Greensboro Daily Photo

HPU Christmas Display

Greensboro/Guilford County is so lucky to have 6 institutions of higher education-- IHEs  (Bennett College, Greensboro College, Guilford College, High Point University, NCA&T, and UNC Greensboro). While not in Greensboro, High Point University (HPU)  is just down the road and still in the same county. In an era when many IHEs are struggling with declining enrollments, High Point University continues to thrive, adding programs, majors, and buildings before our very eyes. They bill themselves as "the premier life skills university" and is ranked as "the nation's #1 best run college."  Located in the heart of High Point, home of Furniture Market, HPU focuses on majors directly related to the 21st century job market, and it is paying off. 

As a way of giving back to community, for a week at Christmas, they host a drive-through light show. It is a fabulous way to see the campus and to celebrate Christmas. The light show boasts more than 100,000 lights, 235 12'tall nutcrackers, a life-size Nativity scene, and the state's tallest Christmas tree, a whopping 70' tall.  Today, we're featuring the nativity scene on this, the 5th day of Christmas on the Advent calendar.

High Point University is affiliated with the United Methodist Church, that founded the then-college in 1924. Oh, how this university has grown over the last 100 years. They bill themselves as Christian by tradition and interfaith by vision. We are so glad we finally got to see the Christmas display. It is a fabulous way to tour the campus. Unfortunately, the light show is finished for the season. It will take a while to disassemble and be ready for spring semester. In the meantime, we're wondering where the 235 12' nutcrackers are stored for the year.

Happy Sunday!

Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa Coincide

Today is the fourth day of Hanukkah, the fourth day of Christmas,  and the third day of Kwanzaa. The first day of Christmas is always December 25th. The first day of Kwanzaa is always December 26th. However, Hanukkah does not have a fixed date and this year, the first of the eight days was on December 25th. The last time this happened was in 2005, and the two holidays have only coincided four times since 1900. While all three holidays have a different significance, they all celebrate light. In the northern hemisphere, we are in the darkest days in December and these holidays remind us of the importance of light.

Yesterday was overcast, dark, and dreary. But, if you knew where to look in the Greensboro area, you could find light. Last night was the final evening of the Christmas light display at High Point University and about 800 cars were estimated to have gone through. The Winter Wonder Lights were going strong at the Greensboro Science Center. A Kwanzaa celebration was held at Peeler Recreational Center and continues for all seven days of Kwanzaa. Hanukkah was being celebrated at Temple Emanuel on Jefferson Road. Last night was also the Jewish Sabbath, so the celebration was especially moving. Whatever or however you celebrate, know there is light and it starts from within; however, candles are a warm reminder.

Happy Saturday!

303 S Chapman Street: The Grinch Report...

Christmas has come and gone, but decorations still abound, especially in the Sunset Hills neighborhood. The above house at 303 South Chapman Street is quite a sight to behold for those who love animated characters. They've got Sponge Bob, Minions, the Grinch, Santa, and more! Sunset Hills is known for the light balls hurled high in the trees and they are a sight to behold. However, it is also fun to find other homes with Christmas spirit and 303 South Chapman does, indeed, have holiday spirit. The owners have been in the home for a couple of years, but they realize they are part of a neighborhood that values decorating. Their home is right down the street from Our Lady of Grace (OLG) Church and School. We imagine the children headed to and from OLG delight in seeing these decorations. We sure do.

Built in 1940, this house is a lot larger that it appears from this street view. Built in 1940, this WWII home has four bedrooms, three bathrooms. It was renovated in 2008 (and maybe since then) and has been well maintained. Perhaps the Grinch is aggravated with his neighbors and all of the balls in the trees. Somehow, we have the feeling, the Christmas spirit is not in danger in this great neighborhood. The Grinch hopes your holiday is everything you hoped it would be.

Happy Thursday!

Nativity Scene at Mt. Pisgah Church on Christmas Eve 2024

Happy Christmas Eve. The above photo is the nativity scene in front of Mount Pisgah Global Methodist Church on Pisgah Church Road at Battleground Avenue. The display lights up the corner at Battleground Avenue.  We love how when we zoom out, the scene seen, when taken as a whole, almost looks like a tiny Putz with miniature figures, like the one we saw at the First Moravian Church. Actually, those figures are life-size and lovely in color. If you are local, and you like to see lovely nativity scenes when out admiring Christmas decorations, this one is very nice. 

The Mount Pisgah Church nativity scenes, we were intrigued to see one in place at Centenary United Methodist Church on West Friendly Avenue at Ridgeway. According to their marquee, they are having service at 5:00 p.m. tonight. Even though Centenary Church has been retired and since the property sold to Cone Health, tonight will be a very special opportunity to enjoy a service there. However you spend Christmas Eve., may it be special in every way.

