Greensboro Daily Photo

Greensboro Bound Book Festival

The Greensboro Bound Book Festival was held in Greensboro on Saturday, May 17th. With a total of fifteen sessions, the festival was a smaller festival this year  than it has been in the past; however, the sessions that were held were very good. The four venues were 1_ Greenhill Center for NC Art, Greensboro History Museum (photographed above- during the festival), Van Dyke Performance Space, and Greensboro Public Library.

One of the most exciting events surrounding the festival was the May 15th,  lead-up event featuring bestselling author Percival Everett. It was held at UNCG, in the Elliot University Center- Auditorium, a partnership between the UNCG  University Libraries and Greensboro Bound. That event was free, but tickets had to be secured ahead of time as it quickly became fully subscribed. Mark you calendars for next year. The festival is usually the third Saturday in May. For anyone associated with the public schools and higher education, this is a very busy time of year.  Contributing to and making time for Greensboro Bound is a good investment in the literary future of our community. It is a really good way to find material for a summer reading list.

Happy Wednesday!

Mary Flynn, Author

Greensboro native and Grimsley High School graduate, Mary Flynn (left), was in town this past weekend to discuss her latest novel "Torn" with a Greensboro book club. She was hosted by Sandra Shields (right) a dear friend from St. Francis Episcopal Church. Mary has been writing and publishing for at least the last fifteen years and "Torn",  about the timely topic of abortion law and access, is Mary's eleventh novel. 

Mary's genre is realistic fiction and she touches on an array of topics. Three of her books take place in the Wilmington area, where she and her husband moved several years ago after retiring from the Guilford County Schools as a speech pathologist. In the above photo, on the table, is a copy of "Lumina", a book about the Lumina Pavillon* from the ocean side of Wrightsville Beach, NC.  It is always fun to read a local author, especially one as accessible as Mary.  As her schedule permits, Mary is available to talk to organizations and book clubs. You can reach her or order her books at her blog, TheOneNovel.com. There is also an author interview on this link. If you are looking for some good summer reading, consider one of Mary's novels. There is something for everybody!

Happy Monday!

* See an Our State magazine article about Lumina Pavilion, HERE.

Bluebird at Green Hill

Sundays, we like to post something religious or spiritual at Greensboro Daily Photo. We were walking in Green Hill Cemetery yesterday looking for something to post. There is a large tombstone in for form of a cross near the entrance. The name on one side is Rucker and on the back side Fry. We got our picture, and as we were leaving, saw this male, western bluebird on William Francis Clegg's worn tombstone. Sadly, William was born July 17, 1910 and died a little over a year later on September 13, 1911. We have been using the Merlin Bird ID app daily to identify birds in our Greensboro yard. So, somehow, it felt very special to see this bluebird so close and so low to the ground near downtown Greensboro.

When we looked at the other side of the tombstone and saw William's birthdate, we remembered one of our relatives was also born on July 17, 1910. One of many things we love about Greensboro Daily Photo is that it causes us to notice in ways we might not otherwise notice. We hope you, too,  have something that inspires you to notice the beauty in the little things around you. Green Hill Cemetery, located at 901 Wharton Street, is a very special place to walk and reflect on life and the importance of making our time on earth matter. 

Happy Sunday!

Ukrainian Night at Cafe Europa

On Thursday night at Café Europa in downtown Greensboro, two performances honored Ukrainians and Ukrainian Americans who support Ukrainian independence. The first group to perform was Red Kalyna, a band based in Mebane. They were followed by the Fedynskyj family.

Jurij Fedynskyj is a Ukrainian-American luthier and researcher. Along with his wife and five children, he travels and performs songs of history, morality, and patriotism from Ukraine. Some pieces feature the family playing traditional instruments, while others are performed a cappella. Their music last night ranged across what is now contemporary Ukraine including high culture Baroque as well as traditional songs and dances in Slavonic, Ukrainian, a prayer song in Latin and songs in English. 

In the tradition of the von Trapp family, the Fedynskyjs travel the world, singing and sharing stories about Ukraine to raise awareness, promote peace, and help defend their homeland. Their performance was heartfelt and deeply moving. The five Fedynsyj children are remarkably talented, and their a cappella harmonies are pitch-perfect.

Everyone in the photo is wearing a vyshyvanka—a traditional embroidered garment closely tied to Ukrainian culture. The Thursday performance coincided with Vyshyvanka Day, always the 3rd Thursday in May, and several others in the restaurant also wore vyshyvankas to celebrate and show their support.

From left to right: Back row: Miroslav F.,  Jurij "Jurko" F., Misha Shvets holding Kvitoslava F. . Midrow: Loreins "Tychko" Vellani, Iryna Tkachenko, Mariya F, Natalia F., Adriana F., Olga Vakulenko. Front row: Lesya F.  

Read more here. 

Guilford College: The Senior Art Thesis Exhibition 2025 in Founders Hall

Pictured (left to right): Associate Academic Dean Dr. Kathryn Shields — also Co-Chair of the Art Department and Associate Provost of Guilford College; Senior Art Major Farrah Wilde; Senior Art and English Major Clara Fuehler; and Dr. Rachel Fesperman, Part-time Lecturer in Art. Farrah and Clara both had pieces featured in the exhibit. The Madonna with children and pomegranate painting is by Farrah.

Last week, we were headed to campus for a meeting with Meredith Summers, EDJ, Chief of Staff at Guilford College. During our visit, we asked where we could find Farrah’s artwork. Meredith contacted Dr. Kathryn Shields, and within an hour, Dr. Shields not only let us know where the exhibit was located but also arranged for Farrah to be available to speak with us. We also had the opportunity t meet Clara and Dr. Fesperman.

We thoroughly enjoyed exploring the exhibit and having the opportunity to engage with both students and faculty.

We cannot emphasize enough how this experience reflects the collaborative, student-first culture at Guilford College. It is truly a local treasure. Let's hope it remains the dynamic and vibrant resource it has been for over 200 years—and for generations to come. We will remember this meeting and Farrah and Clara's artwork for a very long time.

