Greensboro Daily Photo

Memorial Day: Colonel Welch

The Memorial Day service at Friendly Center (always at 8:00 am at the flagpole) is a wonderful way to start the day, remembering those who paid the ultimate price to defend our country. Detachment 260 of the Marine Corps League held the ceremony and the service was well attended. Even though the event was hosted by the Marine Corps, people of all branches of the service, as well as civilians, were equally welcome. One person in attendance was Colonel Ed Welch, US Army, Retired.* Colonel Welch retired with his last duty assignment in the Pentagon, where he was a medical mobilization officer who coordinated the blood supply of military and civilian hospitals. After retirement, in Greensboro, he has volunteered at the American Red Cross blood center on Yanceyville Street. Colonel Welch is a man who gives of his time to serve whether it was in the military, at the Red Cross, or at his church, Friendly Avenue Baptist. 

It is so important for us to take time out of our busy schedules to attend events like yesterday's Memorial Day service; first, to honor those who lost their lives serving our country; second, to have an opportunity to meet inspiring pillars of our community like Colonel Welch. If you have children or grandchildren, the Friendly Center Memorial Day service is a good "first event" for children. It lasts only about 15 minutes, and, if you get there early or linger, soldiers and officers are very accessible and like to talk about their military service. 

In the article we found (referenced below) Colonel Welch reminds readers that, "So much of our life is dictated by the Golden Rule. The Geneva Convention dictates that a wounded combatant receive the same medical care as your own soldiers. Soldiers are people that have a job to do. They don't make the decisions. Politicians do."  It is easy to dehumanize someone who is on "the other side." Colonel Welch reminds us of the importance of the Golden Rule. Most religions have some type of ethic of reciprocity. These are the kind of things you learn and think about when you meet and talk to veterans. Colonel Welch is an inspiration to us all!

Happy Tuesday!

 

* reference and additional information about Colonel Welch in the News and Record form 2003.

Memorial Day... Remembering Those Who Served

Happy Memorial Day. Today is the day that we honor people in the military who died serving our country. Today's photo is being republished from Memorial Day 2011 on Greensboro Daily Photo. The photo was taken at the program in the Veterans Plot of the Forest Lawn Cemetery. Eleven years ago when we took the photo, the speaker was the Honorable Howard Coble. Representative Coble served in the U.S. House or Representatives from 1985-2015, and he held other public offices even before then. He was the kind of representative who would accept an intern for the joy of mentoring someone into the ways of politics and not ask them their political affiliation. He was the kind of person who would write letters for his constituents to make sure they got their passports when they needed them. Sometime it is the little things that we remember long after someone is gone. Representative Coble died on November 3, 2015. Mr. Coble served in the Coast Guard, so events for veterans and for the fallen were near and dear to his heart. He honored as many speaking engagements as he possibly could on Memorial Day.

We don't know the people in the photo, but we do know that they served and fought for the USA. If you go to an event today, please remember to thank the family members who lost loved ones who were serving. Also, at 3:00pm, this afternoon, people will be playing taps in remembrance. Events happening today include the following:

8:00 am: Friendly Center near the main flagpole.

11:00 am: Veterans' Memorial Wall, Wrenn-Miller Park 101 Guilford Road Jamestown.

11:00 am: Carolina Field of Honor Triad Park Kernersville (where taps will be played).

There are probably other events, but these are the main ones we know of in Greensboro today. Take a few minutes to stop and be thankful. We have so many new readers, we are thankful you are here.

First Presbyterian Church & Greensboro History Museum

Today's photo is of the Greensboro History Museum, located between Davie and Church Streets at Summit Avenue. The above view is a photo taken from the parking lot of Tanger Center. If you are ever walking around downtown as the sun is getting ready to set, notice how beautiful the buildings are- especially on a sunny day. We took several on the same day. The sky was blue, the clouds dramatic, and, as you can see from the flags furling and their shadows, the wind was blowing.

Formerly, this building was the First Presbyterian Church of Greensboro, built in 1892, on the site of what had been a Confederate hospital. The church cemetery is still located on site. The new First Presbyterian Church is about a block northwest, in the 600 block of North Elm Street. It has been open since 1929. Both buildings are so beautiful and hold so much of Greensboro's history. If you have time this summer, head downtown and tour both. The museum is always open to the public. The church regularly holds events in which the public is invited.

If you are looking for a Memorial Day event to attend, today at the Guilford County Veterans Memorial in Country Park, the Steve Millikin Black Cap Veterans Group will host a ceremony from 2:00- 4:00 pm. Former Mayor of Greensboro and U.S. Coast Guard Veteran Bill Knight will speak. There are several other events taking place today and tomorrow. The News & Record has published a list (HERE). (We hope you are able to access it. We subscribe and are able to see articles).

