Greensboro Daily Photo

Waving Santa Back at Friendly Center

Waving Santa returned to Friendly Center, as he always does, on Black Frida- on the Friendly Avenue side. He has been in place during the Christmas season since 1959. He arrived from Pennsylvania in 1959, two years after Friendly Center opened. This 13' tall piece of nostalgia is one of those things people expect to see in Greensboro over Christmas. Especially now that the Santa of Chapman Street is gone, Waving Santa is one of the symbols of Christmas in Greensboro people seek out year after year.

If you are out with holiday clothing this weekend, perhaps for the Candle Tea at the First Moravian Church or the Festival of Lights this Friday, or the Holiday Parade this Saturday, don your favorite holiday clothing and stop by for a photo. Do be careful, it is in a high vehicle traffic area. The traffic safety personnel are out directing traffic in Friendly Center, so be careful and respect their signals. It's beginning to feel a lot like December.

Happy Thursday- the last day of November!

 

1899 Depot Coming Soon!

The Southern Railways, 1899 Depot, is being brought back to life and  is something we've all been waiting for. If you go downtown for the Festival of Lights this Friday, December 1st, have a look at this building as you cross the railroad tracks at 400 South Elm Street. If you peek to the left, you can see the railroad tracks running along the building. Trains come by here all day long, so it will be important for the building to be structurally sound and as soundproof as reasonable.

The above building was only used for 28 years as a train railway when, in 1927, it was replaced by the station on East Washington Street. In an WFMY2 News article from early summer, Downtown Greensboro Inc. President Zach Matheny mentions that the hope the restored building will have a restaurant, bar, and social space inside. Given the fact the building is 124 years old, it remains in remarkably good shape- at least what we can see on the exterior. See this link for a view of how the building looked back when it was a train station. We love the way Greensboro makes an effort to respect the history of the downtown's architectural footprint, knowing that updates are needed for a space to be 21st century relevant.

Happy Tuesday!

Northeast High School Marching Band

The above photo features the drum major and the Northeast High School marching band at the Veterans Day Parade this past Saturday. The band sounded great and put on quite a performance dancing and marching. Veterans and other parade attendees seemed to really enjoyed their performance. They were appreciated by parade goers. According to their website, the director of bands is Ms. Tyrissa Swilley. 

If you missed the Veterans Day Parade, your next big opportunity in Greensboro will be the Winter Holiday/Christmas Parade on December 2nd from 12 noon-2:00 pm. This parade has been a Greensboro tradition for almost 40 years. In addition to bands and floats, there will be some big balloons. The night before, on Friday, December 1st, the Festival of Lights will be held downtown. This is another big Greensboro tradition and time for making memories with family and friends. At the First Friday festival, performances start in Center City Park at 5:30 pm and the lighting of the tree happens promptly at 6:56 pm and the evening concludes at 9:00 pm. So, mark your calendars now, as this time of year starts getting really busy. In the meantime...

Happy Monday, a week and a half until Thanksgiving!

Veterans Day 2023

Yesterday was the Veterans Day Parade in downtown Greensboro. It was limited to North Elm, starting at about Lindsay Street and North Elm and turning east on Market Street. Attendance was light, but those who were in attendance were patriotic and enthusiastic Featured above is Robert Hare, Marine Corps League, Greensboro Detachment. According to their website, the Marine Corps League is the only congressionally charted US Marine Corps related veterans organization in the United States. It became an organization in 1937 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Guilford County Detachment 260 is based out of Jamestown and was founded in 1972. This chapter has members from every conflict the Marines have served in since World War II. 

If you missed yesterday's parade, High Point is having one today and the Field of Honor is always open. Because we like to post something spiritual on Sundays, we looked up the religious affiliation of U.S. military veterans. It appears that about 66% are Protestant, 23% Catholic.  Just under 4% are minority faith groups (including Jewish, Muslim, Orthodoxy,  Mormon, Buddhism, Shinto, Hindu, and Sikh. Just under 6% unknown.* If you want the statistics of Veterans religious affiliation by state, see here.**  Veterans Day is a more joyful celebration than Memorial Day as the latter remembers those who died serving our country. For all of our readers who are veterans, thank you for your service.

Happy Sunday!

 

*Free Liberty Institute

 

** https://www.data.va.gov/dataset/Veteran-Religious-Affiliation-by-State/mcjn-bnqy

Lynsey Addario

Last night, we had the pleasure of hearing Lynsey Addario speak at Tanger Center as part of the 2023-2024 Bryan Series: Heroes in our Midst. Indeed, Addario is a hero. This American photojournalist has covered humanitarian crises in the Middle East and Africa for more than two decades. She is one brave person. When The New York Times or National Geographic call with a high-risk assignment, she heads to the heart of a conflict, sometimes accompanying the military on the front line. She has won Pulitzer Prizes, most recently in 2023. She is the recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship and was named one of the world's most influential photographers, giving the world a first-hand view of war and conflict. Ms. Addario tells very compelling stories about her powerful experiences.

