Greensboro Daily Photo

Farmers Market Day

The above photo was taken at a special event last Sunday at the Greensboro Farmers' Market on Yanceyville Street. However, all of the farmers' markets today will have plants as May 1st is a perfect time to get your plants in the ground. You can head to the Greensboro Farmers' Market, the Corner Market on West Market Street beside St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, the Farmers' Market on Sandy Ridge, or any of the other farms that are offering plants. One such opportunity will be Providence Farm. Spring is such a great time to get out and meet local people with their plants, food, and crafts.

 might not have plants for sale, but they are having live music, bread and meat for purchase, and vendors out to provide you with home made products.After a two year hiatus, Leanne Pizio's arts and crafts show will return on her property on Oak Ridge Road, just a mile east or ORMA. Look for the painted truck at the road as well as a person standing there parking cars. Spring is so glorious in Greensboro. You owe it to yourself to get out and enjoy spring happenings in Greensboro!

The Day the Amazi'N Blazi'N Fire Truck Came to Town

Happy Friday, Greensboro! Can you believe it is almost May? In the meantime, as we celebrate a couple more days of April, we want. you to see this fire truck that came to the Food Truck Festival last Sunday. Based out of Charlotte, the owners of this business usually focus on a 60 mile radius from The Queen's City. However, for one day, they took people for a spin around Greensboro. The seats on the top deck provide a birds-eye view of the city. It is photographed at the Lewis and Elm intersection, the same location of yesterday's photo. This is yet another example of how Greensboro, and that part of town in particularly, is getting more fun. The Amazi'N Blazi'N fire truck is available for all kinds of events.

The world is wide open for entrepreneurs. All you need is a novel idea, a community with an interest in your product, and a good social media presence. Have a great weekend; enjoy the last two days of April. There is so much going on this weekend and prom and graduation events are upon us! There will be lots of vehicles on Greensboro streets, maybe even an amazi'N blazi'N fire truck!

Photo Shoot on Lewis & Elm

Lewis and Elm has become a fun part of town. Lewis and Elm is both a business and a crossroad. The business has light appetizers, wine, cheese, and often live entertainment. Bourbon Bowl is in the area, a place to buy Wrangler jeans, Elsewhere Museum, Boxcar Bar and Arcade, and so much more. This is a part of town where you can go and hang out and have plenty of social activity. In the above photo, a graduate has chosen this location for some graduation photos. This is such an exciting time of year. By the end of the first week of May, university graduations begin and at the end of May, the high schools start their graduation ceremonies. 

Do you have a special place in Greensboro to take ceremonial photos? Many people like to use the murals or graffiti as a backdrop. To anchor the photo in Greensboro, or at the school, signage with the name of the school is always a good bet. Another idea is with one of the pairs of fiberglass jeans since in the mid-20th century, Greensboro was the denim capital of the world. The Bog Garden and Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden are prom photo favorites. It can be nice to have a natural setting so the background doesn't detract from the people in the photo. If you can find a place that holds a special memory or is linked to your career choice, those can make fun photos. Perhaps it was the lighting (bright, but not harsh sun) or the plain gray wall that attracted the graduate to the space. At any rate, this trending corner of town is much busier once the sun sets. 

If you have a graduating senior in your life, may you find the perfect spot to capture those photos. Location! Location! Location! Happy Thursday.

Julia Ioffe Spoke

Internationally recognized journalist and scholar on Russian-U.S. relations, Julia Ioffe spoke as part of the Guilford College Bryan Series^® last night. She filled in for Chef José Andrés who is doing relief work with his organization, World Central Kitchen, in Ukraine. Giving her area of expertise, bringing Ioffe as a replacement couldn't have been more timely. She led the audience from her early years in Moscow as an elementary school student and Little Octoberist during the Soviet era. She immigrated to the United States with her family when she was seven, bringing a multifaceted understanding to Russian-U.S. relations. 

We are so lucky in Greensboro and Guilford County to have so many institutions of higher education. We have access to great speakers and entertainers. On a slightly less serious note, Steve Martin will be at the Tanger Center on May 10th as part of the Bryan Series. The Bryan Series will announce their speakers for next season on May 10th. If you want season tickets, you should act quickly. The auditorium is pretty full!