Happy Sunday!

H20 Exhibit at Cultural Arts Center

An H2O exhibit is currently being shown at Green Hill in the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street and will continue until June 25th. It is well worth a visit. The above photo features a tiny part of an art assemblage by North Carolina environmental artist Bryant Holsenbeck. This ambitious exhibit features environmental stewardship that extends almost the width of the building. Holsenbeck's piece is entitled "Where is Our Water Falling".  The cascading waterfall is made of 10,000 plastic water bottles, plastic rope and fishing line. We were really struck by Holsenbek's piece, it leaves quite an impact seeing all of those water bottles extending from the ceiling, down the wall, to the floor. But, the piece hits home about how wasteful we are and the impact plastic has on bodies of water. Holsenbeck lives in Durham and her contributions to the world of environmental art is far-reaching. As an example, she was one of the founders of the Scrap Exchange, a creative reuse store in Durham. Greensboro's Paige Cox completed an internship at the Scrap Exchange in preparation for opening Reconsidered Goods in Greensboro. 

The Green Hill show features a total of seven artists and the exhibit featuring photography, pieces made of coal ash, and three works by James Barnhill- professor of visual arts at NC A&T State University. Other artists include Caroline Rutledge Armco, Carolyn Henne, Kevin Palme, Barbara Tyroler, and Will Warasila.

Stop by and have a look! Happy Saturday!

Strawberry Celebration

Last Saturday was Strawberry Celebration Day at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market and the strawberry waffle breakfast was a big hit! The guest chef was Denzell Berry who used locally sourced products like eggs from Massey Creek Farms and Reese's sausage and bacon. While Chef Denzell was busy working the grill, working his culinary magic in the background, the servers were the ones interacting with the public. As you can see from the smiles above, they helped make the experience special and memorable. We didn't get the names of the workers as they were busy helping another customer. As you can see from the name tag though, Aliyah is on the left. Somehow all of these frontline workers managed to smile and greet the public with enthusiasm, knowing the event was for a good cause. The proceeds provided funds for the hunger relief program the farmers market uses to provide fresh food for the community. 

Even if you missed last week's event, here is a link to look for upcoming events and to sign up for the newsletter. Tomorrow is a perfect day to attend one of the three main markets (on Yanceyville, on Market Street at Kensington, and at Sandy Ridge in Colfax). Even if there aren't special events, the markets are always special. There are so many options for buying plants, produce, bakery goods, prepared foods, arts and crafts, and more. Vendors will quickly become your friends and you will find yourself having your go-to stands for your favorite items. And, just like the money raised at the Strawberry Celebration Day, money at the farmers markets helps local people bring local goodness to us.

Happy Friday!

This post goes out to loyal reader Katja Brown who saw us at the event taking photos and asked when we were planning to feature it. 

Post Tanger & Walking Around Downtown

The above photo features an unidentified couple leaving the Tanger Center on the evening that Rita Moreno spoke as part of the Guilford College Bryan series. They are walking on the southeast corner of the Tanger complex headed toward LeBauer Park. You can see the blue and pink Echelman sculpture hovering above the park. And, on that particular evening, there were still lots of people out in the park. This part of north Greensboro, around Tanger and the center city parks,  has been transformed. We predict there will be even more changes; perhaps food trucks and more late evening food options, especially for after events at Tanger. 

As for tonight, it has been said Thursday is the new Friday. If you want to get a jumpstart on the weekend, head downtown tonight for a meal or a beverage with a special person in your life. Another option will be to go hear Kendra Adachi speak about her book "The Lazy Genius Kitchen" at Scuppernong Books from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. It is kind of special having a New York Times bestselling author right here in Greensboro. If you want to get ready for the event, listen to Adachi's Lazy Genius podcast or website. Her book is available at Scuppernong and Just Be, where you can also get earrings made by Kendra's mom! Maybe we'll wear a pair tonight and see if she notices. Maybe she'll wear a pair and we will notice. 

Happy Thursday! Happy almost holiday weekend!

Revolution Mill on a Clear, Spring Night

Revolution Mill, the historic cotton mill complex on Yanceyville Road, is so beautiful at night. The above photo was taken at the entrance beside Cugino Forno Pizzeria, a pizzeria that was recently rated one of the top 100 in the world. It is the closest pizza to pizza in Italy that we have tasted in the United States. Eating pizza in the mill hall is do much fun. The long picnic tables are conducive to sharing with customers you don't know initially, but have the chance to leave as friends.

