Greensboro Daily Photo

NC Folk Fest #DGSO Stage

One of the many nice things about the North Carolina Folk Festival is the way it brings people together, people from all walks of life. On Saturday, from 5-8pm, the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony was held on the #DGSO Stage at the 500 block of South Elm Street, at MLK Jr. Drive. With Jim Gallucci's sculpture as a backdrop and Café Pasta feeding first responders, people spoke, played, music, danced, and expressed appreciation. In the above photo, the group "Doby," is preparing to perform and Keith Holliday is speaking about the event.

Doby is a funk/soul group from Greensboro, NC. Robin Easter fronts the band. Jonathan Wilson, Leo Kishore, Jeff Yetter, and Bon Lozaga are the other band members (see here). Keith Holliday, a former mayor of Greensboro, is the development associate for the economic development organization, Downtown Greensboro, or #DGSO. This was the #DGSO stage. Doby's set was fabulous and, standing around watching, we concluded that Robin and Keith know just about everyone in Greensboro. The event was special and the setting was just perfect. The NC Folk Festival will return in one year and two days. In the meantime, we'll be on the lookout for Doby's next gig and for #DGSO's next big event!

Happy Tuesday!

 

NC Folk Festival 2021, The Festivities Have Begun!

And so, the North Carolina Folk Festival is well underway. Yesterday, after opening remarks at the Lee Wrangler Stage (formerly City Stage), the UNCG Old Time Ensemble treated us to some very great songs and tunes. Above, playing fiddle, smiling, and wearing sunglasses, is Dr. Christen Blanton Mack, who leads the ensemble. To her left, also playing the fiddle is Tristin, a UNCG senior, who lead co-lead the first song, "How Many Biscuits Can You Eat?" (Watch this video from another era to find out the answer). The song was so full of energy and upbeat. Dr. Mack has done so much to help the group get that tight, string-band sound that is so important in old-time music. The UNCG Old Time Ensemble was formed in 2008; for fourteen years, they have been playing a genre of music that has been a part of North Carolina's culture for generations. Last evening, the old time ensemble was playing music in there very spot we featured yesterdays.

As for the North Carolina Folk Festival, it will continue until Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. and literally, there is music for everybody's tastes. The festival extends along West Market Street, to the West Market Street United Methodist Church. The vendors are also along Market Street this year and there are some great ones. The weather, the music, the energy, and everything has been so perfect so far. Don your mask and head downtown to see some great singing, instruments, food, arts and crafts, and dancing! Happy Saturday!

 

Labor Day 2021

Happy Labor Day 2016. We hope you are lucky enough to have the day off. The purpose of the holiday is a day to celebrate "the social and economic achievements of American workers." Many Greensboro businesses will be closed, so call before you head out somewhere. Even better, take a day to just spend at home. We plan to take another hike on one of the trails around Greensboro. The above mushrooms were seen recently on the Laurel Bluff Trail. If you like to hike, the Laurel Bluff Trail is very nice because it is for pedestrians only. You won't have to share the trail with bikes. Be careful if you walk it, as there are lots of exposed roots, a couple of trees across the path, and some kudzu to tackle.* The Laurel Bluff Trail is 3.5 miles long and it takes you through woodland along the edge of Reedy Fork Creek from the east end of Lake Brandt to Lake Townsend.

The mushrooms in the center of the photo are about the size of a small adult hand. If you look to the left at the small white circle, that is actually more mushrooms and we're betting they'll be about the size of the ones in the middle of the photo by today. Although mushrooms are fungi, they have more in common with humans than with plants. Their DNA is similar to humans and they can produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.** However, please do not harvest the mushrooms. Leave them alone, as the forest needs them. We are so lucky to have a great trail system in Greensboro and it is great to have time to get out and explore them!

* Greensboro Trail System

**reference and more mushroom information, here.

History Museum Shop & Event Tonight

Today's photo features the Gift Shop at the Greensboro History Museum. What a clever slogan- Bring HISTORY Home. If you want Greensboro's iconic Boar and Castle sauce, you can get it here. If you want something with the state bird on it, get it here. If you are looking for books about Greensboro, get them here! If you need a Wrangle jeans apron, see above! Related to Greensboro and books, there is a very special event tonight from 7-9pm. It it is called, "The Life and Works of O. Henry", with Ben Yagoda and Jim Dodson. The book they will be discussing tonight is an anthology of O. Henry stories. Ben, the editor of the collection, and an accomplished writer himself,  is coming in from Delaware to discuss Greensboro's favorite author. Jim Dodson, of Greensboro, also an accomplished writer, will co-present the event. You may recognize Jim's name from O. Henry magazine; not only does he write for the magazine, he is its founding editor. All of this good local history and lore is brought to us by the Greensboro History Museum, Greensboro Public Library, and Scuppernong Books. While we can't guarantee the museum's shop will be open, you can be sure there will be books available for purchase.

If you plan to attend, please visit the museum's website (HERE) for tickets. Also, you can learn about attending virtually from the comfort of your own home- the new normal. Almost as good as the wonderful event itself is the fact that it is FREE, but do reserve a spot! If you can't head downtown this evening for the event (130 Summit Avenue by Tanger Center), please put The Greensboro History Museum on your to-do list to get by at another time. The single best thing you can do for our community is support our public non-profits.