Happy Tuesday!

Rachel's Rose Cottage

Yesterday, we had a chance to spend time on the Guilford College Campus. Students are wrapping us the academic year and the ever-popular, 3-week session is underway.  These 3-week spring sessions are a chance for students to have focused learning experiences that aren't necessarily linked to their major. These 3-week, special sessions have been very popular with students. Some courses are held on campus and there have been some in places like Disney and Mexico.* The short-courses began in 2019, in the same year Rachel's Rose Cottage coffee shop opened.

The coffee shop was named for Rachel Barlow Taylor, a Guilford College student and former home economics teacher. Her grandson, Guilford College Trustee Fred Taylor provided the philanthropic support to convert the building to a coffee shop.**  Rachel's Cottage is so lovely and the roses are currently in full bloom. We can't wait to go back when it is open to have a cup of coffee. This building has been repurposed many times. It started out as a coal-fired power plant, was converted as the student affairs building, housed a language lab, became a storage building, was converted to a  multi-faith, campus ministry building, and, now, it is a coffee shop. Rachel's Cottage is absolutely breathtaking in its current iteration.

Happy Thursday!

• *read more about the sessions, here.
• ** reverence and more information, HERE.

Inside the Old Mill of Guilford on Highway 68 in Oak Ridge

Yesterday, we took you to the outside of the Old Mill of Guilford. Today, we're inside with Amy Klug. She and her husband Darrell have been running the mill since 2008. Over the last 16 years, they have helped the business grow, especially the online sales. Their online business soared during COVID and now, they have online sales, in house sales, and sales to retail establishments and also a table at the Yanceyville Curb Market. We saw Amy on Sunday afternoon; proof positive that a miller's work is never done. 

Amy and Darrell are selling the mill. They are ready for someone else to come in with new ideas and new energy. They acknowledge that the community has been extremely supportive. Historically, mills were gathering places where farmers gathered and talked while their grain was being ground.  The Klugs realize the importance of keeping this business strong, especially in light of the fact that it is one of the oldest grist mills in the USA. The Old Mill of Guilford  was a mill before America was a country. We are grateful for the Old Mill of Guilford and for all of the people from owners, volunteers, and customers who make this mill running smoothly. We hope their products are available for a very, very long time!

Happy Tuesday!

Our Lady of Grace

This is a sad time for Catholic Christians around the world. Last Sunday was Easter and Pope Francis was celebrating his last Easter on earth. He was special to many for lots of reasons, some of which are the fact that he was the first Latin American pope, the first Jesuit to lead the Catholic Church, and the first to serve while his predecessor was still living. He was an advocate for many of the traditionally marginalized groups. The above photo of the façade of Our Lady of Grace (OLG) church in Greensboro looks so somber with those dark clouds behind it and with no sign of people. What is a church without its members? without its leader? The conclave of cardinals usually convenes within 20 days of the pontiff's death. 

We wish we could be in one of Greensboro's Catholic Churches today to hear  the service. The church will be switching from Easter celebrations to a period of mourning. Perhaps there have already been special masses.  OLD was built in 1952 and it is so lovely inside and out, and it has a very special history. Read here to learn more.

316 South Eugene St.

If online sources are correct, 316 South Eugene Street was built in 1963. It is hard to believe that 62 years ago, it was still possible to build a single story structure in downtown Greensboro. The Brown Law Building is the law office of Attorney Kent Brown and his firm. They specialize in traffic, criminal, and expungement cases. This location is so convenient to the Greensboro court house, the federal building, the police station, jail, and the municipal building. 316 South Eugene is only 1,376 square feet and on a .14 acre lot. The building last sold in 2012 for $179,200.*  

We wish we knew the original purpose of the building  and what each of the four owners have used it for. We wonder is the brick was locally sourced. Old Carolina Brick Company is still going strong in Salisbury, NC.  If you are looking for something to do today, head downtown and find a building or two that intrigue you. It is amazing what you can learn from a simple search.  As for us, we might put it on our list to head to Salisbury and see just what buildings in Greensboro have used bricks from their company.

Happy Saturday!

* information found here.

3118 Horse Pen Creek Road

The old Jessup family homeplace at 3118 Horse Pen Creek Road sold in December 2024 for almost 1.5 million dollars. Built in 2015, the home back in the day was a real beauty and was well cared for. However, we're betting that more valuable than the 4 bedroom 2 bathroom house and outbuildings was the 6.38 acre lot. This is prime property in an area  that is quickly being redeveloped.  The home belonged to Kenneth Jessup, Sr. and his wife Margaret. Both Jessups were born in 1927; however, Mr. Jessup died in 2020 and his wife in 2017.  

Mr. Jessup had an HVAC business on Battleground Avenue, Mrs. Jessup was a nurse and accomplished potter. Both had active civic engagement and were devout members of Jessup Grove Baptist Church. They raised their children on Horse Pen Creek and in Jessup Grove Baptist.  Soon, the old home place will be torn down and the new tenants will know nothing of the land's previous history.  

Over the years, the Jessup family's church, Jessup Grove Baptist,  has been sold and renamed several times. For now, there is still a Jessup Grove Road as a reminder of a time when things in a community were often named after people in the community.  The Jessups were a great, civic minded family. Let us all aspire to contribute to family, friends, and community in the way the Jessups did.

Happy Monday!

Along Walker Avenue

Walker Avenue comes by its name honestly as it is a very walkable street. There are sidewalks, it is safe, and you can almost always count on running into someone who will give you a good conversation. Yesterday, we ran into Bradley who lives at 2022 Walker Avenue and was painting a carving he made from a tree that needed to be cut down. He has been teaching himself to carve and, as you can see, is getting quite good at it. The antlered-owl post will hold books for friends and neighbors to trade out and read. To the right of this carving is a squirrel, carved from another tree. On down the road is a bouquet of flowers carved by Bradley. He says he hasn't made a business out of this venture (yet). But has a genuine interest in carving. And, as you can see, he is quite talented at it.