The two smoke stacks in the background tower high above the mill and the lighting at night is dramatic. In the foreground it the water tower that was formerly painted red. Now white, it stands out so much more. The textile mill, built at the beginning of the 20th century, is a multi-use complex today with everything from apartments to office space to restaurants to event space to more. Every time we go there, we see something new. The whole building takes on a different character by day and by night; both equally dramatic!

Happy Wednesday, a good day to go explore Revolution Mill.

The Many Faces of McConnell Road

Based on yesterday's post, we had questions about the exact location of Doodad Farm. It is very near the location in the above photo, about a mile west. McConnell Road is one of those areas in Guilford County undergoing great change. New meets old; industrial meets country. Front right, you see a crumbling building that has seen better days. If you look to the left, you see the giant, warehouses; the new Coca Cola Consolidated Bottling Company, Vistar Distribution Center, and O'Reilly Auto Parts Distribution Center. Doodad Farm is a cozy property with a two story country house, renovated outbuildings, and land that doesn't hint at the industrial property just beyond the trees. It is hard to belief something so idyllic is located just beyond the warehouses. Also, if it is your first time there, it is hard to believe that when you blink, you will be at a farm.

On down the road from this scene is McConnell Road Baptist Church and some very nice, small country homes. On Sunday evening, church was meeting, people were on their porches and in their yards making sure their property looked all neat and tidy. We always have to be ready for change. It will be interesting to see what becomes of the above structure.

Happy Tuesday!

Legends of NC Tribute to Benefit the New Arrivals Institute (NAI)

Doodad Farm at 4701 Land Road was hopping with music and positive energy yesterday as musicians of North Carolina played at an event to celebrate and help raise funds for the New Arrivals Institute. Doodad Farm is a 60 acre farm with a 140-year-old tobacco barn that got converted to a stage for live music. The stage area was a 50th birthday gift to a music loving dad.* The "Our Legends of NC " tribute featured songs written by North Carolina musicians- nearly fifty songs. Attendees brought their own folding chairs and picnic baskets to enjoy the afternoon. For those who didn't pack food, the Bearded BBQ was there serving up delicious BBQ plates and sandwiches. The crowd was a diverse group from immigrant families, to their ESOL teachers, to social workers, to sponsoring families, to people who work directly with new immigrant families- including those from the New Arrivals Institute (NAI).

The New Arrivals Institute of Greensboro started in the 1990s to meet the needs of the immigrant community. NAI teaches English classes and makes sure parents have childcare while they are in class. NAI is a non-profit that is quick to apply for and receive grants, and adjust their programs,  as needs arise. Relocating to a new country and leaving everything behind is overwhelming. NAI works tirelessly to help immigrants become independent and work their way to becoming citizens. At yesterday's event, it was so special seeing families relaxed, children running, smiling, and even laughing. Hula hoops were a bit hit and a way for children to enjoy being children. Even some adults took the hoops for a twirl- all to the sound of music of North Carolina. Speaking of music, that is Sam Fraizer performing on the Doodad Stage. Sam is a singer/songwriter and talented musician from Greensboro. Yesterday, he performed some songs solo yesterday and then some with Laurelyn Dossett yesterday.

 

*read the Our State Magazine tribute HERE.

Fellowship Presbyterian Church

Today, we feature Fellowship Presbyterian Church at 2005 New Garden Road. Their pastor Rev. Doctor Kathryn Campbell has been with the church since 2020; however, she is not new to Greensboro or ministry. She was the associate pastor of Starmount Presbyterian Church for ten years. This church is located just behind Brassfield and across the street from Reel Seafood Grill.

We're not sure when this beautiful building was built. The brick looks new and the building extends off to the left of the above entrance, all the way around to the west wing, which is a day school. We wanted to walk the perimeter to find a cornerstone, but there was a policeman parked in the parking lot and we didn't want to push our luck. Sometimes onlookers get very concerned when we are on a property. Do you know when this church was built? We really like its simplicity, in spite of the enormity. Look at those three wooden crosses on the door.There is very little signage on the property, but the crosses send a very clear message of the purpose of the building.

Happy Sunday! Let us know if you get out to explore Greensboro!

Dog Meetup at LeBauer Park

This weekend proves to be a hot one, as hot as 90º, with the possibilities of showers- up to 40º. It will be a great weekend for visiting one of Greensboro's parks. The above photo was taken in LeBauer Park. As you can see, a couple of leashed dogs were meeting, for the first time. The encounter was brief and civil, a win/win for a random canine meet up. There is also an enclosed bark park at LeBauer where dogs can enter, unleashed. 

