Greensboro Daily Photo

KIND

Did you know that the KIND healthy snack company has an office and factory between Greensboro and High Point? Located on Mendenhall Oaks Parkway, off of Highway 68,  KIND acquired the Creative Snack Company in 2019. Only recently have they changed the signage in front of the building and it has stand-out visibility on the otherwise plain structure. The only windows are in the front office area, but that didn't  stop us from noticing the smell of chocolate as we walked through the parking lot. It reminds us of the Lorillard days in east Greensboro when there were days the scent of chocolate blended with the tobacco. Another place with noticeable "tasty" scents is Mother Murphy Flavoring Company located off of Elm-Eugene. There, butterscotch is especially noticeable.

KIND comes by its name honestly as they serve healthy snacks and  support non-profits. KIND is a company with a not-only-for-profit mission. The company was founded in 2004 by Daniel Lubetzky who wanted a tasty, nutritious snack. Corporate is located in New York, how wonderful that they have a location in Guilford County.

Happy Thursday!

Better Together!

Last night, Superintendent Dr. Whitney Oakley, Guilford County Schools,  launched the "Better Together" initiative.The eventt was held at the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts from 5:30- 6:30. Dr. Whitney shared the district's journey starting in the mid 1980s when decisions were being made about merging the three local school systems into one. This change happened in 1991, making Guilford County Schools the third largest in North Carolina. No longer were there three different pay scales or competition for funding.

The "Better Together" theme permeated the evening-  from ushers chosen from the Middle College at UNCG and the A&T Four Middle College, to two emcees (Leah Carper, Northern High Teacher and Paul Travers Washington Montessori Principal) to combined groups performing. In the above photo, the Bluford-Peeler choir is performing. Remember in 2018, a tornado destroyed the Peeler Performing Arts School and those students began attending Bluford, a STEM school. Now both schools are enjoying both themes, as a STEAM school. The above Bluford-Peeler choir sang "Better in Unity" receiving a standing ovation.

Dr. Oakley is working very hard to involve the community in the Better Together Strategic Direction, holding over 200 meetings to involve as many stakeholders as possible. And that involvement doesn't end with the initiative. If you are interested in volunteering or have ideas, the district would love to hear from you.

Happy Wednesday!

Guilford College: Student Humor

Sunday, walking around Guilford College, we stumbled upon their pottery kilns and some recently fired pottery.We got a big chuckle with the lovely pottery bust and the fact that someone snuck a bright red wig on it. We're not sure of the backstory, but so often these lighthearted pranks happen at the end of the semester. By that time, students have gotten to know each well and, in some cases, have built deep friendships. The scene reminds us all to see the humor all around us and to find opportunities to smile. Life can be so serious. Exam time and graduation are big steps in the life of college students. Here's to a great end to the semester for everyone.

Here is the schedule for higher education graduations for the Greensboro area. The graduation for Guilford College is May 13, 9 a.m. on the quadrangle lawn at the college. The keynote speaker will be Mandy Cohen, former secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. That should be an inspirational speech.

Happy Tuesday!

 

Guilford College- End of Semester

Can you believe it it May 1st? The above photo was taken yesterday on the campus of Guilford College. The location is behind Founders Hall, at the bookstore and dining hall. Students were leaving the dining hall and walking to prepare for the last week before exams begin. We wanted to take a photo before students left for the summer. Commencement is May 15th. Then, Eastern Music Festival begins on June 24th, leaving about a month of "quiet time" between the end of the academic year and the arrival of the musicians. 

We don't know when, why, or how these rocks landed behind the cafeteria, but they are the perfect size and shape to uses as seats.  The Guilford College campus is 349 wooded acres, filled with woods, a pond, oak trees, sports fields, open fields, and more. It is an absolutely lovely campus and it is a nice place to walk and reflect- especially at sunrise and sunset when the low light is stretched through the mature trees. Truly, this campus is one of Greensboro's treasures. Here's to a great week and a fabulous end of the semester for students.

Happy Monday! Happy May! Are there any places in Greensboro that still dance around a Maypole on May 1st?

The People's Market In Glenwood

The People's Market in Glenwood at 1417 Glenwood Avenue opened for the season last Thursday. It bills itself as a handmade, homemade, homegrown market. For almost ten years, the People's Market has provided platforms for start-up growers, bakers, and makers to sell their products* If you want a good, home cooked meal, a chance to double your SNAP (food stamp benefits), an opportunity to interact with neighbors, this is a great place to go. As you can see, there is plenty of open space and you can bring a blanket and sit a while. There is also an opportunity to be a vendor, if you are interested in selling food, produce, or a craft.

By the time we arrived last week (near the end), the market has slowed down and some things had sold out. It was fun seeing everyone come together as community. Upon leaving the market, we always swing by Lexington Avenue where there is a Free Little Library and we always find a book that we want to read. The owner of the library is Liz. Rest assured she is around the corner at the market catching up with friends. 

Have a great Thursday, regardless of what you decide to do!

 

*reference and more information.

O. Henry Live Jazz Tomorrow Night

Tomorrow night is Live Jazz Night at O. Henry Hotel from 6-9pm.  Since 2015, this event has been a weekly occurrence on Thursday nights. You can listen to music while having a drink and small tea-time style foods to nibble. The core musicians for O. Henry Live Jazz  are Dave Fox, Neill Clegg, and Matt Kendrick.*  Their repertoire includes sounds from the 1950s and 1960s- especially swing, and Brazilian jazz. Now that it is getting warmer and staying light longer, the mood is really lively.