Greensboro is so lucky to have the Bryan Series and the Tanger Center.  As we pause to celebrate Veterans Day tomorrow and Saturday, we are reminded that Ms. Addario knows her share of veterans, many of whom she was on assignment with on the front line; many of whom she saw gravely wounded or killed. A veteran is a person who served in the military. Another definition is a person who has had long experience in a particular field. Ms. Addario is a veteran photojournalist who is as close to being a military veteran as you can be without actually enlisting. We thank you, Ms. Addario, for your service.

Happy Friday!

Relocated Post Office- Friendly Center Branch

The U.S. post office at Friendly Center has relocated from Pembroke Road to the area off of Northline Drive where Pier 1 used to be. The new location is so much bigger with increased capacity for mailboxes and for waiting in line. Also, as you can see from the above photo, there is a U.S. passport office. The USPS building is so clean and spacious, we had to walk around, even though we didn't have anything to mail out that day.

If you look closely in the above photo, it helps with the orientation. In that upper right corner, you can see Schiffman's. The new location should make buying stamps, sending out Christmas cards and gifts so easy. According to a USPS article, the change was necessary because the landlord of the Pembroke Road location decided not to renew the lease.* Let us know what you think.

Happy Tuesday!

 

* reference and more information, HERE.

 

The Arc of Greensboro and High Point

The Arc of Greensboro began in 1953, and in High Point in 1957. It is a grassroots organization started by the parents of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.A large part of the early years of the organization was dedicated to advocacy and educating the community at large about the potential of this special population. It is incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) that gets grants  from many organizations; however, they also have fundraisers.

This evening, The Arc of High Point will have their annual art auction. It is a silent auction of art painted by program participants throughout the year. You can attend in person at The Art Gallery at Congdon Yards (400 West English Road, Suite 151) from 6:00- 7:30 pm, or you can actually bid online. Get tickets HERE. The above photo features three pieces of art on the wall of The Arc School and it is very likely these pieces will be for sale tonight. Hats off to their art teacher, Liz McKinnon, who determines the theme for the evening and help students hone their art skills all year long. Liz has a way of bringing the inner artist out of her students. From Greensboro to High Point and all the corners of Guilford County, events like this have a way of bring people together. They remind us that all people who live here are part of our village. The theme this year is Art Eternal.

Happy Wednesday!

Inspiring Women in STEM

Last night, NC Global Leadership (NCGL), in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, held a conversation with international women in S.T.E.M. The title of the program was "Hidden No More, International Women Leaders in S.T.E.M. Fields." The event was sponsored by, and held at, the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering. NCGL Board Member Lisa Stahlmann Jessar moderated the program. The above photo features the seven, international visiting scholars among new friends, students, and supporters who came out to hear them speak. All were engrossed in conversation before and after a brief pause for this photo. The visiting scientist/leaders are from Bolivia, Costa Rica, Iraq, Mongolia, Nigeria, Panama, and the Republic of Korea. 

These  international women leaders in S.T.E.M shared their educational and career journeys and challenges they had to overcome. During the question and answer time, they mentioned the need for equal opportunities for women and more balanced opportunities in the field. They said people in the science fields need soft skills, entrepreneurship and leadership skills. Answering a question of a doctoral student from Kenya about how she could help and nurture women in science, Ms. Wara Mendez (Bolivia) said "there is no need to reinvent the wheel, resources are out there; but you have to seek them out."  A man in the audience said he believed these international visiting leaders are successful because they "never took no for an answer."  

This event was an example of partnerships within partnerships resulting in cultivating international relationships on many levels.  Since its inception in the 1940s, the International Visitor Leadership Program has among its past participants over 500 current or former Chiefs of State or Heads of Government. With great interest, we will follow the careers of the women in this cohort.

Happy Tuesday!

Fulbright Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program 2023

Six weeks have flown by as 21 Teachers from 20 countries have been in Greensboro at UNCG. Already experts and leaders in their fields, the teachers learned about American culture and also teaching techniques used in the American school systems. Each Fulbright scholar spent a week in a Guilford County school collaborating with partner teachers at the host schools. Participating schools were: Middle College at UNCG, Doris Henderson Newcomers School, Johnson Street Global Studies Elementary School, Northern Guilford High School, and Western Guilford High School.

Seated in the center are Dr. Maria Anastasiou (red jacket), Fulbright TEA Program Director and Associate Provost for International Programs at UNCG. To the right of Dr. Anastasiou is Dr. Jane He, Associate Professor in the Department of Teacher Education and Higher Education at UNCG. Both faculty members were closely involved in the Fulbright Program. Part of the beauty of a university and college community is the opportunity to gain a more global perspective through interaction with people from across the globe. If you have a chance to host an international scholar in your classroom or in your home, please do so, you won't regret it. You will gain as much as you give. Every indication is that Greensboro left a powerful impression on these 21 scholars that will last a lifetime

Happy Saturday!

