Greensboro Daily Photo

Oden Brewing Company Where the Past Steps into the Future!

West Gate City Boulevard was hopping on Saturday night. Oden Brewing Company, located at 802 W. Gate City Boulevard, is part of the change happening to the Gate City Boulevard area.  The Oden building is a large garage-type brick structure used as a brewery (not photographed here).  Odom also owns the two houses photographed above and the property surrounding them. The houses date to the early 20th century and are being renovated to their original charm. Saturday  afternoon and into the evening, people gathered here to listen to good music, drink a few pints, and eat some really good BBQ out of the food truck on site. The surprising feature of the whole complex is the ample parking on this combined lot. Also, there are exit/entrances on Gate City Boulevard as well as onto Tate Street.

Most patrons on Saturday night spent their time on the porch or the picnic tables, stools, and chairs in the yard. Some elected to remain inside and the weather was warm enough to keep the doors open, bringing the outside in. It is really encouraging to see old buildings and houses get restored and repurposed, as opposed to tearing them down and building new. This trend will help Greensboro retain its old-world charm, keeping a foot in the past while also remaining relevant into the future! Here, you can be in public, just west of downtown, but have the feeling you are on a friend's farm out in rural North Carolina! Soon, we'll feature the Oden building soon and share its back story. Stay tuned!

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!

Its Vaccine Time for Guilford County School Teachers

Yesterday, Keith was volunteering at the Coliseum as Guilford County School teachers cycled through the vaccination process.  The national guard, volunteers, nurses, Guilford County Health Department, and the Guilford County Schools all worked together to help this process run smoothly and efficiently. There was even a bus delivering people from the parking lot up to the entrance door. Once it started raining, this service was especially appreciated at the parking is back beyond the GAC swimming pool area.

If you have anxiety about getting shots or this particular vaccine, somehow fears are assuaged once you are there watching everyone else getting the vaccine. You realize you are contributing to herd immunity and helping prevent the spread. As reported in the News & Record and the state health officials, Guilford County has a total of 39,699 cases of COVID and 552 deaths. Hopefully the cases and deaths will start decreasing. Have a great weekend. Thank you Keith, all the volunteers and workers who are making this journey so much more pleasant!

Air Force 1

Forgive the poor quality of this photo, but it is hard to plan for when Air Force 1 is going to be flying around in Greensboro. Yesterday, in the Westridge Heights and Friendly Acres neighborhoods, Air Force 1 was circling from about 3-6pm. Often, the plane does touch-and-go landings and take-offs at PTI Airport. However, yesterday, the plane was making low circles around Claxton Elementary School. When it is flying that low, the most noticeable features are the American flag on the tail and how quiet the engines are. "Air Force 1" referee to any plane that is equipped to transport the President of the United States. If  you want to read more about Air Force 1 or even sign up to receive email communication from the White House, follow this link.

Yesterday was the perfect weather to be out flying around. The sky was sunny and clear. Greensboro is a perfect destination for Air Force 1, because it is only about an hour from Washington, D.C. and the air traffic around Greensboro is light. If you want to see Air Force 1,  mid-afternoons when the skies are clear, hang out near the airport and look up when you hear a plane. If you see one with four engines and a flag up by the vertical stabilizer and rudder, it is Air Force 1.

Happy Wednesday!

The Day the Vaccine Came to Town

Last Thursday, when we were driving along Oakland Avenue to secure a photo of the Rolane Factory Outlet, before it gets transformed into housing, we snapped the above photo. At first, the tagging/graffiti on the rail cars is what caught our attention. However, upon closer inspection, beyond the colorful words that we couldn't read, we found legible words: Cryo-trans; the other side of the car had the slogan, "Protecting Today's Perishables For Tomorrow." A little internet searching revealed that The Cryo-Trans Company has refrigerated and insulated railcars to transport refrigerated and frozen goods.  The prefix "Cryo" comes from Green meaning "ice, cold, chill, and frost."  "Trans" comes from Latin meaning "across." So Cryo-Trans" is the perfect name for a company that transports, across country, items that need to be stored at a cool/cold temperature.