Every week the trio of jazz instrumentalists invites a singer to join them. This past week the audience was fortunate to get to listen to Jessica Mashburn. Jessica works full time as a musician. You will see her everywhere from Furniture Market in High Point to community events in downtown Greensboro. If your organization needs a musician who can work in just about any genre, encourage them to hire Jessica. Jessica is very good at entertaining along with singing. And, as you can tell from the above photo, she always dresses the part from head to toe. And, she makes hats if you ever need one. The above yellow hat is amazing, as is Jessica and the jazz trio. Head to the social lobby tomorrow night from 6-9pm. Jazz vocalist Lori Williams will be there to delight audiences.

 

*More HERE.

Women of the Shoah

Shoah in Hebrew means "catastrophe" and specifically the six million Jews in Europe killed by Nazi Germany. The above memorial monument is meant to serve as a place of reflection and learning. It is meant to inform and educate. "To that end, Women of the Shoah will be creating on-site placemaking public programs for students, residents and visitors a the memorial monument in the coming months. A curriculum has been developed in conjunction with the North Carolina Council on the Holocaust and the State's Department of Public Instruction and will be included in the new Holocaust curriculum at the state level." This information was taken directly off of the back page of the program during the April 18th dedication of the above monument in LeBauer Park. (See www.WomenoftheShoahJP.org for more information).

One of our faithful readers brought it to our attention that the monument is not getting much local press and she expressed an interest in knowing exactly where it was placed downtown. Perhaps this view helps clarify. Directly through the trees, on the left, are Cafe Europa and the Cultural Arts Center. Due left would be the public library. The people to the right are reading information available by clicking on the QR codes around the area. Truly, this site is an educational experience. The curriculum, once developed, will be powerful. We hope people come from far around to learn about this dark period in world history. We hope you get a chance to see it.

Have a great Tuesday!

The Bear Witness Camera

Last Tuesday, April 18, 2023, people came out in droves for the dedication of the Holocaust sculpture in LeBauer Park. The focus is understandably on the four women and one child standing, waiting for their inevitable death courageously. However, just beyond the women is a bronze camera that represents the reason the women were immortalized together. A Nazi photographer was documenting, one photo at a time, the murder of a group of people hated for their religion. The above photo shows installation day with people interacting with "She Wouldn't Take Off Her Boots" through the lens of the Nazi photographer. The bronze camera is called "The Bear Witness Camera" and is placed there by the Manning Kaplan family "In honor of Congresswoman for leading the fight against antisemitism, racism, and injustice."

Notice all of the hands in this photo. The “photographer’s” left hand is visible through the camera lens. His right hand is holding the hand of another. The woman to the right is clinging to her mobility scooter with her hand. The dominant feature surrounding the camera is hands. Hands can be destructive and evil, as with the case of the Nazis, including the Nazi who would have been taking this photo.  Also, hands can do so much good.

We join hands to connect with each other;  we cook, eat, and create things with our hands; we support ourselves with with our hands; we pray with our hands; we welcome new life from the womb with our hands. Hands are such a window into our thoughts. The hands in this photo tell us that on this afternoon in April, the people of Greensboro were coming together, joining hands, to support people in pain and to hope to live in a world where we use our hands only for the best of deeds.

On a related topic- hands; the first place for writing in O. Henry Magazine is published in the current issue. The title is "What Are You Going To Do With Your Hands?" by McCabe Coolidge. Be prepared to shed a tear.

Happy Monday!

Earth Day 2023 at Congregational Church of Christ

Did you have a nice Earth Day, yesterday? Guess what? Today, at Congregational Church of Christ they are holding an Earth Day Festival. It will be held to day from 12-3pm,  in the Refugium in front of the church. The church is located at 400 West Radiance Drive. We attended last year and it was a great job to learn more about native plants, and we even got to take some home. There will be food, music, exhibits, and more. According to their website, there will be over 15 displays, demonstrations, activities for children, plants for sale and give away, and more. Food from Reto's Kitchen and Maxie B's will be on a donation basis. This church is conveniently located just off of Friendly Avenue and Josephine Boyd. 

While, technically everyday is Earth Day, is is nice to take a day to be extra appreciative of the amazing balance in nature and to learn what we can do to help decrease our carbon footprint and environmental impact. If you are looking for an open-minded, liberal church, this may be just the church for you.

Happy Sunday!

Remembering Baskin Robbins Battleground

Remember the days when Anton's was open and quite a destination restaurant and Baskin Robbins was next door, the "go to" place for a date night ice cream? The above store on Battleground Avenue closed  December 24, 2020. The building looks so empty and abandoned. Hopefully something will open there soon. It looks like renovation may be in progress. It was always such a challenge to park there, but when you got inside, the flavors were oh so delicious.The store had been there for decades. Their original slogan of "31 flavors" was so creative. They also introduced ice cream cakes to the public. We happened to drive by on Thursday when all of  the work on the above-ground wires was being done. We parked near the very empty store. We miss it a lot and can't wait to see what goes in the space. We're wondering if they will keep the bright pink! What was your favorite flavor?

Happy Saturday!

 

 

Yesterday Afternoon, Along Battleground

Yesterday afternoon was a busy one on Battleground Avenue in front of McKays, Ghassans, and all the way down to Kickback Jack's. We're not exactly sure what work was being done, but there were multiple trucks and crews working quickly and efficiently. While the two, rightmost, southbound lanes of traffic were closed, traffic moved rather efficiently. Just beyond the frame of the photo, several workers on the ground were working to ensure their crews were safe and that traffic was flowing smoothly. If you know the nature of the work being done, please let us know. Hopefully, the work was completed yesterday and commutes today will not be affected.

Happy Eid-Al-Fitr to our Muslim friends in Greensboro.

Happy Friday!