Keep It Local 2023

 

 

It may seem like we feature art a lot on GDP. Greensboro does have a lot of artists and it is such a fabulous way to keep our dollars local. You can buy original art, and develop a personal connection with the artist, for sometimes even less than the price of mass produced art. On fall weekends, Greensboro is brimming with activities. One event we love to visit is Leanne Pizio's "Keep It Local" Art Show in Oak Ridge right on Highway 150, just east of Oak Ridge Military Academy- 2409 Oak Ridge Road. It is happening tomorrow from 10am-3pm. Usually there is someone in costume out parking cars and Leanne' brightly painted truck. You can't miss it! The show will start at 10 am and end at 3pm. This is the 25th anniversary of this art show and at least 25 artists will be there selling. There is so much to see at this family friendly event where you can purchase your Christmas items early. The above photo is of Leanne at her last show, walking around visiting and checking on vendors. 

Also tomorrow, State Street will have a multi-vendor event that will begin at 12noon and end at 12 midnight. While shops will be closed in the evening, Bull City Ciderworks will be going strong until midnight and even rolling out a special cider for the event. The "Falling Together" Art Show will run from 1-4pm at 404 Sherrill Street. Wherever you decide to spend the day, we hope it is a great one. See you all tomorrow!

Happy Friday!

SpringHill Suites at Congdon Yards

While we focus on Greensboro at Greensboro Daily Photo, we often drive around the county seeing changes elsewhere. Yesterday, we were in High Point and got to see all of the great construction around Congdon Yards, in the vicinity of the baseball stadium. The above photo features the groundbreaking of a new hotel, SpringHill Suites by Marriott. A 128-room hotel will be built at 121 Virginia Place. There is a 100+year old building on the site that has been gutted, but the exterior of the structure will remain and with an additional part, extending out from the building. This project is proof positive of the revitalization of downtown High Point. New restaurants, and art museum, a coffee and workspace, and so much more can be found in this area. 

The above photo features the actual groundbreaking ceremony is process, with shovels and hard hats to the right of the photo. If you haven't been to High Point lately, now that market has come and gone last week, this would be a great time to drive around and see all of the growth.

Happy Thursday!

It's Pumpkin Time at Mount Pisgah Church

It's pumpkin time at Mount Pisgah Church. The youth group's annual fundraiser is well under way. The above photo was taken last night on the front lawn of the church at 2600 Pisgah Church Road. The pumpkins are so nicely organized by size and price. Little children run through here selecting pumpkins. This is how learning to make decisions begins. Sometimes parents cringe at a child's choice; yet, this is how they learn. 

In addition to the pumpkin patch, the annual Trunk or treat will happen on Sunday, October 29th at 5:00 pm. Dressing in a costume is encouraged but optional. For those who want to attend a worship service, the traditional service is held in the sanctuary at 8:30 am and also at 11:00 am. For those who want a more modern service, praise and worship is in the new fellowship center at 10:45. While the church is on a busy intersection, at Battleground Avenue, once it is night, from the pumpkin patch, it is as if  you are on a country road, remotely located. The church got its start in 1845, before the Civil War and thirty seven years after Greensboro was established as a city. Mount Pisgah is about four miles north of Greensboro. They had a big change this year. On June 26, 2023, they voted to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church and to affiliate with the Global Methodist Church; hence, the new name, Mount Pisgah Church.

Happy Sunday!

Ballet Folklorico at Art in the Arboretum

The Art in the Arboretum this past Sunday was nothing short of spectacular. It was the perfect combination of arts and crafts, music, and dancing. Also adding to the event was the fact that some of the flowers and foliage were very showy in their beauty, and the weather was spectacular. Fifty artists were selected to sell their crafts and there were three stages of entertainment, and entertainment was free. Greensboro Beautiful partners with the City of Greensboro to enhance the beauty of our community. Mebane Ham coordinated the event. A graduate of UNC Chapel Hill, Mebane Ham is an independent public relations and communications professional. Fiddle and Bow, founded in 1981, sponsored and staffed one of the stages. 

The above photo features one group of performers from the Ballet Folklorico Mexican Tradition of Julio Ruiz. Their goal is to bring greater awareness and understanding of the Latino culture, especially in Greensboro. The audience, young and old alike, was mesmerized by their dancing. The clothing was beautiful and the way they moved skirts and bandanas in sync. This stage, for international music and dance, is a permanent structure in the arboretum- just waiting to be used for other special events.  Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 6, 2024 if you want to be part of this event next year

Happy Tuesday!

Greensboro History Museum at Greensboro Pride Festival 2023

Yesterday was a glorious day to be in Greensboro. The weather was fabulous and there was so much to do. We started our day at the Greensboro Pride Festival, an event supporting emotional, social and mental health needs of those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. The event has been around since 2006 and is predicted to have served over 60,000 people this year. The event is completely staffed by volunteers. Corporations like Ralph Lauren, Volvo, and Ecolab had booths there. Even Sheetz had a place to apply for jobs; vendor booth spaces were sold out. Walking around were parents, offering free hugs. Alternative Resources of the Triad organizes the event. 