Curiously, almost exactly four year ago, in February 2017, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus was stopped on this same railroad track in Greensboro on its trans-national farewell tour. At the time we drove by the circus trains, there was a man cleaning the garbage off the trucks while the performers were across the tracks performing at the Greensboro Coliseum.  We don't have proof, but we're guessing that the above rail car had stopped in this same spot to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to the Coliseum. This time, instead of a person cleaning out railcars, a man was parked in a truck beside the railcar who was there before and after our photo shoot at the Rolaine Sock Factory. Perhaps, he was guarding the vaccine. Our best guess about this serendipitous encounter on January 21st 2021 is that we were witnessing the COVID-19 vaccine coming to town. It reminded us that Greensboro came by its nickname, "The Gate City" honestly, and so much of what comes and goes by rail is documentation of fleeting moments in time.

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.

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.

Beautiful Star

Tonight is the night that Jupiter and Saturn should align in a way to create a "beautiful star". Together, they will reflect light in a way that has not been seen for centuries. It might be partly sunny in Greensboro. However, maybe we will get lucky and be able to view this phenomenon just after sunset and in the southwest sky. In the above cell photo from last week, you can see the moon to the left and the tiny speck between the trees is Jupiter up front and Saturn, faintly visible behind it. If you look to the horizon, you can see that that the horizon still had a little glow from the recently setting sun.

Tonight, the moon will be a first quarter moon. If you know of a "best viewing spot", please let us know. There will also be 5-10 shooting stars per hour, if visibility is on our side.

Night will come in Greensboro a little after 5pm. See you outside!

Greensboro Trombone Ensemble

The Greensboro Trombone Ensemble played at the Light the Night event in downtown Greensboro this past weekend. While the Festival of Lights was cancelled for this year, there were a few groups set up throughout town and it was very easy to socially distance and meander up and down South Elm Street listening to music. The Light the Night had sort of a "First Friday" feel.

UNCG has a really strong School of Music and so there are many ensembles for different instruments and genres in Greensboro. Under normal circumstances, students are always offering concerts as part of their course and degree requirements. It was a real treat to hear the brass ensemble with the sound bouncing between Schiffman's Jewelry Store and Triad Stage. If you ever get a chance to hear the Trombone Ensemble, you will be in for a treat. Perhaps you already have heard them.

Have a great Tuesday.

Guilford College Students Protesting

Guilford College students staged a protest yesterday along Guilford College Road, in front of New Green Friends Meeting. Students are very upset to be losing some of their favorite professors and also losing many of their liberal arts majors. Over the nearly 200-year history of the Quaker-founded college, the liberal arts have been at the core of the institution. Students stated that they wish they had been more included in the process for deciding what majors to retain and how to raise money for the college. Those student protestors were so articulate and passionate about their educational experience at Guilford College. 

A key symbol of  Guilford College is a great black oak. One fell in the 1990s and former Guilford President Bill Rogers drew the tree, and his drawing became the logo that is still in use today.*  Mature trees abound on the campus. One of the many memorable signs held by the students yesterday  said, "The tree is dying." Of course, "You fired my favorite professor" also hit home about the hurt felt by many of the stakeholders, especially the faculty, staff, and students. Downsizing decisions are never easy. Let's hope somehow between now and the final vote in February a financial windfall comes their way. Let's do it for the students, especially the ones who are committed to the liberal arts!

* reference and additional information, here.

Guilford Quakers

Guilford College was founded by Quakers on 349-wooded acres in 1837. The college is located at the corner of West Friendly Avenue and Guilford College Road. It is one of 15 Quaker colleges, universities and study centers in the world (see list here) and the only one in the southern region of the United States.

Guilford College has always been known for its strong liberal arts education and the core values of community, diversity, equity, excellence, integrity, justice, and stewardship. At least in the pre-COVID era, one could stroll along campus and learn about the school's role in the Underground Railroad and other activities centered around the Civil Rights Movement. You could see a greenhouse, young farmers, and sustainable agriculture practices. 

Financial hard times are causing the administration to cut costs and eliminate positions and academic programs. Nineteen of its 42 academic majors are recommended to be eliminated (reference). If you are in the financial position to do some good in the world, here are some ways to give to Guilford College. This institution, with an 183-year history of academic greatness in Greensboro, deserves not only to be around for its bicentennial, but to be thriving in 2037. Let us know if you are able to donate. While Greensboro Daily Photo doesn't generate revenue, we would love to know we played a part in keeping the Guilford Quakers in Greensboro! Happy Tuesday.

Vote!