Camille's Closet & Theo's Threads

Prom season is upon us and the Greensboro Youth Council is holding a pop-up, prom dress giveaway today from 5:30- 7:30 at the Glenwood Community Center at 2010 Coliseum Boulevard. The program has been so successful that they added two more dates (yesterday and today). This Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department Program provides formalwear outfits to middle and high school students free of charge. Each student-shopper is entitled to a dress (or jacket/suit), shoes, and an accessory. As you can see in the above photo, there are plenty of options for dresses- in every color. The program is sponsored by Four seasons Town Centre,  BackPack Beginnings, and Cheshire Center. 

If you go there to select an item, notice the volunteers. They are all high school students volunteering through the Greensboro Youth Council. This is a well-established group that helps students develop leadership skills and confidence in working with the public. The program is a great way for teens to meet other teens from across the Triad. Also, involvement with GYC is a way to earn service learning hours. In case you are wondering, dressing rooms are available. Just like the whole event, the dressing rooms are pop-up, but they are definitely functional. Now that you know about the program, we hope you will donate formal clothing or money to help support the clothing. Especially needed are menswear and dresses in larger sizes.

 

Holocaust Monument Dedication

Yesterday ws a very special day. First, it was Yom Hashorah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Second, the Greensboro community installed a monument dedicated to the women and children who endured or perished in the Holocaust. The monument, created by artist Victoria Carlin Milstein features five women; one older, one a child, and three young adults. Originally from New York,  Victoria Carlin Milstein now lives and works in Greensboro. Her studio is located at 517 South Elm Street. The above statue now resides in Carolyn's Garden in LeBauer Park in  honor of Carolyn LeBauer- for whom the park and garden are named. The sculpture is very representative of Carlin Milstein's work, with haunting expressions of Jewish women and children. As Ian McDowell of "Yes Weekly" reminds us, this sculpture, called "She Wouldn't Take Off Her Boots," * is North Carolina's first Holocaust Memorial. The Jewish community has been contributing significantly to the Greensboro community (and North Carolina) since the 1800s and remains flourishing, vibrant, and impactful today. It is due time a monument was installed.

Memorial candles were lit, in remembrance of these 5 in the sculpture and the others who died during the Holocaust. At today's dedication, it was mentioned that over 6,000,000 Jewish people were killed during the Holocaust, roughly the same number residing in the United States today. Mayor Nancy Vaughn dedicated the monument. Victoria and Ron Milstein and Shelly Weiner and Rachel Kizhnerman unveiled the monument. The Multi-Cultural Choir sang "Standing on the Shoulders" a moving song that honors forefathers. As hinted in the above photo, yesterday's crowd was large, but orderly. If you weren't able to attend this special event, you will have plenty of time to head to LeBauer Park and see the monument. You will see a bronze camera pointing at the monument, reminding us that the sculpture was designed from a photo a Nazi photographer took to document the killings. Also, there are QR codes all around the garden where you can hear Holocaust stories from people of Greensboro.

*the title of the sculpture comes from the fact that the older woman in the middle was still wearing her boots, even as the Nazis required the women to disrobe before being shot.

Golf Season Is Upon Us

In Greensboro, North Carolina, golf can be a year-round sport*. There is, however, seasonality given it is an outdoor sport and the weather must be conducive to playing a round. It can't be too wet, or the turf and greens can get damaged. It can't be cold or golfers have trouble with their swing. There are times of the year when certain courses are dormant because they need to be repaired. In Greensboro, the answer to when golf can be played is, "it depends." For sure, yesterday was a nice day for playing golf it was sunny but not too hot.

The above photo was taken at the The Farm Course of the Greensboro Country Club. We love to walk on all of those roads off Carlson Dairy. They are very walkable and it is fun to see golfers in the distance playing golf. Greensboro and Guilford County have golf options at all price points and public as well as private. Courses really look nice this time of year, before it starts getting too hot. Hope to see you out there playing.

Happy Tuesday!

 

*See this article telling when golf season begins by state.

Enjoying the Trains on South Elm

Greensboro still remains a great train town. People who live, work, and travel on South Elm Street are keenly aware of how often trains travel through town. Often, train aficionados hang out near the tracks at Hamburger Square, just to admire trains going by. Of course, for impatient pedestrians and drivers, it is possible to go under the tracks at Wast McGee Street. However, there aren't many places where one can get this close to trains and legally cross the tracks in Greensboro. To help orient you to our vantage point, the white water tower in the center of the photo is located by Bennett College.

While the above aren't passenger trains, it is interesting to note that at the peak of passenger travel through Greensboro in the 1940s, more than 40 passenger trains came through the J. Douglas Gaylon Depot on East Washington Street daily. As of 2022, annual station ridership was 114, o46 and annual ticket revenue was over $4,000,000.* Needless to say, rail travel for people and freight remains big business for Greensboro. If you are looking for something to do this summer, consider having an adventure on Amtrak, even if you are only able to arrange a "day-cation."

Happy Monday!

 

* reference and more information.

Congregational United Church of Christ: Solar Panels

According to church records, 145  United Church of Christ churches have solar panels. The Congregational United Church of Christ in Greensboro is one such example. It is one of eight UCC churches in North Carolina with solar panels. We noticed the panels driving along Josephine Boyd near Friendly Avenue.  The actual location is Radiance Drive.

One of the UCC solar churches reported liking the lower energy costs and  also sees the initiative as "eco-evangelism" * It is seen as "creation-justice"  work. The solar panels are located on the east side of the church, capturing the energy from the morning sun. This church also has a habitat refugium in the front yard for plants, birds, butterflies, and other pollinators. The church is committed to using native plants in their habitat refugium. This seems like a church that really makes an effort to welcome people  of all backgrounds, and they make an effort to teach people how to live sustainably.