Strolling the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway

Since we featured a bike event yesterday on Greensboro Daily Photo, so, we thought it would be nice to share a photo of bikes out on the trail this past Saturday. The above photo was taken on the Atlantic and Yadkin Greenway, near where Lake Higgins and Lake Brandt meet.  We started at Bur-Mil and walked to the Vineyards community at Highway 150 in Summerfield. The trails are open from 8:00 am- sunset and seem to be busiest early morning. We were there mid-day, when the sun was hottest and the trails weren't very busy at that time. As evidenced above, we did see a some cyclists. And look at that dappled light. The trail was so lovely this weekend.

This part of the greenway goes past a kudzu field that has overtaken a lot of the terrain. Currently, the kudzu is in full bloom and quite fragrant. The Greensboro trail system is something to be proud of. Currently, the Piedmont Greenway will connect to the above trail. As a matter of fact, the Piedmont Greenway is a planned, 19-mile trail that will connect Greensboro to Kernersville to Winston-Salem. With all of the bicycle aficionados in the local area, the Piedmont Greenway will be a bit hit. We can't wait! Happy Tuesday! Hope to see you on the trails while the weather is still warm. 

Greensboro Velo Club

The Greensboro Velo Club held a Swap Meet in the parking lot of Cycles de ORO yesterday from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. It was a nice day for it. Cycles de ORO, located at 701 A Hill Street and right beside the greenway. The event benefitted the Cancer Research Institute. Private sellers brought their used bicycles and related goods, everything from bicycles built for two to clothing and tools. Also, there was a display of classic and exotic bicycles, including one from the late 1800s with wooden rims! The above photo shows some of the bikes that were part of the exhibit. The owner, Paul, is at the entrance to the store, coming out with what appears to be signage explaining about the bikes on display. 

The Greensboro Velo Club was established in 1975. The club hosts events and races. They are an active club that provides great camaraderie, great association with other cyclists. It doesn't matter what level of expertise and commitment you have to cycling, there is something for everyone in the club. They also help you find trails and places to ride that match your level of expertise and interests. At yesterday's swap meet, they sense of community was evident. If you want to keep up with opportunities for joining cycling events, see this calendar on the Cycles de ORO website.

The Edible Schoolyard

The above photo features the Edible Schoolyard in the back of the Greensboro Children's Museum. The view is from the Mary Lynn Richardson Park at the Greensboro History Museum. The photo was taken on a quiet, Saturday afternoon. The Edible Schoolyard and Kitchen Classrooms opened in 2010. They are situated on a half-acre lot behind the Children's Museum. Food activist and restauranteur, Alice Waters, started the project.*

The museum also has a play plaza in the front. In the play plaza, children can soar to new heights, climbing up, up, and away.  Between the museum proper with its 20-hands on exhibits, the Edible Schoolyard, and the play plaza, this complex is one of Greensboro's finest for children of all ages. 

Can you believe it is Thursday already? 

 

*reference and more information HERE.

Center for Visual Artists

The Center for Visual Artists, located at 200 North Davie Street, does so much to connect artists and the community and to help members of the community learn to be artists The center's origins date back to 1956 with the Greensboro Artist's League. The above photo was taken during First Friday in August when they were showing SMORGASBOARD: A Feast of Summer Art, an array of student work from summer camps. 

The three black and white scrolls on the left are part of the end of residency exhibition, Seeing Through, by local artist Karen Archia (see article here). They are 36' long and are called, "Black Lives Inspire."  Karen, one of the owners of the People's Perk Coffee Shop, has been a local figure making a positive impact on the community for a very long time. Now, instead of serving up little life lessons with a cup of coffee, she is doing it with brushes and ink. She is one of many examples of the talented artists you will have an opportunity to interact with if you get involved with the Center for Visual Artists.

Happy Wednesday! May your day be filled with joy and original art.

Tate + Gate

 

Tate Street and Gate City Boulevard are about to change before our eyes! UNCG is building an facility they are calling Arts Place at Tate + Gate. It will be a multi-purpose cultural arts venue at 842 West Gate City Boulevard. Above ground, there will be an art gallery, a performance space, instructional and practices rooms, offices, and even a retail component. Something really innovative is that parking will be underground. The University is billing it as a hot spot for innovation and, according to Chancellor Frank D. Gilliam, Jr., (i)t will be a destination like no other in our state."*  Collaboration between faculty, students, and the community will be emphasized. Partnerships will make it possible for students to gain experience through internships and other types of involvement, which will give them an edge in the job market.

The exterior of the building will have a very sleek and modern look, with lots of natural light coming in. It is as if the exterior and interior blend; perhaps a 21st century version of Frank Lloyd Wright's notion of blending humanity and the environment. It will be interesting to see how the side of the building that backs up to the railroad track will be constructed. Will you be able to watch trains go by? Will there be an effort to minimize noise from the train? The left/west side of the building is bordered by Tate Street and the right/east by Oden Brewing Company. While taking this picture yesterday, from across Gate City Boulevard- or Gate, as it is also called- we could hear the music from Oden. There will be built in libation, food, and live music without having to leave the block. As soon as all of this change takes place, we'll be back for an after photo! 

Happy Monday!

* Reference and read more here.