The Legacy of the Wagoners Selling Christmas Trees

The Wagoners first got involved in trees through a 4-H project back in the 1940s. The Wagoners planted red cedars in Gibsonville to help raise money for their 16-year0old twins for college. Over the last 35 years, Greensboro residents have come to associate the name Fred and Dot Wagoner with Christmas tree lots.  The Wagoner business is now owned by Bradley Lowe who continues to use the Wagoner name. From arriving to the tree lot, under the multiple story inflatable snowman, to getting a Christmas tree wrapped and loaded in the car, the whole process of buying a live tree is meant to be a memory-maker for families. 

The above lot is located in the 1600 block of Battleground Avenue, beside Shannon Lee Furniture and the former location of McKay's Books.  You can't miss it. When we saw the lot on Friday, there were plenty of trees; however, we don't know how much longer they'll be set up. It is so much fun watching the little ones run through a tree lot. Fred died in 2011 and Dot died in 2020. * They are gone, but their legacy lives on.

Happy Monday! Happy day before Christmas Eve.

*See Dot's obituary, HERE.

Part of the Putz at the First Moravian Church of Greensboro

A "Putz" is a depiction of the story of Jesus' birth. It is a cherished Moravian tradition. The above photo features about 1/3 of the Putz at the First Moravian Church of Greensboro, located on South Elam Avenue. The whole display takes up an entire stage. We figured a close up of a segment would be more meaningful than a view from afar where no details are visible. Most of the features are a few inches or less. This tradition dates back to the 18th century.  The word originates from the German word, "putzen" to decorate

The Moravian religion, also known as Unitas Fratrum or Unity of Brethren, dates back to  1457 near Prague. The first Moravians settled in the Piedmont area of North Carolina in 1753.  It was not until 155 years later that the first Greensboro Moravian Church was organized (1908) on East Lee Street, and the church at 304 South Elam opened in 1949. Greensboro has a lot of religious diversity and it continues to diversity. Anyone who is Christian, or likes learning about other religions, should stop by the First Moravian Church for a service and to see the Putz. The Moravians have so many beautiful traditions,

Happy Last Sunday before Christmas!

Greensboro Cultural Center

The Greensboro Cultural Center on Davie Street downtown is home to many non-profit arts organizations. There are art galleries, dance, and music studios. Here is a list of tenants. We love the cloth flags on display during the Festival of Lights. We aren't sure who installed it. Perhaps it was part of the Greensboro Residency for Original Works. The artwork hanging on the ceiling was such a great backdrop for framing photos. It is so fun to explore the Cultural Center because there is always something great to see. 

Happy Tuesday!

 

The Running of the Balls 2024

Tonight's the night, the annual Running of the Balls in Sunset Hills. The 5K race will start at 6:00 p.m. in the dark, through the Greensboro neighborhood that garnered national attention for filling the mature trees with these round balls of  colorful light.  Tonight marks the 12th year of the event and nearly 50,000 people have participated. According to their website, over 10,000 balls have been hung and the community fundraiser have made possible nearly 6,000,000 meals through Second Harvest Food Bank. That is an impressive number and the display the neighborhood installs is equally impressive. Indeed, we are Greensboro proud, and we don't even live in this great neighborhood. 

You may remember, earlier in the month, we interviewed the family that lives in the above photo. Their home, alone, is installing 65 balls. The display is so much prettier in person than it is in this photograph. If you are local, you'll have to get out an see for yourself. However, don't go tonight, unless, of course, you have signed up for the race. If you are looking for a great place to live, consider Greensboro... consider Sunset Hills. Oh, if you do move into a home in this neighborhood, there is an unwritten expectation for you to participate in this event.

Happy Saturday!

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

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

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

Happy Tuesday!

Sunset Hills at Sunset

We don't usually post nature photos two days in a row, but yesterday's sunset was so beautiful. This is an east-facing view of Sunset Hills yesterday, a little after 5:00 p.m. The western sky was a fiery red glow, but something about the pink tint cast here was so warm and calming. The archway shows you one of the many architectural details found in this well-established neighborhood. Sunset Hills was first established in the mid 1920s and has continued to be a popular neighborhood for the last 100 years. Development here continued through the 1950s. Over the last couple decades, the trend has been to take the smaller houses and add on to them, as is the case with the above home.  In an earlier iteration, it was a one-story, red brick home without a two car garage.

While visiting in the neighborhood, yesterday, we were reminded that next week, Sunset Hills residents will once again be shooting those round, chickenwire light balls way high in the trees. This has been a Sunset Hills tradition for over a decade. Twelve years ago, the annual, 5K run/walk was instituted beneath a breathtaking canopy of lights. Nearly 50,000 people have participated in "The Running of the Balls" and almost 6 million meals have been provided via Second Harvest. We don't know if they are still accepting reservations for the December 12th event (see HERE). We do know, if you want a calm, unadorned chance to enjoy a walk through the neighborhood, you might want to do so soon, as it is about to be the most jolly, festive, adorned time of year for this neighborhood with so much character.