The above photo shows the Greensboro History Museum booth in the parking lot on the South 300 block of Elm Street. You could glue a puzzle piece on the board of someone or an event that has been underrepresented in history. There had been several people at the table, we just happened to snap the photo between clusters of visitors. The Greensboro History Museum a vita, relevantl community resource. How wonderful that they take advantage of increasing their visibility in the community and to spread the message that all are welcome at the museum. The museum is not just about the past, but also about making history. Stop by the museum at 130 Summit Avenue and see for yourself. We'll feature more photos of the pride event throughout the week. It was a riot of color!

Happy Monday!

Formerly Harris Teeter

For those of you who formerly purchased groceries at the Harris Teeter at the corner of Muirs Chapel and 4640 West Market Street, this is the space today. Formerly painted "Harris Teeter", look at the building now. It definitely grabs the attention! What kind of business could be going in near Joann's Fabric and the Shoe Market? It is a huge space and work is being done on the inside. That Harris Teeter opened in 1999, employing 60 people. It closed in the above location twenty-one years later in 2020. Remember, it was in 2006 that the Harris Teeter in Friendly Center opened. Known affectionately by locals as the Taj MaTeeter, at least at the time it was built, it was the largest Harris Teeter in North Carolina.

Scenes like this one are what we see every day, representing change in Greensboro. As soon as we see change, of course we want to ponder what a space was like in previous iterations and how it will transform in the future. That lone car in the middle is there to provide perspective. This, too, is a large space. Stay tuned!

Happy Saturday!

Clay Thornton, Executive Director, Hirsch Wellness Center

Clay Thornton recently joined Hirsch Wellness Center as executive director, but he has worked in creative services for the last 35 years. He has a BA in fine arts and graphics with a minor in ceramics from UNC Chapel Hill. Above, he is photographed in front of some of the art currently being auctioned as a fundraiser for Hirsch Wellness.  See HERE.  for over 200 works of art to view and bid on. The bidding will culminate on Friday evening at 8:00 pm, after a gala evening with entertainment and fun to be had by all. All members of the community are invited to purchase a ticket for the gala ($50). 

All proceeds from the event help maintain the Healing Arts programming and classes at no cost to cancer patients. Hirsch Wellness serves not only people in treatment, but also survivors, caregivers, and medical staff. They offer at 35+ experiences a month (from yoga to painting classes) and serve approximately 300 people. If you want to see the artwork this week, you can stop by Gallery 1250 at Revolution Mill off of Yanceyville Street. The gallery is open from 3:00- 6:00 pm, which is how we met Clay. He was so personable, answered all of our questions, and gave us an impromptu tour. He will also be at the 15th annual gala this Friday as will Founder Louise Grape, who is a survivor of breast cancer twice.  Louise knows firsthand the importance of self-care and emotional support during and after cancer. Hirsch Wellness has been helping others on this journey since 2008.  There is so much wonderful art, all donated by accomplished artists in the community.

National Suicide Prevention Month

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and college students are especially vulnerable. Many are away from home for the first time without the safety net of family and friends. Also, the rigor of college courses can be stressful. The above photo features a field of awareness and inspirational sayings at UNCG. The display gives  people resources and something to think about as they walk along the path in front of the Elliot University Center. 

988 is a dedicated number for people to call if they are in crisis or need information about resources. NAMI Guilford (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is another resource for Greensboro and the surrounding area. NAMI got started in Madison, WI, in the 1970s and now has affiliate groups in 48 states. We also have a North Carolina NAMI. These pinwheels get displayed every year and they remind us to always make an effort to be kind and to let people around us know we care. The pinwheels represent people who have died by suicide. The white stacks of Jackson Library can be in the background. May we have fewer pinwheels next year. 

Pow Wow 2023

The Guilford Native American Association held its 46th annual Pow Wow 2023  at Country Park. While it wasn't a religious event, it did feel very spiritual having people dancing on  land their ancestors once inhabited. Greensboro once served as the site where Keyauwee and Saura once met. The above photo shows some of the dancers waiting to make a grand entry at 7:00 pm last night. Today, the event starts at 11:00 am, with Grand Entries starting at 1:00 pm. Winners of competitive events will be announced today.

If you have never attended before, you are welcome; however, here is a list of Pow Wow etiquette. For example, you should not take photos of individual people without their permission. It has been a few years since we've been able to attend and we noticed a lot more people wearing original beadwork.All of the original beading and jingle dresses were simply breathtaking. There were also many vendors. Everything from clothing, to drums, to food, to jewelry are available. We ate collard wraps with pear chow-chow and they were delicious.

Happy Sunday!