The Fabulous Tomato Greeter at the Greensboro Farmers Market

Saturday is fresh produce day whether you are at the Greensboro Farmers Curb Market on Yanceyville Street, at the market on Sandy Ridge, or at all the farms and produce stands in between. The produce is glorious right now. The above photo is of a very articulate young woman who is a senior at Guilford College. She volunteers at the farmers market just to give back to the community. Unfortunately, we didn't get her name. Next time we see her, we will ask. She was handing out flyers of upcoming events, and encouraging people to head over to get a BLT sandwich.

Today is a good day to head out for produce. Rain is not predicted until 4:00 pm, and, if it comes, it shouldn't last long. If you like sports, the 2021 Masters Short Course National Championships are still going on at the Greensboro Aquatic Center. If you go watch, the pool is so nice, you will feel like you are at the Olympics. Whatever you decide to do, have a great day!

Softball At Revolution Ballfield

Greensboro summers are meant for spending time outside, especially when you get to watch youth sports. The above photo was taken during a softball game last night at Revolution Ballfield. It is located at 2200 Yanceyville Street at Cornwalis Drive, right across from the former Revolution Mill. This park is known for being family oriented, which appeared to be the case last night when people of all ages brought their folding chairs and gathered behind the fence to watch the softball game.

Back when the textile mills were active in Greensboro, whole communities grew up around them. The mills made sure their workers had access to good housing, entertainment, houses of worship, clouting, food,  and recreation. The clothing and chairs may have changed from 100 years ago, but you can be sure that the feeling you get when cheering for the home team hasn't changed a bit. Even if you don't have a child in your life who is playing sports, it is still fun to go and watch. These games are especially fun on nights like last night. The weather was in the 80s, but not sweltering and those beautiful clouds made an amazing backdrop!

Happy Wednesday!

Fire Station #4

Gorrell Street is located just southwest of downtown Greensboro, crossing over Morrow Boulevard and near Bennett College. We wanted to visit Station #4, photographed above and located at 401 Gorrell,  because Logie Meachum writes about it in his reflection, "Sweet Magnolia, in the book "27 Views of Greensboro".  Logie had to be bussed across town to attend a school that accepted African-American children. He made the most of the daily trip, ever eager to see what guests were playing at the Magnolia Hotel. Just down the road from the Magnolia was Fire Station #4, another favorite of his. Here's what he has to say, reflecting on his adventures  on the No. 5 bus.

"The No. 5 Gorrell Street bus went under the bridge at Market Street and Murow Boulevard, which was and remains the gateway to the soul side of town. As we headed toward Gorrell Street, my mind focused on two special places: Fire Station No. 4 had Greensboro's only all-black crew, who to me and the other kids at the time were local heroes; the other site was the Magnolia Hotel (p. 55). In retracing Logie's steps, we saw what he saw, firemen working hard to make sure they would be ready in the event of a fire. Engine #4 has been in this location since 1964 and it integrated in 1967.* The people who worked, lived, and traveled along Gorrell Street in the 1960s would be happy to know that the fire station, and the Magnolia Hotel down the street are still up and running. Have a drive and see for yourself. Happy Saturday!

*reference and additional information.

Happy Sunday, Fourth of July!

Happy, glorious, Fourth of July Sunday. Today's photo was taken at the Thursday Peoples Market in Glenwood. It is held at the Glenwood branch of the Christ United Methodist Church at the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Florida Street. This past Thursday was a light market day due to the Fourth of July holiday; plus, we arrived near the end of the market at around 7:00 pm. There were many tasty food options, a potter, skin care proeducts, some produce, and more. It is so nice seeing neighbors out enjoying each other and people building their small businesses. 

Christ United Methodist Church has so many wonderful services and opportunities at their Glenwood Branch. They have traditional worship on Sundays at 11 am and on Mondays at 5:30pm a  contemporary worship service followed by a community meal. The first Monday of the month, there is a "Medical Monday" in partnership with Cone Health. Additionally, AmeriCorps has an office there. Truly, this church is dynamic because it is so involved with the community.  Glenwood is said to be the most diverse neighborhood in all of North Carolina. If you get a chance, stop by for one of the services at the church or at the Peoples Market. You just may end up deciding you want to live here!

Airport Traffic at PTI Is Starting To Pick Up!

Travel in and out of Greensboro is starting to pick up again, as evidenced by the above photo, taken in the Piedmont Triad International (PTI) Airport. A Delta flight had just come in from Atlanta and here we see travelers walking past one of the Jeansboro sculptures on the north concourse. The title is "Carolina Daydream" and it was painted in 2018 by Bailey Winger of Salisbury, NC. There are so many iconic North Carolina images on this sculpture: The Wright Brothers' airplane, a barbecue sandwich, the Big Coffee Pot in Old Salem, and more. Something about the color of this sculpture, and of the travelers, is so uplifting.

In 2018, four of the statues were added to the airport. They were selected out of twenty-five submissions as part of the PTI's master art plan.* There are also several of these sculptures downtown and they are perfect for Greensboro, known for its denim and jeans making. While the jeans are now made overseas, they have been such a big part of our history. May you have a great weekend whether you are staying here, just getting into town, or going elsewhere. Happy Friday!

*reference and read more, here.

Frozen, Jr.

Last night theatre students at the Academy at Lincoln performed Frozen, Jr. The performance was held in the staff parking lot in the rear of the school. To be safe, and since rehearsals started just as people were starting to get vaccinated, the play was staged outside.. Theater teacher, Ms. Cassy Whitley wanted to give her middle school students this memorable, culminating activity, especially since many of the actors head off to high school in the fall. The acting, singing, and dancing were superb. The tech crew also did a great job with special effects and with getting props set in place. Threat of rain almost cancelled the special effects, but they ran the show, undaunted, and even had fog, snow, and confetti. Fortunately, the rain held off. As you can see, audience members were captivated. 

