. Hefner).

Halloween 2021, on Walker Avenue

Sunset Hills may have the reputation for the most collective Christmas spirit with those round light balls in the trees. However, Lindley Park went all out last night creating a pretty fabulous Halloween. Some streets in the neighborhood were closed to vehicle traffic. There were children galore out trick-or-treating in the neighborhood. Walker Avenue, between Elam and Wendover Avenue was really alive. Specifically, 2406 Walker Avenue was especially celebratory. They had a Karaoke robot dancer and lazer light show. On the left, what looks like flames is light and a smoke machine. Children and adults alike were mesmerized. The family in this small house on Walker, built in 1925- almost 100 years ag0- really knows how to bring the neighborhood alive.

We hope schools, families, and teachers alike all have grace today. Between the NCA&T Homecoming this past weekend and all of the Halloween events, there will be a lot of tired people today. But, whenever it is possible to safely celebrate together, being a little tired the next day, is a small price to pay. Last night, we officially said goodbye to October. Hello November, we are ready for you, from Walker Avenure and beyond!