Happy Tuesday!

Ruth Rachel Roberts

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

 

St Andrews Episcopal Church Holiday Photo Opportunity

St. Andrews Episcopal Church, located at the corner of Kensington Road and West Market Street, has the cutest little Christmas display. This set up is located on the Kensington side of the church- across from the parking lot where the Corner Farmers Market sets up. It is the perfect place for a family holiday photo shoot. This is such a good idea for a church to connect to the wider community. The part of the door, above the wreath is open, so people can stand behind it. Another cute pose would be to have a child trying to open the door, or knocking on it. Or Santa outside approaching the door and a child looking out the window in wonderment. 

The only thing that would make a photo here cuter would be to have snow. However, it hasn't snowed in Greensboro since January 2022, over 1,000 days, and WFMY-2 is hesitant to predict whether or not it is likely to snow this year. Currently, there is no snow in the forecast. While we are pondering winter weather, we encourage you to attend a service at St. Andrews. Also, mark your calendar for Saturday, December 7th from 10:00 am- 3:00 pm. It is the day of the St. Andrews  annual holiday festival and market. There will be many gift opportunities for everybody. 

Happy Sunday!

Trunk or Treat at Morehead United Methodist Church

Yesterday was a beautiful, fall day. The sky was blue and the weather warm. The above photo features one small section of the Morehead United Methodist Church on Horse Pen Creek Road. Trunk or Treat is a way for children to interact with a church and get Halloween candy without having to traipse through the neighborhood at night. Earliest records of this initiative date to the early 1990s.*  A popular costume for the adults at their cars was dressing as a hippy. One man dressed as an avocado. The children were princesses, skeletons, dinosaurs, and a little bit of everything. All of the costumes we were store bought.

If you are interested in learning more about Morehead Church, Pastor Shytle would be a good person to contact. Even better, attend one of his services and you will have an even better idea of his preaching style. He took the head pastor position at Morehead about a year ago. Morehead is a dynamic, community oriented church. They have lots of events in the parking lot, open to the public. They are even a polling place. Morehead is likely a second home to Pastor Shytle, as it is for many of the congregants.

Happy Sunday!

If you missed this event, do an internet search for "Greensboro 2024 Trunk or Treat" and others will pop up. On Tuesday there will be one right down the road from Morehead at Cone Health MedCenter on Drawbridge Parkway.

*see HERE.

Fall Is Pumpkin Time!

Tis fall and pumpkin season is upon up. It seems like every few years a new variety of pumpkin is trending. This year, it seems to be the striped ones. Traditionally, the first pumpkins of the season we saw were the ones at Centenary UMC on Friendly Avenue. Now that that congregation has been dissolved, the first pumpkins we've seen this year are at Fresh Market. They have a lovely display in front of both stores. The above photo was taken at the Jefferson Village store. The sky was so beautiful, we just had to capture a photo.

Unless they are already on shelves in Greensboro, pumpkins may be a little harder to come by this year. According to the NC Cooperative Extension, most of the pumpkin production in North Carolina takes place in the western counties where  disease pressure is lower (reference).  The you pick option is open for pumpkins at Rudd Farm and some of the proceeds from sales the weekend will go to Hurricane Helene relief. If you are able, consider buying from local farmers. As the weather cools, nothing says fall more than pumpkins... oh, and pumpkin spice. Speaking of fresh market, they even have pumpkin spice popcorn, "Poppy" brand from Asheville. (We only found it at the Jefferson Village location).

Happy Friday from the Great pumpkin lovers at Greensboro Daily Photo!

Lavender- Expert on Haute Couture & Everything Vintage

Meet Lavender Tatum, truly an expert on everything vintage and haute couture.  The above photo was taken at the Greensboro History Museum this summer during their "Forties Flashback Family Fun Day."  Lavender, who only graduated from high school a few years ago, but is quite a timeless old-soul when it comes to knowing the history and provenance of items, especially clothing. Lavender volunteered at the history museum's Forties Flashback event not only bringing items to display, but also to help dress docents in period clothing. The above dresses are part of a collection Lavender brought to the event. Lavender meticulously restored the above beaded, silk, & tulle dress and has all of the original documentation, including the NYC designer's original drawings and the bill of sale. Knowing the provenance of the dress, a collector of NYC couture will easily value it at several thousand dollars. 