Happy Sunday!

 

* reference and more information HERE.

View From the 300 Block of South Elm Street: Lincoln Financial Group

Yesterday afternoon, the weather was perfect in downtown Greensboro. This view from the 300 block of South Elm Street shows the trees as they are just about to fully leaf out. The billowy, white cloud in the sky was there just before the strong storm hit. The Lincoln Financial Group Building stands tall, reminding us of how iconic it has been to Greensboro's skyline.We love the way the leaves that are starting to bloom dominate the upper foreground of this photo. If you get a chance, head downtown and see all of the beauty that Greensboro has to offer. We still want to call Greensboro's first skyscraper the Jefferson-Pilot building, but Jefferson-Pilot merged with Lincoln Financial Group in 2006. So, after 17 years, we need to refer to the building as LFG. Whatever you call it, the building defines the downtown skyline and makes Greensboro feel like home. The weather should be nice today. Please head downtown and around town to support our local businesses.

Have a great weekend. We hope the storm wasn't too hard on you. Happy Saturday and thank you for reading. 

A Lovely Day in Steelman Park

Yesterday was a glorious day to explore Greensboro's parks. We walked to one in the Glenwood neighborhood. Located between Gregory Street and Highland Avenue, Steelman Park is a 3 1/2 acre facility that is open year-round for the community and hosts a summer playground program. There is a stream on the south end of the park, a basketball court, fitness equipment and more. Yesterday, there were children exploring in the park laughing, calling out to their dad, and playing in an unencumbered way as only children can. This park is named for  Ruth A Steelman, a retired educator, teacher and principal at McIver School who died in 1990 at the age of 77.  Miss Steelman was also a professor at High Point College and a member of many professional and civic organizations.

In the front end of the photo, you see raised beds at the park. They are part of the Greensboro Parks & Recreation Family Gardening Program. Families are invited to create an edible garden with their children. The 8-week gardening program will have weekly hands-on instruction and will provide seeds, tools, and more. Participating families must have children between the ages of 4 and 18 years.*  Fencing helps keep animals out and a lock on the gate helps keep people from helping themselves to produce.  Let's hope it is a good year for produce and that children have plenty of time to explore Steelman Park- and all the other parks in the City of Greensboro.  We're betting Ms. Steelman would be proud!

Happy Friday! 

• register at go.ncsu.edu/family-gardening. or call Julie Hale at Parks and Recreation at 336-373-4549.

Guilford Works NC Works NextGen

Yesterday was a sunny, beautiful day downtown. While we were standing on West Washington Street to photograph the building on the southeast corner of West Washington and South Greene Street, a policeman on a bicycle rode by. The police station is just down the street, so, likely, he was heading back to the office. We wanted to photograph the building on the right, because we noticed a new business: Guilford County NCworks Nextgen Young Adult Program. It is a free service serving young adults from ages 16-24 years of age. They can learn about jobs and internships, get training and earn credentials, and get career counseling. Today from 10:00 am- 2:00 pm, they are holding a workshop for resume building. During the time time slot, they will have a mobile career center parked at Urban Ministries. It sounds like an opportunity for people to get help and to build hope. The building looks so fabulous and inviting. If you look closely at the windows, you can see the vinyl wrap that adds a pop of color and makes the place stand out. With this signage, 301 South Greene Street is hard to miss.

We hope you enjoy your Thursday and we hope you get a chance to drive around downtown and see what is new since the last time you were there. That is one of our favorite passimtes.

Here is a link to start checking and see if you qualify. For those who are interested, there is also a High Point location at 607Idol Street.

Bob Webster & Pat Carroll

In September of 1961, 62 years ago, Bob Webster and Pat Carroll spent the day at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. We assume they had a friend with them taking photos and     the above two photos are the result of their day trip. A quick internet search did not yield results on the couple. The names are a little too common to make them easily searchable. In doing a little "facial recognition" work of our own. The man in the photo looks a little like Robert Penn Webster who died in Greensboro in 2021 (see here). If this is he, Robert "Bob" would have been 27 at the time this photo was taken. 

The photos had been donated to Reconsidered Goods, a creative, reuse thrift store for artists and creative types in Greensboro. Part of the RG mission is to keep reusable items out of landfills. We are curious as to who Bob and Pat are, if they were lifelong residents of Greensboro, and how it is the photos were donated. If someone is related to either of the two, or, if the Greensboro History Museum has a collection of snapshots of people interacting with Greensboro's history, we would be happy to donate the photos. If you know anything about the couple, please let us know. To be sure, they seem to be enjoying the outing. How wonderful the signage anchors the photo is a location. No doubt where they were spending the day. Writing information on the back was helpful, too. Sadly, in this digital era, it is just a matter of time before all photos are digital. We love having a physical copy of a photo.

Happy Wednesday!

Urban Walking and Observing Nature

Urban walking can yield interesting results. The above photo was taken in Peabody Park on the campus of University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Do you have any idea what it is? Well, we didn't either until we went and read the sign on the upper left side of the structure. From that sign, we learned that it is an insect trap and is part of a project in the biology department. Near the sign, there is a bottle of water with several mosquitos in it. The design appears to be working. Just beyond this net trap, in a field of native grasses, are a couple of bluebird boxes and a marshy wetland. These ecosystems are ripe for hands-on research projects and have been used by university and pre-collegiate classrooms alike.

This use of the Peabody Park is aligned with its original use when constructed in 1901. Then President Charles Duncan, established the park as a place for recreation and hands-on learning.* UNCG has changed so much since its early days as the State Normal and Industrial School. Peabody Park is smaller, there is no longer a lake, but here is still a creek meanders through,there is a small part of a golf course, and a nice path to take and interact with nature.