Celebration of Excellence

Guilford County Schools held a celebration of excellence at Ragsdale High School on Thursday night. The event, indeed, was celebratory and excellent. Schools banded together with  teachers and staff of their respective schools exuding camaraderie in every corner of the auditorium. The above photo is of Hunter Elementary teachers and staff marching in with a poster of support for their teacher of the year nominee, Jhonatan Marín Mesa. Señor Marín Mesa has an undergraduate degree from Universidad Pontifical Bolivariana in Colombia and an M.Ed. from Elon University. He teaches at Hunter Elementary, located at 1305 Merritt Drive,  and his students and colleagues love him. Of the five finalists for Teacher of the Year, he won and his school was jubilant.

The event was sponsored by the Guilford Education Alliance. There was a spirit parade and light refreshments as part of the pre-program. During the event, GCS administrators Greg Newlin and Kimberly Robertson served as Emcees and did so playing the role of Barbie and Ken, infusing a humor into the event. It was so nice seeing public school educators being recognized and enjoying an evening together. This is one of many examples of the school day not ending when the bell rings. We overheard the person saying behind us, "I'll bet we are the only district that celebrates like this." We hope those teachers are enjoying their weekend and that Mr. Marín Mesa is planning his speech since he is advancing to the regional teacher of the year competition.

Happy Saturday!

 

"Brace for Impact"

Sully Sullenberger was the first speaker in the new season of the Guilford College Bryan Series. This is the second year the Bryan Series has been held at  the Tanger Center downtown. Last night's event was well attended and the audience was engaged as Sully talked about the harrowing 300 seconds before guiding a disabled Airbus 320 into the Hudson River on January 15, 2009. Once he made the decision to make an emergency water landing, he had to decide what to tell the 155 people on the plane. He said he knew passengers and crew needed to hear from the Captain and he needed to sound calm and confident. He chose his words carefully, telling everyone to "Brace for impact." 

He also talked about his career path, what it takes to be a pilot, and the importance of students taking civics classes and understanding the importance of acting for the good of others, not just ourselves. He also talked about post event and the many hours of interviews related to the event. He talked about the initial toll it took on his sleep, not being able to sleep for more than 45 minutes at a time the first few days. Then, at age 57, he said his blood pressure was around 108/50, but after the event, it soared to 150/100- likening the situation to PTSD. One tactic Sully used for working through these after effects was writing about the event. He has retired from U.S. Airways and now focuses on public speaking, advocating for policies that make flying as safe as possible, and writing. Last night, he fielded questions from the audience, including from the woman who had been in seat 2C that day. 

The theme for the 2023-2024 Bryan Series is Heroes in our Midst. Indeed, Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger III was a great beginning to this year's series.

Happy Friday!

North Carolina Folk Festival 2023

Once Labor Day is over, mentally we transition to fall, a lovely season in Greensboro. We also know it is time for the North Carolina Folk Festival. The festival kicks off on Wednesday evening with a special concert, "Songs of Hope and Justice"  at 7:30 pm at The Carolina Theatre. Singer-songwriter Laurelyn Dossett will host an accomplished group of folk musicians. The next events will be on Friday evening, beginning at 5:00 pm (see complete schedule HERE). The music is as varied and diverse as the people of Greensboro; indeed, there is something for all tastes of fold music. It is a good opportunity to listen to and learn about new genres of music. 

The above photo features Larry Bellorín. He will perform this year with Joe Troop. They describe their music as Venezuelan Appalachian Fusion.  Larry is a legend of llanera music. Joe is a Grammy-nominated bluegrass and old-time musician. Together, the sound of these singer-songwriting multi-instrumentalists is unique and incredible. They are performing twice, on Friday at 9:00 pm and Sunday at 3:30 pm. Larry and Joe both live in North Carolina; so, when you fall in love with their music, you will have opportunities to hear them again. Our North Carolina Folk Festival is so special, the event is well organized, the footprint from stages to food trucks to arts and crafts exhibits (to port-a-potties)  is always well planned.

From 2015-2017, the National Folk Festival was in Greensboro, giving our community the chance to learn from the best how to put on a music festival. When the National Folk Festival transitioned to the next city to help learn the ropes, Greensboro's event converted to the North Carolina Folk Festival We owe it to the performers to show them that our city supports the performing arts. Please encourage your folk music loving friends far and wide to come to Greensboro from the 8th-10th. Hope to see you there, too. The Friday-Sunday performances are FREE. People are encouraged to donate if they are able. Bring your change and bills. There will also be ways to donate through cash apps.

Happy Tuesday!

National College Colors Day

Tomorrow is National College Colors Day; so, search your closet for clothing to represent your favorite institution of higher education. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro has been publicizing the event widely and is hoping everyone will wear blue and gold tomorrow.  The men's soccer team hosts Louisville at 7:00 pm and faculty and staff who arrive before 7:00 pm in school colors have a chance to win a raffle. T-shirts are being handed out on campus this week.