The Greensboro Bound Literary Festival starts today with venues from Scuppernong Books to the History Museum, the Greensboro Cultural Center,  and more.* You owe it to yourself to attend events at this festival. It started in 2017, and continues to grow, with a little interruption thanks to COVID. The folks putting on the festival have worked very hard to bring great authors and, as feasible, make the presentations walkable. The festival will be a lot of fun, even if you have to attend without your fur baby!

Happy Saturday!

 

* See HERE.

Kontoor Wrangler

Three years ago, on May 23, 2019, Wrangler and Lee became part of the publicly traded Kontoor Brands, Inc. Above, is the corporate world headquarters on North Elm Street. They also have a headquarters in Belgium and Hong Kong. While Wrangler is a top seller in the American jean market, the Lee line is the biggest denim brand in China- and to think this is all based out of Greensboro. It would be nice to have a "know your city" tour for elementary school students with this building and company being one of the stops. When we were there the other day, the sky was so beautiful, the wind was blowing, making the American and North Carolina flags fly high. The whole scene was just so majestic.

The above building was built in 1994 and has a beautifully visible presence on the north end of town, on the front end of the growth here. Now, with the Tanger Center, the baseball stadium, Joymongers, LeBauer Park and all of the other venues surrounding it, downtown truly stretches all the way from Smith Street to West Gate City Boulevard. According to their website, Kontoor is committed to sourcing and and manufacturing their apparel responsibly and sustainably.

We hope you have a great weekend. If you get a chance, have a walk along the above headquarters and its environs. It is fun to know our city.

LeBauer at Night

LeBauer Park is so lovely any time of day, but night can be especially beautiful with the lighting and the "When We Met" net sculpture by Janet Echeleman. The piece, by the way, was replaced this spring. It has more blue in it than the first one, which is a nod to the denim industry that was once so big in Greensboro.* We were at LeBauer Park on Tuesday, after seeing Rita Moreno at Tanger Center. She was fabulous and the audience was full. It isn't every day you get to see an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony), proof positive that Rita Moreno is a performer who can do it all.

If you walk out of the Tanger Center on the east or south side, this is the view of the park that you see. On Tuesday night, the park was very busy. The water sprinkler/fountain for children to play in is back open and many adults sit around the perimeter while their children play joyfully. Even after the performance, at 9:00 pm, several people were in the park. LeBauer is such a wonderful community resource. It is hard to imagine what we did until it opened in 2016. This Saturday, the 36th annual Carolina Blues Festival will be held downtown in LeBauer Park. We hope to see you there!

The park turns six on August 8th. Let's hope they serve cake! 

 

*see the original net sculpture, here.

Kontoor Brands, Inc.

Kontoor Brands is the company that now owns Lee and Wrangler Jeans. Their head office is in Greensboro and they employ about 15,000 people. Their iconic rounded building is just down the street from the one you see today. However, they own the above building at 444 North Elm Street and its surrounding 1.44 acre lot. This building was built in 1969 and it is some pretty interesting architecture. When we posted on this building in 2011, Preston Earle* shared that "the building was built to house a regional branch of the federal agency that oversaw savings and loan banks." Eventually First Home Federal S&L took over the building. When buildings, as unique as the one above, are built, it is hard to imagine them for anything beyond their original purpose. 

This building really takes on a different character when the sun is out. It always looks like an extraterrestrial structure; however, on a sunny day like we had recently, the building looks really inviting. We wonder what they are using it for. Do you know?

Happy Wednesday!

*Preston Earle died in Greensboro in 2012. We really miss Preston's comments, as we love it when the community gets involved in helping us learn about our city.

Cinco de Mayo on Quince de Mayo at White Oak

White Oak Amphiheatre was the setting for a Cinco de Mayo festival this past Sunday afternoon. This was a family-friendly event that brought out a crowd to listen to music by the group Conjunto Rio Grande. This group is from a small  town called San Lorenzo, Rio Grande, Zacatecas, Mexico.  Their genre is norteño music and their beginnings date back to 1974. One of their most famous songs is "Gracias por existir." Thank you for existing; and they played it Sunday. If the seats look rather empty, it is because people were down in front dancing away the afternoon. 

At the event, healthcare providers were on site to get people signed up for dental screenings, healthcare plans, and check ups. Also, the Spanish language radio station,  La Raza 98.3 had a visible and audible presence at the event. We get a little chuckle when trying to listen to 98.3 in the car, as 98.1 is WBRF-FM a classic country, outlaw country, bluegrass and old-time station. You can travel from rural North Carolina to rural Mexico with a 2/10 shift of the radio dial. Depending on where you are, one is easier to tune in than the other. Both stations have a loyal following, and we like both.