Governmental Plaza

Part of the fun of being at the Food Truck Festival downtown on Sunday was seeing all of the people. It was also special seeing streets lined with families. Governmental Plaza was busy and provided lots of shade on an otherwise blistering day. Governmental Plaza can feel so "heavy" when people have to go appear in court, serve on jury duty, get their taxes settled, etc. Business, business, business. However on Sunday, the plaza area, extending from Market and Eugene Streets to Greene and Washington Street came alive with people enjoying each other. The above photo was taken on the southeast corner of the plaza, near the parking deck. Children were playing and enjoying the bounce park. 

As you can see, the trees are starting to leaf out. Temperatures will be in the 80s today so it will really feel like summer. Let's hope the city can keep up the momentum and do even more to entice people to spend time downtown.

Happy Tuesday!

Food Truck Festival in Downtown Greensboro Returned Yesterday!

Yesterday, over 50 food trucks descended upon downtown Greensboro, filling the streets with everything from Kona ice to vegan dishes to burritos and fried fish. Sunny weather in the 80s and the thought of great food was all that people needed to inspire them to spend time on Elm, Market, and Greene Streets. It was good to have this spring event back after the two COVID years. We estimate that the most popular food trucks had between 150-200 people waiting in line. One of the most popular trucks was the macaroni and cheese truck. The craft vendors seemed to be doing well, too.

The above photo was taken on  Greene Street with the Lincoln Financial Group building in the background. Based on yesterday's response, it seems like Greensboro could support additional food truck festivals. It was also nice to see Governmental Plaza filled with people enjoying the day. Having the event on Sunday kept it from interfering with downtown businesses. We were a little concerned as to whether or not it affected the final day of Hamilton at the Tanger Center. Perhaps people going to Tanger or coming out of the matinee had an opportunity to partake in  these delicious food options.

Happy Monday, everyone!

The Neighbors of Congregational United Church of Christ on Radiance Drive

Radiance Drive is a special place in Greensboro. It is a penninsula-esque street surrounded by Josephine  Boyd Street and Friendly Avenue. This is the location of Congregational United Church of Christ (see our photo from last week). Today is their Earth Day Festival from 1pm-4pm. They will have live music, storytelling, free plants, art, door prizes, and more. They will even give away some plants. Head over to 400 Radiance Drive and enjoy the event. 

While you are at the church, notice this house right beside it. The sign in the yard, a cornucopia with a pumpkin is there full time. It says, "I'm thankful GOD loves us all." What a sweet, heartfelt thought. This message echoes the belief of the congregants of the Congregational UCC. If you go to the earth day celebration, you will feel welcome and loved! And, if you see someone out at the house with the red umbrellas out front, give them a wave. You will feel the love!

And, don't forget, from 9am-2pm is the "GO GREEN" Garden Show at the Greensboro Farmers Market on Yanceyville Street. Of course, the Sandy Ridge Farmers Market is  going full steam today. Get ready for Arbor Day!

Happy Sunday!

Along Rainbow Alley

It isn't very often that Greensboro feels like a big city. However, there is a little alley tucked away downtown, between Scuppernong Book Store and Jerusalem Market on South Elm Street. From Greene Street, it is behind the Bodega Store, across from Carolina Theatre. Walking along that alley really, you really get that big city feel. You can see stoops, cars carefully parked, balconies, and views of businesses looking from the outside in. It is fun to follow the Rainbow Alley from start to finish.

If you want to find the alley, look for the rainbow road, artwork done by Gina Franco in 2016. The alley is easily accessible from 111 West Washington Street. The rainbow matches the artwork on the Greene/Washington Parking Deck. From the alley, you will notice life downtown in a way that isn't as noticeable from the front part of the storefronts. You may even see an alley cat along the way.

Happy Saturday. Happy exploring Greensboro this weekend

Happy Earth Day... Pull Up a Chair!

Happy Earth Day! Let's celebrate together! A couple of weeks ago, we published a photo of a Deodar cedar tree in the center of the cul-de-sac on Clement Court. It was planted in 1970 by (then) County Manager, John Witherspoon. Today's photo shows life under the tree planted 52 years ago. Look at the cozy seating where neighbors can gather for fellowship and fun. Think if you plant a tree today how wonderful it will be for future generations. Imagine the wildlife that lives above in this tree. Greensboro has some fabulous, mature trees and this is one of them. Let's do what we can to keep our trees healthy. How will you be spending Earth Day? Do you have a special place to sit and converse with neighbors?

