Greensboro Daily Photo

Green & West Lindsay Streets

Spring 2023 has sprung early in Greensboro this year. The above photo was taken on Sunday, February 26th at the corner of West Lindsay and North Greene Street. You can see Bradford Pears blossoming on the northwest corner. From this view, with three men crossing the street, the intersection looks vast. Although it isn't so noticeable in the photo, this is a part of town that has changed significantly over the recent years. It is near the greenway; is is near the building where the Smith Street Diner was housed; several new restaurants have opened in this northwest corridor and the cleaners that was on Paisley Street has closed and something new is being built. Of course the Tanger Center for Performing Arts is a great addition to this part of town. Finally, all the new housing options make this a part of town where you can walk to many amenities.

Remaining constant in this area is the trifecta of churches in the area: Trinity Episcopal, First Presbyterian, and  St. Benedict Catholic Church. And thinking of "faith" we want to give a shout out to our faithful reader Ginny S. in Madison, Wisconsin who has no real associations with Greensboro, but reads diligently and sends private comments from time to time. Knowing you all are reading sustains us.

Happy Tuesday! Tomorrow is March 1st!

Tiny Slice of Leonard J. Kaplan Center for Wellness

Today's photo shows just a slice of the facade of the Leonard J. Kaplan Center for Wellness at the University on North Carolina Greensboro. The 216,000 sq. ft. facility was built at 1301 W. Gate City Boulevard in 2016. It was named for a businessman whose wife, Tobee, created a permanent endowment to support health and wellness programs at UNCG. It covers the city block between Neal, McCormick, and Haywood Streets at the edge of the Glenwood neighborhood.

We really like this view, taken from the north side of West Gate City Boulevard,  because it shows the contrast between the north and south sides of the street. This little alley is the one we take to get back to the bins to recycle styrofoam at the railroad tracks. The buildings on this side are older and not part of the University.  This is the side of the street with Sprinkle Gas and Beef Burger. It is just a matter of time until "Northside" changes, too. This is the side with Oden Brewing, a great example of refurbishing. If you get a chance, have someone drive you along West Gate City Boulevard and see how much it has changed. What do you predict will happen next? Oh, remember to recycle your styrofoam while you are in the neighborhood.

Happy Monday!

College Park Baptist: Astro Dog Food Truck

College Park Baptist Church is located at the southwest corner of Walker Avenue and Josephine Boyd. This photo is of the food truck Astro Dog that is set up there Thursday-Sunday afternoons and evenings.. The photo was taken last night. This high visibility corner, right across the street from the westernmost side of UNCG, is the perfect spot to attract students, as well as people who just happen to be driving by. College Park Baptist has many outreach initiatives;while the food truck doesn't appear to be related to outreach, who knows. If people start walking or driving to the church to nourish their bodies, they just may head there to nourish the soul. College Park Baptist describes itself as progressive, diverse, ecumenical, and welcoming to everyone.

We interviewed people in line waiting for food and they said they really liked it and were return customers. There appears to be one menu item, Korean style corn dogs. You can get them sweet or savory; mild or spicy; or, with toppings like hot Cheetos, nacho cheese Doritos, and cool ranch Doritos. If you want something to drink, Mexican sodas (Jarritos & Mundet) and water are available. On nicer nights, people often sit in the parking lot and enjoy their dogs.

Church services at College Park Baptist are at 8:30 in the chapel; 9:45 Sunday school; and 10:45 in the chapel. Astro Dogs is open from 3:00 pm- 10:00 pm. You could start and end your day right here. Happy Sunday! 

Dr Alvin Blount, Mural on South Elm Street

Thursday was such a warm day in Greensboro, at 81ºF, the warmest February 23rd on record. After the afternoon shower, the sky brightened up again. On our trek along the 600 block of South Elm Street, we ran across this mural to Dr. Alvin Blount. As you can see, there is a bust and to the right, a THKU which presumably is a "thank you" to a man who did so much for integrating the hospital system in Greensboro. Dr. Blount was one of 10 plaintiffs in the 1962 Simkins vs. Moses H. Cone lawsuit in which it was determined that federal dollars for public facilities should not be used to discriminate. 

Blount was from Raleigh, NC, but attended N.C. A&T in Greensboro. To learn more about this inspirational person, who was the first black surgeon to work at Moses Cone and who practiced medicine until the end of his life, see HERE. Dr. Alvin Vincent Blount died on January 6, 2017. Thank you for all you did to make a difference in the world, Dr. Blount!

