Greensboro Daily Photo

Greensboro Community Swim Association: City Meet 2022

The Community Swim Association (CSA) is such a wonderful opportunity for swimmers between the ages of five and nineteen. Whether someone swims year round or simply in summer,  CSA provides children good, fun opportunities to hone their swimming and team-building skills. Swimming as a sportis all about swimming your personal best for yourself and your team. Yesterday's competition at the Greensboro Aquatic Center (GAC) did not disappoint. The above photo features the top three fastest female teams in Event 39, the 15-19 Medley Relay. The Bur-Mil Marlins, one of the newest teams in CSA and a group that practices at a public pool in Owl's Roost, took first place; The Lawndale Lizards, a team that meets closer to town and one of the older teams, took second place; Henson Forest, a newer team, located in Summerfield, placed third. The medley relay features each of the four strokes: Back, breast, butterfly, and freestyle. Four swimmers work together, to earn their team a victory.

If you want something fun to do today, head to the Coliseum Complex and for the price of $5 to park, you can have a wonderful spectator experience in a state-of-the-art facility. Here is a link to follow along of events and results. Today's events are: Freestyle, individual medley, and the free relay. Swimmers compete in the morning to determine who swims in what heat in the afternoon. Even is you don't have a child or relative swimming, chances are, you will know families with children competing. 

We hope you have a happy Saturday and, if you see a CSA swimmer, ask them what they enjoyed most about summer swimming. You will get an array of answers. For many, competing at the GAC will be a highlight, and, if they are luck/accomplished enough to make the podium, it feels a little bit like the Olympics! Look at those smiles!

Hello Summer... Let's Swim!

Hello Summer! Recently, we were at Lindley Pool having nostalgia for the Greensboro Community Swim Association and all the years the summer meets for the city were held at Lindley Pool in Lindley Park. It was fun having the meets outdoors and the park was great entertainment for siblings who weren't swimming and during those long waits between events- which can seem like a lifetime to the 8 and under swimmers. However, not the meet is held at the Greensboro Aquatic Center (GAC) and it is going on today and tomorrow. There will be at least 20 swim clubs and about 2,000 swimmers between the ages of 5-18. If you go to the CSA website, you can monitor the results as they are reported.

GAC opened Summer 2011 and for the past 11 years, the facility has provided Greensboro with state-of-the art pools bringing many national events to the area. As a matter of fact, in two weeks, the YMCA long-course nationals will be held at the GAC, but for the next two days, those lanes belong to the children of Greensboro who competed in dual meets for their home swim clubs. Some children swim year-round, some just swim in the summer. Regardless of one's level, fun will be had by all. In the meantime, for those who aren't swimming in City Meet and who aren't interested in the meet of the summer, Lindley Pool is open and ready to welcome you with open arms!

Happy Friday!

 

Chess in Center City Park

This is one of our favorite photos from Fun Fourth. These two guys were playing chess on the Elm Street side of Center City Park. There were festivities going on all around them, but their concentration was on their chess fame. If you are looking for a place to play chess, Greensboro Chess Club meets every Wednesday from 6:30-9:00 pm at the Lewis Recreation Club at 3110 Forest Lawn Drive (near the intersection of Battleground Avenue and Pisgah Church Road). Instructors and resources are available. The club is open to all enthusiasts. However, nothing beats playing outdoors on a warm summer day, surrounded by people enjoying the day. They say chess is a metaphor for life. There are endless opportunities; we need to anticipate others' moves; losing isn't always failing and challenges can trigger growth. But, on a sunny day, with a friend, it can just be a way to learn a little and enjoy spending time together. 

Have a great Thursday. 

Uncle Sams at Fun Fourth Downtown Greensboro

Fun Fourth was such a joyful event for Greensboro, especially since, due to COVID,  this is the first "normal" Fun Fourth since 2019. Walking the length of Elm Street, we quickly noticed that there were two Uncle Sams. The top photo features Robby Hassell, who is a lawyer and judge. Uncle Sam in the bottom photo is Keith A. Holliday, former mayor of Greensboro. Both men have had accomplished careers, both are dedicated to serving the public, and are involved in many civic activities. Mr. Holliday covered Elm Street, south of Hamburger Square and Mr. Hassell, north. Both took their duties seriously, interacting with the public, posing for photos, shaking hands, answering logistical questions, and distributing little American flags to all who were interested. It was extremely hot on the 4th and neither Uncle Sam complained a bit about being in the hot, patriotic attire. To be sure, neither got sunburned since their bodies were covered from head to toe.

Friend and local performer extraordinaire, Jessica Mashburn, reminded us that Sam Hummel was Uncle Sam for decades. To each and every person who volunteered at the Fun Fourth, whether it was a highly visible position like dressing as Uncle Sam, or one of the behind-the-scene positions (the worker bees who go unnoticed), thank you for your service to the community. Truly, giving back to the community, is a special act of patriotism. We thank you! 