While the above photo is lacking in blue and gold, it does feature one of the newest sculptures on campus. This is the new woven bronze woman's tribute sculpture outside the Stone Building, at the back of the Elliot University Center. To help orient you, it is as if this sculpture is looking at Minerva. This sculpture is Astera and she symbolizes the "aspirations and spirits of all the women who passed through Woman's College's halls." * Bronze is a strong material; the open weave and opening on other side, partially stop the eye, but make it possible to see through it. Children, and probably college students, love to hop in and actually sit in the statue. The interior makes a beautiful backdrop for photos. So, don some blue and gold and go take a selfie with Astera, whose name means star, but also the Latin name for daisy, which is considered the UNCG flower.

The sculptor is Michael Stutz.  It reminds us that universities are dynamic places adding resources and making changes on an ongoing basis. 

Happy Thursday and the last day of August!

 

*reference and link HERE.

Happy First Day of School- 2023-2024

For students in traditional schools in Guilford County, today is the first day of the 2023-2024 school year. The photo we've chosen for the opening of school is the signage on the Cornwallis Drive side of Irving Park Elementary. As you can see, the school was established in 1923, making this year its centenary anniversary. The main entrance to the school is on the Sunset Drive side of the building, but the back is the main pick up and drop off site and the side with this visible sign with the date. The school is named in honor of the residential development surrounding the school, Irving Park. The "Irving" in the Irving Park neighborhood and school, was the father of Alfred Moore Scales. Mr. Scales, who was the nephew of a North Carolina governor, named the neighborhood for his father, Irving Scales. Mr. Scales owned the land on which the country club, a gold course, and a restricted residential area was located. One hundred years of teaching and learning has taken place at Irving Park Elementary! Here's to a great school year. Hopefully, they will have a big celebration, possibly even a homecoming for former students, teachers, and administrators.

Happy 100th IPES and Happy Monday!

 

Construction at Friendly Center

Yesterday, driving around Greensboro trying to find something interesting to post for you, we came across this corner of Friendly Center. For years, the former Romano's Macaroni Grill Italian Restaurant sat empty, near where Tex & Shirley's used to be on Northline Drive at Pembroke Road. It closed unexpectedly in 2017. It had been there since 2002, and, for those of you who remember, it was built on the site that was formerly Terrace Theatre.

Now, six years later, demolition is complete and land is being graded for a medical office building. According to signage, the property is 80,000 square feet. This will really change the footprint of this corner of Friendly Center, and those in nearby housing will be able to walk to their medical appointments. It is hard to tell what you are looking at in the above photo, but it is simply the construction site with the K&W Cafeteria building peeking out on the left. We left the car window to show you, sometimes we are on site and, on occasion, we just do a drive by. We can't wait to see what this finished corner looks like.

Happy Saturday! Look for us out exploring. 

Sherwood: From the Kirkwood Parade to the Greensboro Community Swim Association's City Meet

The above photo features several members of the Sherwood group at the Kirkwood Fourth of July event. They placed first as entrants in the Kirkwood Parade and the young guy in the middle is holding their trophy. We think they must be Kirkwood community members who are also affiliated with Sherwood Swim and Racquet Club. The Sherwood swim team took top honors at the 2022 Greensboro Community Swim Association (CSA) City Meet. We're betting they want another top prize at CSA City Meet. Greensboro has several strong teams, though. We'll know on Saturday.

We are reminded that the CSA City Meet gets underway at the Greensboro Aquatic Center (GAC)  today. City Meet brings swimmers gather from all over the area. For three days, you see teams having their end-of-swim season bonding moments and efforts of personal records. From the CSA parade to the medaling and closing ceremonies, it is quite a special summer tradition in Greensboro. The Community Swim Association Championship was established in 1958, sixty five years ago. The Kirkwood Fourth of July Parade was established 74 years ago- in 1949. The Sherwood Swim and Raquet Club was estalblished in 1961. That is a lot of history and combined years of tradition. The way we see it, everyone who participates is a winner.

Happy Thursday!

Greensboro Grasshoppers: Stars and Stripes Spectacular

The resolution isn't the highest on this photo, but it captures the spirit and excitement last night at First National Bank Field. The Greensboro Grasshoppers played to a sold out crowd. Their opponents, Aberdeen (MD), are a minor league team for the Baltimore Orioles and apparently one of the players is someone who is getting a lot of publicity. Fortunately for Greensboro, the Grasshoppers won 8-5 and immediately after the game, fireworks began. If you didn't get to attend last night, HERE is a schedule. You have several more opportunities this week and each night has a special theme.

Yesterday was so full of community events in Greensboro. We got around to as many events as we could and will share more photos of the Fourth throughout the week. From the Apple Pie Bicycle Ride to the  Freedom Run, to the Fun Fourth Festival downtown, to Kirkwood's  neighborhood parade, to the grand finale downtown with the fireworks at the baseball stadium, indeed, there was plenty to do. Hopefully, you were able to participate in something and even found time to have a picnic. Thinking of food,  since it's July, Cook-Out is back with their watermelon milkshakes. Oh, and City Meet for Greensboro's Community Swim Association starts tomorrow, and Friday is First Friday! July in Greensboro is always so special. Hope to see you out and about.