It is no wonder Ms. Whitley is Teacher of the Year at her school. She always goes the extra mile for her students. With her guidance, these 4th-8th graders develop skills in all aspects of theatre. Ms. Whitley forewarned the audience that in the event of rain and if she shouted "strike", students would clear all props and equipment in under 30 minutes. There are still 3 more performances-  on Friday (7pm) and Saturday (2pm and 7pm). Arendelle never looked so gook in the open air! It is nice for students to be able to participate in performances again. It is important for the public to know the dedication of our public school teachers. Thank you, Ms. Whitley! And thanks to everyone else who made this show a reality.

Graduating Seniors of Guilford County

These are exciting times for high school seniors. They have returned to in-school learning, are able to have prom, and now, are practicing for graduation. This year, high school graduation ceremonies in Guilford County are being held at the Greensboro Coliseum. It makes sense to have them in one place, as GCS staff can make adjustments as needed. For example, seats are pre-arranged in a way that honors social distance requirements. The above photo features the car of a senior who will be attending East Carolina University. What a feeling of pride this student must have, and it is well displayed on their car. "Pirate Pride; ECU, ON THE WAY!

This has been an especially challenging year to graduate with the majority of the year remotely. Only since March have some of the students resumed in-person learning. To be sure, 2021 is the year to remember! Graduations start this Wednesday and continue through Tuesday, June 8th. The Early College at Guilford is the first ceremony and the program concludes with Southeast High School. If you see a graduate, please congratulate them and wish them luck on the year ahead. Here's to joyful closure and new beginnings!

Central Library of the Greensboro Public Library System

Have you been to a public library lately? Today's photo is of the Central Library of the Greensboro Public Library system, the children's section. It is so beautiful, clean, and inviting. We visited on Saturday and there were just a few people in the whole building. The public library system is one of the few places where anyone and everyone has the right to visit. Truly, it is for the public. They are back to regular hours, yet are still offering curbside pick-up. They are also starting to reinstate special events, although most are still online (see an example, HERE).

The Greensboro Library system was established in 1902. Construction for the Central Branch in the current location began in 1997. Previously, it was located in the building that currently houses the Elon Law School at 201 North Greene Street. That other building was completed in 1960 with the local architect Edward Loewenstein and Gregory Ivy involved in the design. But, this former property is history and the current building is built with the public in mind. We have easy access to all the books and there are plenty of computers to use. Dust off your library card; the amazing world of books is just a swipe away. Happy Tuesday!

Cone Health: Wesley Long Hospital

We took this photo about a month ago, but realized we hadn't been photographing community resources lately. Today's photo is of Cone Health: Wesley Long Hospital, taken from our favorite vantage point, the O. Henry Hotel, on the Green Valley Grill side. This location ia a prime one in the city, just a block away from Friendly Shopping center at West Wendover Avenue.

Moses Cone is one of the largest employers in Greensboro and has played a leadership role, this past year, as Greensboro navigated the pandemic. Wesley Long Hospital has been part of the Greensboro community since 1917. Over the last century, the hospital has grown and evolved, handling more patients and adding departments, perhaps most notably, the Cancer Treatment Center. The hospital itself is a 175 bed, private room hospital. If you know someone who works in healthcare in Greensboro, be sure to thank them. You know they are ready for a vacation. This past week was teacher appreciation week. Please remember to thank teachers, too!

Have a great weekend and see if you can explore some new places in Greensboro and find some great vantage points!

Carved Seahorse on the Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel

Last week when we featured the exterior of the Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel, several people requested to see an example of the animals. Above is a photo of one of the most unique animals, a seahorse. If you look just behind the seahorse, you can see a hummingbird. There are 56 handmade animals, some of which are endangered species. They are carved from wood. There is so much of Greensboro in this carousel; a UNCG Spartan horse.and an NC A&T bulldog. 

Above the animals on the upper section of the carousel, there are paintings of scenes around Greensboro: Wrangler Jeans, New Garden Friends Meeting, Lebauer Park, Levi Coffin, O. Henry, Carolina Steele, The Nussbaum Center for Entrepreneurship and so much more. Soon, we'll feature some of the photos, too. This is a place of so much history and joy in Greensboro. We hope you get out to see it soon. The carousel is part of the 400- acre Battleground Parks District. Greensboro is so lucky to have these resources.

Reflecting on Infrastructure and Sustainability

Infrastructure and sustainability are much in the news these days. President Biden spoke about infrastructure just yesterday. Infrastructure and sustainability are also the focus of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (see #9 here). Did you know Greensboro has a Community Sustainability Council? Their next meeting, a work session, will be April 12th. UNCG defines sustainability as "the enduring interconnectedness of social equity, the environment, economy, and aesthetics" (reference) and they even have a sustainability office. NC A&T is also playing a leadership role in sustainability research and efforts. Infrastructure system and sustainable practices are key concerns of The Greensboro Transit Authority (GTA). As of January 2020, GTA has modernizied its bus fleet with  battery-electric rechargeable busses.

The above bus stop is located at the corner of Spring Garden Street and South Holden Road. We don't know how many times a day it is served by one of the battery powered busses, but we did notice that it has a solar panel. Likely the energy generated by the panel lights the shelter by night. Perhaps there are solar charging stations at the bus stops.