Happy Tuesday!

 

* reference and additional information.

Dogwood Time in Greensboro!

Greensboro's landscapes are enriched by its understory of pink and white dogwoods; and below the dogwoods, the pink and white azaleas. Dogwoods like soil that drains well, shade, and temperatures under 95º.  in 1955, the Greensboro Council of Garden Clubs held a dogwood planting program. Approximately 11,000 dogwoods were planted locally, in an effort to help the city become known as "The Dogwood City."* The average lifespan of a dogwood tree is about 80 years. Many of those dogwoods from "Operation Dogwood" are starting to age out. Plus, as the tree canopy gets cut down, the dogwoods struggle. In 2004, there was again an effort to implement a planning program and every 5th grader in Greensboro received a dogwood seedling to plant. This Arbor Day initiative came with a week-long curriculum for teachers to use in the classroom, in an effort to inspire students to plant their seedlings- and to give them the skills to know how to plant their little dogwoods. Part of this curriculum taught students the benefits of trees and the importance of keeping our shade trees.

Operation Dogwood was such an inspiring program. Let's all consider planting a dogwood for Arbor Day 2023. It is Friday, April 28th. Remember, pink dogwoods are cultivars of white dogwoods and almost always need to started from cuttings of pink trees. Most seeds of pink dogwoods yield white trees. It would be so nice for someone to read this post and take on this initiative; maybe even a student looking for a service learning project.

Here are some organizations that helped with previous "dogwood" initiatives: N.C. Division of Forest Resources, Department of Environment and Natural Resources; the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Region; N.C. Cooperative Extension Service in Guilford County; Greensboro's Urban Forestry Program; Greensboro's Parks and Recreation Department; Greensboro Beautiful; Guilford County Master Gardeners; Council of Garden Clubs; Davey Tree Service; and many of the local retirement communities. It is always worth asking to see if anyone is interested in helping fund another round of planting dogwoods. It has already been 19 years since the 2004 effort. Come on, Greensboro, we've got this! Do you have a dogwood in your yard? Is it from one from the 1955 or 2004 initiative?

Happy Monday! 

 

* reference and more information in this News and Record article by Karen Neill in 2004. We really miss those articles by her! 

Happy Easter 2023

Happy Easter! The above photo was taken at Morehead United Methodist Church on Horse Pen Creek Road. It was taken on Good Friday, a day in Greensboro that was extremely gloomy and overcast. For Christians, the day, overcast weather would seem appropriate, given Friday was the day Christ was crucified. The fact that it was crucifixion day is the reason the cloth, draped on the cross, is black. As a liturgical color, black reminds us to pray for the soul of the departed*. Today, the cloth will be white. White is used on Christmas and Easter, symbolizing the birth and resurrection of Christ. 

Morehead Church has been working hard to prepare for Easter. Look at how perfect that turf is, and that new seating area is so inviting. The weather today is predicted to be sunny all day, which should make for an uplifting sense of joy and hope whether one is at church, at home, or somewhere in between. 

Happy Easter!

*more information about liturgical colors.

Krispy Kreme "HOT"

It has been a while since we've had a Krispy Kreme donut, so we stopped into the store on Battleground Avenue. While Greensboro isn't where the recipe was perfect or where the donuts were first sold, Greensboro is the first city to get a "retail only" store on High Point Road in 1989. This 2016 article from WFMY News reminds us that in that first Greensboro location, donuts were delivered to your car. If we did the math correctly, Krispy Kreme turns 86 this year. However, the now-iconic HOT light was not introduced until 1990. Now, there is an app to see if the hot sign is on. Fresh donuts are like sushi and coffee- every minute matters!

Originally, Vernon Rudolph brought the yeast donughts to Old Salem, North Carolina. Currently, there are 358 Krispy Kreme locations in the United States, with 36 in California and 28 in North Carolina (see here).  While the company has had some ups and downs with expansion efforts, they seem to be going strong. Let's hope they are around for a very long time. It is so fun to go into the store and watch the donuts being made. You can almost see the whole process. You can't however, get that original recipe. It is one of those closely guarded secrets!

Happy Saturday!

 

Students Demand Action

Wednesday was a national day of protest. In the above photo, students from the Middle College at UNCG joined the national walkout to raise awareness about gun violence. They are seen at the corner of Spring Garden and Stirling Streets.  The student-led event was peaceful and impactful. At exactly 12:00 noon, students got up from their seats and quietly walked out of school. In civics class, taught by the very talented April Dunovant, students learn not only their rights, but also their responsibilities. They know that the First Amendment of the Constitution gives them the right to peaceably assemble. They also know it is their responsibility to stand up for what they believe.

Our youth of America mourn the senseless loss of lives, especially those of students at school. They are hoping for legislation and action to help end gun violence. Within 40 minutes, the protesting students were back in class and instruction resumed. Some days, it is the learning with peers beyond the classroom, like the above protest, that is remembered well into the future. We're betting (and hoping) some of the students in the above photo become leaders in the Greensboro community.

Happy Friday! 

Peoples Print Workshop Exhibit at Weatherspoon Art Museum

The above photo is from an exhibit at Weatherspoon Art Gallery on the campus of University of North Carolina Greensboro. It is part of the exhibit of the People's Print Workshop, an tied to a movement related to the Mexican Revolution. They created prints, posters, and flyers to inform as many people as possible about the issues of the day. The above photo addresses the quality of life of farm workers from Mexico in the mid-20th century.  This linocut, by María Luisa Martín, is called "The Harvest, Harvesting in the fields. Something exciting about the exhibit of roughly 40 pieces is the result of two art history classes in 1922 curating the installation. This example of student engagement is aligned with the movement in education to give students experiences that are directly applicable to future careers.