Bradley has lived in this location for about two years. Once you get the carving bug, we imagine it is hard to resist. It will be fun to see what he adds to his yard.  Here's to a great Friday with family and friends. Have a great weekend, everyone. We'll see you in the morning!

 

Daves Hot Chicken

DAVE'S HOT CHICKEN is going into the building that formerly housed the "A Cleaner World" dry cleaners at 1951 Battleground Avenue at  West Cornwalis. The franchise is a California concept that started with a pop up restaurant in a Hollywood, CA parking lot in 2017. Fast forward eight years and there are now over 100 locations in four countries. The Greensboro store is the fourth in North Carolina.  Yesterday, we had the good fortune to meet Director of Operations( for the NC locations) Roland (left above) and Nick Smith III (right above) who is co-owner of the North Carolina stores and franchise with his wife, Nicole. DAVE'S plans a soft-opening on Wednesday, April 23rd and a GRAND opening on Friday, April 25th.

We'll feature the artwork soon. It is done by a California artist who is the only artist to decorate the DAVE's  restaurants. The designs are of the graffiti genre, and you cannot miss the store. The artwork draws you in. The artist always incorporates something local into the artwork. For the Greensboro location, it is the word "DAVE'S" , on an interior wall, written to look like the letters are made out of Wrangler denim.

We're sure the chicken will taste great, but equally impressive is the pride, joy, and enthusiasm Roland and the Smiths have for the opportunity to enter the Greensboro market. We found it heartwarming that Dave didn't want to be photographed since his wife Nicole was not on site at the time.  But, we just happened to be driving by when Roland and Dave were available to talk. We look forward to seeing everyone on a future visit. 

Happy Friday!

Betty and Benjamin Cone Jr. ALCOVE GALLERY

What a treat to see the amazing Betty Cone at GreenHill this past Friday night. It was extra special to have a chance to talk to her right under the sign to the  ALCOVE GALLERY, named for Betty and her late husband, Ben. The two of them have done so much for the local community. In 1999, the Arts Council of Greater Greensboro established the "Betty Cone Medal of the Arts Award." In 1999, the Greensboro News and Record published an article about Betty, calling her "The Problem Solver for 30 Years." Fast forward to today and it's been over 50 years of civic engagement and brainstorming initiatives and solutions for the good of the city- almost since the day she arrived in Greensboro in 1969.  In the News & Record, she is quoted as being like the computers she used to program, "a storehouse of information and a capacity for detail."

Greensboro doesn't see as much of Betty these days, as you may already know, the Cones have a blueberry farm in eastern North Carolina, Cone's Folly. Their yield is about 10 pounds of berries per bush (and they have lost of bushes). In North Carolina, peak season is May and June. Likely, Betty will be in Pender County involved with getting the blueberries harvested. We are lucky to get her back in Greensboro when we can. She continues to inspire so many of us.

Happy Tuesday!

Mr Mullins: Quaker Acres Apiary

Today is Saturday and you will find Mr. Bill Mullins at the Greensboro Farmers Market on Yanceyville, across from the old War Memorial Stadium. He will be there selling honey from his hives in the back of his property at Quaker Acres. While many of us this season are suffering through allergies and struggling to keep the pollen off our vehicles, Mr. Mullins is happy, knowing his bees are getting well fed. He says"city bees" make such good honey because of the variety of  plants available to them. 

Mr. Mullins, raised in eastern Kentucky,  has been a lifelong keeper. This interest grew out of observing the bees on his grandmother's property. Mr. Mullins has been  a vendor of honey at the Greensboro Farmers Market for nearly fifty years. He became a vendor back when people sold food and produce at the curb market - literally on the curb- downtown on Commerce Street. 

Mr. Mullins gets great joy out of talking to people at the Saturday market. In our recent conversation, we learned he joined the Air Force at the tail end of WWII. Next, he served  in the Alabama National Guard. By career, and following in his father's footsteps, he started working in the insurance business, which is what ultimately brought him to Greensboro.  While retired from insurance,  Mr. Mullins has no plans to retire from keeping bees. Likely, all the time he spends outside with his bees is what keeps him so happy and healthy. We forgot to ask him what his wife thinks of his lifelong committment to the bees and their hives. We'll save that question for our next visit to the farmers market.

Happy Saturday! 

Mo Green, NC State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Mo Green was the superintendent for Guilford County Schools from 2008 until he resigned in 2015 to assume the leadership of the  Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation in Winston-Salem. Currently, Elected in November, and taking the oath of office on January 1st, Mo Green is State Superintendent of Public Instruction. On Tuesday, Superintendent Green held a "Mo Wants to Know" Zoom  session with the North Carolina Association of Educators. He asked for input, joys, concerns, and big ideas. The session was well attended.

According to an NC SDPI, Superintendent Green has a six pillar vision:

Prepare each student for their next phase of life.

Invest in public schools by fully funding public education.

Revere public school educators.

Enhance safe, secure learning environments.

Celebrate the good in public education.*

These are good goals. Let's hope he is in the position and has the resources to do so. To be sure, he values stakeholder input and he is committed to public service.

On another note, remember it is First Friday and downtown Greensboro will be vibrant. Also remember, it is the the opening day of baseball for the Greensboro Grasshoppers. After the game, there will be fireworks. See their schedule HERE.

Happy Friday!

 

*Read more HERE.

 

Movement in Public School Classrooms

There are expectations for all public school students to have opportunities to move in school on a daily basis. The above doctoral student from Germany is quickly becoming an expert in how to incorporate movement in the classroom. She has many ideas for how to incorporate movement in a way that aligns with the different content-area subjects in school.  She has spent the last two weeks in North Carolina talking to educators and observing classrooms. Yes, there should be movement in more than just PE classes. 

Collaboration with educators from other nations is a way to share ideas and inspire teachers to think of new approaches to their teaching. We had the good fortune of meeting her and are hoping that she will be able to return to the USA and do some workshops for teachers. If you ever have a chance to host an international teacher in your classroom, we hope you will do so. Who knows, you may even get an invitation to see a classroom or two in another country.