All is quiet on the corner of Lewis Street and the 600 block of South Elm Street. At this storefront awaits a new business, the owners have brown paper over the windows and a message to VOTE! It will be interesting to see the election results for Guilford County. Our county has voted Democratic in the last four presidential elections and Republican in 2000- when George W. Bush was running. 

Hopefully, you have either already voted, or you intend to vote today. There is no school today. If you are home with children, today is a good day to teach them about civic rights and responsibilities. Have a great Tuesday. Regardless of election results, it will be nice to see the campaign signs disappear from the lawns of Greensboro. If you are working at the polls, thank you for your service!

It's Pumpkin Patch Time at Guilford College UMC

Yesterday, the Pumpkin Patch at the Guilford College United Methodist Church attracted people all day long. The weather was lovely and the selection was plentiful. The Pumpkin Patch is a fundraiser for the youth groups at the church. It was nice to see teens helping at the event and gaining an appreciation for how much work goes into raising money for their group. 

At the Guilford College UMC, the selection is plentiful. The tiny white pumpkins were running out as we were there yesterday, as were the ones with "character"' in other words, the non-traditional pumpkins. However, the traditional orange variety were plentiful- in all sizes. Almost every family with small children took lots of photos. Some families even dressed up so that baby's first, fall pumpkin patch photos would be just perfect.  To be sure, many memories are being made in this pumpkin patch and the youth group is making money. The church is located at the corner of Fleming and Guilford College Road. They are open Monday - Saturday from 10am-7pm and on Sundays from 1-7pm. Stop by if you want to get in the spirit of  the season. Happy Sunday!

Opening Day of The Summit, on Highway 68

The Summit has been a portable church meeting at Oak Ridge Elementary School. With a membership of about 1,000, the Summit has long been ready for its own building. Well, today is opening day for this glorious facility on Highway 68. When we were on site yesterday, Pastor Andy and his family drove into the parking lot to introduce themselves (and probably to figure out who was in the lone car in the parking lot on a Saturday. He informed us that, locally,  this is actually the third Summit, with one in Jamestown and one in Kernersville. If you want to attend tomorrow, on opening day, be fore to go online and get an event ticket. They have services at 9:00 and 11:00 am, and likely, both services will be at COVID capacity. You can also watch online. Here is a link to their website. Surely, this homecoming or incoming, will be a glorious event for all involved. All the best to the congregation and staff. "New" is a most exciting and hopeful of times.

Greensboro Votes!

Early voting is upon up. Above is a photo of the early voting station at Bur-Mil Park was taken yesterday. Before the polls opened, the park was an ocean of people and a sea of signs. If you look through the trunks of the trees, you can see part of the line. Once the polls opened at 8am, it took about an hour to get through the line and finish voting. By the time the first wave of voters had finished and people headed to work, lines started shrinking.

Regardless of how we vote, it is our civic duty to vote. Please note, this year, there are no "I voted early" stickers and there is no electronic voting in Greensboro. Bring a pen with black ink or, if you forget, they have pens. Be prepared to bubble in your candidates. The candidates are listed in alphabetical order with political affiliation clearly stated. 

Here is the early voting schedule and list of sites for Greensboro.

People of Greensboro: Beverly Ramsey, Maskmaker

Since May, Beverly Ramsey has made over 4,000 masks and gives them away every Sunday, starting at 10:00 am. Quickly, they are gone. Beverly is an early childhood educator (and also a paralegal) who lost her position when COVID came along and childcare centers had to close. To focus on something productive, she recruited her mom to help her sew masks. Beverly first started using up the cotton fabric from her sewing room and made about 75 masks a week. Lately, she has been sewing 350 a week, which, even she admits, is a little daunting. Now, Beverly purchases fabric and focuses on a weekly theme. The theme for the past week was baseball. Previous themes have been, voting, dogs, cats, music, and sharks- to name a few. When we asked her how many she makes a day, she said that she can't really answer that because they set up a sort of assembly line and one day may be a day for cutting fabric and another for sewing. While there is no fee for the masks, she depends on donations to keep the project going. 