If you are looking for something to do today, there is an Earth Day Celebration at Kathleen Clay Edwards Family Branch Library at 1420 Price Park Road from 3:00- 4:00 pm. They will talk about Earth Day and the importance of taking care of the planet. It is a family friendly program. There will also be an Earth Day Bug Safari at 6068 North Church Street from 3:30- 5:00pm. This is an initiative of the NC Arboretum.

Here's to celebrating the planet- every day and especially TODAY! Happy Friday!

A Special Blend

A Special Blend is a special coffee shop located at 3900 West Market Street in the same plaza with the Art Shop and Mythos Restaurant. A Special Blend is about to celebrate their third year as a coffee shop. Their staff is comprised of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The employees show that they are able to do much more than people often assume they can. The atmosphere is warm and inviting and the coffee and pastries are delicious. As you can see from the above photo, the atmosphere is warm, inviting, and clean. You can't see it from this photo but just beyond the counter, on the left, is a community room you can rent for business meetings, book club, or any gathering that would benefit from the use of a space out of the office or away from home.

If you want to help the mission of this non-profit, please become a regular, and you will be hooked. Also, on May 14th, they will have an event as Starmont Forest Country Club at 7:00 pm to celebrate their third year in business. At the event, there will be music, a silent auction, a dessert competition, and more. You can get more information about the event at aspecialblend.org

Elton John Performs His Farewell Tour in Greensboro

Elton John played his fourth and final Greensboro concert last night at the Coliseum to a full house- approximately 16,000 people. In the above photo, he is saying his final goodbye to Greensboro as he is being lifted off behind stage. His first concert in Greensboro was September 21st, 1973, 49 years ago. Last night,  Elton John played for close to 2 1/2 hours, with 22 songs on his set list, He changed clothes and glasses three times. His enthusiasm and energy could be felt by the crowd. The video montage put together for the Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour incorporated beach life in England; life in California; clips from the movie about his life; actual photos and footage from his performances over the years; and more.  

Elton John and his band play so well together; all are accomplished musicians. At the end, he said his goodbyes, making it clear that he is winding down his performances, but that he is nostalgic and grateful that the United States appreciated his music first. His goodbye to the Greensboro audience, in combination with the final songs (Cold Heart, Your Song, and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road), left many in tears. Those who were there will remember the concert for a very long time. 

Goodbye, Sir Elton John. Wishing we could head to Columbia, SC to see your show tonight!

 

Sage Mule Inside

The Sage Mule is a restaurant located in the northwest section of downtown Greensboro. It is near the baseball park, Deep Roots Co-op, and Joymongers. We featured the exterior recently and had a request to show the inside. It is much larger than it appears outside. They've been open since November 2019, and homemade breakfasts are their speciality. They make special cinnamon rolls. On the day we were there, they had s'mores flavored rolls! In anticipation of Easter, last week, they had a pastel, chocolate, raspberry cinnamon bun; that's a lot of adjectives and it had lots of toppings! Not all is sweet. They have savory dishes, too.  The artwork and plants inside are a nice feature; however, the best visual appeal is the presentation of the delicious food.

While the photo gives you a good idea of the interior seating, what you can't see is the "singles" bar at the window where there must be about a dozen seats for small parties or people sitting alone. Service at the bar is very fast and the wait staff is attentive. 

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Spring Has Arrived on Spring Garden Street!

This green house at 911 Spring Garden Street, near the intersection of Joyner Street, is representative of spring in Greensboro. The azaleas are in full bloom, as is the dogwood in the left of the photo. This house at 911 was built in the first decade of the 1900s. Some records indicate 1905; others 1010. Also, with five bedrooms, it is bigger that it appears from the street view. College Hill is one of Greensboro's earliest neighborhoods and so much of the character of the early 20th century remains. In 1980, College Hill was designated Greensboro's first local historic district. In 1993, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The above home is currently a rental and the location is ideal; being situated between UNCG and Greensboro College and about a mile west of downtown Greensboro.  It remains charming and well-maintained. 

Happy Monday!