Lavender co-owns Revision Vintage, located at 313 East Market Street and also has a personal business Duck Lane Vintage. The latest item to appear in a Duck Lane Vintage Instagram story is an introduction to Glenny, a meticulously detailed 1937 Jaguar town car in perfect condition. We can't wait to hear the stories about the adventures of Glenny and where he lands. We also look forward to many years of following the adventures of Lavender who is truly a local expert and lover of the history of items made and used by humans over the decades.  In this era of living virtually, where photos, movies, games and more are housed on cell phones, it seems the younger generations don't collect anything. To find someone who appreciates and has great expertise on vintage items is special. After spending the afternoon together and getting a great interview, we failed to ask about the origin of the name- Lavender. Oh well, we'll save that question for the next interview. Revision Vintage opens at 1:00 today.  Now that the sun is shining and the rain has stopped, we just may head down there and see what's new; or old.

Happy Saturday!

 

Pride and Prejudice at Van Dyke Theatre

Saturday evening was very special. At the Van Dyke Theatre in Downtown Greensboro, Tara Raczenski (second from left) and her cast of amazing actors performed a musical comedy of Jane Austen's 1813 book "Pride and Prejudice". The story was adapted into a musical play by Tara Raczenski, who also wrote the lyrics and songs. She also assembled a very talented cast of actors from many local theatre groups. Tara also performed the role of Mrs. Bennet. In the play, Mrs. Bennet is mother to five daughters with very different characters. By the end of the play, the audience knew and loved the characters. The musical arrangement by Chris Tilley is catchy, memorable, and on point with the play. He was also music director and accompanist. Of the twenty unique songs in the musical, we especially loved the snappy opening number, "This Is England". 

Tara Raczenski, originally from Kentucky, earned a theatre degree from Oral Roberts University.  In addition to acting, she has held a variety of theatre positions in Guilford and Forsyth County.  We predict this show will make it to Tanger Center and then to Broadway. Can we please slip it into the 2024-2025 Broadway series at Tanger Center? All of the local high school students could be offered an opportunity to go see it. 

Happy Tuesday!

 

 

 

Shannon Lee Furniture

Shannon Lee (above) has relocated her business, Shannon Lee Furniture & Decor, from Kernersville to Greensboro. Her warehouse is now in the former hardware store beside the former McKay's Bookstore on Battleground Avenue. She is a hardworking business person who, by chance, landed in North Carolina. Shannon is originally from Ohio, but spent much of her life in Jacksonville, FL.  In her previous career, she traveled working on international soccer events. In 2006, Shannon stopped in Mebane and a stranger noticed her NYC energy and suggest she sit and rest for a minute.  She was so struck by southern hospitality.  The kindness of people to each other in the South convinced her North Carolina would be a great place to live. By 2008, she had relocated here and hasn't looked back. She is such an interesting person In our quick interview with her, we learned she was featured on the Converse website when they featured her 30 days of wearing Converse tennis shoes. Those are the only shoes she wears and actually has 260+ pairs. We think she should set a goal of having a different pair a day for a whole year!

If you need furniture, Shannon has all-new, factory close-outs and overstocks in her showroom. Arrive at Shannon Lee Furniture with measurements because her furniture and accessories sell quickly. As proud as Shannon is of her very difficult journey to becoming a successful business owner, she is most proud of her children. Stop in and welcome her to Greensboro-  and see what color Converse Chuck's she is wearing! To be sure, we want her to stay!

Happy Saturday!

Look Twice Clocks

This weekend, we were eating brunch at the bar at The Sage Mule at 608 Battleground Avenue, near Green Hill Cemetery when we spotted the above clock. Actually there was one of these clocks on each beam between the north bank of windows. The clocks were made by woodcarver David M. Hinshaw.  They are called Look Twice Clocks because the hour hand it on the top and the minute hand is on the bottom. Can you tell what time it is? 

The clock in the photo is made of spalted maple with walnut plugs. The plugs represent the hour. It is wonderful to eat at a local restaurant and see local art (available for sale) on the wall. Also, we love creativity of this woodworking project. We had never seen one before. Analog clocks are going the way of cursive writing; so it takes a special person to add yet another step to reading analog time: Split hands.  If you didn't figure it out, the current time on the above clock is 9:27.

Happy Monday!

Eclectic by Nature (Formerly, My Secret Garden)

The other day we were walking along Bradford Street heading toward State Street, looked up and saw the above view. It is the house at 414 State Street which houses the business, Eclectic by Nature. It is a woman-owned store that specializes in spirituality products and gift items. If you want crystals, incense, journals, oils, candles, and more, this is your place to go. It is a house full of items and special events. There is always something on the event calendar. 

Not only is the shop beautiful, but the grounds are inspiring, as you can see from the photo above. They way the light shines on the redbud tree leave and the flag is so pretty. Had we panned out in the photo you would see wildflowers, a gate of lovers' locks and more,  all coming together in such a beautiful way. There is even a free little library in the front yard. We like this store, but are also nostalgic for the plant and yard ornament/statuary shop that used to be in this house. It was called My Secret Garden. These locally owned business are so fun to visit, especially in the summer.  If you want to read more about State Street, read this great "Yes! Weekly" article (see HERE).