If you want to see the mural, head to the east side of the 600 block of South Elm Street. We're not sure who created the mural. Do you know? The mural has, to the left, " Dr. Blount, Cone Hospital @ 1.4.4.0. It is a lovely addition to downtown.

Happy Saturday!

Common Grounds Downtown

Yesterday, after that brief afternoon shower, we had a chance to visit Common Grounds on South Elm Street. We affectionately refer to it as Common Grounds East, as the original location is in Lindley Park at the corner of Elam and Walker. The menu appears to be the same  with iced and hot coffee and smoothies. Their specialty lattes are named after actors, the Bill Murray, Amy Adams, Robin Williams, Charlie Chaplin, and more. They also have pastries and draft beer. They are the last business on South Elm, on the northeast corner of the South Elm/Gate City Boulevard intersection. The parking lot on the corner, the one with the giant globe/orb, is for Common Grounds. 

As the weather warms, you will start seeing people sitting outside in the front of the shop as well as in the charming area in the back. Common Grounds on Elm opened last Friday, February 17th. If you stop by today, wish them a happy, one week anniversary. As you can see from the above photo, there is plenty of room to spread out and get some work done, or, to socialize with friends. In general, Elm Street south of the railroad tracks is being transformed. We'll share other examples, soon.

Happy Friday!

The Mavericks

Greensboro is becoming quite a town of live performances. Between the Tanger Center, White Oak Amphitheatre, the Coliseum, Community Theatre of Greensboro, Triad Stage, The Carolina Theatre, the local universities, and the smaller venues, Greensboro is becoming quite a town of live performances.

The above photo features The Mavericks, playing at The Carolina Theatre this past weekend. They are an American country music band from Miami, Florida, playing together since 1989. In the center is Raul Malo, lead vocalist and guitar player. The night they played in Greensboro, there were 9 musicians on stage. During the concert, audience members were actually invited into the orchestra pit to dance. That added an upbeat energy that permeated the whole show. You can see part of that crowd at the front of the stage.

The Carolina Theatre has been in the news lately, as the exterior is getting work done to help restore and preserve it. When built in 1927, it was the crown jewel of the south. It has had ups and downs over the years, with the interior now restored beautifully. The night The Mavericks played, we sat next a couple that had driven from Bristol, TN (about 3 hours) to see the show and commented on its beauty. Ever at the helm of helping with the renovation of The Carolina Theatre, Betty Cone,Honorary Chairman of the Board, is again working hard to secure funding for the exterior of the building. If you haven't been to a movie or show there recently, you should purchase a ticket to something. Both the Betty and Ben Cone, Jr. Auditorium (to named in 2018) or the Crown upstairs, The Carolina Theatre is a very special venue. If you want to donate and be part of the restoration effort, see HERE.

Happy Thursday!

 

Aldi Grocery on Battleground

Today's photo is of Aldi Grocery Store at 2965 Battleground Avenue. It has been open since September 16, 2021, almost a year and a half. You may remember, before that, this location was an Earth Fare Store. We remember the people who worked at that Earth Fare making a real effort to help customers feel like they were community. The employees were committed helping customers make healthy choices. Before Earth Fare, we seem to remember the location being a Harris Teeter, or was it a Kroger? Between Greensboro and Virginia, those two stores did some swapping so it is hard to remember. This site on "groceteria" explains a lot about Kroger and Harris Teeter in Greensboro.

We took the photo because the first thing that caught our eye as we parked was the beautiful sunset and the fact that it matches the Aldi colors, as well as the slope on the roof! Frequently, there are beautiful sunsets on this part of Battleground Avenue. While shopping, we overheard customers talking about purchases to make and things to eat before Ash Wednesday. If you abstain from something or give up certain foods, especially meat, for Lent, today is the day!  

Happy Ash Wednesday! 

Love Greensboro

We found a great poster to reflect how we at GDP feel about Greensboro. We got print number 16/30 of the 12 1/2" by 19" poster.  In addition to the heart within the circle graphic, in the green, 31 Greensboro neighborhoods (from Adams Farm to Westerwood) are typed in an ALL CAPS, gray font. Believe it or not, it can be hard to find things with the word "Greensboro" on them. The posters are on sale at Reconsidered Goods. Look in the section with frames and prints- midway back on the left of the store, .