As for Sunday, the event was enjoyed by all. Families waited in line at food trucks for delicious, authentic dishes from Mexico and Central America. The fruit cups and snow cones were refreshing as Sunday was hot. Happy Tuesday! If you want another event related to the Spanish speaking world, Rita Moreno is speaking at the Tanger Center tonight as part of the Guilford College Bryan Series.

Deep River Flower Farm

On Saturday, at the Corner Market,* we met the very talented organic flower farmer Nicole Rosenberger of Deep River Flower Farm. Nicole and her husband live in a house on the Deep River in Franklinville, NC, about 40 minutes south of Greensboro. For just over a month now, Nicole has been coming to Greensboro to sell her flowers and her very carefully constructed turkey wing brooms. While the flowers are of nature's making, the brooms are carefully crafted and knotted by Nicole. Nicole, originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, majored in anthropology. While she attended college in Towson, Maryland, she also had the opportunity to attend Warren Wilson College in Swannanoa, NC. We're betting this love of flowers and organic farmer was fostered in Warren Wilson College (WWC). We forgot to ask Nicole if she worked on the farm, garden or landscape crew at Warren Wilson and perhaps honed her flower growing skills at WWC.

Nicole grows most of her flowers from seed on her quarter acre farm on the Deep River. We're so glad she makes the trip to Greensboro to sell her flowers and brooms. Please stop by and support Nicole, and the other vendors at the Corner Market, and other local markets in Greensboro. We just may make Nicole's tent a weekly stop on our farmers market jaunts and bring a little of the outdoors in. Here is an article about Nicole from the Chatham News & Record.

Happy Monday! Take time to stop to smell the roses, sweet pea, lilies, lavender, and just about every flower but, perhaps not the marigolds!

 

*the farmers market at the St. Andrews Episcopal Church parking lot on West Market at Kensington.

BC Clay Art, Available at Ambleside Gallery!

This sculpture was created by Brad and Bryan Caviness of BC Clay Art. It is currently for sale through Ambleside Gallery on South Elm Street. The piece is called, Babri Mosque Demolition. The Caviness brothers are known for their pieces inspired by the architecture and artifacts of great places in civilization throughout the centuries. The Babri Mosque piece is no exception. Babri Mosque was located in Ayodhya, India, built in the 1500s and destroyed in 1992 by a group of activists. Ambleside Gallery carries many pieces by the Caviness brothers.  It is our understanding the idea came about for these vignette pieces came about as a result of what Bob Ross would call "a happy accident". A piece of pottery broke and they started experimenting with what they could do to salvage the piece and the architectural sculptures began to take on a life of their own. The designs take you from room to room, with each room unique and detailed. The right lighting really enhances the pieces. These pieces are especially relevant today when it seems like the world can be so complacent about destruction of places that really belong to the world.

The talent the goes into these intricate pieces is better understood when you know that Bryan graduated from NC State with a BFA in architecture and environmental design. Brad has a BFA from UNC Greensboro where he studied painting, printmaking, ceramic and bronze casting. These artists are well worth following and Ambleside Gallery is a place you will love if you like fine art. The art world in Greensboro just keeps getting finer and finer.

Happy Sunday!

Well Spring Theatre: The Moses Cone "Denim King" Story

The theatre at Well- Spring Retirement Community on Drawbridge Parkway is a gem of a local resource and it is open to the public. Currently, they are featuring "Denim King" a musical telling the Moses Cone Story and the Cone family at the end of the 19th century/beginning of the 20th century.  The play addresses the beginning of the denim industry in Greensboro and tells so much about the Cone family and the history of the mills in Greensboro. Everyone with strong connections to Greensboro needs to see this play. It would be wonderful for the play to be performed every year in Greensboro.

The play is very well produced and the acting and live music are superb. The above photo features- from left to right- Herman Cone (Mark Kaley), Moses Cone (Olin Davidson), and Ceasar Cone (Caleb Warren). The play continues today (2:00 p.m.) and Sunday (2:00 p.m.). Hope you get to see it. Tickets are available HERE.

The Roads Less Traveled: At the Intersection of Greene & Paisley

Happy Friday the 13th. Today's photo was taken early Wednesday evening at the corner of Greene and Paisley Street. We were walking from near Joymongers to LeBauer Park. The sky was so dramatic and the buildings had the special glow they get when the sun is low to the horizon. The shadows were long and the lighting spectacular. Can you find the one person walking along in the photo? Walking this way, it is always refreshing to see that Greensboro Music Company is still open. Also, Mr. Tire, formerly Goodyear, and Perry's Exxon (to the right in the photo) are all still going strong. So much has changed downtown, it is comforting to see that some things have remained the same. Today won't be as bright an sunny as it was on Wednesday, but it is still fun to head downtown and see what is happening. Since it is Friday, there will be a lot going on!