It is Friday, time for teachers to have a rest for the weekend and time for everyone to head downtown to enjoy First Friday!

Donald Davis, Master Storyteller

Last night, Master Storyteller Donald Davis told stories at Friends Home West. For an hour, he transported the full house to yesteryear, when times were simpler and family and community meant everything. He told three stories, the kind that weave and twist around, and about 20 minutes later come back to around to tie everything together. The above photo is an action shot, catching him using hand gestures, eye contact, and different voices to portray events and characters in his past. The first story was about family, the circus, and kittens, and the the Octopus ride. The second was about family, church and longing to be old enough to sit with the 13 and up boys in the upper loft of the church. The third was about the 1960s version of online dating at Davison College why it didn't work, and how he ultimately found love, the old fashioned way. By the end of the three stories, we had traversed his childhood, teen years, and adulthood. 

At the end of the night, Mr. Davis encouraged everyone to think about those special memories from long ago, the ones that get tucked away and sometimes need a little prompting to resurrect.  He was supposed to present last month, but 11 inches of snow kept him housebound in Okracoke. Last night, the planets aligned and Mr. Davis, joined by his wife Trish, journeyed to Greensboro and made the evening special for oh so many of us. It is easy to see why he is considered a national treasure.

Happy Saturday!

Desegregation of the Greensboro City Schools

The Greensboro City Schools were desegregated in 1971. Last night, four local residents, who attended school during the early years of desegregation, shared their personal experiences  to Beta Delta, a Greensboro chapter of NC Delta Kappa Gamma, a society of key women educators. Chapter President April Dunovant and Andrea Green, Vice President and Chair of the Educational Excellence Committee, assembled the panel. From left to right, Elaine McRae, Ragsdale High School; David Moore, Dudley High School; Dr. Joanna Evans Lynn, Dudley High School; Francine Scott, Dudley High School (and UNCG).  Elaine spoke about how her high school experience in an integrated school was very good, but only learned recently that the experience was not always as positive for her African American classmates. David Moore and Dr. Lynn both have books about their experiences. Mr. Moore talked about how the Dudley students were not completely on board with the idea. He also said that many of the white students that came to Dudley were from the White Oak Mill Community. As it turned out, the White Oak students were grateful for their Dudley experience because of the great course offerings available at Dudley.  Dr. Lynn worked in the Virginia Public Schools teaching during the first year of integration. Francine Scott graduated from Dudley and also worked there.

The Beta Delta members were very engaged and had several questions for this informative panel.  It is  important to remember our history and use what we have learned to make the future better. Having conversations with diverse groups about their life experiences helps us grow in unexpected ways.  We are really lucky the above four were willing to share their wisdom.

Happy Thursday!

 

Consider Taking a Class at Reconsidered Goods

Today's photo features K.D., Education and Community Outreach Associate at Reconsidered Goods. Reconsidered Goods (RG) is a creative reuse store, a sort of thrift shop for artists. They accept donations of almost anything that could  be used for a creative purpose, everything from scraps of fabric, to partial bottles of acrylic paint to broken necklaces with beads that could become a bracelet or new necklace with the imagination of an artist or crafter. The end goal is to keep as much as possible out of landfills.*  This past Sunday, K.D. (photographed above) co-lead a workshop with education team member Brianna (not photographed). The workshop involved creating patchwork quilted tote bags inspired by the Gee's Bend Quilters of Alabama. Here, K.D. is helping finish my bag as I decided to incorporate a double, interior pocket and K.D. helped make sure that the handles didn't sew through the pockets. Her patience, great smile,  and teaching style are to be commended. In the end, everyone went home with a unique, quilted bag.

K.D. was born and raised in Greensboro. After graduating from Page High School, she went on to earn a BFA from UNCG in sculpture and ceramics. She has always loved art and remembers learning to sew sitting on her mom's lap when she was a young child. She has worked at Reconsidered Goods for a year and a half and is thrilled to have the opportunity to teach at RG.  This upcoming weekend, RG is offering a two day sewing class. They will have machines, expertise, fabric, thread, scissors, pins, literally everything you need to learn to sew. It is such a fun environment to learn in. Our cohort joked that at one point, it felt a little like Project Runway with all of us trying to finish up our projects. One workshop participant drove all the way from Charlotte because they don't have a store comparable to RG. Here  is the bag I made, with a little help from K.D.

* They have a list of items they will and won't accept. For example, they will only accept clothing if it is vintage or a costume.

Back Stage Coffee Shop, Greensboro's Latest Gathering Spot

Greensboro’s newest coffee shop, Back Stage, is located next to the Continental Club, just south of Gate City Boulevard on South Elm Street. Conveniently situated near a spacious gravel parking lot, it offers ample off-street parking. Another amenity is that the shop features a large back room, available for community groups to host music performances and other events. One such event took place on Saturday;  a group gathered in the back room to discuss the contested election (Nov. 5, 2024)  between Jefferson Griffin and incumbent NC State Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs. It remains the only election with uncertified results in the United States.

 Mr. Griffin is seeking to have 60,000+ votes excluded from the count. Those whose votes were in question shared their perspectives on the circumstances leading to this situation and why they believe their votes should be counted. Regardless of political views or voting choices, on Presidents Day, it is important to appreciate the right to peaceably assemble and to have unabridged free speech. This very spacious coffee shop is a venue that will likely be used by many for music,  public dialogue, and other community events.

Cultural Arts Center

Last night, the Greensboro Cultural  Center on Davie Street downtown was a hotbed of activity on First Friday. Galleries and hallways were filled with performing and visual arts. The above photo features the Greensboro Grow Residency Room in the center. Currently in residence is musician Jackie Spade and the room was hopping. Greensboro Grow residencies are available from one to four weeks and, once accepted, use of the space if free to the performing or visual artist. It can be considered an incubator space, or a place to interact and get feedback and publicity for one's craft. 