On the day we were there, people were thanking Beverly and telling her how much they enjoy the masks. Some were getting masks for family members, friends, and friends of friends. Admittedly, we took a few extra to give to people who weren't able to get out and get one for themselves.Greensboro is so lucky to have people like Beverly who help bring people together and are community oriented. Beverly says she loves hanging out in her yard on Sunday mornings, enjoying the fellowship with people who stop by for masks. This mask maker extraordinaire lives on Sylvan Road in Sunset Hills, just off Elam. Let's hope she receives enough donations to continue offering masks to the community and help get us through the COVID times. Also, as businesses start reopening, let's hope someone needs a very generous, community-oriented early childhood educator or paralegal! 

Artisans Mercantile

The Artisans Mercantile by Sweet Tea Studio hopes to open in October. They will have 40 vendors in a store that will be brimming with things for the home and a place to gather. The store located at the corner of Golden Gate Drive and State Street. You may remember the Saltbox, formerly in this location. The Saltbox was Greensboro's "go to place" for artists' trunk shows, amazing fall candles, hand-crafted lighting, folk art, and so much more. It closed in 2012, after being in business for 38 years. Next, a dance studio moved in to this space. Now, the building will go back to being more like the Saltbox, a shopping destination with ample parking behind it. 

State Street is a Greensboro Street with the feel of a quiet North Carolina beach community: cozy shops, not much traffic, and very walkable. Eclectic by Nature, Vida Pour Tea, and Yamamoto Jewelry are a few of the businesses that have believed in State Street for a very long time. Many new businesses have opened over the last few years. Hopefully, Artisans Mercantile will be part of the reinvigoration of this part of town and will be around for a very long time. It is always nice to see new life breathed into a building.

Tobacco Harvesting Time in North Carolina

The above photo features a field of tobacco in the westernmost part of Guilford County. It is time to harvest tobacco; and, harvesting can be brutal when the weather is hot.The bottom leaves are harvested first and, when done by hand, is backbreaking work.  Since the Civil War, tobacco has been a big crop for North Carolina. However, after World War II, interest in agriculture in general has declined in the state. And with education about the harmful nature of smoking tobacco, use has decreased.

Greensboro has an interesting history with tobacco. A tobacco factory opened in 1881 and local production peaked here in 1890. Tobacco production had its ups and downs in the 20th century. In 1954, Guilford County was 4th in the state in tobacco production.  In the late 1970s, Greensboro had two tobacco warehouses, but both were closed by 1984. By 1990, there were only 644 tobacco farmers in Guilford County and local production fell to 25th in the state. Ed Williams' 1990 article in the "News and Record", updated in 2015, is one of our references for today's post, and is a really good place to start if you want to learn more about Greensboro's relationship with the tobacco industry. Read here.

It is fun to drive around and see if you can find a tobacco field and and old tobacco barn. If you know someone in the industry, it is really interesting to see the sticks hanging in the barn before and after the tobacco is cured. Seeing a field like the one above sure takes a person back to the old-time ways, back when tobacco barns, mules, and tobacco plants were seemingly everywhere.   

Here is a document prepared by NC State and suggested for use by school teachers.

Downtown Street Time for Pedestrians

Downtown Greensboro is closing off sections of South Elm Street to give people a chance to dine and walk out of doors. The above photo was taken last night, and the same event will be happening tonight. If you want to get out and walk a little bit, maybe even get a bite to eat, Greensboro is making every effort to allow you to socialize and be safe.

The above photo was taken in the 300 block of South Elm Street, across from Cheesecakes by Alex. People are dining outside at 1618 downtown and at Jerusalem Market. Look how beautiful Greensboro looks on a warm summer day! The streets got busier as the even went on, but never overly crowded. The sign from Miller Furniture Company remains as a backdrop, even though the store has been gone since 2007. As an aside, Miller Furniture Company was family-owned and open from 1893- 2007; 114 years!

Rotary Club Carousel at Natural Science Center: Soft Opening

Yesterday, the glass garage doors were lifted and people were trying out the Carousel at the Natural Science Center. Only a few were riding yesterday, including the little guy and his dad at the pink flamingo. August 20-23 are the "by invitation only" donor days. The member preview for the Greensboro Science Center members is August 24th-25th. The grand opening for the public is Wednesday August 26th. The cost is $2 for the general public and $1 for science center members. Masks and social distancing is required.

The project was initiated by and largely funded to commemorate 100 years of the Rotary Club of Greensboro. The club in our city dates to 1917 and is one of the earliest clubs- founded only 12 years after Rotary International was founded. If you want to keep up with the happenings at the carousel, it has its own Facebook page (Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel).