Today's high school and college students are the ones who will be finding creative ideas to enhance Greensboro's sustainable practices and infrastructure system.  The possibilities are so exciting. 

The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel

The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel is a beautiful landmark between Country Park and The Greensboro Science Center. Whether you are walking the loop around the park, or visiting the Science Center, the Carousel is the beacon of joy on the hill.  The ride is open year-round and mostly open on the weekend from 10am-5pm. There are discounts for Greensboro Science Center members and a combo ticket option. It has only been open since August 26th, not even a year, but in many ways, it seems as if it has been open for a very long time. 

That beautiful carousel has 56 hand-carved, hand-painted figures. Some people have their favorite figure to ride; others are taking the challenge of riding every single one. The carousel is such a work of art, it is easy to make it a regular destination, especially if you have little ones in your life. This photo reminds us of the Wizard of Oz. Everything is gray-scale until you see the actual structure and then the colors will come alive!

Happy Wednesday!

Royal Star Magnolia

In Greensboro, spring is such a special season. The flora and landscape changes before our eyes. The above plant is a bloom on a royal star magnolia tree. The blooms of this tree were absolutely perfect last week. The royal star magnolia is an early blooming, fast growing tree. The white showy blooms come out before any signs of foliage. This specimen is at the Greensboro Arboretum and is clearly labeled as a royal star magnolia.

Plants have responded positively to all the rain we've had in Greensboro over the past several months. If you want to learn more about plants and plants that do well in our community, any of the local lawn and garden centers will be happy to assist you. If you want to be involved at a deep level, please visit the website of Greensboro Beautiful. Since 1968, they have been working diligently to conserve and enhance the beauty and ecology of the area. Perhaps you would be interested in volunteering with this group. 

Chalk Walk 2021

Last weekend, on Sunday, March 14th, the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department hosted a Chalk Walk event in the Greensboro Arboretum. There were 33 participants. The above photo features the winning entry for the 18+age  category. The koi pond was drawn by Lauren Ward, a Guilford County Schools art teacher. How wonderful that the artist behind this beautiful drawing shares her talent with the children of Greensboro.

This scene is also an example of how Greensboro has gotten really creative about having events. The Chalk Walk got people out in a socially distanced way to enjoy a sunny afternoon. People walked through the exhibit and a few runners were seen along the way. With or without special events, The Greensboro Arboretum is a very special space in our community. Trees and plants have labels on them, so you can learn as you go. The day we visited, shadows added a lot of intrigue to the adventure. Happy Wednesday! 

Cone Health Facility at North Battleground & Drawbridge Pkwy.

Those of you who have been around Greensboro since the mid-1990s and before remember a very different North Battleground Avenue- near Horse Pen Creek. Twenty-five or so years ago, North Battleground seemed almost like driving out to the country. That was when Laddie and Duke's Irish Pub was busy serving up corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, onion ring loafs, Irish lamb stew, fish and chips, sandwiches and more. That restaurant has long been razed. two gas stations, two drug stores, and two auto parts store are part of the new landscape.

However, more recently, the property at the corner at Drawbridge Parkway and North Battleground is really transforming. First the Urban Loop I-840 passes right by with an exit right there. What used to be a Kentucky Fried Chicken is now a Jake's Diner. What used to be a Food Lion is being transformed into the above medical facility. Brasfield and Gorrie have the contract to build the Cone Health Med Center on the 8 acre lot.  The facility will be 150,000 square feet and will be for emergencies, imaging, and an outpatient medical oncology and rehabilitation service. It will be exciting to follow the progress on this facility. As you can see from the image above, the facility has really started taking shape.

The facility will be just down the road from Well-Spring Retirement Community and Kernodle Middle School. If you haven't driven on Drawbridge Parkway and North Battleground since the Laddie and Duke's days, you owe yourself this adventure! Happy Monday!  

*For those of you who want a little more Greensboro nostalgia, here is an article about Laddie and Duke's, written by John Batchleor for the News and Record back in 1996. Thank goodness for good writers and newspapers and (digital) paper trails!

The Beautiful Greensboro Arboretum

The Greensboro Arboretum is 17-acres of glorious green space between Ashland Avenue and West Market Street. According to the Greensboro Beautiful website, there are 14 plant collections at the Arboretum. From the Jim Gallucci arched entranceway to the butterfly garden, it is the kind of place where every time you go, you can see something different. One time you may focus on plantings, another, on the structural features. The Arboretum is a very different place when events are being held there, like Summer Solstice, Candlefest, or one of the art events.

Last weekend,  The Greensboro Parks and Recreation department hosted a chalk walk here, where individuals and groups made chalk drawings on the promenade and visitors voted through their phones. The above photo was taken from a bridge at the end of the Arboretum closest to Lindley Park- near the chalk drawings. As you can see, the forsythia have their yellow blooms now and it has been so rainy lately that the stream is full. If you are looking for something lovely to do this weekend, consider heading to the Arboretum. If you think this seen looks like spring, you should walk through the Arboretum and you will experience what spring FEELS like! This lovely space is now open from 8 am- 7 pm.