If you want to see this exhibit, it will be installed until May 15th. Remember, the Weatherspoon is free and open to the public and there is parking in the rear of the building. It is now possible to order coffee from the coffee cart inside. No longer is it necessary to leave the museum to have robust discussions over a cup of Joe! Happy Thursday! The museum is open until 8pm on Thursday's. While the coffee  cart will be gone, there will be plenty of great art to enjoy.

The Guilford College Bryan Series, Ronan Farrow, and an Almost Full Moon

While the full moon is not technically until tomorrow night, it was looking pretty full last night. The April full moon is known as the pink moon because of the pink phlox that blooms this time of year in the eastern United States. This view of downtown, taken from Commerce Place, is the perfect spot to get a good view of the Lincoln Financial Group building. We stumbled on this vantage point by chance as it was a good place to park and walk to the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts.

Last night was the final lecture of the Guilford College Bryan Series. Accomplished Journalist Ronan Farrow was the guest speaker. By chance, he was speaking to us on the night he was also meeting deadlines to write about yesterday's court appearance of former President Trump.  This case was a topic of conversation, especially at the beginning of Ronan Farrow's presentation. Ronan Farrow also talked about the nature of journalism, the future of journalism, and how journalism has impacted his life, personally. He acknowledged that his world view is reflected in his journalism, but he tries not to polarize readers and to present news objectively. He likes to tell important stories and endeavors to "crisply render a fact pattern". That last quote provides insight into how talented Ronan Farrow is at putting words, phrases, and sentences together in a way that precisely describes a point he is trying to make. At a mere 31 years old, he has accomplished so much: a law degree from Yale, a Ph.D from Oxford University, time as U.S. foreign service junior diplomat, a Pulitzer Prize winner, author, podcaster, journalist, and so much more. Greensboro is  lucky to have access to internationally recognized speakers through the Bryan Series. We are fortunate to have the Tanger Center. It is so special to have lovely nights in early spring, and streets that are walkable, where we can reflect on everything from the beauty of our city and the almost-full moon to the importance of ethical journalism.

Happy Wednesday!

Lady Banks Roses in Full Bloom!

Lady Banks roses are a nearly thornless rose, producing either white or yellow blooms. A native to China, the Lady Banks first arrived in the west in the early 1800s. They are a climbing rose, growing like a vine. As you can see above, the flowers grow in clusters. The Lady Banks roses in the above photo were a gift from Jane Armfield to Jane Mitchell's mother. Jane, a Sunset Hills resident, says they were planted between 40- 50 years ago. While they are more readily available now, there was a time when these roses were hard to get. People said you had to practically inherit one- or get a cutting. Thirteen years ago, someone did ask for a cutting of this one. We would love to see that plant today. These roses are at peak bloom now, their one time for the year,  and their bloom time will depend on the weather over the next week. 

Are there any Lady Banks roses in your neighborhood? We'd love to hear about it. It would be nice to have one. We try to feature these roses every year. The last time we did was 2021, on April 9th. Perhaps they are a little early this year.

Happy Tuesday!

Beautiful Weather on Lake Higgins

One good thing resulting from Saturday's strong winds in Greensboro was the calm, crisp day yesterday. The above photo was taken at Lake Higgins, Sunday afternoon. As you can see, the water was calm. People were out canoeing. The sky and the water were an intense blue and the air quality rating was in the green (good). Now is such a good time to hike along the our lakes; visibility is high since leaves have not come out yet. Also, ferns are starting to unfurl. There is so much to see on the city trails. Today is expected to be in the low 70, also reasonable for hiking. If you do head to the lakes today, while the trails are open, Lake Higgins is closed. You can't go out on the water or fish until tomorrow.

The moon will be full on Thursday. Since Easter is the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox,* Easter is this Sunday. This is a great week to reflect on rebirth, in nature as well as spiritually. Spring is such a lovely time of year in Greensboro; many say it is the prettiest. Now would be the perfect time to go for nature walks, or walks around one of our neighborhoods, to document all of the signs of rebirth that are happening before our eyes. Whatever you decide to do this week, we hope you have a great one!

Happy Monday!

* reference and more information, HERE.

Palm Sunday, Minerva, and Mercy Hill

Today is Palm Sunday; for Christians, the day Christ entered into Jerusalem. It is the first day of Holy Week. So why does the above photo feature the Minerva Statue on the campus * of UNCG? Well, last week, we were walking across campus and noticed the apples are back. As tradition has it, since Minerva is the goddess of wisdom, justice, law, and victory, college students leave an apple, with one bite out,  at her base to bring them luck during exams. However, curiously, we noticed someone was placing Easter eggs at the base, too. We had to investigate.

As it turns out, college students (a few, off on the right edge of the photo, you can see a couple of them) were placing the plastic eggs in highly visible places. Inside was a piece of candy and a note advertising a church service geared towards college students. a service and a late night party at Mercy Hill Church, the northwest campus at 5330 Edgefield Road.  Stuffed in with a wrapped piece of candy, the message read, "Join us as we celebrate Easter with other college students across the Triad! We would love to see you there." The students felt like the Easter egg hunt would be more effective than just having an informational table. Let's hope the effort worked for them and that the students who are looking for Christian fellowship found their way to Mercy Hill. Mercy Hill has 5 campuses in Guilford County and services all this week, including a "Walk through" experience on Good Friday. See their schedule of events for the week HERE. There will be something to do almost every day this week. We're wondering how the students hiding the eggs in plain sight became affiliated with Mercy Hill and whether or not new students attended this week. 