Happy Saturday! May these last ten days of August be special. You have ten more days to have a watermelon milk shake at Cook-Out, the perfect item for a pre- or post- visit to the Greensboro Science Center and a carousel ride!

Protest at the Home of the Postmaster General

Irving Park, one of Greensboro's oldest and most established neighborhoods, is not accustomed to seeing protests. Yesterday, at 2:00 pm, a peaceful protest was held there at the home of the Postmaster General of the United States, Louis DeJoy. A few hundred people peacefully assembled, all wearing masks, and many holding up signs, expressing concerns about the changes Mr. DeJoy is making to the organization. Mr. DeJoy's position is that he is making the postal service more efficient and fiscally sound.

It is interesting to know that someone of such national significance lives right here in Greensboro. It is hard to believe that three years have passed already since President Trump visited Mr. DeJoy and his wife, Aldona Wos in 2017 (see here).

Morgan and Sanchez @Outdoor Street Art Gallery

The corner of Pisgah Church Road and Church Street just got a little more visually vibrant. Marty Kotis has expanded his outdoor art initiative to northeast Greensboro. The walking path,  outdoor lights, and 46 panels are installed and primed. Many of them already have art and several are in progress. The above photo features an artistic duo from Raleigh who are sharing a panel in the park, Raymond Sanchez (left) and Morgan Cook (right). Each has a very distinctive style, but find a way to mesh their images into a cohesive scene. Cook, @artofMCK on Instagram is really known for his alphabet lettering. Sanchez @welsed is known for his visual storytelling and teaching art as a "paint and sip" instructor (@welsed on Instagram). It will be fun to follow this dynamic duo and see their panel once they have deemed it complete.

If you want to see graffiti artists, muralists, and graphic designers at work making great art, head out North Church Street and watch. Even though they are extremely busy, in most cases, they will find a few minutes to talk to you about their process and vision for their panel. You can also keep up with progress through Kotis' website, here. So much outdoor art is happening in Greensboro.

Reading the World with Scuppernong Books

Scuppernong Books in downtown Greensboro is hosting a year-long reading series of contemporary fiction in translation from around the globe. The discussions are held the first July of each month. We are a day late in telling you about the July meeting, which snuck up on us and was held last night (see description, here). They met via Zoom and discussed a book from Israel/Palestine. But, it isn't too late to get the book for the August session. it will be from Morocco and is entitled, "The Butcher of Casablanca" by Abdellah Hadouchi. If you call Scuppernong, they will order the book for you (336-763-1919). Anyone can participate. During these times of self-isolation, we all need to get a little creative in staying connected to the world. An international-themed book club with mostly local folks participating sounds like so much fun.

If you look at the above photo, which was taken on Elm Street mid-day on Tuesday, as you can see, the street is empty. Understandably so, there is not much foot traffic these days. So, doing something like ordering a book, and participating in a Zoom call, could be something fun and educational to anticipate in August. 

Have a happy Thursday and may July be filled with good times and fresh vegetables!

Peach Season in NC

It is peach season in North Carolina. Every summer from June - September, with July being peak, some type of peach is available in North Carolina. While they are grown south of Greensboro, in the Sandhills, we have access to great peaches at a great price. The above photo features the peach display at the Harris Teeter at Friendly Center. The beautiful display is front row and center when you enter the building. And, just look at those peach-colored balloons.

Common peach varieties in North Carolina are Biscoe, Candor, Carolina Belle, Derby, and Norman. According to the NC State extension agency, North Carolina is the 7th top peach producer nationally (reference). California, South Carolina, Georgia, and New Jersey are the top four producers of peaches. If you are in search of North Carolina peaches in Greensboro, you can find them at the local farmers markets and several grocery stores. If you want a day trip: Here is a map of places to buy NC peaches throughout the state. In the meantime, the 99¢ a pound peaches at Harris Teeter were very tasty. We did, however, forget to verify whether or not they were NC peaches. Don your best peach colored attire and enjoy the hunt! Happy July!

Blackout NC Demonstration Greensboro

Yesterday afternoon, and into the evening, Greensboro held a Blackout Demonstration led by a new local group, Greensboro Rising. The event started in LeBauer Park and later, proceeded down Elm Street. In the above photo, Lauren Cunningham is singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing".