Watching Fireworks and Making Memories over the Fourth

If you are someone who love fireworks, and you live in the Greensboro area, you may have gone to Greensboro's fireworks in Gibsonville on Sunday night. Since the Greensboro fireworks were in east Guilford County the night before, last night was wide open for people to attend the Greensboro Grasshoppers game, and stay for the fireworks after the game. The baseball game was a sell out and the Grasshoppers beat the Greenville Drive, 11-4. And the fireworks were, truly, a grand finale! The above photo was taken at yet another fireworks opportunity in Guilford County, at Oak Hollow Lake in High Point. Children and families sat along the lake and, just after dark, fireworks lit up the sky as children (yes CHILDREN) sat around perfecting their photography and videography skills capturing digital memories. The night was relaxing and family oriented with carloads of people driving, and many walking,  to see the fireworks display. To be sure, families were making memories. 

Stop back to GDP throughout the week and we'll have some Fun Fourth photos from downtown Greensboro to show you. Those of us who stayed in town had plenty to do in all parts of the county!

Happy Tuesday!

Mapping Out Fun Fourth... Beginning at the Biltmore Greensboro Hotel

Last night, all was quiet in downtown Greensboro, on the eve of the Fourth of July. We were walking along Washington Street, in front of the Biltmore Greensboro Hotel. Today, the Biltmore Hotel will be in the middle of all of the Fun Fourth Activities. As of 5:00 am this morning, Elm Street will be blocked off and all cars must be off the street or they will be towed. The Fun Fourth will be fabulous this year. HERE is a list of all the activities for today. It will start with the Freedom Run, the Triad's longest running race tradition. The 10K starts at 7:30 am and the rest of the races at 8:00 am at 211 North Davie Street. If you are not running, you are encouraged to stand along the route and cheer people on (even if you don't know then). Freedom Fest this year is broken off into 4 zones, with activities going from 12noon- 6:00 pm. The zones are primarily from Tanger Center & LeBauer Park in the north to Lewis Street in the south &  between Greene and Davie Streets. The Fun Fourth committee made a real effort to see that each zone has vendors, music, attractions, food, and plenty to do. We are hoping to roller skate in Zone 2.

The Biltmore is between Zone 2 and 3. The simple bunting looks so elegant; it is the kind of decoration that you might have found when the building was constructed in 1895. Looking at the facade of the Biltmore, it is as if one has stepped back in time over 100 years ago. Yet, step into the hotel and everything you need for the 21st century is at your fingertips.*  This is the reason Greensboro is such a great city. We honor the past, especially in architecture; value traditions; and come together to to enjoy each other, on events like Fun Fourth. None of this could be done without a strong business community, good leadership, and a passel of great volunteers. As a grand finale, tonight, there is a Greensboro Grasshoppers game at 6:30 pm and fireworks at First National Bank Field after the game. Regardless of how you spend your time today, have a great day!

* If you follow Greensboro Daily Photo, you already know that we featured the Biltmore 13 years ago, the first year of Greensboro Daily Photo. As you can see from this photo, the awning has changed and the word "Greensboro" has been added to the name, likely to avoid confusion with the Vanderbilt's Biltmore in Asheville. 

Happy July!

Can you believe it is already July? In two days, it will be the Fourth of July and many people will be celebrating. During holidays, it is fun to drive around and see how houses are decorated. The above colonial home on Fleming Road is holiday ready. The white, colonial Williamsburg home, with its simple framework, symmetry, and two stories, really stands out with the flags and red, white, and blue banners. The home was built in 1985, just as Greensboro was starting to experience a housing boom. The one-acre lot looks well maintained, without being overly manicured. The current owners have been in the house for a little over a year and it looks like they are taking good care of it. The architecture is such that the home could be as easily 100 years old as it is 37!

If you are out and about today, don't forget to go to one of the many farmers markets in and around Greensboro. Produce is coming on strong. You should see lots of peppers, cucumbers, squash, figs, blueberries, and more. Buy local and buy today so that you will have plenty to share on the Fourth! Oh, and don't forget, today is Day 2 62 days that Cookout will be selling watermelon milkshakes! There is another destination for you!

Greensboro Performing Arts

Greensboro Performing Arts is located at 7200 Summerfield Road. The building was formerly a church (Cathedral of Faith Christian Center) and still had the shape and the stained glass window to prove it. However, now, it is the new home of the Greensboro Performing Arts Center and great things are happening there this summer. Currently, the musical "Mary Poppins" is currently in production. There will be a showing tonight and tomorrow night at 7:00 pm. If you are looking for something to do in the North Greensboro/Summerfield part of town, this is a great option. 

Every time we drive by, something new has been added to the property or to what they offer. In addition to the Jumping Bean Coffee Shop being on property, for a year now, there is also a farmers market on Saturday mornings. Plus, Greensboro Performing Arts continues to add classes, and performances. The most recent addition we've noticed is the signage and the metal tree. Consider brushing up on your spelling of supercalifragilisticexpialidocious, grabbing your parrot handle umbrella, carpet bag, favorite kids and experience some wholesome fun and great local performing.

For those who choose to stay closer to town, remember that it is First Friday and there are lots of businesses hoping you will start celebrating downtown even earlier than the Fun Fourth! Let us know what you decide to do.