We serendipitously stumbled on Jackie Spade's performance last night. Sometimes, we research First Friday events and other times, we like just to see what we can see and learn as we go. Thanks to YES! Weekly, we learned that Jackies's Greensboro Grow residency was centered around his new album "Ugly Rose" and the immersive experience is entitled, "Ugly Rose: An Immersive Experience."  The themes of the experience, through the music, were beauty, pain, and personal growth.  If you want to see it for yourself, Jackie's residency continues for two more days. (Read YES! Weekly article here). We are so appreciative of local journalism and want to hold on to every opportunity to learn about local events. So thank you, Yes! Weekly. And, thank you to the City of Greensboro for making Grow Greensboro and Creative Greensboro possible. When these artistic initiatives are brought to the community, people come together and learn about each other and have fun. February's First Friday was so much fun and did not cost a dime!  We wonder what March 7th will bring.

Happy Saturday!

February 1, Greensboro Sit Ins

February 1st is a big day in Greensboro, NC, and in the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. It is the day that four students from NC A&T University walked from the university to the Woolworth store on South Elm Street in downtown Greensboro. * Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil,  Ezell Blair, Jr., and David Richmond were four college freshman when they last down at the "whites only" lunch counter at the 5 & dime and declared they would not leave until they were served a cup of coffee.

Now, we know, that day represented more than just a cup of coffee. The above photo features the A&T Four statue on campus on the day celebrating the event. The sculpture is the artwork of Greensboro artist and sculptor James Barnhill.  Head over and see it today. If you are at the Greensboro Curb Market on Yanceyville, you are just a block away!

Happy Saturday!

 

* See information HERE.

Mashburn & Olson at Lucky 32

Yesterday, we posted about the Chip Holton painting in real time at Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen. Today's feature in another photo from Wednesday night at Lucky 32. Every Wednesday, from  6pm-9pm, Jessica Mashburn and Evan Olson treat the guests in the bar area to three hours of great music. For years, they played Wednesdays at Print Works Bistro in the Proximity Hotel. This move, over to Westover Terrace and Lucky 32 seems to be working out well for the duo. When we were there, all of the seats in the back bar area were full. 

Jessica and Evan always put so much energy into their music; truly, they are musicians and performers. Born in Pinehurst, NC to musician parents, Jessica grew up surrounded by music and meeting headliners at festivals like Merlefest. Evan hails from West Point, NY. He is a singer-songwriter who came to North Carolina with his parents, graduated from UNCG, and now makes Greensboro his home. We're always proud when someone local has a Wikipedia entry. We discovered Evan's in preparing this post (link above).  It does need a little updating though, because this fabulous singing duo is now husband and wife team. You should go see them at Lucky 32 or one of their other performances. They are often performing at Grandover, High Point Furniture Market, and  for many private parties.  In addition to her voice, Jessica is known for her outfits, hats, and fascinators!

Happy Friday!

Chip Holton Painting in Real Time at Lucky 32

Last night, we had the good fortune to watch Chip Holton painting at Lucky 32, while Jessica Mashburn and Evan Olson played live music and sang. Consistently, at least a couple or two were dancing to the beat of the music and the strokes of the paint brush. Chip has a lot of artwork at Lucky 32, including the column at the entrance that features scenes of the Greensboro community. Chip is a Lexington, NC based artist, but he does a lot of work in Greensboro. *  He is a second generation artist and artist-in-residence at the O. Henry Hotel.  If you ever get a chance to watch Chip paint, we highly recommend it. He paints quickly and accurately. Last night, we saw him referring to his phone a few times; however, his sense of what to add to a painting in inspiring.

If you ever want something to do on a Wednesday night, head to Lucky 32. Hearing live music and watching Chip paint and people dance, combined with great food and service, is a good way to celebrate the middle of the week. We were hoping to interview Chip, but he was so focused on painting, there was no way we wanted to interrupt him. Wednesday nights at Lucky 32 is a great way to keep it local!

Happy Thursday! 

 

* read more about Chip Holton, HERE.

dog walk on south elm street

As we were walking the length of Elm Street on the crisp MLK Day holiday, we were struck by the beautiful colors of this empty storefront window on the right, in the 300 block of South Elm Street. That magenta pink and robin's egg blue took us back to our first 64-box of Crayola crayons in elementary school. To the left, an unidentified man with his dog happened to be walking by, letting his dog do what dogs do best- investigate who has been there earlier. The dog was very well behaved, got the information he needed, and headed on up the street with his owner. We were touched, because we had just seen a plaque that was recently placed in the 600 block of South Elm. It reads as follows:

"For ten years, four times a day, Jerry Leimenstroll and his family's dog, Watson, took long walks through downtown Greensboro. After Watson died, strangers would stop Jerry to ask where the dog was, sometimes crying when they heard he had passed. Their walks were a part of this neighborhood."

We wish we would have asked this man if he knew Jerry and Watson. Then we wondered, could this be Jerry? Could this be a new dog? Did this man and dog walk past Jerry and Watson on their daily walks?  We don't live downtown, but we would love it for we, too, would have known Jerry and Watson, and the whole cast of locals who walk along Elm Street on a daily basis. The weekend is a great time to get out and explore Greensboro. You will find beauty in unexpected places and have chance encounters with strangers who could become friends. We'll be out there hoping to meet you.

Happy Friday!

 

Sayaka Matsouka & Triad City Beat

Featured today is Sayaka Matsouka, managing editor and writer extraordinaire for Triad City Beat (TCB). For the past decade, she has covered current events and timely topics, making TCB a prime example of investigative community journalism. Sayaka is particularly skilled at crafting compelling ledes that draw readers in. Here is a link to the newspaper, where you can explore the newspaper and find articles by Sayaka.

As with most community newspapers, TCB faces the challenges of rising print costs and meeting budget demands. However, Sayaka assures us that regardless of what the future holds for TCB or for community journalism in general, she will continue to report on local issues and tell the stories that matter to the community.