Lauren has a beautiful, powerful voice and often sings around town. Lauren was one of many people who played a leadership role in yesterday's event.Times are changing and Lauren is an example of someone who has her hand on the pulse of the path to change. As you can see from the above photo, the event was very well attended. The crowd of thousands was diverse with people of all ages and all ethnicities participating.

This Is the Time to Remember: Class of 2020

The graduation season in Greensboro has started, and the public high schools have all organized drive-through ceremonies Students pull up in their car with family members and walk across the stage, one-at-a-time to be recognized, to get their diploma and to officially graduate. Billy Joel's 1986 song "This Is the Time" has so many lines appropriate for the Class of 2020. "This is the time to remember, cause it will not last forever." The Class of 2020 has had to learn to navigate so much change. 

Yesterday, the middle and early colleges held their ceremonies on their respective campuses and the weather was lovely. The above photo took place on the UNCG campus for the Middle College at UNCG. Ms. Andrea Green, Teacher of the Year at the Middle College, called out each student's name. Principal Keisha Brown and Dr. Tony Watlington, Chief of Schools, were also on the dais for the ceremony. To the left, you see photographers on hand to capture the moment on film. Truly, this is a time in their lives they will remember. This has been a pivotal year on so many levels. Hats off to Guilford County Schools for providing a safe and memorable ceremony for all of its graduating seniors. It will be a memory students will hold with them for a lifetime. 

We Stand Together

Yesterday was Day 6 of protests and the first night of a curfew in Greensboro. By 8:00, people were supposed to be off of the streets. According to news media, the night was relatively calm and protesters mostly disbanded at curfew time.  Notice the messages written above, on the boarded up storefront on south Elm Street, "We Stand Together. BLM Forever. Unity. Together We Stand. Together We Change." Walking from one end of Elm Street to the other, and reading the messages on all of the plywood gives us an idea of how people feel and what they want. The messages are largely positive.

To be sure, we at Greensboro Daily Photo don't have the answers. However, people in Greensboro are feeling marginalized, wronged, and angry, and the situation cannot be ignored. From parents, to daycare workers, to teachers, to politicians, to religious communities, and beyond, lots of conversations need to take place. May we find a way for all to have their voice heard. 

Sunday Afternoon on Elm Street

Greensboro has a long and rich history with the Civil Rights Movement. With two historically black colleges and universities in Greensboro, Bennett College and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and several other institutions of higher education, our city pays very close attention to issues related to social justice. Yesterday afternoon, people made their way to Elm Street for Day 2 of protests. The four women above, were passing through the 500 Block of South Elm Street. By 6pm, large crowds of young people from diverse backgrounds had congregated on South Elm. Every indication was that the protests would be peaceful. After Day 1, some storefronts needed to be boarded up. Others, boarded up, just in case. 

Only time will tell the direction events will take. Perhaps Greensboro will again play a leadership role on the continued path to social justice, like they did in the 1960's during the Sit-Ins.  However, we cannot deny that a lot of work needs to be done, regardless where each of us stands on issues. Largely, Greensboro's downtown business owners are known for being allies, supporting people from all walks of life. Hopefully, Day 2 remained peaceful. 

Floral Installation at Cone Health

Floral designer Lewis Miller has taken NYC by storm with his flash floral installations!*  As you can see in the above photo, Greensboro received its own impromptu, floral installation this past week. Tonya Anderson, owner and passionate designer at ABBA Designs, created the above installation. She said, after seeing Miller's creations, she knew she wanted to design one for Greensboro. Tonya made the arrangement to thank healthcare workers and to simply spark joy during this difficult time. Truly, the act was one of generosity and giving back to the community as Tonya didn't even put up signage to show that the flowers were from her shop.  ABBA is that beautiful little shop, a sort of oasis in the 700 block of Eugene street, not too far from Deep Roots Market.

Together with her assistant, Carrie Little, the duo worked their design magic. They spread 300 roses- that's 25 dozen- around the Cone Health sign at Wesley Long, on the Friendly Avenue side. If you see Tanya or Carrie, be sure to thank them for their generosity. If you need someone to design flowers for a special event, give them a call. See other examples of the ABBA aesthetic, here. Stop back tomorrow, and we'll feature Tonya herself, as seen via our Zoom call! Unfortunately, the installation is no longer there, but the memory will stay with us for a very long time.

 

*see here for some of Miller's floral installations.