Have a great week, and, if you are looking for a spiritual connection, this is a good week to find it.

Happy Palm Sunday!

* watch this short Youtube video about the Minerva statue. See HERE for the story of the sculptor of the Minerva statue, James Barnhill. 

Waiting for the Spartan Chariot

Today's photo shows students waiting for the Spartan Chariot bus, just outside of the Bestway Marketplace on the campus of the University of North Carolina Greensboro.  The Bestway Marketplace brings food to students living on the part of campus that has extended just south of Gate City Boulevard into the Glenwood neighborhood. This photo was taken on the Glenwood Avenue side of the store. Bestway at Spartan Village is the grocery store's second location in Greensboro, with the "mother store" located on Walker Avenue at Elam. 

The Spartan Chariot is an efficient form of bus transportation for UNCG students. UNCG has experienced great growth over the last decade, and the northernmost points of campus that extend to West Market Street is about a mile and a half from the above point, one of the southernmost locations. Also, UNCG students have options for parking remotely. The Spartan Chariot helps cut down on travel time, making it possible to get to and from class in a timely manner. This view of Greensboro gives it a "big city" view. Let's hope public transportation, on and off Greensboro's college campuses continues to grow. 

Happy Saturday and happy first day of April!

Groundbreaking Has Begun on the New Peck School

Yesterday, we had an opportunity to visit the site of the New Peck Elementary School. As you can see, they have broken ground and the multi-million dollar project is well underway. The new school is located between the current Peck Elementary and Lovett snd Florida Streets in the Glenwood neighborhood. The design of the school was inspired by the woods that will surround the school. Teachers will be encouraged to provide opportunities for students to learn about nature from the property around the school. The new school will be a pre-K-8 Expeditionary Magnet School. The Expeditionary Learning Model is an outgrowth of collaboration between Harvard University and the Outward Bound Program, with emphasis on teamwork, courage, compassion, and active learning.*

Peck Elementary School was built in 1929. Over the past 94 years, so much has changed and the new school will reflect needs of the 21st century learner. This project part of the first phase of construction in the master facilities plan for Guilford County Schools. Given the preK-8th grade model, it is anticipated the new school will accommodate 900 students and should be completed in 2024. In the meantime, Peck Elementary will remain open. The school was named for Mrs. Clara Jane Thornton Peck. Mrs. Peck was a nurse whose many volunteer efforts were akin to what social workers do today. Throughout her adult life, she helped care for those in need, including during the 1918 and 1920 influenza outbreaks. Mrs. Peck died in 1926 at the age of 62. Let's hope the new school will be named for her, this inspiring woman who was born during the Civil War. We're confident the school would make her proud.

Happy Friday! Happy last day of March!

* see this News & Record article from 2020 for more information. It is well worth reading.

Train on Tracks

Yesterday afternoon, we were fascinated to watch a freight train stopped at South Elm Street for at least an hour. We asked a young man who was waiting and photographing it. He said he had been waiting for 50 minutes and that usually a stopped train indicates another one is on the track. He appeared to be quite a train aficionado. Greensboro is a great city for train lovers. We have both freight and passenger trains. As a matter of fact Greensboro got its nickname, Gate City, for being a gateway rail city. Here is a North Carolina rail map showing which freight and passenger trains travel through Greensboro.  

The above view is of Hamburger Square. Notice how nice the train trestle looks. The green and white paint makes it a stand out. Fortunately, with this underpass, pedestrians and cars can move through Elm Street, instead of having to wait for trains. People who work downtown probably know the train schedule by heart!

Happy Thursday, from the Gate City!

College Hill Sundries Interior

Recently, we posted an exterior view of College Hill Sundries. In case you haven't been side, here is an interior view. After a few visits, it is the kind of an everybody-knows-your-name sort of place. It is located at 900 Spring Garden Street, at the corner of Mendenhall Street. The establishment has been open for over 40 years and if you look around, it looks like not much has changed from yesteryear. The establishment is larger than it appears as in the back there is a pool table and more space for people to stand around. 

According to Triad City Beat, owner Jason Paul is part owner of Westerwood Tavern and Hops Burger Bar. Keep your out for special events held there. They are a perfect opportunity to visit the establishment and have a look around, especially if you don't just want to sit and have a brew. It has been such an anchor business in College Hill, a neighborhood that has been designated a historic district since 1980.

Happy midweek, almost April!

Oscar Oglethorpe and the Magical display!

Since we were in the 200 block of South Elm Street yesterday, we'll stay there today at 226 South Elm, admiring the window of Oscar Oglethorpe. This eyeglasses shop aways has fabulous windows. This one was staged by Tammy Tamster Pegram. The window has been stalled for the Month of March. In asking Tammy about it,  * we learned that she wanted a spring "flower power" decoration. Tammy tells us, she was thinking about "springing into new growth while embracing styles of past and having NEW retro Eyewear to SEE the world's beauty thru diversity." Tammy added that she wanted to "show the joy of vibrant colors in eyewear and elsewhere."  Finally, Tammy wanted to embrace, along the way, for Women's History Month. The pink and orange window sure appeals to us. 

Thank you Oscar Oglethorpe and Tammy Pegram for bring us a little joy in the heart of downtown!

 

* Learn more about Tammy, HERE.

Elm Street Center: 203 S. Elm Street

Elm Street Center is located at 203 South Elm Street in a building that was constructed in 1949 for the Ellis-Stone Department Store. This was eight years before Friendly Center was built (1957) In the same year, Ellis-Stone sold the store to Talheimber's. Since then, the space has also been an antique mall and an event center- and possibly more. Here is an interior view we featured in 2012, showing that fabulous staircase in the center of the building.