People of Greensboro: Zack & William Matheney

Greensboro is a great city for many reasons. However, the best aspect of all is the people here. Today, we're featuring Zack Matheny and his son William. Zack, President of Downtown Greensboro, is originally from Statesville, NC, came to Greensboro in 1996 to work for Cone Mills. Through that position, he relocated to California. However,Zack e missed North Carolina so much, he returned, deciding to settle down in Greensboro. In addition to raising his family here, Zack's mom has relocated to Greensboro. William is a 4th grader at Our Lady of Grace School. Last Thursday, he got to spend a little time visiting his dad at the office. You can tell by the heartfelt smile on his face that he was enjoying being there.

Zack, through the organization,  Downtown Greensboro.  (#DGSO ) works in so many ways to help downtown Greensboro thrive. He oversees a dedicated team that does everything from helping people find a place to live downtown, start a business, grow their business, and they even plan events to help people make great memories here. We can't wait to see what events get planned for the upcoming months- William is looking forward to them, too!

Happy Tuesday, dear readers!

Downtown Greensboro #DGSOTOGO

Downtown Greensboro Incorporated is an economic development organization. The staff works tirelessly to ensure that downtown businesses, venues, and public spaces have what they need to thrive. This has been no easy task during the pandemic. They also work to see that community events like Fun Fourth and the Festival of Lights operate, as feasible. Their committees include 1) economic development; 2) fundraising; and 3) events and entertanment. The Downtown Greensboro organization was formed in 1997, and has been in their current location (536 South Elm Street) for five years. The above photo features part of the staff, from left to right: Zack Matheny, Joy Ross, Keith Holliday, and Stacy Calfo.

We had the good opportunity to meet everyone when we went into their office yesterday to collect a prize. Downtown Greensboro is currently holding a drawing where people who make purchases of $25 or more downtown have the chance to win $500 and the business where they shopped also wins $500. While we didn't win the cash prize, we won a very generous shopping bag full of t-shirts and items celebrating Greensboro.

Downtown Greensboro does so much for the community; read about them at this link ( which was one of our primary sources for information). And stay tuned, when we were visiting, they had just finished a meeting planning future events for the remainder of 2021. Hats off to this fine group and organization. Let's all show them a little love and head downtown this afternoon. It isn't First Friday, but it is always a Fun Friday-  in downtown Greensboro!

L Richardson Preyer Federal Building Court House

This photo is of the north side of the L Richardson Preyer Federal Building at the corner of Eugene Street and Friendly Avenue. The entrance/address is on the other side at 324 West Market Street. Actually, however, entrances were built on all four sides. It opened in 1933 as a post office and a courthouse of the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. The four-story structure is 60,980 sq ft. Twenty-four homes that were 2,500 square feet would fit inside of the Preyer Building. That is a big building downtown and to be sure, they take care of big business there.

The exterior architecture is Art Deco style and if you are an aficionado of architecture, there is plenty to see here, both inside and out! The foundation is Mt. Airy granite and the exterior is Indiana limestone. It is hard to imagine Greensboro without the Preyer Building. Imagine 1920 in downtown Greensboro, the Lincoln Financial Corp. buildings would not yet have been built, nor the Preyer building. Just that West Market Street United Methodist Church, now snuggled between the two imposing buildings, remain from the original footprint of those city blocks. The 20s and 30s were big times of growth for downtown Greensboro. It is looking like the 2020s and 2030s are times of big growth, too, especially if you consider what the local universities have planned! Happy Thursday... a little nostalgia day on GDP.

General Greene Rides Again!

March is such an important month in the history of Greensboro. March 15th was the day of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. In 1781, Major General Nathanael Greene led the Continental army against the British army, led by General Charles Lord Cornwallis. Though the British won the battle, we won the war.* While his army lost, General Greene survived the battle, living five more years and dying in Grove, GA, at the age of forty three! If we read our history books correctly, it seems like General Greene was only in Greensboro for about a month. Maybe not even that long. He arrived in North Carolina in February, arrived in Greensboro on March 14th, fought the Battle of Guilford Courthouse on March 15th and headed for South Carolina in April. However, General Greene left a lasting impression on the area and, 27 years later, in 1808, when Greensboro became a town, it took Greene's name and we have been Greensborough/Greensboro ever since. 

This is a very special time of year to visit Guilford Court House National Military Park. You can take a self-guided tour on your cell phone and learn about all of the statues and history. It is so special to see the park while the trees are in leafless winter mode and then again when the tree canopy is completely back. The monument stands over 27 feet tall. It was dedicated in 1915 and the sculptor was Francis H. Packer and the statue in the photo is bronze. The base (not visible in this photo) is granite. The monument was placed on the highest point in the park. Read more about it here in the North Carolina Encyclopedia. Please do head to the park and see these monuments for yourself. If you already have, go visit them again, and have a great day while you are at it! Happy Wednesday!

 

* Here is the link to the Wikipedia entry about the battle. It isn't a bad place to start if you need a quick refresher on Greensboro's early history.

The Serendipity of Chores

Sometimes the most unexpected fun comes when  out doing chores. Yesterday, we headed up to Price Park to recycle our glass containers and happened to catch the City of Greensboro emptying the big blue cans. While we were there, Tim was working outside the truck and we had a brief conversation. He says the city has to empty the cans both on Saturday and Sunday or otherwise they will overflow. It was so nice to find the container empty and not have to coax the bottles into a full container. Even with his mask on, Tim was smiling. It is nice to meet people who enjoy their job and enjoy meeting people along the way. 