Congregational United Church of Christ, Prepared for Easter

Happy Easter, Passover, and Ramadan. All three of these Abrahamic religions coincide this year. Featured today is the Congregational United Church of Christ on Radiance Drive in Greensboro. If you notice, just to the right of the "A JUST WORLD FOR ALL" flag, you can see someone working on the grounds. This church, tucked away off Friendly Avenue, is known for being accepting and, as a result, has attracted quite a diverse population. They are also known for being stewards of the earth. To that end, next Sunday, April 24th, from 1-4 pm, they will hold an Earth Day Festival at  their very own Habitat Refugium. 

At The Earth Day Festival attendees will have an opportunity to tour the Habitat Garden and learn about native plants and pollinators; listen to live music and storytellers; and make art and peruse displays. They will even be giving away plants that attract pollinators.

But for today, pastor Julie Peeples will be preaching John's account of the resurrection and flowers will be placed on the cross. The organ prelude for the service begins at 10:50 and will be in person and live streamed on their Facebook page. After the service, they will hold an egg hunt for the children.  Today is such an important day for Christians and it is important to find a way to help all feel included in the service, including the little ones who will remember that post-service egg hunt for a very long time. Have a great day, Regardless of what you celebrate and where you are located. 

Hypeclinic Window Scene on Elm Street

Today's window display in Downtown Greensboro is at 300A South Elm Street, where the Glitters novelty/variety store was located for years. Hyperclinic is a "high end, streetwear, vintage" clothing store targeting the young and trendy crowd. They provide tennis shoes, jeans, and t-shirts; with collectible vintage and new t-shirts alike. They have some really fun vintage band t-shirts. Hypeclinic has been open for a year and their inventory evolves to meet the interest and demand of their customer base.

Hypeclinic doesn't appear on the list of participants in the Downtown Eggstravaganza that is taking place in downtown Greensboro today. Remember 21 downtown businesses have banded together to provide a city-wide Easter egg hunt. While Hyperclinic may not be participating in that initiative, as you can see from their merchandise featured above they are Easter-ready with some very special, limited-edition Crocs. If your foot is about a size 12, those Easter Peep™ Crocs are waiting for you. Run, don't walk downtown to get a pair. Imagine wearing them with your Sunday-best, Easter attire. Oh how fun and creative. We're wondering who thought them up and who will end up wearing Peep™ Crocs in Greensboro!

Happy Saturday! Happy Passover!

Eggstravaganza in Downtown Greensboro!

Today is the day for the Downtown Greensboro Truliant Eggstravaganza. There are hidden eggs and prizes throughout downtown. Participating businesses have eggs hidden in their establishment and if you find one and show a picture of the egg at the register, you'll receive an egg with a prize. The event is happening today and tomorrow. Read HERE for more details. In the above photo, Lauren and Allen of Healthy Boro Fitness and Nutrition Shop were toting bags of eggs to their juice and smoothie shop, Healthy Boro is located at 106 Paisley Street, just north of the Marriott. 

For the last four years, Lauren and Allen have been providing customers with nutritional liquid meals and more. They are such an upbeat, positive couple. Spend a few minutes around them and you will feel the positive energy of this husband and wife team. Stop by their store tomorrow and hunt for an Easter egg and you just may win one of the big prizes. Lauren and Allen carried these large bags of Easter eggs all the way from 536 South Elm Street to their shop on Paisley. That is a pretty long walk! Healthy Boro is not open on Saturday, so, if you want to earn one of those eggs, see them today. Some businesses are participating on Friday and Saturday. We had to laugh because we spotted Lauren and Allen when we were at the corner of McGee and South Elm. By the time we ran to catch up with them, they were already in front of Scuppernong Book Sellers! Meeting them was well worth the run. Happy Friday!

Bog Garden at Benjamin Park

It has been a while since we visited the Bog Garden and last weekend the weather was absolutely lovely.  The Bog Garden, located at 1101 Hobbs Road,  is a 7-acre natural wetland within a 21 acre natural habitat. The land was donated to the City of Greensboro Parks and Recreation department by the Starmount Company in 1987. There is an elevated boardwalk that makes the trail enjoyable in any season. The City of Greensboro and Greensboro Beautiful have made a commitment to keeping out invasive species and to fill the garden with native plants. Promoting a healthy ecosystem, which includes having native plants, is a way to help birds thrive and to increase animal diversity. There are 29 kinds of native trees alone. Dr. Joe Christian, Greensboro physician, was instrumental in establishing the Bog Garden at Benjamin Park. If our tree identification is correct, the photo features the bald cypress trees planted by Dr. Joe. The view is so peaceful; it is hard to believe you are right on the edge of Friendly Shopping Center.