Happy Wednesday!

Happy July 4th, 2023

The Fourth of July is a big celebration in Greensboro. The Apple Pie Bicycle ride happens at 7:30 am at Bur-Mil Park today. There is a ride for all levels of strength and endurance. From 1pm-6pm downtown is Fun Fourth. Elm Street is blocked off and there will be plenty to do and see. At least one Uncle Sam will be in attendance. Last Fourth, we spotted two Uncle Sam at Fun Fourth (see HERE). So many businesses were closed yesterday and even more today. Here's to as many people as possible getting a four day weekend.

Regarding the Fourth of July in Greensboro, the most famous neighborhood event  is the Kirkwood Parade. This is the 74th year for Fourth of July fun in this neighborhood just north of downtown and slightly west of Irving Park. From 4:30- 8:30 pm, families will march and drive down Independence Road. Fun like you see above can be had when families and neighborhoods work together, building community and making memories. There is no entry fee and the event is not monetized. It is just a time for families to enjoy each other.

Happy Tuesday, Happy Fourth of July!

The Greensboro Summer Solstice Festival

Happy Summer Solstice Event! It will be held today in Lindley Park and the Greensboro Arboretum from 2:00- 10:00 pm. This festival is a fun way to spend an afternoon. The above photo was taken a few years ago and shows you the great length people go through to dress up and make the event fun. Not only performers, but everyone is encouraged to dress as fairies and sprites .

The solstice event was started in 2005. According to their website, "Mission: We aim to create an experience for our festival-goers that blends local artisans, performers and budding entrepreneurs with a little bit of magic and a lot of love, opening up imaginations to the possibilities in each of us." The event is so much fun and a chance to be playful and joyful, something that is proven to keep us healthy. It is also a fabulous opportunity to get great photos. The festival closes with a fire finale which is breathtaking in the dark. Children are absolutely mesmerized.

On another note, we have been members of the City Daily Photo community for the past 15 years. Cities all over the world post a photo a day of their city. The first of the month is theme day and the July theme is "climate". Our Summer Solstice photo fits perfectly with the theme. In Greensboro, the weather today is expected to be between 68º and 91º. So, if you are coming out to the festival, be prepared for a little bit of everything and find a way to protect yourself from the sun and to stay hydrated. We can't wait and don't care what the weather does. We're ready!

Happy Saturday!

Bicycle Riders on Huffine Mill Road

The above photo featured a few of the bike riders on a Saturday morning ride on Huffine Mill Road in east Greensboro. We were at a stoplight off of the bypass and the Huffine Mill Road exit. The weather was sunny and it hadn't gotten too hot yet. Whether you like street riding, greenway riding, or off-road and mountain riding, there is a group for you in Greensboro. Increasingly, our city streets are getting bike lanes. Still, both cyclists and car and truck drivers must all work together to drive defensively. There is safety in numbers, as group rides increase cyclists' visibility on the road. Always communicate with the cars around you.

Speaking of group rides, if you like them, The Apple Pie Ride will be on the Fourth of July. This year it will start at Bur-Mill and will feature some new routes. There are also different distances to accommodate different skill levels. There are 13, 25, 50, and 76 mile options. On this ride, everyone is encouraged to cheer for each other. There are always so many enjoying the Apple Pie bike riding event. We hope to see you out on the trails, between then and now. 

Happy Monday!

NC Global Leaders from France Have Arrived!

Greensboro has a North Carolina Global Leadership (NCGL) Council, which is part of the International Visitor Leadership Program and under the U.S. Department of State. NCGL plans programs and hosts participants from all over the world. Currently, the above NC Global Leadership Council participants are visiting from France. They represent a wide array of cities and regions: Rennes, Auvergne, Clergy-Pontoise, Limoges, Bidart, Nimes, and Southern Brittany. Each participant has been identified as emerging leader in their respective field. The title of their local program this week is "Adapting French University Post-COVID Study Abroad Programming to U.S. Demand and Shaping Sustainable Partnerships." Greensboro resident Beth Sheffield (fourth from the right) has been involved with NCGL since the early 1990's. With her cheerful demeanor, knowledge of Greensboro, and extensive understanding of NCGL, Beth is the perfect person to greet the group and help them with logistics.  They arrived at the PTI Airport yesterday, where this photo was taken.

Greensboro is the last stop on the group's multi-city program.  Over the next few days, they will visit several institutions of higher education, where much of the conversation will focus on the internationalization of higher education. Participants will have many opportunities to engage in rich conversations and develop global partnerships.  If you see anybody from the above group, be sure to give them a big Greensboro welcome. 

Happy Wednesday!