In doing a little more research about lovegreensboro, we found the group began in 2012, with the first online reference through Fox8, posted 9/3, 2012. The article, was entitled, " 'Love Greensboro' group wants to make city better." According to the article, the group was comprised of community leaders, business owners, and volunteers. They worked to bring people together to make Greensboro better and it was open to anyone interested. "Better" seems to have centered around expanding visibility of all the city has to offer, beyond Elm Street. The last post on their Facebook page was 2018, so we're concluding that the organization was viable for about 6 years. There may be a few posters left, if you are interested. We're wondering who designed and printed it. 

Happy Tuesday! For Christians, today is Shrove Tuesday. For revelers, Mardi Gras and Carnaval are in full swing!

#ReconsideredGoods #RG #DGSO

 

Seth Walker: Singer-songwriter and Visual Artist

Seth Walker opened for the Mavericks this past Saturday night (2/18/23) at The Carolina Theatre. Seth, who attended New Garden Friends School in Greensboro, grew up in a musical family. His dad, Scott Walker was the orchestra teacher at Greensboro Day School.  Summers, his dad hosts a fiddle camp, aptly named the "Walker Family Band Fiddle Camp. Growing up in a musical family, he comes by his musical talent honestly.

Seth is a guitarist, and blues and jazz singer, within the Americana genre. Also a prolific singer-songwriter,  Seth has released 10 albums, and tours extensively. In addition to being an accomplished performance artist, he is also a visual artist (see his CDs and visual art  HERE). While he now calls nearby Asheville home, it was nice seeing him back in Greensboro playing. Since Seth has co-written songs with members of  The Mavericks, his music fit perfectly with theirs. The above photo was taken in the lobby of The Carolina Theatre, where we caught up with Seth spending time with old friends and fans. Our visit to The Carolina Theatre was timely as Nancy McLaughlin's article about renovation efforts at the theatre is just out in the News & Record.

 

Happy President's Day, always the third Monday of February!

Christ Is the Way

The "Christ is the Way" or "Jesucristo es el camino" bus belongs to Mr. Sinai Church/"Iglesia Monte Sinai." It is located at 4711-A  West Gate City Boulevard, just south of Groometown Road. It ia a Pentecostal Church. The brick building is a strip mall with another church beside it and some empty store fronts. The bus looks freshly painted with clear lettering.

On the front, the signage above the windshield just says JESUCRISTO. Likely, the bus brings to church for services. They meet on Saturday at 7:00 pm and Sunday at 10:00 am. They also have Tuesday and Thursday services at 7:00 pm. These start up churches often start out in humble spaces and grow into nice, stand-alone buildings. It was a lovely day full of sunshine yesterday and we only noticed the church because of the beautiful, freshly painted church. If you are driving past, it is impossible not to notice it.

Happy Sunday!

Diebold Safe on Display at Red Collection

Today's photo is of the Diebold safe on view, but not for sale, at The Red Collection on Mill Street. Diebold started making safes in the mid-1800s. Do you remember those Saturday trips to town and to the bank, when all of those downtown businesses had a big safe? They are so heavy and secure, usually made of a steel alloy, sometimes weighing as much as 1,600 pounds. These devices really did seem so safe, impenetrable and impervious to fire. The painting on some make them look like a work of art. 

These are the kinds of things we come across, that cause to remember and reminisce as we are on our outings and urban explorations. This weekend, go out and have a look for yourself, at this safe at The Red Collection, or anything else that evokes yesteryear. Let us know what you find. We're wondering just how long the above safe will be on display and where on earth they would put it if they needed to get rid of it. Just think, in 150 years, these safes have gone from invaluable to almost obsolete... as societies move away from being cashless.

Happy Saturday!

1633 Willomore Street

The day we were in Glenwood to see the Tiny Home property, we noticed this property, also on Willomore. It was built in 1901 and doesn't appear to have been sold since 1990, when it sold for $40,000. It is one of those homes that remind one of yesteryear. Time stands still on this 1/3 of an acre. The two bedroom, one bathroom house looks like it has been added on to, on the left. 

The original log home and chinking has been going strong for over 120 years. Of course we have as many questions as answers. We wonder how many owners it has had, what the inside looks like, what changes the owners have seen in the neighborhood over the years. What they love most about it- on and on. Perhaps we should call on them some day, just like people used to do back when it was built. We could knock and see if we could chat on the porch for a spell. Taking a plate of warm cookies might do the trick. 