Happy Tuesday!

Brooks Global, In Progress

We love to drive by new school construction and check on progress. The above photo is of Brooks Global Elementary School as it stands now, located just behind the Greensboro Arboretum. This is one of the six schools that have been funded with bond money. The state-of-the-art design will fit an 80,000 sq. ft. building on an 8-acre lot. There will be solar panels and ceiling tiles made of recycled material; all visible to students so they can learn about sustainable energy. The school will have large windows to help bring the outdoors in and students will be able to walk across the street to the Arboretum.* An outdoor classroom in anticipated to be a popular feature.

The building is starting to look like a school. If you want to see people hard at work, get there before 3:30, when the construction crew winds up for the day. When we visited yesterday, we saw people hard at work. The process and progress are fascinating. Those will be some lucky teachers and students who have the privilege of teaching and learning here. Hopefully, photos of the construction will be available to be archived.

Happy Friday!

*reference and more information, HERE.

 

 

Prom 2024 Season is Upon Us!

Prom season is upon us in Greensboro. Students throughout Guilford County will be attending prom over the next several weeks. It is such a jubilant time with seniors enjoying their last couple of months together. Last night, all of the middle colleges held their prom together at George K's at the corner of Gate City Boulevard and High Point Road. Students looked so beautiful and they were on their best behavior. Teacher chaperones were commenting at how grown up their students looked. The DJ took requests from the crowd and students danced the night away. It was good, clean fun. The food was good small plate food (chicken fingers, egg rolls, fruit, and more), but most prom groups go out to eat beforehand and didn't seem that interested in food. The theme, "Bling, Bling, It's a Hollywood Thing" was perfect from the backdrop for photos and the glittery dresses.

Congratulations to the graduating class of 2024. Finish strong, and remember this night forever. If you have a graduating senior in your life, trust them, encourage them,  love them, and cherish every moment. They are growing up. 

Happy Saturday!

Eid Mubarak!

Today, Muslims around the world are celebrating the completion of Ramadan, the end of the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. It has been a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Muslims in Greensboro will be at the Greensboro Coliseum on Gate City Boulevard as well as at mosques praying and enjoying the fellowship with family and friends. Everyone will be wearing new outfits. Men will be sporting new haircuts and everyone's favorite foods and desserts will be shared. Eid-al-Fitr celebrates Allah's providing strength and endurance, and is a time of great charity.

The above photo features the hands of a group of Muslim students at the Middle College at UNCG. They have had henna applied to their hands, in most cases having done it themselves. Applying henna is a communal tradition that builds a sense of sisterhood and community. According to the US Religion Census (updated March 26, 2024), there are 130,661 Muslims in North Carolina, 11th in number by state. Guilford County Schools has a diverse student population and the district makes every effort to ensure all students have a positive experience. The Middle College at UNCG has a diverse student population. It is a high school that focuses on health and life sciences. These very hands will someday be our doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals. May they enjoy this special day.

Eid Mubarak, Blessed Feast!

Window Displays on Elm Street

Do you love to window shop? Some cities are knows for window displays, especially NYC. Downtown Greensboro, on Elm Street, some stores consistently have inspiring window displays Oscar Oglethorpe Optometry (OOO), on 226 South Elm Street, is one such place.The above photo features their current window display. The eyes play with the theme of what happens inside the store. The hearts are a nod to Valentine's Day. The pops of pink brighten up an otherwise gray winter day. The multi- talented Rafa, an Oscar Oglethorpe employee, designed the window.

Oscar Oglethorpe is located in the Ellis Stone building, which was constructed in 1949. It was a locally-owned department store back when downtown department stores were all the rage across America. Its style is modernist and it was put on the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. This building is a fine example of downtown Greensboro's efforts to maintain the integrity of the look of Elm Street of yesteryear, while updating interiors to keep stores relevant to the expectations of shoppers. When the lighting is right, this OOO building makes a backdrop for a photo shoot. The above pair just happened to walk into view as we were photographing the facade. Head downtown and have a look for yourself.

Happy Saturday!

Festive House at 2505 West Market Street

This past Saturday was the Running of the Balls in Greensboro, where about 5,000 people ran through Sunset Hills celebrating the colorful lights wrapped around chicken wire balls and hanging high in the mature trees. The event was a very successful fundraiser for a local food bank. The above house is in the Sunset Hills neighborhood, even though it is not quite in the line of the running course. However, with the leafless winter trees, they can see the festivities from the yard. We love the fact that the owners of this house add their own spin on decorating. They also have Moravian stars and look at those giant ornaments on the ground in front of the door.