 

Shops Opening Back Up

The above photo shows people waiting in line to enter the Spectrum store this past Sunday at Friendly Center. Slowly, stores are opening up. Some people are more diligent then others about wearing masks, but for the most part people were maintaining reasonable physical distance. There was also a line a couple of stores over at Pier 1 as they are going out of business. Several people were inside Barnes and Noble; one woman, purchasing a puzzle, said that was the first store she had been other than a grocery store since mid-March. Another woman was purchasing a book for her book club. 

As the weather warms up and schools come to a close, it will be interesting to see how people spend their time. People seem eager to get out and spend time together... but apart. Happy Tuesday. Happy, almost summer.

Congratulations 2020 Graduates!

Our 2020 graduates are having a year to remember. Living in quarantine is especially hard for high school seniors who were not able to have prom, an awards ceremony, or graduation ceremony. In North Carolina, colleges also finished spring semester remotely. One way to compensate is that schools are providing families with yard cards to recognize their graduates. The above yard in northwest Greensboro has two graduates. Andrew is graduating from Wesleyan Christian Academy, a private K-12 school in High Point. Elizabeth is graduating from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Congratulations to the two of you.

This year will be one to look back on,  and surely, something good will come from your sacrifices. Maybe this situation will help you define your career path. To all of our graduates, and others who are celebrating milestones in quarantine, in Greensboro and beyond, congratulations. If you know someone with a senior or see one of these cards in a yard, perhaps you can find some special gesture to help the graduates feel special. Happy Friday, dear readers!

Heather & Victor: Lock of Love

The bridge on the greenway near Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro is slowly starting to fill with locks of love. People put locks on the chain link fencing. If it is a lock with a key, often, the lock gets thrown into the water. The above lock, a combination Masterlock, was placed there by Heather and Victor. We aren't sure when this tradition began, but we hadn't noticed noticed this tradition prior to COVID-19.

This tradition of placing locks on bridges is also one that is popular in Paris, France. Perhaps the most famous case is Pont des Arts Bridge over the Seine River at the Louvre. The bridge was cleared of locks in 2015, and already, they report having a million locks put back on since then, which equates to 45 tons. The average car weight 2 tons or 4,000 pounds. So, if you are inclined to add a lock to a fence, know that you are contributing to tons of extra weight. Still, it is kind of a sweet thought and it is interesting that it has spread to Greensboro and, the action is not exactly impulsive. It took a lot of pre planning for Heather and Victor to get their lock engraved and leave it above Lake Brandt.

Face-To-Face School Has Concluded For This Academic Year

Yesterday, Governor Cooper informed us that school will not resume face-to-face in North Carolina this year. Students will continue with online learning. The above photo features the busses at Grimsley High School, just west of downtown Greensboro. The busses sit there in the parking lot, silent for the rest of the school year.

Greensboro, High Point, and Guilford County all have very dedicated teachers who are delivering lessons online. Regardless of what decisions get made about grading, hopefully students are intrinsically motivated and will want to have the opportunity to continue to learn and grow. Everyone is new at teaching, learning, and surviving a pandemic. Let's hope that we flatten the curve in Greensboro (and beyond) and that our residents, especially students, will thrive. Happy Saturday! Does it feel like the weekend?

GREENSBORO STRONG

GREENSBORO STRONG! As we've been quarantined for over a month and non-essential businesses have been closed, it is so refreshing to drive by Friendly Center and see the GREENSBORO STRONG sign. Hopefully the Friendly Center businesses will make it through this difficult time. The essential businesses in the center seem to be staying relatively busy. Harris Teeter and Whole Foods keep locals supplied with food. Gate City Pharmacy, located in Friendly Center, will bring your prescription out to the car if you call ahead and make arrangements.

With Moses Cone just a block east, we are all reminded why we are staying home. In the meantime, driving from one essential chore to the next have a peek at what your friends, neighbors, and favorite businesses are doing to remain GREENSBORO STRONG. We're betting this sign was brought to us by TRIAD YARD CARDS, a local business started by a Grimsley High School Student. What a fabulous idea, to greet people with a custom message! Seeing GREENSBORO STRONG is just what the doctor ordered!

 

Dogs of Greensboro:London

During this time of quarantine, many people with pets are getting to spend a lot more time with them. Greensboro residents love their dogs and cats. The above photo features London, a soft-coated Wheaton terrier who lives in the Westerwood area. In true Wheaton tradition, London is super friendly, energetic, and playful.  Something unique about London is that he loves to have his photo taken! He should model! We had to remind him that we were physically distancing and couldn't touch him (since we are not his owners).