What will you be doing this weekend?  Happy Friday!

 

Greensboro is Test Market for Chick-Fil-A Cauliflower Sandwich

Greensboro is one of the test markets for the Chick-Fil-A cauliflower sandwich (Greensboro, NC; Charleston, SC; and Denver, CO). The plant-based sandwich has been four years in the making with food scientists testing the product every step of the way. Sales began in the Greensboro market on 2/13/23. In case you haven't tried it yet, it is a whole cauliflower filet,  marinated, breaded, pressure cooked, and covered with the same spices  and frying process as the chicken sandwich.  The exterior flavor and the crust are the same as a chicken sandwich, but the interior flavor and texture are different. The cauliflower flavor is present. We liken it to something you would eat in an Indian restaurant. Spending some time in one of the restaurants this week, we heard people praising it and others saying they didn't care for it. 

Online publicity explains that Charleston, SC was chosen because it is a city known for great culinary choices. We couldn't find out why Greensboro and Denver were chosen. When we asked employees at one of the stores, they weren't sure. We'll keep investigating. While it is available in Greensboro, we encourage you to try it. We owe it to Greensboro to have as many people as possible trying it and discussing it at book club, with neighbors, and, of course, on social media. Be prepared for sticker shock. The sandwich is 6.69 and the combo meal is $10.45. So, it costs more than chicken. It will be interesting to see if it remains on the menu. Unlike the ground meat substitutes like the McPlant, this is a solid chunk of cauliflower. Let us know what you think!

Happy Thursday!

 

The Wednesday Lecture Club

Greensboro Daily Photo had the pleasure of speaking to the Wednesday Lecture Club last week. The Wednesday Lecture Club is a group of women who gather to learn about timely topics while socializing over lunch. The group was organized in the late 1930s by a group of friends who attended Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. Soon, friends from other churches were invited to join the new club. We learned from a News & Record article that, in 1942,  Roy L. Morgan of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, told members of the club of the activities of the agency when they met with Mrs. W.J. Carter at her home on Sunset Drive (reference).  This is an example of the type of programs they offer. A recent speaker was a local author who talked about his book- the harrowing tale of an immigrant. Our program was a slide presentation about the fifteen year history of Greensboro Daily Photo.

Featured in the photo today are Linda Sutton, Program Chair (left); Bonnie McAlister, President (head table, back center in blue);  and other club members. The meeting was held at the Greensboro Country Club. The food was delicious, service outstanding, and the conversation engaging. It is easy to see why group members enjoy each other so much.  We did not miss the opportunity to take a photo to share with the Greensboro community. We were grateful to have been invited to speak and to learn more about the Wednesday Lecture Club! We felt it fitting to feature them on a Wednesday. 

Happy Wednesday!

 

Jill Van Horn

Jill Van Horn, a local author of mystery and love stories, is the perfect person to feature for Valentine's Day. She also happens to be wearing Valentine's Day red. Originally from Pennsylvania, Jill lived in Texas and California, before finding her home in Guilford County. She is multitalented; not only a published author, but also a family physician. Jill loves to cook and eat a healthy, balanced diet. She has a cooking channel on YouTube called the Doctored Chef. where she combines her love of cooking with her expertise as a health care professional. We suggest starting with Episode 1, a recipe for parmesan-crusted salmon and learn how the meal helps with depression and anxiety.

It would be wonderful if the Greensboro City Library system would purchase a set of Dr. Jill's books for book clubs to check out. In the meantime, you can purchase her books at Gibsonville Antiques (where we met her on Saturday) or, directly from her website. We should be calling her Dr. Jill, especially now that we know she is returning to practicing medicine, focusing on eldercare. If you are looking for a good beach book, start with "Fit for Love". The setting is Myrtle Beach. If you like a little magic, time travel, and Christmas, start with "A Stagecoach Christmas" or "A Christmas Carousel." We are so lucky to have Dr. Jill in our community!

Happy Tuesday! Happy reading!

This CommUnity Sings

Yesterday afternoon the "This CommUnity Sings" event was held at The Carolina Theatre. It was a free event of singing with planned audience participation. Everything about the event was perfect from the venue , to the musical team, to the songs chosen for Music Director Brittany Kaehler to teach the audience- "Under the Sea", "Bridge Over Troubled Water", and "Mamma Mia".  