Hurray for the weekend! Hurray for vibrant skies and long shadows.

People of Greensboro: Marena Miesse

It is so fun and easy to meet people when you walk around on a sunny day, especially downtown. Yesterday, we met Marena Miesse while she was out skating near Tanger Center and LeBauer Park. You can also see the Greensboro History Museum in the background. Marena is part of a skate group in Greensboro called "336 Skaters", and they regularly skate together. You may have seen a group of skaters with glow sticks riding around downtown recently. That was their group. It looks so much fun! If you are interested, you can find the group on social media.

Marena is a student at UNCG, majoring in sociology. She is a self-taught skater, and has been working hard to master the still while at college.  Last night, Marena was skating alone, as opposed to with her group. Skating is such a good way to get exercise, meet people, and get to know Greensboro better. She said she would likely skate for about two hours. This is such good, healthy, old-fashioned fun. Downtown, in the LeBauer Park area, was lively last night, but Marena was the only roller skater we saw. Look at that beautiful smile. Seeing someone with such a heartfelt smile reminds us to smile!

Happy Thursday!

Rooftops and a Bird's Eye View

This photo reminds us of a line from Mary Poppins: "Winds in the east, mist coming in". This photo was taken from a third floor window at Elsewhere Living Museum in the 600 block of south Elm Street. It seems that Greensboro is such a street-level city. There aren't many opportunities to be high off the ground viewing the skyline. The parking decks are about your best bet. As for our iconic Lincoln Financial Group building, still the tallest building in Greensboro, we're betting it has a lovely view, but very restricted access. It is our dream to someday get to have a look. As for today's view, these rooftops look like they've been recently refinished and not with the tar of yesteryear. A flat roof can be prone to leak, but these appear to be in good shape. Just like the roof of Elsewhere, these have had skylights added. Skylights make a tremendous difference to what can otherwise be a dark upper level. As you look across to the west,  you can see the faint outline of the bridge at Eugene Street. Do you have a place in town where you go for a bird's eye view?

Here is a list of the tallest buildings in Greensboro. It would make for some good trivia night fun! Have a happy Wednesday!

Community Theatre Greensboro

According to their website, the Community Theatre of Greensboro (CTG) is the oldest arts organization in Guilford County. It was established in 1949, just four years after World War II ended! CTG works hard to bring a diverse group of people together to experience and celebrate the joys of theatre. Not only do they put on performances, they offer summer camps and other opportunities for students. Several years ago, they moved from the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street to the above building at 520 South Elm Street. As you can see from the marquee, they are currently presenting "Dream Girls" through May 15th. You can bet this local cast will have some good singers.

Shows are at 7:00 pm, and if you would like tickets, see HERE. Happy Tuesday!

Elsewhere Living Museum: Featuring Matthew T. Giddings & Krystal Mack

First Friday is always such an opportunity to meet people in downtown Greensboro and this past Friday we were fortunate to have met Matthew Giddings (left), executive director of Elsewhere Living Living Museum,  and artist-in-residence Krystal Mack.  Matthew hails from South Bend, Indiana; however, most immediately, he was working in a cultural incubator on the south side of Chicago. He has many visionary goals for Elsewhere, the former thrift shop turned museum on South Elm Street. Matthew has collaborative projects in the works with Guilford County Schools. Also, he is working to establish an in- residency program for entire families to live at Elsewhere where all members of the family will be artists in residence- even if the family has young children. Matthew is working diligently to ensure that access to programs at the museum is equitable and for resident artists to be paid, as opposed to their paying for opportunities to create at the museum. 

As we spoke at length with Matthew on the third floor of the museum, he introduced us to Krystal who was sitting just outside the "ghost room", creating one of her great brooms. Krystal is from Baltimore, MD. Making brooms was one of the ways she coped with the pandemic. In the above photo, you can see some of the smaller brooms she created. The booms are part of a mixed media piece is called "Broom Closet". Based on the artist's statement beside Mack's piece, the whisk brooms represent restoration and meditation. Mack explains the making of brooms requires a meditative focus that helped her cope with the pandemic. In addition to making brooms, Krystal is a writer, an award winning, self-taught baker, and a creative consultant. We were delighted to have had the opportunity to meet her.