Friday and Easter Sunday look like they will be perfect days for visiting. Today and Saturday could be a little rainy. Truthfully, if you don't mind a little water, the Bog Garden is lovely at any time, and its look changes given the weather conditions. Go have a look! If you have family coming into town this weekend, this is a nice place to take them to enjoy nature.

*Read more about the Bog Garden and Dr. Joe Christian.

UNCG Spring Open House

Last Saturday, April 9th, UNCG held spring open house for prospective  students and their families. Likely-future Spartans filled campus with curiosity and joy. The above photo features the auditorium at the corner of Spring Garden Street and Tate Street. It was built in 1927 serving as a giant welcome mat, inviting people to campus. It is the easternmost point on campus. The building was designed by Greensboro's own Harry Barton.* On Saturday, the opening welcome was held in this building, followed by college and school information sessions. Afternoon activities took visitors to the residence halls, the Kaplan commons, and the Elliot University Center, and more. Signage was well placed thought out campus and the people positioned outside directing people to the auditorium were very friendly. 

By the time students are ready for college, there can be many options, as opposed to the K-12 setting where students are more inclined to attend their attendance zone school. It is important to make a good first-impression. By all accounts we heard, UNCG did, indeed, represent itself well on Saturday. Having a beautifully sunny day helped make the campus shine. Whether attending high school or college, it is always a good idea to make an on-site visit. Usually, prospective students get a good feel as to whether or not they feel like the institution is right for them. In the case of the college visits, it is a good chance to help give parents peace of mind. May all decisions turn out to be good ones. Happy Wednesday!

For those who weren't able to attend in person, a wealth of information was available online.

*see also, reference and more information, HERE.

Towering Cypress Tree On Clement Court

John Witherspoon moved to Greensboro in 1968 to assume the position of Guilford County manager. The Forest Valley neighborhood off of Hobbs Road was being developed at the time, and it was where the Witherspoons settled, a nice neighborhood for John and wife June to raise a family. In 1970, he planted a Deodar cedar tree in the center of the cul-de-sac at the end of the street. Over the next 2+ decades during the family's time in Greensboro, they watched the cedar grow. At Christmas, the family would decorate it, even when they had to bring in special equipment to get the lights on the top. Now, after 50 years, the tree is probably too large to decorate, but it still gets plenty of use. While it is hard to see from this angle, under the tree, residents of Clement Court have placed a swing, a bench, and some other seating. It is really a great gathering spot for the families on the street.

While Mr. and Mrs. Witherspoon moved on after his 23 years of service to Guilford County, the tree stands strong, serving as a visual legacy of his impact on the community. Of course other things came to fruition locally during Mr. Witherspoon's tenure with the county; including the consolidation of the courts, construction of a new courthouse and offices, the creation of an ambulance service, the establishment of countywide zoning, and more.* Mr. Witherspoon always loved the people of Guilford County, as well as the natural beauty of the area. His cypress tree adds to that beauty. As Arbor Day (4/29)  and Earth Day (4/22) draw near, let us all follow Mr. Witherspoon's lead and plant something that will contribute to the beauty of our community. 

 

*reference and more information.

Butterfly Effect 2022

 

The Butterfly Effect is a beautiful arts and crafts venue at 3319 Sandy Ridge Road near the Farmer's Market.  We had the chance to visit in 2020, just before the pandemic shut everything down. This past Saturday, we stopped by to say hello to owner, Helene Avraham-Katz, and of course to shop a little. The shop is as cute as ever and well stocked with items by over 50 vendors. This past Saturday, she held a special event with even more vendors who set up for the day. Featured in the above photo are (from left to right), Yahav, Lisa (with Daisy, a dog she is fostering), Helene, Leah, and Heather. You can tell by the smiles, the shop is a joyous place to be.