Here is a link to Greensboro's website that explains what glass can and can't be recycles and where one can go to drop off the glass. Also, Reconsidered Goods on Spring Garden Street has a dumpster for glass behind their building. From the looks of what goes into the dumpsters, the people of Greensboro sure drink a lot of wine and beer-- at least on the weekend. Happy Monday! Happy recycling! Can you believe it is already March? It will be spring before you know it. 

Gillies Monument at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

Today's photo is of the James Gillies Monument at Guilford Courthouse National Military Park. It was a beautiful day to walk along Monument Row. The above scene will look completely different when the leaves are back on the trees and the sun can hardly filter through the canopy. Inside the dark diamond of the monument in the above photo is the following inscription: "Light Horse Harry Lee's Bugler-Boy" The monument was erected by the Literary Societies and Alumni of Oak Ridge Institute, May 6th, 1898 to the memory of the Gallant James Gullies who fell under the swords of the Tarleton's Dragoons near Oak Ridge, NC. Gillies dies for his country's freedom on February 12th 1781.

Here is a NCpedia reference and article about the Gillies Monument. This monument is one of several in a row in front of the visitor's center. Yesterday afternoon, the park was very busy. It is a great place to walk, run, and ride bikes. It seems to be returning to its vibrant self after having suffered the loss of many trees during the recent ice storms. Under normal years, we would be participating in the March Reenactment of the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. However, this year's event is canceled due to COVID-19. In the meantime, please enjoy the park; it is the perfect place to get out and enjoy the beauty of Greensboro- especially when the sun is shining.

Happy Friday!

Church Street Parking Deck

Today's photo of the Church Street Parking Deck is more on the artsy side. We took it a few weeks ago when we were on site taking photos of the murals in the stairwell. As we were leaving, this scene caught our eye. It looks so beautiful with the brick glowing pink, and the turquoise hues here and there. This deck between the City Library, the Cultural Arts Center, the Children's Museum, LeBauer Park and more. The deck has 417 spaces and is very reasonably priced. The first hour is free and after that, the rate is $1 an hour with a maximum $10 a day. It looks so different when full, but, empty, it is hauntingly beautiful. 

We tried to establish the date the deck was build and couldn't find the information information online. If you know, please let us know in the comment box. The murals in the stairwell were painted  in 2008, so the deck is over 13 years old. Happy Monday, and, for downtown's sake, may the deck be fuller than it is here. The lighting is perfect, however, if you are looking for somewhere for a photo shoot!

A Good Day to Try the Bus

The Greensboro Transportation Department is featuring the "Reduce the Spread of COVID-19 bus. We caught up with it at the corner of Muirs Chapel and West Market Street. The city is trying really hard to provide transportation while being mindful of the need to maintain safety protocols. This is probably the 9 bus and here is a schedule for busses throughout the city. Fares are really quite reasonable, only $1.50 for a regular one ride pass. An unlimited one-day pass is only $4.00. You could spend all day on the bus and see where the adventures take you. Perhaps you are already a regular bus user. The busses are clean and the the City of Greensboro is working hard to reduce its carbon footprint. Greensboro was the first city in North Carolina to add electric busses to its public transportation fleet. The more we use public transportation, the more the program will grow.

Happy Saturday!

Reflecting on Friendly Center at Twilight

The above photo was taken in the newer section of Friendly Center, last night at twilight. A lot of stores close at 6:00 pm on Sunday, so at the time this photo was taken, the shopping center was fairly empty. This is the view behind Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, which happens to stay open until 9pm on Sundays. The original part of Friendly Center opened in 1957 and this new section above in 2006. Can you believe it has already been 15 years? It seems like just yesterday when a loud "boom" was heard throughout Greensboro, from the razing of the Burlington Industries building on this lot.  If you read about Friendly Center on Wikipedia, it mentions the "inward" orientation of the center, which is  naturally conducive to helping shoppers feel more together. Both the new and old parts have a seating/gathering area, which is part of the reason it considered an "outdoor lifestyle center".* So, when we see teens hanging out on the grassy area above, we all need to remind ourselves they have a right to hand out at an outdoor lifestyle center!

The most recent addition to the newer part of Friendly Center is Hawthorne at Friendly, where you can choose one of sixteen floor plans in this upscale living community. If you lived there and worked from home, you really could do just about everything without needing personal transportation. Twilight is such a magical time, especially with nice lighting as seen above. Just think, if you lived at Hawthorne, you could head over now and see if Greensboro's Ben and Jerry's store sells the flavor called "Netflix & Chilll'd (peanut butter ice cream, sweet and salty pretzel swirls & fudge brownies). Whether you live at Friendly or anywhere else in the community, it is nice to know we have access to these pop culture tie-in creations right here in Greensboro. Happy Monday!

*see Wikipedia (visited 1/24/2021) Friendly Center

In Search of a Perfect View

Where can you go in Greensboro to take a fabulous sunrise, sunset, or panoramic view photo? We've been going around town, in search of the perfect view. So far, we haven't found a spot that absolutely showcases the beauty of our city. Today's effort was taken at the Church Street Parking Deck, beside the Central Library and behind the Cultural Arts Center. As seen on the sign, in the lime green block in the top left of the photo, this bright building is the Children's Museum. It has been a Greensboro treasure since it opened on May 15, 1999. While this view of the Children's Museum is a nice one and you can see the tree-lined Dunleath Neighborhood off in the distance, we are still hoping to find a nice panoramic view.