Sayaka, the daughter of first-generation Japanese immigrants, grew up in Greensboro. She attended Summerfield Elementary, Kernodle Middle, Northwest High School, and UNCG. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, practicing yoga, and playing tennis and video games. True to her nature, Sayaka was at a community event the day we captured this photo. Triad City Beat had a table at "Point of Contact," an inauguration-day event focused on community resources held at Scuppernong Books.  As the photo shows, Sayaka’s smile radiates, and her passion for community journalism is clear.

MLK Parade 2025

Yesterday, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade was held in downtown Greensboro. It started on South Martin Luther King Drive, heading northbound into the city and then turning right on Gorrell Street. Attendance was low, possibly due to the low temperature (low 30s) or the Presidential Inauguration. However, those who came out were well entertained and so many of the cars were tossing candy into the crowd. The above truck was transporting the Fellowship Choir and they were greeting the audience and sharing plenty of treats for the children. They may have been singing, but just not when we were passing by.

This was the 35th annual parade and it was hosted by the Greensboro chapter of the NAACP. 

Happy Tuesday! Stay warm!

A Big Day in America

Today is a significant day for both Greensboro, North Carolina, and the nation. It marks a federal holiday dedicated to honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as the inauguration of President Trump.  Dr. King's birthday was officially recognized as a federal holiday in 1983. The last time this holiday coincided with a presidential inauguration was in 1997, during the second term of President Bill Clinton.

Today, we are proud to feature April Dunovant, a person who embodies the finest qualities of both America and its people. April is intelligent, reliable, and a model of integrity. In the image above, she holds her brass plaque of Dr. King, which features a copyright design from 1968 by the Timberlane Trading Company of Greensboro.

When we began searching for someone to highlight today, April was an obvious choice. With 14 years of experience teaching in North Carolina Public Schools, April has spent the last eight years teaching African American History. She also played an instrumental role in developing the African American curriculum for Guilford County Schools, collaborating with two colleagues to create a comprehensive program. Currently, April serves as an academic advisor at the Center for Academic Excellence at North Carolina A&T State University. Additionally, she has developed a course on the history of education for Black students in Greensboro City Schools, which she will begin teaching at Bennett College later this month.

Ever intellectually curious and globally minded, April will soon embark on a ten-day journey to Ghana with Dr. Tiffany Packer. During this trip, she will deepen her understanding of the crucial role Ghana played in the transatlantic slave trade—knowledge she will bring back to her classrooms. Dr. King would undoubtedly be proud of her ongoing commitment to education, history, and the pursuit of justice.

Remembering President Carter

As per national tradition, federal offices were closed since it was the day of President Carter's funeral.  Flags are still in the half-mast position. The above photo was taken at the Greensboro Veteran's Memorial, located downtown in the spot where Church St., Lindsay Street, and Summit Avenue converge. Specifically, the address is 301 North Church Street. The memorial honors fallen veterans who have died in battles since World War II. It was dedicated on November 10, 2014.*

President Carter won the 1976 election in North Carolina and many people remember him fondly. President Carter's term was from 1977-1981. In 1978, he visited Wake Forest University in Winston Salem to speak on his National Defense Policy. That is the only record we could find of his visiting the Triad during his presidency. While there aren't specific formal connections to Greensboro and President Carter, we're betting there are many personal ones, and if not for political reasons, likely for spiritual and humanitarian reasons. 

*see more information HERE.

Green Apple Garden, Brought to you by Susan, Jessica, and Mo

Susan, Jessica, and Mo are the creative force behind Green Apple Garden. Located at 1918 Bradford Street, just off State Street near Vida Pour Tea, Green Apple Garden is the entrepreneurial genius of this mother/daughter team. Their one-story house, formerly a psychologist's office, has been transformed into a greenhouse and creative art studio. The above photo was taken in the winter Garden Room; the other rooms are full of Susan's creative art projects. There are wooden architectural pieces, assembled into sculptures of cows and other critters. Susan turns old picture frames into shadow boxes and fills them with items that tell a magical story. She can take sticks and fabric  scraps and turn them into mushrooms in no time. Susan believes there is no one right way to create art, and she loves helping people gain confidence expressing their creativity.

Susan is a retired medical transcriber. Jessica is a receptionist for a veterinarian practice, where she has worked for 20+ years. She relocated to Greensboro from Florida last year, and continues to work remotely for the same veterinarian practice. Both want to create a vibrant space where community, encouragement, and creativity thrive.  For the past year, they have been working to meet compliance for the rezoning process. Once this rigorous process is complete, they plan to open as part shop and part hub for bring creative types to gather to make art and hone their artistic skills. Until they open as a shop, Susan will be offering small classes, providing lessons to help people create, and consulting about interior design.  She is open to others offering classes and  is also accepting consigners of art that fits with her creative aesthetic. Contact Susan at [email protected]

Happy Tuesday!

 

Oath of Office, Maurice "Mo" Green

In the above photo, Maurice "Mo" Green is being sworn in as the North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction. The event was held at Haynes-Inman Education Center on January 1, 2025. His wife, Stephanie, is holding the Bible and the Hon. N. Carlton Tilley, Jr. is administer the Oath of Officemwas a full-circle moment as Mr. Green, also a lawyer, interned for Mr. Tilley. Before taking the oath, Haynes-Inman Principal Kevin Carr spoke. The education center opened when Mr. Green was superintendent of Guilford County Schools. It is an inclusive school for students that may need special services to accommodate their age, physical, or cognitive abilities. 

Representative Amos Quick gave the invocation. A student led the Pledge of Allegiance and Weaver Academy students sang. Next Alan Duncan spoke;  Leah Carper introduced the oath. After the Honorable Tilley administered the oath, Mr. Green made his inaugural remarks and Magan Gonzales-Smith gave the closing remarks. Speeches were uplifting, provided evidence that Mr. Green is highly qualified, reinforced the notion that teaching is an important profession, and that students deserve the best instruction possible. The whole event reminded us of how nice it is to see the community come together and support public education. It was inspiring to listen to speeches with a powerful message. Everyone who spoke had a personal connection to Mr. Green. We will follow his career with great interest. That heartfelt smile reminds us all to smile.

