Happy New Year!
In the City Daily Photo Community, we have the January 1st tradition of selecting the best photo of the year. We picked the one of the Grimsley High School football team heading to Chapel Hill to play in the final 4A football championship.* The Grimsley team won; they are state champions! This giant win represents the true spirit of community. Grimsley students had a dream, worked will together, and had great coaching. Between talent, discipline, and believing in themselves, they brought home the trophy. Parents and teachers alike accommodated their schedules to allow this to happen. Players focused in a driven way that will take them far in life and the cheerleaders were there every step of the way, energizing the crowd. Community is comprised of people, places, and events. While Grimsley is only one of 30 high schools in the county, it is an example of the wonderful things happening in the Guilford County Public Schools. Grimsley was originally established in 1899 as Greensboro High School (see original post HERE).
In our annual reviews, we also like to share notable posts for each month. Greensboro has seen lots of change in 2024. This was the year we lost an outstanding public servant, Yvonne Johnson. There were many construction projects underway. The Northern Lights also came to town. The News & Record building came tumbling down, signaling the end of our once prominent community newspaper. Here is a summary from the City of Greensboro of past projects and what's ahead. And now, our picks. Click on the month to follow the link for the event.
December-- Sad, but notable was the loss of Yvonne Johnson. Her service was held in Pfeiffer Chapel on the campus of Bennett College. Her casket was transported there in a horse-drawn carriage. Many family and community members shared their memories of one of Greensboro's greatest public servants. She was future oriented, yet with that old-school commitment to being ethical, fair, hardworking, and kind.
November-- We loved seeing the She Care Wellness Pods at Bennett College, constructed to help foster and maintain positive mental health in the community. Funding was made possible by Kate Spade New York and Tara P. Henson's Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation. They are placed on campuses, and communities that provide evidence they can sustain the project.
October-- The Westerwood Chili Cook-off. Greensboro has many neighborhoods that work hard to build community; Westerwood is one such neighborhood. Every October, they have a fundraiser and chili contest. They have a string band that plays throughout the event. People bring lawn chairs, yard games, dogs, and friends and spend the afternoon in fellowship with neighbors and friends. While the event is intended for Westerwood residents, we've never seen anyone turned away.
September-- In September, the 10th annual folk festival came to town. Greensboro is so lucky to have been selected for this great weekend of music. This year, the majority of the music, venues, tents, food trucks, and vendors were held between LeBauer Park and The Gaylon Depot, with Church Street being a hub of activity. The sponsors work hard to keep the event free.
August-- The Mojud Lofts are located in what was once the Rolane Hosiery Mill. For years, the building was empty and deteriorating. Now, it has been brought back to life and added energy to a part of town that has tremendous potential- just beyond UNCG to the east and Lindley Park to the north,
July-- The Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department does so much for the city. They make a concerted effort to create fun things to do and places to enjoy while keeping prices reasonable, and often free. Every summer, we participate in one of the the night kayak adventures. When we went in July, all kayaks were rented, an indication that the event is popular.
June-- Summer Solstice Festival. 2024 was the 20th festival with over 5,000 people attending. Held in the Arboretum, it truly brings people together. From early afternoon to the fire show finale, the event is non-stop fun.
May-- Can you believe the Northern Lights came to town? Seeing them has been on our bucket list and to think they were visible in Greensboro is something we will always remember. May also saw the dismantling of the News & Record building which was nothing more than a sign of the times; indeed, to quote Bob Dylan, The Times They Are a Changin.
April-- Judy Woodruff, part of the Guilford College, Bryan Speaker Series. Since 1996, Guilford College has hosted the Bryan Speaker Series. The event format is an intimate community conversation. It is another opportunity for an Institution of Higher Education, business, and community members to come together. Guilford College is working hard to see how they can remain viable and relevant as the interests and actions of this younger generation shift. If you have a chance to support the college in any way, their roots date back to the early 1800s, making it the first college in Guilford County.
March-- Spring in Greensboro is nothing short of spectacular. From the humblest of neighborhoods to the fancy homes, dogwoods abound.
February-- The Corner Farmer's Market has become a Saturday morning must for many people. St. Andrews Episcopal Church welcomes the market onto their parking lot, another fine example of people, businesses, and an organization coming together for the good of the community. We finally got to talk to Kathy Newsome who works tirelessly to see that everything goes well, keeping vendors and customers happy.
January-- Tanger Center is a breathtaking community resource. No longer do we need to head to Charlotte, Raleigh, or Durham to see nationally and internationally renowned performances. Greensboro has its own state-of-the-art facility. It even has more bathrooms than Buc-kees (if you know you know).
And that, dear readers, is a recap of some of the people, places, events, and nature in Greensboro. Thank you for continuing on this journey with us. Check back tomorrow as we begin Year 17 of this daily photo site.
Happy New Year!
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