The Parisian Promenade

Yesterday, Greensboro Beautiful presented the Parisian Promenade in the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden on Hobbs Road. What a fabulous opportunity for families and friends to gather and stroll along the park seeing and being seen. The above scene is so Parisian, a street cart with buckets of flowers and a striped awning. The flower truck business is known as The Myrtle Cottage. The truck was located up by the Poodle Promenade Ring and flower sales were brisk. Prices were reasonable and people seemed to really enjoy buying flowers for themselves and their loved ones. The idea of being able to purchase flowers in a park or on a street corner is so quintessentially French. It is nice to see it in Greensboro and maybe  The Myrtle Cottage will make the opportunity more commonplace in Greensboro.

The weather yesterday was overcast, but it never did rain; making it perfect for the Parisian Promenade. The event is a project of the Greensboro Parks and Recreation and Greensboro Beautiful. Greensboro Beautiful is a 501 (c) 3 volunteer organization dedicated to enhancing the beauty and ecology of Greensboro. The Parisian Promenade in the Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden is a beautiful example of Greensboro at its best. The venue is beautiful, the vendors and activities were delightful for people of all ages. Ecology deals with the relations of organisms to one another. Seeing people out enjoying the flora of Greensboro was such a great way to kick off June. Summer will be here before you know it. Next year will be here before you know it. Mark your calendar for the first Sunday in June for the next Parisian Promenade.

Lindley Park Baptist

As we biked past Lindley Park Baptist Church the other day, we did a double take. As you can see, the marquee says, "AMAZING GRACE 1048- 2023." Looking around, we saw the zoning notice for a public hearing on June 20th, 2023 at 5:30 pm. The sign didn't say where the hearing would be held. It is case # PL(Z) 23-26 and the contact number is Olivia Byrd at 336-373-2986. If our friends' internet sleuthing is correct, the church, the fellowship hall, and the house beside it may become Kellin Foundation, a local non-profit. According to their website, they are a "trauma-informed behavioral health service." 

Lindley Park Baptist, located at the corner of Walker Avenue and Holden Road, has been a church since 1948, and the cornerstone on the above building dates the sanctuary as being erected in 1972. As of a News & Record article from 2001 (updated 2015) the church had about 200 members. We will follow the possible conversion from church to its new use with great interest. Recently, a church at the corner of Spring Garden Street and Englewood Street got converted from a church to student housing (Spring Garden Station) and there is no evidence that it was formerly a church. Greensboro is known for its many churches; hopefully, the members of Lindley Park Baptist have found a new spiritual home.

Happy Sunday!

Krispy Kreme Doughploma

Yesterday was the first day for graduations for Guilford County Schools. They day started with the graduation of the Early College of Guilford, Greensboro College Middle College, The Middle College at UNCG, Kearns Academy, and the Academy at Smith. High School graduation ceremonies will continue through June 11th (see schedule here). The above photo; however, features "dough-ploma" day at Krispy Kreme Donuts. Yesterday, any student who could verify they are graduating this year received a dozen original glazed donuts for FREE from Krispy Kreme. This tradition started during Covid and has been so well received, that it continues today (read HERE). No purchase was necessary.

The above photo was taken at the Krispy Kreme on Battleground Avenue. When we stopped by around 6:00 pm. the store was so busy, some students had to wait in a line outside. When we drove back by at almost 9:00 pm, the line was equally long. It was only one day, but as quickly as information spreads with teens through social media, the word got out quickly. How wonderful they offer these doughplomas. We're wondering what other businesses do something so generous. This was not just one doughnut, but a whole dozen. 

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

Happy Thursday!

Wheels on the Greenway, Plus!

 

Today's photo features the May First Friday in downtown Greensboro- yesterday. LeBauer Park had música latina and tents for creating and crafting. Reconsidered Goods was one of the non-profits bringing creative joy to people visiting the park. The warm weather and Cinco de Mayo brought out a lot of folks. Today will be equally busy downtown. In Center City Park, Tabitha Brown will be on site. She has several tents of activities planned. Also, she will roll out her line of clothing and household items, to be sold at Target. Since she is from the Triad, she will hare her designs with us first! Her event is free and open to the public.

Equally exciting today is the 8th annual WHEELS on the Greenway event. As you can see on the sign above, the event starts at 9:00 am in the park at the corner of Murrow Boulevard and Lindsay Street (405 N. Murrow Blvd.). If it has wheels, you are invited to bring it participate. Several community partners will be offering interactive activities. There will be helmet giveaways, opportunities to learn to work on bikes, a "bling your bike" station, and so much more. Please follow the link at the beginning of this paragraph to see just how many community partners are involved and all of the activities will be associated with WHEELS on the Greenway. We are so proud of Greensboro and just how much there is to do hear. The community just keeps getting better and better!

Happy Saturday!

Better Together!

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

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

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

Happy Wednesday!

The Bear Witness Camera

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

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

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

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

Happy Monday!

Yesterday Afternoon, Along Battleground

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

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

Happy Friday!

Camille's Closet & Theo's Threads

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

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

 

Holocaust Monument Dedication

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

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

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

Students Demand Action

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

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

Happy Friday!