Happy Friday!

Year 17 for Greensboro (NC, USA) Daily Photo

 

We began Greensboro Daily Photo on January 2, 2009 as a way to give back to the community, challenge ourselves to get out and meet people, to participate in local events, to explore the places in Greensboro, and to appreciate Greensboro's  natural beauty. Several of you have been on this journey with us since the beginning; many have started reading along the way. We're Janis and David, and bill ourselves as Mr. and Mrs. Greensboro Daily Photo. The site is about the community, and not about us. When we mention ourselves, we usually write in first person plural. "We" this and "we" that--  "We" sounds so much more inclusive. David manages the tech side and I take the photos and prepare the write-ups.  After nearly 6,000 posts, unwittingly, we've become a sort of archives for the community, perhaps filling a gap as local journalism dwindles.

This year, we will try to follow up on changes in Greensboro, things new to the community: Examples are: The area where Battleground Avenue, West Fisher, and North Spring Street come together; the property at the corner of New Garden and Battleground Avenue; the end of Horse Pen Creek near St. Paul's; and, the area between Hobbs Road and the Fresh Market at Jefferson Village. All of those spaces are changing before our eyes. Preparing GDP posts has helped us be more vested this great community.  Thank you for encouraging us to continue. Thank you for saying hello when you see us out in public. We look forward to seeing what this year will bring. 

Happy Thursday; Happy Year 17.

Photo credit: Sterling Carter

Sustainably Yours and the New State Street District

Retired teacher Michelle Japp is living her retirement dream by having started her own business, Sustainably Yours. She started in a retired school bus, which she still uses for pop ups. However, a few weeks ago, she opened her brick and mortar business in the back right corner of the business that was formerly The Saltbox,  at 2011 Golden Gate Drive at the corner of State Street. The store has been rebranded as The District, "a collective of shops, classes, and such." There are 8 small businesses in the building and Sustainably Yours is one of them. They are usually open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with each shop proprietor on site to work their respective businesses. 

This model is a low-risk way for people to start small and expand as their business dictates. It is a way for proprietors to interact with their clientele and to see the best direction for their business to grow. This collection of shops gives a real boost to State Street retail. We have always maintained that State Street is the closest street Greensboro has with a beach vibe. Starting with La Bamba and Bull City Ciderworks at the east end of the street to the now very-vibrant 400 block of State Street, down to The District and Cafe Pasta,  the State Street area just keeps getting better and better. Stop by and congratulate Michelle on her new venture. She is such an upbeat ray of sunshine!

Happy Friday!

Downtown Greensboro INC

Downtown Greensboro, Inc. helps with economic development in the downtown area. Their boundaries are Spring Street to the west, Murrow Boulevard to the east, Fisher Avenue to the north, and Gate City Boulevard to the south. They were incorporated 28 years ago in 1996 and develop programs that encourage people to work, play, invest, and live downtown. Their commitment is to help downtown thrive when so many businesses have moved to more suburban areas. One of their current projects is developing the Gaylon Depot into a marketplace, food hall and public gathering space (see HERE). The Downtown Greensboro, Inc. website is a wealth of information, if you want to learn more,  see HERE.

Today's photo features their float in the recent Holiday parade. The Market Street sign anchors the photo at the crossroad with Elm Street. We recognize Zach Matheny, Keith Holliday, and Joseph Schorr, but aren't sure of other staff members. Here is a list of some of the downtown events some of which are yet to come. Indeed, we have a vibrant, downtown community and it continues to evolve each year. Thank you for all you do, Downtown Greensboro, Inc.!

Happy Wednesday!

Yvonne Johnson-- Greensboro Has Lost a Special Person

Yesterday, Greensboro lost a very special person, Yvonne Johnson, age 82. She was working for Greensboro, as city council member at-large and mayor pro-tem of the Greensboro City Council, right until the very end. The above photo was taken in her home in 2015 when we interviewed her for Greensboro Daily Photo.*  She has worked tirelessly for the people of Greensboro all of her adult life, including serving as  mayor (2007-2009). Of course, now that she is gone, we think of all the things we would have loved to asked her, for example, about her involvement in the Sit-In Movement and her undergraduate years at Bennett College. The Festival of Lights will not be the same without her this year. It was also such a joy to see her and to be greeted by her at community events. She  had such a warm smile and calm demeanor.

We treasure the memory of the afternoon we spent with her in her home on the east side of Greensboro. After the interview, it was raining so her husband walked us to the car under his umbrella. They both insisted. She has been such an integral part of the fabric of Greensboro for decades. It is hard to imagine that she is gone. We can hardly imagine Greensboro without Yvonne Johnson.

Fox News wrote an informative piece  HERE.

*This is a link to our interview HERE. 

Hudson's Hill Has Relocated to 314 S. Elm St.!

Hudson's Hill, formerly in the 500 block of South Elm Street, in the old Coe's Grocery Building, relocated to 314 South Elm on Black Friday. After less than a week in the new location, they are already seeing increased foot traffic. This local store is known for its jeans, Greensboro shirts and sweatshirts, and leatherwork. They have jeans that still have a Greensboro connection. One of the owners, Evan Morrison, uses original machinery from closed Greensboro textile mills to weave denim for jeans. Hudson's Hill also carries Susan Ridenhour's pottery and many other products with a Greensboro connection.

The above photo features Tinker Clayton, one of the owners, and one of his employees, Jenny. We first spoke at length to Jenny because Tinker was busy setting up VHS Christmas movies in the storefront window. We guess when someone needs to patiently wait for their friend or partner to shop or get a fitting, they can sit in the window and watch old VHS tapes.

Hudson's Hill was open in the former location for 13 years. They have barely scratched the surface of filling the above space with inventory and equipment to make even more products on site. They have big plans, combined with all the talent it takes to make quality products, the old-fashioned way. This is the ultimate place to buy local and to learn about Greensboro's tradition as a mill town. It is so nice to see the Miller Furniture Store put to good use after being empty for decades. With a little arm twisting, Mr. Miller agreed to rent to Hudson's Hill. Perhaps he has been waiting all these years for just this type of tenants- people who value quality, tradition, and connection to community. Check out Hudson's Hill at the Festival of Lights this Friday.