Helene has beat pancreatic cancer twice and approaches every day with happiness and optimism. On the right of the counter, you can see the memoir she wrote about her life and journey back to health. The title is "The Butterfly Effect."  Helene is a very open person and after spending a few minutes in her store, you will start to feel like family. You will sense the ripple of energy characteristic of the butterfly effect. Today, we learned that twenty one years ago, Helene and her family immigrated to the USA from South Africa, as opposed to going to Australia because it was easier to bring  dogs into the United States. For Australia, themdogs would have had to quarantine for six months. Australia's loss has been a big gain for Greensboro!

Currently, the store is making T-shirts in support of Ukraine. They are $15 for  regular t-shirts and $18 for wicking shirts. To the right of Heather, you can see the front of the shirts, with the sunflower. On the back, they say "Peace for Ukraine". All profits will be given to the UNICEF Organization to help children in Ukraine. Please support this organization that is centered on building community, locally and internationally.

 

See the 2020 GDP post HERE.

Friendly Avenue Baptist Church Fire Truck Easter Egg Drop

Yesterday was a very special day at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church.....

Children, from toddlers to 5th graders, were invited to hear the Easter story and then participate in the Fire Truck Easter Egg Drop. In the above photo, you see children scrambling to gather Easter eggs filled with treats, just after the eggs had been dropped from a fire truck's bucket ladder extended several stories high. In addition, there were stations all over the church lot with games, activities, and light snacks for the children. Everything was free and family friendly. Every detail was meticulously executed. Participants pre-registered, ensuring sufficient volunteer staff and enough Easter eggs.  By the start of the event yesterday, thousands of eggs were carefully stuffed and sealed with tape- wheel barrels full. Children were given clear empty bags to stuff with plastic eggs. In spite of the cool, breezy weather, fun was had by all. Friendly Avenue is known for having these big, inclusive events that help build memories for children. Yesterday was one of many examples of their efforts to build a sense of community.

If you were wanting to go to church at Friendly Avenue today, Palm Sunday, there is an 8:30 am service; Sunday school is at 9:45am;  and the late service is at 11:00am. Five o-clock in the evening is Kids Praise time; students and adults also have a group gathering at 5:00 pm. For Christians, today, Palm Sunday, commemorates the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem, when palm branches were placed down, marking the path. We're betting today will also be a very special day at Friendly Avenue Baptist.

Happy Sunday!

Lynn Witherspoon

Today, we're featuring the ever enthusiastic and energetic Lynn Witherspoon. Lynn's impressive credentials include working with the National Folk Festival, the North Carolina Folk Festival, the upcoming Greensboro Bound Literary Festival, and the Carolina Blues Festival- to name a few. Lynn is the person who, as she puts it, takes care of all the things that happen in the background at festivals and community events. She ensures that the infrastructure is in place. As an example, with the folk festivals, she determines where the stages will be, how many tents they need, where vendors and food trucks will set up, how many volunteers will be needed and where, how to meet the needs of guest performers and presenters, and more. She learned the art of managing the inner workings of a festival by shadowing the crew of the National Folk Festival. However, Lynn had already amassed a tremendous skill set which includes being organized, loving to work with diverse groups of people, seeing the big picture as well as all of the step-by-step details; not to mention she is extremely computer literate. If you don't recognize Lynn, it is because she prefers working behind the scenes.

One of the many features that makes Lynn the perfect person for playing a leadership role in the operations of a local festival is the fact that she is a local herself. When the decision was made for the 2020 North Carolina Folk Festival to be virtual, with her knowledge of Greensboro, Lynn helped find the perfect locations to film. She selected: The Underground Railroad Tree at Guilford College; The Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum; The Old Mill of Guilford; The Carousel at the Science Center of Greensboro; The Civil Rights Museum; Magnolia House; Center City Park; the First National Bank Baseball Field; and Gateway Gardens. While the folk festivals are near and dear to her heart, right now, Lynn is focusing her efforts on the Carolina Blues Festival* and the Greensboro Bound Literary Festival.  The entire Literary Bound Festival will be indoors and all of the details are nicely outlined on the festival's homepage. While the festival is free, through the homepage, you can access a sign up sheet. The organizers want to  have an idea of how many people are planning to attend each presentation and to honor the capacity of the venues. This in-person festival will be held May 19-22, and don't be surprised if you don't see Lynn. Rest assured, she will be working non-stop every step of the way!