Seeing people out walking with their canines is a little bit of a distraction from spending most of the day in the house- a good diversion for the dogs, the dog walkers, and the people passing by. However, it is important to remember to interact socially while also physically distancing. It is fun, though, to learn the names of the dogs of Greensboro. We give London a four paws up in personality and temperament and were so enthralled with him that we forgot to ask his owner her name. Happy Thursday.

Trees Down in Recent Bad Weather

Sunday night and Monday morning brought severe storms to the Greensboro/Piedmont region. Cell phones were beeping a little after 5am yesterday with a tornado warning. The public schools cancelled their food distribution ahead of time due to concerns over the storm. Fortunately damage was not as bad as it could have been in the Greensboro area.

The above photo shows a tree that fell during a recent wind storm. Considering how bad the damage could have been, the house on this property was relatively spared. The guys in the photo are the crew from Bill's Tree Service that cut up the 90' tree, hauled it away, and cleaned up all of the mess the tree left behind. It pays to have good insurance and a little bit of good luck in these situations. We so desperately need our mature tree canopy, but is is a challenge to figure out which trees are healthy and which are at risk of falling. Here's to sunny day today full of smiles and laughter.

Thank you Postal Workers

Yes, there is a street in Greensboro called Merlot Way. It is located in a neighborhood known as Laurel Park, across from the Spears Y, off of Horse Pen Creek Road. On one of the mailboxes in the neighborhood is a message thanking the postal workers. While that note is touching, it is especially heartwarming that the postal carrier left a response, "Loved your note. T(hank) Y(ou).

Driving a truck as a postal carrier can be an isolating, stressful job. Unless you have a permanent route, it can be hard to master the logic of a route. Now, in this era where we are supposed to remain home, postal workers are considered essential and continue to deliver the mail daily. Something as easy as expressing gratitude, orally or in writing, to these essential employees can bring great joy to the recipient. May we lift our glasses and join us in a virtual toast to this family on Merlot Way (even if we are only drinking grape juice). 

Thank You First Responders

Today's photo is of Wesley Long Hospital, taken from Green Valley Road. While not always part of the Cone Health network, Wesley Long has served the Greensboro community since 1917. Wesley Long was named for Dr. John Wesley Long; indeed, there was a Wesley Long! The hospital prides itself on being community-based. It is a 175 room, private-bed hospital. The staff members at Wesley Long are doing their best to treat patients who present symptoms of the corona virus, while trying to contain the virus and help prevent the spread.

A heartfelt thank you to all the first responders, at Wesley Long and beyond. Happy Tuesday, readers!

Free Books

As we continue with all but essential businesses closed, disposing of unwanted items has limited options. You can't donate to thrift stores; you can't sell books to used bookstores. You can sell some things online, throw items away, or put them at the street and offer them away for free. Even then, people are reluctant to touch anything that has been in the hands of others.

At any rate, offering books for free is a very nice gesture. The books in this box were very popular, contemporary fiction titles. Someone would love to read them. The books in this spontaneous, "pop up" library were being offered in northeast Greensboro. However, many neighborhoods in Greensboro have Little Free Libraries. If you are interested in setting up a LFL in your neighborhood, read the history and find a map of where they are already located, see here. In the meantime, continue find ways to experience social interaction while maintaining social distance. Happy Wednesday... and today's post is not an April Fool's joke!

Mystery of the Purloined Mug...

Good morning, Greensboro! Are you walking more during this time of distancing? We sure are! On a walk yesterday evening, we spotted this mug discretely placed on the ground, beside a tree on the edge of a golf course in northwest Greensboro. The whole story about how it got here is a curious mystery. 

In a way, these times we are living through are like something of a previous century when people found ways to entertain themselves without leaving home. Sure, we have the internet and social media now. Yes, in an odd way, we can sit around and ponder things that might never be given a second thought when we are home less. To be sure, we're going to follow the mystery of the blue and white porcelain mug. It is in perfect condition. Does someone drink from it daily? Did someone forget it when they were doing yard work nearby? Did someone leave it simply to make us curious? I it a purloined mug? So many questions and so much imagination during this time of quarantine.