As you can see from the photo, 2505 West Market Street is a large Colonial home, often referred to as 5 (windows an the second floor) 4 (windows on the ground level) and a door: Five, four, and a door. The house was  built in 1937 on nearly 1/2 acre. At the time it was built, it would have been on the western outskirts of Greensboro.  Today, it almost feels as if it is in the heart of town. This house is located near the intersection with West Greenway. The current owners have owned the house for the last sixteen years. We're betting they are the ones who painted the red brick white. The sidewalk in front of the home make this section of the neighborhood very walkable.

Happy Monday!

Center City Tree Lighting 2023

The Festival of Lights was held Friday, December 1st, with the annual tree lighting just before 7:00 pm. In anticipation, people had been milling around downtown, shopping at LeBauer Park, ice skating, spending time in the Cultural Arts Center and listening to live music on Davie Street- which was only open to pedestrian traffic near the park. As the time grew closer for the lighting of the tree, the crowds grew thicker with small children hoisted on parents' shoulders, and cell phones primed for the perfect shot. After the lighting couples captured photos kissing with the tree as a backdrop. Some of this anticipation and joy is captured in the above photo. Always special for us is fitting a little bit of the Lincoln Financial Group building in the scene. 

Check back this week, we'll be featuring lots of around-town, slide-of-life views.  May we all find ways to illuminate these low days of December. Remember, "Nothing can dim the light from within" (Maya Angelou). 

Happy Monday!

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!

 

Carriage House Antiques at Golden Gate Shopping Center

We happened to be in the neighborhood around Golden Gate Shopping Center recently and had the chance to stop into Carriage House Antiques. The plaza is conveniently located between the Irving Park neighborhood and Revolution Mill. Golden Gate opened in 1961, four years after Friendly Center, and has seen many changes over the years. Carriage House Antiques has been a go-to place in that part of town for high-end antiques and original works of art. It is clean, well organized, with a helpful staff. The merchandise changes frequently and it is fun to go in and see what is new. They also have a little bit of jewelry and a lot of small decorative objects. 

The potted geraniums at the door make such a bright and cheerful welcome. They look so healthy and are still blooming in October. You can tell by the conversations happening in the store, it is the kind of place where people get to know each other quickly, as well as check in on each other. Lampshades plus, formerly known as Hyalin Lamps (featured here in 2020) is located inside. So, if you need a lampshade, with expertise in picking it out, this is a great place!

It is the weekend! May it be filled with good food and fellowship, whether you are in Greensboro or elsewhere. Happy Friday!

Pumpkin Time in Greensboro

It is pumpkin time in Greensboro. As a matter of fact, they are selling quickly. Most youth organizations at churches are manning pumpkin patches on the front lawn. They are such an iconic sign of fall, and Halloween for those who celebrate. Pumpkins, hay rides, corn maizes, pumpkin spice everything, and spooky woods venues are all throughout the county this time of year.  The above photo was taken at the Fresh Market on Lawndale, after a busy weekend of selling pumpkins. In addition to grocery stores and the pumpkin patch fundraisers, you can find the at Rudd Farm, Garden Valley Farmers Market, McLaurin Farms, Summerfield Farms, to name a few.

Another popular event this time of year is at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro (less than an hour away).  They are hosting "Boo at the Zoo" the next two weekends (see HERE). The Greensboro Science Center will show you "scary" animals, like giant,  hissing cockroaches, and other animals like scorpions that glow under UV light. If you haven't been to the zoo or the science center, this is a great time to go. You won't be disappointed. You also won't be disappointed if you head to Fresh Market, or to one of the church pumpkin patches- especially if you turn the selection into some kind of annual tradition. That reminds us, we still need to get ours!

Happy Monday!

Halloween, First Friday, and Weekend Fun

Yesterday afternoon, we were at Friendly Center and parked beside this wild and crazy jeep. It reminded us that it October is a time for fall fun, and, for many, Halloween is a big part of that fun. This jeep was decorated from top to bottom and from front to back. The North Carolina vanity tag is "ROLL-IT" and the snapchat name is "Mckuntry." We're betting this jeep echos the personality of the driver. The playfulness of the vehicle contrasts greatly with the more formal and elegant Schiffman's/Rolex in the background. 

Today is First Friday and like you will see vehicles like this one strolling up and down Elm Street. To be sure, merchants and restaurants will welcome you! From LeBauer Park to Gate City Boulevard, downtown Greensboro will be hopping tonight. Hope to see you there!

Happy First Friday!

Flamboyance of Flamingos

A group of flamingos is called a flamboyance. A flamboyance of flamingos has landed at 1812 Walker Avenue. Earlier this month (September 4th) flamingos were spotted at the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge at the Outer Banks in North Carolina. They were about 1,000 miles north of their usual habitat. Well, the above photos are also in an unexpected habitat, in a yard in Sunset Hills. Traditionally, this is a church youth group fundraiser; people install flamingos and you pay to have them removed. If you want to see live flamingos, you don't have to drive far. The Greensboro Science Center maintains a flamboyance of flamingos. They look very healthy and bright pink given their diet of foods containing carotenoid pigment. Here is a photo we took of them a little over a year ago.