Yes, dear readers, it is already December!  Happy Monday!

Opt Outside & the Really, Really Free Market

After preparing yesterday's post, we decided to dig a little deeper to learn about REI's # Opt Outside initiative. By closing their stores on Black Friday, 15,000 employees have the opportunity to spend time outside. They launched the initiative in 2015 and they encourage the nation, especially their 24 million members to have that mindset. (read more HERE).

The Really, Really Free Market on Black Friday is also an initiative with a purpose driven mindset. Greensboro's first Really, Really Free Market was  in 2008, offering people an alternative to mass consumption.  Kathy Clark,- in the red overalls in the above photo, welcoming us to the market in previous years-  replicated the market that started in Miami and Raleigh in 2003.*  At the Really, Really Free Market, people bring items to give away and everyone is free to take what they want. You do not have to barter, exchange, or even talk to anybody about what you are taking.  And, indeed, you never know what you're going to get. Today's event if from 11:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. at 1312 Glenwood Avenue. The Glenwood neighborhood remains committed to this event, and is hosting it again this year. By the time the event starts, so many items will available; however, people will be bringing items all throughout the event. So many of us have an abundance of items we don't need, use, or wear. It is so nice to send them on to someone who would really appreciate them. 

So, today, you can spend the day outside, biking, hiking, walking, and swing by the free market. They day can be so meaningful, without being part of mass consumerism. If you are going to make retail purchases, remember, tomorrow is Small Business Saturday; you can get a jump start on it a day early.

Happy, Not-So Black Friday!

*read more about the Really, Really Free Market  HERE in Triad City Beat).

Sunset Hills Getting Ready for "The Running of the Balls"

The neighbors of Sunset Hills are out getting ready for displaying their lights. In the above photo, Jay and River Jung were out with their fishing poles yesterday afternoon, getting their strands of light balls hurled into the tops of trees. Their technique it to cast a fishing pole, with a carabiner clip on the end into the trees. Once they loop the fishing live over, they attach a string of lights to the line. They get about 3 strands completed a night, and, when completed, will have 65 lights in their yard alone. They said they knew when buying a house on Ridgeway Avenue four years ago that they would have to be "all in" with the light balls. 

So, just know, if you participate in "The Running of the Balls" or, if you drive through Sunset Hills to see the lights, that residents take a lot of pride and joy in knowing how much others appreciate their efforts. The whole project is a big fundraiser for Second Harvest Food Bank. the Greensboro area struggles with food insecurity, and every non-perishable item donated, every entry fee, and every dollar donated goes to a worthy cause. People in-person, as opposed to screen time, really makes a community feel special and, Sunset Hills is just that, a special community. Drive by and see for yourself. Thank you to the Jung family and to everyone else who participates in this holiday tradition.

Happy Tuesday!

Joanne Rich Spring Garden Bakery

Today's photo features local collage artist Joanne Rich. Joanns has won numerous awards for her artwork.  Most recently, she won an award in 2024 for her post card sized collage "In My Mind's Eye." This  award came from the National Collage Society's Small Format Exhibition. Joanne, originally from New York, has lived in Barcelona, Tennessee and South Carolina.

While Joanne is an educator by training, she also spends considerable time on her artwork. If you look at her website, you can see more of her intricately detailed work. You can also purchase pieces of her work- great for holiday giving. The above photo was taken at Spring Garden Bakery where we met Joanne for a cup of coffee and to see this table in person. At the time we got together, the table top was in progress. It is now completed.

Happy Monday!

Ruth Rachel Roberts

Ruth Rachel Roberts died on August 16, 2017, at the age of 96. She would have been 103 this year. The above photo was taken at the estate sale held at her home on 4235 Ashland Drive. We wish we'd met Ruth*  and interviewed her for GDP; she lead such a long and interesting life.  We are grateful for our friend, local singer/performer Jessica Mashburn, for urging us to attend the estate sale.  Jessica was right. The house and its contents are quite a time capsule and window into Ruth's life that was as full as her house. Ruth graduated from Greensboro Senior High School (Grimsley)  in 1938 and went on to work for and retire from the United States Internal Revenue Service.  One of eight children, in her family, she was the last living member of her generation. The contents reflected a century's worth of household items and collections.

We photographed the wooden skate in the living room as Ruth was a competitive roller skater, traveling for competitions. She also officiated for competitions. Ruth was a master seamstress, making her costumes as well as clothing for daily wear. She was also an avid doll collector and was a member of Piedmont Doll Club. We're estimating there were still 300 dolls for sale in the last hours of the last day of the estate sale.  In addition to sewing, Ruth was a talented crafter. Boxes and boxes of crafting supplies and yards and yards of fabric were available at the sale.  Among other crafts, Ruth was known for making Chrismon ornaments-- ornaments with Christian symbols on them to remind people that Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus. **  Ruth was a lifelong member of Presbyterian Church of the Covenant and taught Sunday school there. Signs of her spirituality were seen everywhere in the house, from her craft projects to her book collection. 

The four bedroom 2.5 bathroom house was built in 1920, the year before Ruth was born. Wendover Avenue, built in the 1930s, ten years after the construction of the house,  is literally in the backyard of this 1/3 acre property. We're betting some of their property was taken to construct the road which grew and widened over Ruth's life. Somehow, when walking through the tan stucco house with minimal, if any, remodeling over the years, you imagine women in cotton dresses cooking and sewing; and men sitting, reading the paper, and smoking a pipe.  The sights and sounds of Wendover are hardly noticeable. Here's to a life well lived.

 

*  as she is referred to in her obituary,  the source of information shared in this post.

** The word is a combination of the words Christmas and monogram. Frances Kipps Spencer of Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia, created the first Chrismon tree in 1957.