The Children's Museum is temporarily closed due to Covid. When open, it is a place that inspires hands-on learning and according to their website, they have more than 20 exhibits and a 30-foot tall climber. The museum has continued to grow over the years, having added an edible garden and an outdoor play plaza. The cost of admission is $10. If you want to help them through the COVID times, you can donate, here. While the streets look empty, if you look closely you can see a few people walking on the sidewalk in front of the museum.

Triad City Beat & Thomas Sayre's Greenway Art

Today is a special day on so many levels. First, a loyal reader suggested we photograph the above Greenway artwork and mentioned that it is especially attractive near sunset. Second, we serendipitously met up with Carolyn de Berry, staff photographer for Triad City Beat (TCB), who was on location taking photos for TCB. Carolyn was with her son, Lliam Robinson.  Third, we found something new being constructed downtown, fulfilling the request of a loyal reader.

Carolyn and Lliam: Carolyn relocated from Connecticut to Greensboro to attend Guilford College, where she majored in psychology.  Also trained as a commercial photographer, Carolyn has been a photographer at TCB since the paper was first established seven years ago. Carolyn looks for good, interesting, and newsworthy Triad subjects to feature. Her photos are published in TCB weekly. The intellectually curious, outdoor-loving Lliam is a student at New Garden Friend's School.

The artwork: The earthcastings, the trio of sculptures to the righ,t are by Raleigh artist Thomas Sayre. Sayre and his team installed them in late November. They are located near Guilford Avenue and Westerwood Tavern on the path of the Downtown Greenway. In the News & Record article about these concrete structures, Sayre is quoted as saying, "The greenway is about finding your way through downtown Greensboro [and i]n some ways I see the cairns as stacked stones that for centuries humans have used to find our way" (Kane, Nov. 17, 2020). The greenway project is progressing nicely and is anticipated to be completed in 2022.

If you are looking something fun to do, you can't beat urban exploring. And, who knows, you just may run into Carolyn and Lliam or David and me! It was so special finally meeting each other.

Free Food Pantry

Food insecurity is a big issue in Greensboro. There are, however, several organizations committed to helping people have access to food. One such initiative is the Free Food Pantry at the corner of Haywood and McCormick Streets. This location is between the UNCG buildings on Gate City Boulevard and the Glenwood neighborhood. All of those big buildings in the background belong to UNCG. The above free-standing food pantry resembles the free libraries. This yellow one looks like a giant block of cheese!  Supplying and using the box is the honor system. People donating only put food in the pantry (hence the box of toys at the side); people taking only take what they need and keep it nice. Yesterday when we visited, it was filled with plenty of bread, spaghetti-O's, and chick peas. There were a few other items like powdered milk and a couple cans of green beans. 

There are several other sources of free food and meals in Greensboro. If you use these services, likely you know who is serving where and on what days. If you know someone in need of food, or you are in a position to help, here is a list of organizations getting food to those in need. As the saying goes, it takes a village and Greensboro is a pretty awesome village. Happy Wednesday!

Skating

Today's photo features the "pop-up" skating rink in downtown Greensboro. It is located in the parking lot, just west of Elm Street accessible from Lewis Street. You can see the Eugene Street traffic heading into town above the rink. The rink was not very crowded yesterday, but the middle and high school students out on the rink seemed to be having fun. The Piedmont Winterfest is technically located at 123 West Lewis Street. The rink will be open until January 31st. According to the schedule on their website, skating will be open today from noon until 4pm, closed on Christmas Day and then open again on December 26th from noon-10pm. The cost is $12 for a one hour and forty five minute session and you can pre-purchase tickets, which is a good idea since they have to limit the crowds for safety.

PART: Connecting Communities!

The Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation, known locally as PART, is still running its routes, even during COVID. They do encourage passengers to remain 6' apart. The above photo was taken a couple of weeks ago, in downtown Greensboro. The bus was headed west on West Washington Street and stopped at Greene Street, just in front of the parking deck. The red, holiday lights really accentuate the graphic design on the bus. The vehicle in the foreground adds a little movement to the night scene.

Here is a link to their official website, in case you want to plan your route or track your bus. As stated on their website, PART was created in 1997 as a means of enhancing transportation in the Piedmont Triad. It is nice to have public transportation options, especially one that helps make it possible to get to other nearby communities. It is a way for Point A to Point B to be done in a way that decreases the carbon footprint. Happy Monday!  

Greensboro Farmers Curb Market

The Greensboro Farmers Curb Market has been serving up fresh produce since 1874. Located on Yanceyville Street across from the old War Memorial Stadium, the curb market is a place for farmers to sell their fresh produce and other edibles. It has also been a place for people to go to enjoy each other. You can talk directly to the farmers and learn from them. You can find vendors who specialize in items you like and arrange to have items ready for you at each market. Sometimes there is entertainment; sometimes themed-events. Today's photo features a view from the Lindsay Street Side, a lone shopper seated, long after the market had closed for the day.

The COVID era has changed the protocols for the market; masks; controlled entrance point; an earlier entry for the community's most vulnerable, more outside. The good produce and direct interaction with farmers keeps people returning week after week. Now is the time for cold weather vegetables, cabbage, greens, collards, turnips. If you want meats for the holidays, you might want to make plans soon. This upcoming Sunday 11/15/2020, the market will host a holiday arts and crafts event, Make 4 Market.