The above photo is of Red Kalyna, a Ukrainian group singing "Chervona Ruta" at the beginning of the program. "Chervona Ruta" is a popular Ukrainian folk song, widely sung in Eastern Europe. The lyrics tell of a mythical flower that brings happiness in love to a young girl who happens to find one of the flowers blooming red- something that, according to legend, only happens on the eve of summer solstice . Featured from left to right, members of the group, Peggy Boswell, Iryna Tkachenko, David Thompson, and Larry Vellani. We hope more community singing events are scheduled. "CommUnity Sings" was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. A heartfelt thank you goes out to all who participated, making this event possible- especially the sponsors!

Happy Monday!

Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church

Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church is located at 3100 Creek Ridge Road, at the intersection with Four Seasons Boulevard. It is between Four Seasons Mall and Sedgefield, on the eastern edge of the Lamrocton neighborhood in Greensboro. Did you even know of this neighborhood? We didn't! It is amazing what one can learn from a good map.* If our source is correct, Lamrocton  is a diverse neighborhood of Danish, Sub-Saharan African, and Vietnamese residents. It also reports having many college students and same-sex couples. 

We drove past Mt. Tabor UMC serendipitously when we took exit 218A instead of B in south Greensboro. While the church doesn't appear to have a website, they do have a Facebook page. According to the cornerstone, the church was rebuilt by Rev. P.I. Wells in 1953, but is doesn't say when the original church was built. There is a fellowship building attached to the side of the church. It was added on in 1965. The church participates in community events like Crop Hunger Walk, and they also host their own events, like fish fries.  Behind the church is a cemetery. In Christian tradition, Mt. Tabor is the site of the transfiguration of Jesus. 

We hope Rev. Carson and his congregation have a great service today and that your Sunday is everything you hoped it would be.

 

*read more about Lamrocton, here. 

Walkers on Walker in front of Walkers

Yesterday afternoon, the weather was lovely in Greensboro. It felt like a sunny spring day.The above photo was taken on Walker Avenue across the street from Walkers Bar. So, you can say it is a photo of walkers on Walker in front of Walkers. The Lindley Park area is so lively, especially after about 4:00 pm and on the weekend. The corner of Walker and Elam has changed significantly over the decades; however it has always been been dynamic. While the A&P and the drugstore are gone, Bestway is a thriving grocery store and suds and duds has long since replaced the drug store.*

Something about this photo feels like it should be set to music; perhaps something percussive like Henry Mancini's Pink Panther.

Have a great Saturday!

*if you can access the News and Record online, this 2015 article shares a lot about this area.

Crabapples, Crocus, and Hellebores

Have you noticed that things are starting to boom in Greensboro? The above tree (crabapple, we think) is in the parking lot behind the Weatherspoon Art Museum. It is visible from Tate Street. Seeing these blooms reminds us that we haven't seen snow in a while. According to this website, the last time we had snow in Greensboro was 1.8 inches on January 29th 2022, over a year ago! February and March can bring inclement weather in Greensboro. As a matter of fact, last March 13th, the temperature dipped to 19º.  We've got crocus flowers and hellebores going strong in our yard. The camellias are about finished. It is alway fun to see what blooms in winter and is an encouraging sign that spring is just around the corner.

The weather this weekend isn't supposed to dip below 33º,  so, it should be a good weekend to head out and explore the city. Maybe we can get to the new piece of artwork on the downtown greenway at Murrow Boulevard and East Gate City. What will you do?

Happy Friday!

Build -A-Bear at Friendly Center

It is almost Valentine's Day and Build-A-Bear has so many options. Recently, we were in their "workshop" in Friendly Center and it wasn't so much which plush toy children chose, but what the employees said . They made the event feel so special. The presentation went something like this, "Now, every bear gets one heart, just like you have. Rub its heart to yours and then tap the heart on your forehead, so it can be full of love and as smart as you are." Children were mesmerized.

Build-A-Bear opened in St. Louis, MO, in 1997, with the first store opening in Greensboro at Four Seasons in 2005. The Friendly Center Store opened in 2013. Formerly, it was located where Schiffman's Jewelers is now. It is one of the spaces Schiffman's acquired for their expansion.* Now, Build-A-Bear is located near Toys & Co., the Five Below Store, and Barnes & Noble. That creates quite a little retail corner for families with young children.

As we all work to figure out the new models for brick-and-mortar in a world with competition from the internet, it seems a personal touch- like personally being able to put the heart in your teddy bear-  is precisely what it takes. At any rate, it is fun to walk around and see what and where people are buying this week before Valentine's Day. We're hoping Schiffman's is having brisk sales, too!