The interview was conducted earlier in the week at Common Grounds, a coffee shop on Elam Avenue. 

*The Carolina Blues Festival will be also be held in Greensboro May 21st- 22nd in LeBauer Park.

The Sage Mule

Well, it's the weekend and people are talking about the great scratch-made breakfasts and Sunday brunch at The Sage Mule. In November of 2019, the restaurant opened at 608 Battleground Avenue. It is located at the end of a strip of establishments that are becoming quite the destination. On Wednesday, when we were out walking on National Walking Day, we walked through Green Hill Cemetery and on the walk back to town, this is the view. Look how lovely this side of the restaurant is here with the Adirondack chairs, dried grasses, and rock garden. If you look to the left of the pergola, you can see signage for the Sage Mule. This view is very different from the Battleground side. It is fun to look at things from a fresh perspective, be it a situation in your life, or a very special downtown restaurant.

Happy Friday! May you find great things and restaurants to explore around town. Right now, we're trying to plan our trip to the Sage Mule and deciding between something savory or the cinny buns, which are so deliciously decadent they should be called sin-ny buns!

Joymongers and the Ambience Downtown Yesterday

Yesterday was a glorious spring day, with the temperature soaring to 80, and downtown was teeming with people excited to be outside. The above photo was taken in front of Joymongers at 576 North Eugene Street at the tiny LoFi Park. This little slice of joy is a favorite of people who like outdoor activities. We're not sure of the name of the woman leading the exercise session here, but it was wonderful. She is the woman with the red balloon was explaining to the group that having something in your hands, regardless of how light, helps engage the core muscles. Participants seemed to be enjoying the session. If you know about this session, please let us know. Obviously, it was planned as people arrived with equipment and wearing exercise clothes.

It was so nice yesterday, people were out running and walking their dogs. The first Wednesday in April is National Walking Day*, so if you were out walking yesterday you participated in this national event. We were walking and, as we were returning, we noticed the Lincoln Financial Group building in the background. It is always fun to feature a slice of what was known as the "JP Building" in our downtown photos.

Happy Thursday!

*if you read this article about National Walking Day, you will learn some really interesting facts like tennis shoes wear out after 500 miles and that people walk 65,000 miles in their lifetime. These aren't Greensboro-specific statistics, but if you walk a lot, you will find them interesting.

Remembering John Coltrane

Today, we are sharing one more post from our visit down in High Point. We finally got to see the John Coltrane monument/statue. Jazz musician John Coltrane was born in Hamlet (Richmond County), North Carolina. However, he grew up in High Point, attending Penn Griffin High School- now Penn Griffin School for the Arts. The above statue is only about a mile from his school. Mr. Coltrane, who learned to play saxophone in High Point,  is said to be one of the most influential saxophonists of all time.

The Coltrane monument in High Point is an 8' bronze sculpture at the intersection of Commerce Avenue and Hamilton Street. It is as if he is watching over Furniture Market. The sculptor is Thomas Jay Warren and the statue was dedicated in 2006. Near the statue is a commemorative sign, historic marker, and a couple of benches, perfect for sitting and reflecting on the influence this great musician had on so many people. His memory continues to live on. The people who were involved in fundraising for the statue were instrumental in starting the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival. If you like John Coltrane's music, mark your calendar for the John Coltrane International Jazz and Blues Festival, Labor Day Weekend 2022. And, if you want to hear some great blues music before September, the weekend of May 21st and 22nd, Downtown Greensboro will host the 36th annual Carolina Blues Festival.

Furniture Market in Full Swing

Down the road in High Point, Furniture Market is in full swing. Even for those without special entry badges, there is plenty to see just walking around downtown. Market is a time to feel really proud of the furniture industry in Guilford County. It is the largest trade show in the world for the furnishings industry. The whole community pulls together to make the experience special and productive for people buying and showing. 

The above photo was taken outside of the Eichholtz showroom. Eichholtz, a Dutch company, has had a showroom on Hamilton Street since fall 2019. This stately building has 30 ft. windows and reflecting pools out front. Inside, it is 20,000 feet of furniture, lighting, and modern design. The above view gives a feel of the elegance of market. While the event is in High Point, not Greensboro, the excitement spills over into Greensboro. With over 75,000 people attending market, motel rooms fill and restaurants are booked.  To be sure, the venues really sparkles on sunny days! 