Elsewhere Living Museum is transforming before our eyes and is finding its stride as a place with something for everybody. We encourage you to consider joining. On their website,  they offer some great food for thought, "When we invest in Elsewhere, we bring collaborative futures to life."  Collaboration is connection, something we all seem to be craving, post-pandemic.

Happy Monday!

Church is Community, Fellowship, Worship, Blood Drives, and More

Morehead United Methodist Church on Horse Pen Creek Road (by the Y) is a dynamic church that has lots of events to engage the community. Recently, they held a blood drive, compete with red balloons and the drop-of-blood mascot. Tomorrow, from 5:30- 8:00, they are having a Monday Music Block Party with music by the Apple Pie String Band and Marty's BBQ Food Truck. They will continue these block parties all through May. So, if you aren't able to make it to church for a service today, or if you are interested in learning more about this church and meeting some of the people who attend, stop by one of the Monday afternoon events.

The Morehead UMC building of today was constructed in 1970. However, the congregation dates to 1888 and the property where the church is built was the site of the Piney Grove School, which Morehead UMC used as a sanctuary for 45 years. Be careful if you are on Horse Pen Creek Road as the lanes have been shifting while the road gets widened. Please In the end, all of the construction will have been worth it.

Happy Sunday; may your day be spent in a way that brings you happiness. 

Impending Storms on an Otherwise Lovely First Friday

Last night, the threat of impending storms kept the downtown, First Friday crowds light. However,  storm held off until about 9:00 pm and those who were out before then had a fabulous time. South Elm had a nice crowd at Artmongerz and Ambelside Gallery. Elm and Bain had an event. The above photo features one of the challenges of downtown. The trains roll through town fairly frequently. However, it is possible to go down and around and use the underpass if you are in a car or walking. The trains also add a charming element and are the reason Greensboro has the nickname "Gate City". We were the gateway east/west and north/south as trains passed through.

The above photo was at Hamburger Square at the point where the south 400 block changes over to the 500 block. You can see the Lincoln Financial Group building in the background. If you find the LFG building, you can always figure out where you are in the city. And, if you are stopped for a train, you know exactly where you are. The Smothers Building on the left (at 360 Elm Street) sure is looking pretty.

Happy Saturday! May it be everything you dreamed! If you get a chance take a stroll downtown!

New Arrivals Institute: Meet Laila Hosseinzadeh

Greensboro is such a fabulous place to live because of the people who live here. Laila Hosseinzadeh is an example of a great person doing good deeds for the community. Laila, a Greensboro native and Northern Guilford High School graduate, attended undergraduate school at Appalachian State University. She majored in global studies and has been committed to helping others all along the way. Soon, she will enter a master of social work program. Currently, Laila works at the New Arrivals Institute in Greensboro, where she is Refugee School Impact Liaison/Facilitator.

In the above photo, Laila is at the "Just Be" gift shop in downtown Greensboro, hanging a poster advertising a fundraiser for the New Arrivals Institute. The institute, located at Peace Church on West Market Street, was developed in the late 1990s to help meet the needs of refugees living in Guilford County. The institute offers English language, early childhood, and citizenship classes. They also offer childcare while parents are learning. Additionally, the NAI helps with employment readiness; they have summer programs, and more. The fundraising event it an afternoon of live music. It will be held Sunday May 22nd from 2-8pm at Doodad Farm in Southeast Greensboro. You are encouraged to bring a blanket and hang out for the afternoon. All donations received at the event will go to NAI. Right now, NAI is working diligently to help Afghan families who have recently settled in Greensboro.

We're so glad we met Laila. She is so committed to helping families who are relocating to Greensboro from other countries. We are looking forward attending the upcoming event at Doodad Farm and learning more about the great work she is doing.

Happy Friday! Please head downtown and get your May off to a great start at First Friday! (If you like the items you see surrounding Laila, they are available at the corner of West McGee and South Elm. "Just Be) will be open and ready to welcome you). 

Street Scene on South Elm Street

Today's photo is of South Elm and Lewis Streets, at the intersection between the 500 and 600 block. If you've been in this end of town lately, you've probably notices the Lee Wrangler mural on the side of the Lee Wrangler shop. Kontoor Brands opened this shop in the summer of 2021. This is a common area for block and music parties and it has really started attracting crowds with all of the businesses here. Seeing the woman on the right with her jeans made us realize that this mural would be a great place for a photo shoot. The blue, black, and brick colors are easy to work with, too. Finally, if traffic is light, those lines and angles on the street add a lot of visual interest. It is so easy to find inspiration downtown.