As for the house at 1812 Walker Avenue, built in 1927, grabbed our attention as we drove around the corner. Wonder where they will land next.

Happy Tuesday! 

Chalkware Vignette by Lori Gray

Tis fair season. The Central Carolina Fair in Greensboro, a tradition since 1898, closed yesterday. The NC State Fair opens Thursday, October 12th in Raleigh. It will be full of exhibits and carnival rides and games. For years, chalkware was de rigeur at carnivals- from the early 1900s to the 1950s. Before stuffed animals were prizes, chalkware pieces were given to those whose carnival game skills merited a prize. The above collection is on display at Antique Market Place on Burnt Poplar Road. Lori Gray assembled the collection into this wonderful vignette. With the top piece with lights and the drapes, it is as if you are at a carnival and get to select your prize from the lot. However, the collection is being sold together, not piece by piece. 

Lori is a master vignette artist and nostalgia maker. She has a booth at the Antique Market Place and has a way of taking seemingly disparate items and pulling them together into a picture perfect scenes that evoke memories: Being in grandma's kitchen; hanging out in the living room of a dear family friend; sitting in a mod kitchen; preparing for a day of fun and games; and on, and on. We went this weekend just to visit this staging of her chalkware. Some lucky person will leave with a mighty fine collection. There is everything from the original kewpie dolls to Disney figures. We're wondering how many of these were won at the Central Carolina Fair. If you are local, head out and see this collection. The fair may have left town, but the collection is still here! Never again will you see so many pieces of chalkware in one place at one time! 

Happy Monday!

Autumn Will Be Here Before We Know It!

While this was taken on the 4th of July, it is one of our favorite photos of Summer 2023 in Greensboro. It was taken in front of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum. The above photo shows people out at a festival enjoying the summer with family and friends. The sun was shining brightly.

We are hearing people saying they wish fall would hurry up and get here. Fall will be here in 33 more days, just over a month. This is the last week of vacation for Guilford County Schools students (on a traditional calendar) as school resumes on Monday, August 28th. After the start of school comes Labor Day, and then the National Folk Festival, and then fall. Let's not rush our days away.

Happy Monday!

Join Junior League of Greensboro

The Junior League of Greensboro (JLG) has been promoting volunteerism and the leadership potential of women in Greensboro for 95 years. According to their website, the JLG was founded on May 26, 1926 when Miss Kathleen Price (later Mrs. Joseph M. Bryan) organized the Junior Charity League with some book club friends and other select young women. In the early years of JLG, the organization worked closely with UNCG which was, at that time, a women's college.*  Over the years, JLG has done so much fundraising to help worthy projects of Greensboro. For example, in the 1970s, they raised money to help restore Blandwood Mansion. Over the years, they have been running the Bargain Box, a thrift store that raises money for their different causes.

The above photo was taken of a lawn of Junior League members who live in the Kirkwood neighborhood of Greensboro. It was taken on Independence Drive during the Fourth of July Festival last week. What a great way to advertise for your organization- with yard signs. Even if you don't live in Greensboro, you may know about Junior League, as there are over 295 Junior Leagues in four countries. Their headquarters is located at 3101 West Friendly Avenue, across from Friendly Center (see HERE).

 

* read the organizations timeline, HERE.

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!

Guilford College: Student Humor

Sunday, walking around Guilford College, we stumbled upon their pottery kilns and some recently fired pottery.We got a big chuckle with the lovely pottery bust and the fact that someone snuck a bright red wig on it. We're not sure of the backstory, but so often these lighthearted pranks happen at the end of the semester. By that time, students have gotten to know each well and, in some cases, have built deep friendships. The scene reminds us all to see the humor all around us and to find opportunities to smile. Life can be so serious. Exam time and graduation are big steps in the life of college students. Here's to a great end to the semester for everyone.

Here is the schedule for higher education graduations for the Greensboro area. The graduation for Guilford College is May 13, 9 a.m. on the quadrangle lawn at the college. The keynote speaker will be Mandy Cohen, former secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. That should be an inspirational speech.

Happy Tuesday!

 

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.

Palm Sunday, Minerva, and Mercy Hill

Today is Palm Sunday; for Christians, the day Christ entered into Jerusalem. It is the first day of Holy Week. So why does the above photo feature the Minerva Statue on the campus * of UNCG? Well, last week, we were walking across campus and noticed the apples are back. As tradition has it, since Minerva is the goddess of wisdom, justice, law, and victory, college students leave an apple, with one bite out,  at her base to bring them luck during exams. However, curiously, we noticed someone was placing Easter eggs at the base, too. We had to investigate.