Happy Tuesday!

Furniture Market, Jessica Mashburn, and Evan Olson

Furniture Market in High Point is in full swing. Officially, it opened on Saturday and will remain open until Wednesday. However, showrooms have been planning and setting up for market for months now. Everything from furniture and art, to snacks , entertainment, logistics and staffing must be planned. Furniture Market literally encompasses the entire town of High Point for five days every spring and fall.

In the above photo, Jessica Mashburn and Evan Olson are seen performing at the beautiful Wesley Hall showroom. Jessica and Evan are Greensboro musicians, but are often heard singing in High Point- especially at the Grandover Resort. It is so good to be attending events in person and hearing live music. Listening to music and admiring lovely home furnishings are always better in person!

Jessica is such a talented musician, able to navigate a range of genres, and she does everything from sing at corporate, public, and private events. She and Evan sound great together. They are both scheduled to open for Rita Moreno, who will speak at Tanger Center for the Performing Arts as part of the Guilford College Bryan Series on May 17th. Jessica is easily identifiable by her great voice, but, if you aren't sure, chances are if you see someone with fiery red hair and a fascinator, it is Jessica!*

*Book her through [email protected]

 

Moravia Moravian Church

Today's photo is of the Moravia Moravian Church at 2920 Oak Ridge Road, between Oak Ridge and Kernersville. The above building was constructed in 1964, but the history of the church in this location dates back to the late 1800s thanks to Jennie Donnell.  She became a Moravian after marrying Robah Kerner, and Donnell was instrumental in getting a Sunday school established in the area.* The first full-time pastor was J. Taylor Loflin who assumed the position in 1952. Carol Foltz is the pastor now.

During the Lenten Season, the church holds a Lenten meditation on Wednesday's at 6:30. The front of the building is a stand-out with that sharply pitched roof. Also, you will notice there is a cross and a Moravian star, both very important symbols in the religion. If you are interested in attending, they are a welcoming congregation. Sunday school is at 9:45 am and worship is at 11:00 am. Happy Sunday!

* read more about the history, HERE.

Art and Creativity at 717 Percy Street

717 Percy Street is the house we featured recently with the Free Little Art Gallery (FLAG). Someone mentioned the lovely bottle tree at this home, so we thought we would feature it today, in the off chance that you will be able to drive by today en route to the Greensboro Curb Market on Yanceyville. The above house on Percy Street was built in 1934. It last sold in 2016 and the current owners have been loving it for the last six years. In addition to the FLAG, they've added the rainbow colors to the front of the porch. Additionally, they added the bottle tree to the left. Many of these metal trees you see around Greensboro were made by Howard Beamus at Hughes Metal Works with the profits benefitting non-profits, such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The bottle trees add so much to any yard and they are a visible sign of art that helps the community.

If you don't get by Percy Street this weekend, or the Greensboro Curb Market, please head somewhere to see the beauty of how the people of Greensboro do things in their yard for the good of a local cause. Thank you 717 Percy St. for all you do to promote the arts!

Happy Saturday; happy exploring!

On East Wendover, Heading East

Happy Friday, time for the weekend. Do you have plans? The above photo was taken yesterday on East Wendover Avenue, Between the Church Street and Yanceyville exits. After the fierce rain and wind during the day, the late afternoon proved to clear up and the skies were blue. The clouds were so beautiful by the end of the day and the air felt so fresh and clean. If you have a chance, this weekend, take a drive along East Wendover. If you haven't been in a while, you won't recognize it. The latest addition we noticed yesterday was the 7-11 right by the 840 Urban Loop. 

We like to drive all the way to Burlington, just to see life along Highway 70. We had a friend who lived on Elwell Avenue, and she would always say that we would know her street because it was the "last light on Wendover." Well, just how far do you have to drive before determining that you have passed "the last light"? The truth is, it is a good way east on the road before another light pops up. So, Elwell remains the crossover street with "the last light". It is funny what we remember about places and people and long drives, walks, and bike rides have a way of allowing those memories to surface. Happy weekend. What sayings do you remember your friends saying about Greensboro? Please share!

Happy April fools Day!