Happy Thursday!

*see a former GDP post HERE. 

Tiny Homes on Freeman Mill & Willomore

The tiny home community, located at the corner of Freeman Mill Road and Willomore Street, is up and running. Construction is in progress and some homes are getting cose to completion. In the foreground, you see a frame that is about 11'x 16'. Tiny House Community Development is building homes on the site. Last spring an art teacher at Greensboro Day School arranged for her art students to build a house.*

At one time, there were other proposals for this lot, which was zoned for residential, single family homes. It seems like the tiny home concept will be a good fit. When we were on the lot yesterday, we noticed several deer tracks where they had been traipsing through the mud. Hopefully when people move into the homes, there will be a little bit of a buffer between the streets and the homes. It will be fun to monitor the progress. Can you our shadow in the middle of the photo?

Happy Wednesday!

* learn more HERE.

Vanity Tag: 1VIOLIN

Today, we have a little fun with a vanity tag. In the state of North Carolina, a vanity tag, or personalized plate, costs $30 above the other fees. It is really fun to see what people put on their vehicle tags. They say if people can't figure out the message in a few seconds, it just might not be a good investment. You have up to a combination of eight letters, numbers, spaces, and special characters to get your message across. We're betting the above person plays the violin, and plays it well. Likely, they tote it in their hatchback and, with a four-wheel drive, may do some mountain driving. We're betting they are passionate about music.

Here is a link to the DMV.  You should be able to search and see if the name or saying you want is available. Be careful though. If it is not an official site (and it may LOOK official),  you will be taken to an outside site that is probably not secure. Do you have a vanity tag? What does it say? Would you consider one? What would it say? Honk if you like violin music!

Happy Tuesday!

Meet Wayne, USPS Mail Carrier Extraordinaire

Today, we're featuring Wayne, mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. Wayne is from Caswell County, North Carolina, lives in Eden, and commutes to Greensboro to work.  Every day, he gathers the mail and walks his route, delivering mail along Elm Street and in the downtown area.  If you live in the 27401 zip code, surely you know Wayne. 

One weekend, we were in Just Be, asking Lisa, an employee, what we could photograph for Greensboro Daily Photo. She had several great ideas, yet for almost all of them, we were able to say "Already featured.". She thought and thought, her face lit up and she asked, "Have you featured our mail carrier, Wayne?".  Lisa told us the story of one day several women were on their lunch break in the store, Wayne walked in and in unison a chorus of voices said "Hi, Wayne".  When you have a mail carrier as personable as Wayne, it stands to reason that many are on a first name basis with him.

When we asked Wayne what he liked most about his route, without missing a beat, he responded, "The people, and seeing them smile." It can take so little to bring joy into the lives of others. Even if a bill is being delivered, it is impossible to be in a bad mood when you see someone with a warm smile who greets you with a few positive words. So thank you, Wayne, for bringing joy to 27401. Thank you "Just Be" (352 South Elm Street) for being not just a place to buy "gifts with stories to tell", but for suggesting we feature Wayne.

Happy Monday!

Friedens Tiny Chapel

If you read Greensboro Daily Photo last Sunday, you saw the post on Frieden Lutheran Church, located on Frieden Church Road in the eastern end of Guilford County. The congregation has owned the property and has had a church there since 1775. The church started out as one made out of hand-hewn logs and then built a brick church in 1879. The church burned in 1939, and another was built in its place. In the background, you can see the latest iteration of Frieden Lutheran (see also, HERE). 

The Wagoners, church members, used the logs from the original church for a smokehouse. When they dismantled the smokehouse, they gave the logs from the original church back to the church. In 1961, church member Roland Summers recruited the young adult Sunday school members to use the timbers to help build a tiny chapel that was a replica of the original church from the 1700s. You can see the tiny hand-hewn log chapel in the foreground. Inside are pews and an altar from the past. This is a church that takes its documentation seriously. You can learn more by going to the article we referenced. Also, we highly recommend your keeping records of any organizations with which you are affiliated.

Happy Sunday!

 

*Reference and more  history of the church can be found HERE.