Tomorrow is First Friday in downtown Greensboro. Here is a list of a lot of the activities for the evening. There will be plenty to do all the way from the north end of Elm Street, around Tanger Center (including in the Cultural Arts Center on Davie Street) all the way to South Elm and Gate City Boulevard. Start making plans, put on your best walking shoes, plan a few activities, and let serendipity take over from there. Happy Thursday, which is said to be the new Friday!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week from Delta Kappa Gamma: Beta Delta

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! The above photo features nine key women educators who are members of Delta Kappa Gamma, a professional society for women educators. The organization was founded in 1929 in Austin, Texas. Delta Kappa Gamma came to North Carolina on April, 17, 1936, with the Alpha Chapter in Greensboro. In 1966, the Beta Delta Chapter formed as an outgrowth of the Alpha Chapter, a necessity due to increased membership.  All of the educators in the above photo are members of Beta Delta, and were photographed at the state convention in Asheville last weekend.

From left to right, members include Janis Antonek, Sheila Groves, Elaine McRae, Myra Aderholt, Ann Pember, Lisa Frissen, April Dunovant, Sharon Parks, and Andrea Green. Ms. Dunovant, holding her award, was recognized as a Shining Star, a recent member who is already having a positive influence on the organization. These teachers of Beta Delta want to wish you a happy Teacher Appreciation Week. As schools enter their final weeks before summer, let's all do what we can to let teachers know they are appreciated. As of the 2020-2021 school year, there were 4,770 teachers in Guilford County (reference). May each and every one of these teachers get some positive recognition and affirmation, if not every day, at least this week!

Elm & Bain

This photo, taken last week, is a new downtown Greensboro event and meeting space. It is the last business on the southwest corner of Elm Street, just north of Gate City Boulevard.  Formerly, it was the Blue Bell Plant. Just beyond the above building is the building that forms an "L" with it and says above the top, "Old Greensborough Gateway Center." As an example of the kinds of events they host is the May 11th fundraiser for the North Carolina Folk Festival. Is is called "Fold A'Fare" and is a culinary event offering samplings of global foods created by chefs in Greensboro. Tickets can be purchased at ncfolkfestival.com/folkafare. Even if you don't get tickets for that event, there will be plenty more to choose from. You could even host your own event there. How wonderful to have another event space in the community.

We love the old times look of the black and white photo, but you can tell by the cars that it is a current photo Happy Tuesday!

The Sundial at the Bicentennial Garden

This photo was taken about a month ago, in the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden, back when the trees were just starting to wake up from their winter slumber. We visited on a quiet day with hardly and visitors in the park and for some reason, the sundial really stood out. It was given by the Greensboro Council of Garden Clubs in 1981. Sundials have been around since 290 bce. We're wondering how many people ever stop to read them today. The sculptor of the sundial was Ogden Deal (1932- 1985). We're also wondering what inspired him to sculpt a sundial. Mr. Deal founded Ogden Deal Designs in 1956 in McLeansville. Today, his son carries on in his father's business, making signage for corporations and sporting events.

Greensboro sculptor, Jim Gallucci credits Ogden Deal as being "the guy was most responsible for [his] getting established as a metal sculptor in Greensboro" (reference and great information HERE). Jim restored the bison sculptor that Mr. Deal created and  installed at the Greensboro Science Center. It is so fun to learn more about Greensboro's public art and to know we're seeing art by someone whose legacy lives on in, not only in his art, but in his professional relationships. We're off to see if we can track down more of Mr. Deal's sculptures.

Happy Monday!

 

 

(See another piece of Deal's work, HERE.

Prayers for Ukraine Took Place at Congregational United Methodist Church

Today is May First. In many places, it is International Workers' Day. In the above photo, taken last Sunday at Congregational United Church of Christ on Radiance Drive, it is a scene of their Earth Day celebration and a day to pray for Ukraine. All the blue and yellow strips of cloth have prayers and words of concern for Ukraine written on them. There is a duo playing music in the background, and a duo of children playing with nature stamps in the foreground. All is so peaceful in this shaded corner of the church lot.

The labyrinth at the church symbolizes wholeness; the path is meandering, yet purposeful. The labyrinth is a place of meditative prayer, a journey to the center and back again. The quilt the children are on adds even more texture to the scene, with the circle in the middle of the quilt echoing the circle in the middle of the labyrinth. The whole scene itself is calm and sedative in a world we humans seem to make so complicated for ourselves. It is so important to seek out these places of calm and to take time to reflect on all that is good in our lives. Just looking at this scene is guaranteed to move blood pressure in the right direction. Happy Sunday! Happy International Day of Workers! Happy all of us, especially the little ones on the blanket!