We love the way the red brick building peeks through the brightly colored flags of the Los Chicos Mexican Restaurant across the street at 200 South Elm Street. It is always fun to have cars in a photo. Nothing dates a photo more than cars and fashion! It is supposed to rain today; however, the middle of the week is scheduled to be nice. If you get a chance and need to get some steps in, consider walking Elm Street. From Center City Park at North Elm to the new Common Grounds Coffee Shop at Gate City, the distance is .6 miles. You can walk there and back, enjoying downtown, and pretty effortlessly get in 1.2 miles. If you see us walking along the sidewalk, be sure to say hello!

Happy Monday!

Shalom! Jewish Festival at Temple Emanuel- Today

The above photo was taken at Temple Emanuel during Friday evening services. Temple Emanuel is a Reform Jewish Temple, located at 1129 Jefferson Road. Today, from 11:00am-5:00 pm, they will hold their annual Jewish Festival, now in the spring, instead of the fall. This community-wide event, celebrating Jewish life and culture, will be held rain or shine. There will be Jewish and Israeli food, temple tours, exhibits, music, dance, arts and crafts and more. There will be a kids zone as well as characters from Tanakh (what Christians refer to as the Old Testament). So, if you attend the festival, don't be surprised if you see Moses, Abraham, Rachel, and Noah walking around.  It is a good chance for the community to learn about Judaism and to celebrate a community that has done so much for Greensboro. 

Word has it that one of our favorite jewelry artists, Anette, will be there with jewelry  inspired by the people and symbols in Judaism. We are also looking forward to the Rabbi telling us about the symbolism in the 12 stained glass windows, as well as the meaning of the gold letters at the top of the sanctuary. The tents are in place, the food is ready, and Moses will be there to tell you just how he felt when God delivered the 10 commandments to him.

Happy Sunday!

Ramadan Mubarak at Nazareth Bread

Ramadan is the holiest holiday for Muslims. Ramadan literally means "the hot month", a month of worship, prayer, studying the Quran, and fasting. Practicing Musilims get up before sunrise, eat breakfast, pray, and abstain from from food and liquids all day until after a final prayer at sunset. Once the sun sets, they break the fast and eat a meal. The above photo is the evening buffet at Nazareth Bread, located at 4507 West Market Street.  Due to demand, this Middle Eastern eatery offers this buffet during Ramadan. after a day of praying, reflecting and abstaining, people are ready to enjoy a meal together. This delicious buffet, which appears to extend forever, is $21.00.

Based on the People Groups website, There are over 10,000 people in Greensboro whose religion is Islam, and this number continues to grow. If you have Muslim friends you can help them by being mindful that they aren't able to eat or drink during the day. They may not want to be around while you are eating a meal or having your coffee break. If you want a great meal, stop by Nazareth Bread tonight and partake in this buffet. People of all faith groups are are welcome.

Happy Saturday!

Meet Dr. Diya Abdo

If there is anything you want to know about migration, internationally, nationally, or right here in Greensboro, Dr. Diya Abdo is the person to ask. She is a Lincoln Financial Professor of English at Guilford College. Dr. Abdo is a second-generation Palestinian refugee born and raised in Jordan. While much of her research focuses on Arab women writers and feminism, she is perhaps best known for an initiative she started at Guilford College in 2015, Every Campus a Refuge, or ECAR. The mission of ECAR is for every U.S. college and university to serve as a resettlement campus to help local resettlement agencies by hosting refugee families. The central challenge for refugee families is to find housing. Once their sponsorship benefits (a small stipend and temporary housing) expire, it is really hard for refugee families to find housing. In spite of all of the documentation that cleared their entry into the United States, they don't have social security numbers or a credit history, so it can be hard to convince landlords to rent to them. Under the ECAR program, college campuses provide housing for families. As an example, Guilford College has a refugee family living in a faculty house. To date, Guilford College and Wake Forest are the two participating North Carolina campuses. According to this website, Guiford has hosted 32 refugees, 18 of them children.  Trained volunteers help with their daily needs in the resettlement process.

Dr. Abdo travels around the country sharing her expertise. She has given TED Talks and has lectured widely on the topic of ECAR and migration. Currently, she is at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, giving a presentation. Fortunately, she made time in her busy schedule to meet with us and chat over coffee at the Green Bean. Greensboro is lucky she and her family have settled here, and we hope they stay for a very long time. Also, hats off to Guilford College  whose 7 core values- community, diversity, equality, excellence, integrity, justice, and stewardship- fit seamlessly with the ECAR initiative and with the mindset of Dr. Abdo. 

Happy Friday! Hurry home, Dr. Abdo!

Spring Has Spring on Oak Street

Yesterday, we were out along Oak Street in the Glenwood neighborhood of Greensboro. We noticed the bulbs planned at the house on the corner of Oak and McCormick. The flowers are healthy, having  weathered the recent cold weather. Blooming flowers are such a part of Greensboro landscapes in spring. 

The house in the background is a 2 bedroom 1 bath house built in 1915. This 108 year old house on the corner lot has so much yesteryear charm. The porch is inviting, the windows look like the original, and the bulbs are a simple row that look like they could have been there since the beginning. Remember if you get any pots of bulbs you can plant them and keep enjoying their beauty, year after year. This cooler weather we have had in Greensboro is actually good for bulbs. According to Dutch Grown, tulips will last for 1-2 weeks if the weather is between 45-55 degrees. However, if the weather is warmer, they will only last for a few days. We'll stop back and have a look after Friday, when the temperature is expected to be in the 80s. In the meantime, if you want to see them at peak, head over today!

Happy Thursday!