Charles Dabney, Foreign Cars Italia

Today's photo features Charles Dabney who is a sales consultant at Foreign Cars Italia. Charles was raised in Charleston, West Virginia. He earned an undergraduate degree at West Virginia State University, where he was an athlete and majored in marketing. Upon gradation, his father encouraged him to work for the power company- for the job security. Charles started in that career, but soon saw opportunity in car sales. Since that transition, and a few years in Atlanta, he has found his home in Greensboro and professional home at Foreign Cars Italia. We met Charles at The Continental Club the other night, where he enjoys socializing. 

He was at the Continental Club on the evening the Piedmont Old Time Society (POTS) was playing music. We had a great conversation surrounded by Trina Olson's paintings and great music by the old time musicians. We have a feeling the Continental Club at 816 South Elm Street is the kind of place to meet interesting people, hear good music, and see good art. We look forward to more conversations with Charles Dabney, and who knows, some day we may need a new car.

Happy Saturday! 

 

 

Piedmont Old Time Society Thursday Jam at The Continental Club

The Continental Club, located at 816 South Elm Street bills itself as "a cool, international social club, for disruptors and innovators." It is located in the building that years ago housed The Farmers' Exchange Store, a precursor to Southern States, where farmers would go to get grain, fertilizer, and other needs for farming. It is the white building on the southwest corner of Elm Street and Gate City Boulevard, the one with DAILY BREAD FLOUR on the back. 

Last night, The Continental Club hosted the open jam of the Piedmont Old Time Society (POTS), where acoustic fiddle and banjo music reigns supreme. POTS had previously held their jams at the Green Bean, but once that venue was no longer available, the group was on hiatus. When they learned the Continental Club would host the jam, they had eighteen people on the first night, playing well into the night. The lighting is absolutely beautiful at the Continental Club once your eyes adjust. However, it is a challenge to get crisp, color-balanced photos. The music sounded great last night. Hopefully, the Continental Club/Piedmont Old Time Society relationship will continue for a very long time and they will have all of their first and third Thursday jams there. The club is currently hosting an art exhibit by Trina Olson; the owner seems very supportive of visual and performing arts.

Happy Friday! May you find lots of great things to do in Greensboro this weekend.

Choice Showcase at Guilford County Schools

Last night the School Choice Showcase was held at the Greensboro Coliseum. Guilford County offers in-demand and innovative programs. Examples of choices include, performing and visual arts schools, Spanish immersion, engineering, and health and life science. The above photo features the booth of the Middle College at UNCG last night. Their theme is health and life sciences. It is not unusual for the popular programs to get 500 applications for 50 slots. . Here is a list of the choice schools and programs. At the moment, there are fifty one, with plans to create more. The application window started on January 13th and will close on February 20th. Some of the programs require interviews; others are strictly lottery based. Acceptance will be determined on April 21st. 

It cannot be stressed enough, if you have student who is interested in a choice school program, have them get their application in on or before the deadline and have them do their homework. Usually, students can tell when visiting a school if they can imagine attending the school. Choice schools are great for students who want a special focus. Attendance zone/neighborhood schools are best for students who want the traditional school experience. Students who attend choice schools can participate in sports and extracurriculars in their home school; however, if they want the thrill of walking down the hall on a Monday morning after winning a big game over the weekend, a traditional school is best. These decisions can be exciting and difficult at the same time. Guilford County Schools is known nationally for their schools of choice. Some of the program make it possible for high school students to graduate with up to two years of college credit!

Happy Groundhog Day and Happy Candlemas!

Home of the Future Publix on Mill Street; For Now, Christina's World

This is the lot on Mill Street where the new Publix Grocery Store will be located. We publish photos from Mill Street a lot because something about the way the afternoon sun hits this area, it is so beautiful. If we did a 180º turn, you would see Wendover Avenue. But for now, until the new Publix is built in 2024, this is one of our happy open-space places to catch a view of natural grasses meeting the sky.  Something about the scene reminds us of  "Christina's World," painted by Andrew Wyeth. We can just imagine someone horizontally positioned in the foreground with McKay's Books on the horizon, as opposed to a farmhouse. If you want a glimpse of what the new Publix will look like, see HERE. It will be a three-level grocery store. Do we have any existing grocery stores in Greensboro on more than one level? We can't think of one at the moment. If you can, let us know. In the meantime, a couple of our readers were asking about the location of this store, so we used that as an excuse to run back and get a photo. If you know anyone at McKay's Books, let them know they've lost an "O" and for now, it is McKay's B OKS!

Well, January has slipped away with no snow or freezing rain. What will February bring? Happy February 1st!