As it turns out, college students (a few, off on the right edge of the photo, you can see a couple of them) were placing the plastic eggs in highly visible places. Inside was a piece of candy and a note advertising a church service geared towards college students. a service and a late night party at Mercy Hill Church, the northwest campus at 5330 Edgefield Road.  Stuffed in with a wrapped piece of candy, the message read, "Join us as we celebrate Easter with other college students across the Triad! We would love to see you there." The students felt like the Easter egg hunt would be more effective than just having an informational table. Let's hope the effort worked for them and that the students who are looking for Christian fellowship found their way to Mercy Hill. Mercy Hill has 5 campuses in Guilford County and services all this week, including a "Walk through" experience on Good Friday. See their schedule of events for the week HERE. There will be something to do almost every day this week. We're wondering how the students hiding the eggs in plain sight became affiliated with Mercy Hill and whether or not new students attended this week. 

Have a great week, and, if you are looking for a spiritual connection, this is a good week to find it.

Happy Palm Sunday!

* watch this short Youtube video about the Minerva statue. See HERE for the story of the sculptor of the Minerva statue, James Barnhill. 

Elm Street Center: 203 S. Elm Street

Elm Street Center is located at 203 South Elm Street in a building that was constructed in 1949 for the Ellis-Stone Department Store. This was eight years before Friendly Center was built (1957) In the same year, Ellis-Stone sold the store to Talheimber's. Since then, the space has also been an antique mall and an event center- and possibly more. Here is an interior view we featured in 2012, showing that fabulous staircase in the center of the building.

We love the way the red brick building peeks through the brightly colored flags of the Los Chicos Mexican Restaurant across the street at 200 South Elm Street. It is always fun to have cars in a photo. Nothing dates a photo more than cars and fashion! It is supposed to rain today; however, the middle of the week is scheduled to be nice. If you get a chance and need to get some steps in, consider walking Elm Street. From Center City Park at North Elm to the new Common Grounds Coffee Shop at Gate City, the distance is .6 miles. You can walk there and back, enjoying downtown, and pretty effortlessly get in 1.2 miles. If you see us walking along the sidewalk, be sure to say hello!

Happy Monday!

A Bit of A Nonconventional Church

A church is a public place made available for worship. Today's "church" is a display set up in the middle of the Antique Marketplace on Burnt Poplar Road. Master interior decorator and room stager, Lori Gray, often stages the displays at the entrance of Antique Marketplace. Sometimes she brings in items to use. Other times, she just walks around the antique mall and takes items for sale at the different vendors' booths and assembles them in the middle of the store. The above photo is a scene, a church, she staged recently. The more you look at the display, the more references you will see. A fan on the altar for hot days, before there was air conditioning, shine brightly reflecting the light from the lamps. There are crosses on the doors- probably 20 feet tall.  The trumpets represent the music in church. Ladies Sunday-go-to-church hats are on the chairs beside purses, and a collection plate. In the middle is a painting of the Last Supper. 

This display is so creative. Have you ever seen one quite like it in an antique mall. As we walked the aisles, passing by the display a few times, by the end, we really did want to sit, rest, and have a little silent meditation. A church is a public place made available for worship. So, technically, last Tuesday night, we went to church. However, we need to get back and drop a few dollars in the collection plate. Remember church, synagogue, temple, or mosque is not about the physical space as much as what we do there.

Happy Sunday!

Magnolia House: Interior View

Magnolia house, located at 422 Gorrell Street, is so important to Greensboro's history. It was built in 1890, but during the height of the Jim Crow era, Magnolia House gained special importance as a Green Book hotel. African Americans could stay here safely; guests would stay and often take a shoebox lunch with them as food on the road could be hard to come by. Today, Magnolia House again has lodgers, prepares meals, and educates groups about the history of the house. The signage throughout tells of prominent African Americans who stayed there, like Ike and Tina Turner and Jackie Robinson.  Magnolia House has special events; you can book weddings, music events, and more. It is quickly becoming a special destination in Greensboro.

The above photo features one of the downstairs rooms. The interior decorating was done by Gina Hicks and Laura Mensch of Vivid Interiors on South Elm Street. *  They brought their special flair while collaborating closely with property manager, Natalie Miller, whose father Samuel Pass owned Magnolia House. Above is an example of way Hicks and Mensch  respected the integrity of the architecture, leaving the fireplace, chair rails, high ceilings, yet brought a very elegant and glamorous look to the rooms. The wallpaper, gold light fixture, and mirror as a show stopping combination. Each of the six bedrooms are uniquely decorated.

The Christmas event at Magnolia House sold out; there doesn't appear to be a New Year's Eve event open to the public. However, check their schedule to see when a room is available and how you can order a shoebox lunch, or schedule a tour. Truly, this is a special piece of Greensboro's history. See more HERE. If you've never seen an exterior view, here is when we featured it in 2021.

Happy Thursday!

 

* read O. Henry Magazine article HERE.